Legoland California’s first-ever convention for aficionados of the plastic toy bricks was a hit, said park representatives.
Surpassing original attendance goals of 1,500, an estimated 2,000 people came to the July 8-16 event that park marketers dubbed the “Lego Maniac Kidvention.”
At least 780 people came from outside the county, according to San Diego Travel Group, which booked official packages for the event.
According to the locally based agency, more than 275 hotel room nights were reserved.
Attendees booked one of three packages, including a two-day event pass that cost $42 for kids and $47 for adults. Event passes and a hotel room cost at least $89 for adults and $99 for children, based on how many people shared a room.
Packages that also included airline tickets started at $239 for each West Coast resident, and $509 each for East Coast visitors.
The park held activities for the attendees, including a “Maniac Clubhouse,” beach parties, sports competitions and early morning breakfasts with the park’s model builders.
Among the festivities was building a 667 yards long Lego-brick millipede. It set a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records.
According to park spokeswoman Jonna Rae Bartges, the event was a success for both the park and the local visitor industry.
Attendees seemed to enjoy San Diego County, she said.
“We feel really confident that they’re going to come back,” Bartges said. “Tourism-wise, we’re very, very excited about what this event accomplished.”
Whether there will be a repeat “Maniac” performance in Carlsbad next summer remains to be seen, Bartges said. The event might be moved to another Legoland location, she said.
There are Legoland parks in Denmark and England. A new one is planned to open in Germany in 2003.
According to Bartges, the event pulled in significant publicity for the park. It aired live twice on both “CBS This Morning” and cable channel MSNBC, she said.
In the country’s local television markets, the count of which hovers around 210, the “Kidvention” was covered in at least 180, Bartges said.
According to Cami Mattson, president and CEO of San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau, the event boosts the area’s reputation as both a family destination and a potential convention location.
“San Diego is so often thought of as a convention destination. The ‘Kidvention’ has a playful angle on that,” Mattson said.
