Orange is the New Cool - New York’s OC

Orange has become the new cool, as Orange County announces the 2020 opening of a LEGOLAND New York themepark.

Rendering of LEGOLAND New York, with announced opening of 2020.

The 170-acre LEGOLAND New York resort is expected to attract approximately two million visitors annually to Goshen, a small town in the foothills of the Catskills – a region that has undergone a lot of development in recent years.

According to Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Howard Zemsky, “LEGOLAND New York’s commitment to community partnership – including donating a portion of its revenue to the community, strong educational opportunities… and workforce training – make this project a win-win for Orange County.”

LEGOLAND New York, which will receive approximately $25 million in support from the Regional Economic Development Council, the Upstate Revitalization Initiative and New York State for projects such as off-site road infrastructure improvements and traffic mitigation measures on already busy Route 17, is forecast to create 800 construction jobs and 1,300 full-time, part-time, and seasonal jobs during its anticipated April 1 to November 1 season.

Merlin Entertainments plc, owner of the LEGOLAND franchise, now operates more than 100 attractions – including LEGOLAND themeparks in California, Florida, United Kingdom, Germany, Malaysia, Denmark, Dubai and Japan – and 15 hotels and six holiday villages in 24 countries. At the October 25, 2017 announcement ceremony Merlin CEO Nick Varney said, “We have spent a lot of time building relationships in the community, listening and responding to concerns, and we are looking forward to building a themepark that will enhance the community and be a tremendous neighbor…I can pledge to you that LEGOLAND New York will be a trusted and valued member of this community.”

As part of the development deal, every year, LEGOLAND New York will host two “Community Days” and donate 50% of the park’s ticket sale revenue to the Town of Goshen. All Goshen residents will be offered a 50% discount on standard one-day themepark tickets as well.

According to Merlin Entertainments, the Goshen themepark anticipates generating $283 million in sales tax and hotel occupancy tax for Orange County over the period of 30 years. Additionally, they estimate that the Town of Goshen would receive about $71 million in revenue from the host community fee, plus its share of PILOT payments and tax payments.

The park’s management will also provide educational program for ages 2-12, including year-round programs focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education. They plan to partner with local schools and colleges to train and employ students interested in careers in hospitality, business, and mechanical engineering and offer special programs and discounted tickets to area schools, including all school districts within Orange County.

Until LEGOLAND opens, The OC can claim that Orange is the New Black in Halloween events.

The Corn Estate in Orange County, New York is open this Halloween.

The county’s many scare parks and haunted farms are said to make this part of the Hudson Valley home to some of the most terrifying Halloween attractions in the country, attracting thousands of people each year from Philadelphia to Boston – perhaps, all future LEGOLAND customers.

So, grab your grown ones and check out the outdoor and indoor frights of Terror Dome in Newburgh; or catch the live performers and special effects wizardry at the Forest of Fear in Sterling Forest, 600 Route 17A in Tuxedo.

There’s more: the Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe holds the Guinness World Record for the longest haunted attraction in the world. Fright Nights at Pierson’s Farm has both big boy and little kid thrills, with a non-haunted petting zoo and baby corn maze as well as a haunted graveyard.

And the Corn Estate Haunted House really puts on a family show the last weekend of October and Halloween night, in Cornwall on Hudson.  Check attraction websites for annual schedules and special pricing and have yourself a scare!

For more information on now and upcoming Orange County attractions, lodging, and events, visit OrangeTourism.org and iloveny.com

.