5 changes to upgraded Lego Discovery Center at Phipps

Lego Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza recently shut down for six months for a refresh.

The space was about a decade old and owner Merlin Entertainments wanted to incorporate new interactive technology.

Some popular aspects remain essentially the same such as the 4D theater showing Lego-themed movies with actual wind and water to supplement the films, a virtual reality Lego adventure experience, a pirate-themed indoor playground and Kingdom Quest, a ride which involves light blasters and two riders competing to shoot targets and build points.

Admission tickets start at $30.99 with new annual pass pricing not yet determined. (People with prior existing annual passes had them automatically extended since the attraction was closed for so long.)

Caroline Ruthven, Lego Discovery Center’s marketing manager, said staff has also been given sensory training for children on the autism spectrum and each zone will have sensory ratings to help parents navigate what is best for their kids.

Overall, she said, “it’s a way more open floor plan.”

“I feel we are providing more value and more interactive stuff,” added Philip Quinn-Simmons, the lead master model builder. “There’s more to do.”

A couple of original set pieces are gone. A water-themed Lego game featuring boats was no longer working before the venue closed last year for renovations and was entirely removed this go around. And Merlin’s Apprentice, a pedaling ride, is also gone.

Here are notable changes to the space, which is across from the AMC theaters on the third floor:

Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com

Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com

New spaceship game

You can build a personalized rocket out of Legos, then set it in a slot to be scanned into an actual video game. On the screen, you can land your own rocket on planets and shoot asteroids.

Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com

Expanded Duplo playground for toddlers

The Merlin’s Apprentice ride was sacrificed to greatly expand space for toddlers ages 5 and younger using bigger Duplo bricks called Duplo Park. (The former space for toddlers is now expanded space for the café.) There’s a duck fishing game, marble mazes, a slide and soft bricks for the little kids to build walls.

Credit: RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com

Create a personalized mini-Lego figure

The opening room enables you to create your own Lego mini-figure with pre-selected torso, legs, head and hat/hair options, followed by a green screen digital photo opp. Also, in the gift shop at the end of your time there, you can create a second personalized mini-figure for an extra $12. The technology enables you to design your own torso with whatever designs and words you want.

Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com

More interaction with Lego master model builders

Instead of one master model builder, the venue now has three. It also opened up a special workshop attached to the room full of Atlanta icons build out of Legos such as Stone Mountain, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ponce City Market and the High Museum of Art. This way, the model builders can better interact directly with the patrons, who can watch them work their builds in real time. The extra builders means more Lego classes are available as well. “We now always have a master builder on site,” said master builder Quinn-Simmons. “Previously, I could only do so much.”

Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com

New car racing stations

The designers revamped all the ramps and provided far more Lego pieces and building areas to create cars, which can then be tested out on said ramps. One is pyramid themed, another resembles a volcano and a third tests whether the Lego vehicle can jump over an alligator.

IF YOU GO

Lego Discovery Center Atlanta

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, admission prices starting at $30.99, Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. legodiscoverycenter.com/Atlanta

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