Coastersaurus Returns to Legoland Florida After Major Rebuild

Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven is welcoming back one of its most beloved original attractions: Coastersaurus, the wooden roller coaster that has been closed since early January, reopens on August 16 — fittingly, National Roller Coaster Day. The timing is no coincidence for a ride that holds a unique place in Florida's theme park landscape.

The closure gave Merlin Entertainments crews the opportunity to do far more than routine maintenance. Workers rebuilt the wooden structure from the ground up and upgraded the ride's electrical and operational systems, braking system, infrastructure, and safety monitoring technology. According to Legoland, the comprehensive overhaul is designed to keep Coastersaurus running reliably for another 20 to 30 years while preserving the classic feel of a traditional wooden coaster.

Coastersaurus carries a rich local history. It debuted at the predecessor park, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, in November 2004 under the name Triple Hurricane — a nod to the three storms that hit Polk County that year: Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. The ride was installed by Martin & Vleminckx (now MV Rides), the same company behind iconic coasters like Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point and Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. When Legoland Florida opened in October 2011 after Cypress Gardens closed in 2009, the coaster was rethemed and relaunched as Coastersaurus.

The ride itself offers about 1,365 feet of track, reaches a top speed of around 32 mph, and stands roughly 39 feet tall. Situated in the Land of Adventure section of the park, the coaster's cars wind through a simulated jungle populated by dinosaur figures built from Lego bricks. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall to board. Guests looking to plan a visit can find Legoland Florida tickets in advance to make the most of the reopening buzz.

This article is based on reporting by Gary White of the Lakeland Ledger.