Lego Ninjago Arrives at Legoland California with Unique Interactive Dark Ride

Legoland California will debut a "world's first" ride next year as a part of a new expanded area themed around the world of Lego Ninjago.  The new land will be located under a giant arch behind the Imagination Zone, and will feature a large courtyard filled with Ninjago training activities, along with an Asian cuisine location and retail store.  The training activities will include balance spinners, reflex tests, a rock wall and more - all in preparation of the area's biggest attraction, Ninjago The Ride.

Ninjago - The Ride will be manufactured by Triotech, the company behind Cedar Fair's recent dark ride instillations.  Instead of using a blaster to interact with digital media, this new ride will be the first ever to react to hand gestures - like a karate chop for instance - and correlate them to what takes place on the screen.

More details on the experience were released by the park: "Through 3D imagery, high-tech sensors and the use of hand movements in a striking motion, up to four riders per car, representing the four main Ninjago characters, can blast animated fireballs, lightning, shockwaves and ice as they travel through dojos to master their skills before heading into battle.  Riders collect points for their training and battle efforts throughout the ride and scores are displayed when their quest is completed. 4D effects such as heat, smoke and wind are also incorporated throughout the adventure, giving guests the ultimate interactive experience."

It sounds pretty neat to be able to blast at creatures with just the movement of your hands, I'm quite excited to see how the technology will be applied to the ride, especially in terms of aim.  The interactive nature - plus the challenge of accumulating points - will make this one a huge hit with families.

Legoland California, which opened a hotel and water park in recent years, has seen 11 straight years of attendance growth - an amazing feat.

A similar expansion, featuring the same ride, will also open in 2016 at Legoland Billund in Denmark.