China’s first LEGOLAND Resort has become the fastest in the brand’s history to welcome two million guests, highlighting the strength of the country’s family attractions market.
China’s first LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort has become the fastest LEGOLAND park worldwide to welcome more than two million visitors, reaching the milestone within its first year of operation. The achievement comes as the resort celebrated its first anniversary on 5 July and provides another indicator of sustained demand for family-focused attractions in China.
Operated by Merlin Entertainments, the resort also recorded the strongest first-year visitor growth across the global LEGOLAND portfolio. Families with children continue to dominate attendance, accounting for more than 80 per cent of guests, while the park is attracting visitors from well beyond the Yangtze River Delta, including Beijing, Guangdong and Shandong.
John Jakobsen, chief strategic portfolio development officer at Merlin Entertainments, said: ‘LEGOLAND Shanghai delivered a very strong first year, ranking top in both visitor numbers and guest satisfaction among LEGOLAND Resorts globally.’
Jakobsen also confirmed that attendance has exceeded the company’s original forecasts and said Merlin is already planning further investment at the resort following positive guest feedback. According to the company, ticket sales and in-park spending each contribute around half of total revenue, reflecting healthy secondary spending alongside admissions.
The resort occupies 318,000 square metres in Shanghai’s Jinshan District and opened in July 2025 as China’s first LEGOLAND Resort. It features more than 75 rides, shows and attractions across eight themed lands and was the 11th LEGOLAND Resort to open worldwide.
For the attractions industry, the figures reinforce the long-term potential of the Chinese family leisure market. They also demonstrate Merlin’s continued confidence in large-scale destination development across Asia, where demand for immersive, branded attractions remains strong despite wider economic uncertainty. The company has already indicated that further investment is planned as LEGOLAND Shanghai enters its second year of operation.
Image: LEGOLAND Shanghai
