As I was driving down the 5 on Christmas Eve, I made a brief stop in Carlsbad, CA. to check out the recently re-opened SEA LIFE™ Aquarium at the LEGOLAND^® California Resort.

Photo by Shelly Smith

For those of you who don't know, LEGOLAND^® opened this two-story, 36,000 square-foot Aquarium back in August. Only to then close this brand-new facility back in August to make some modifications. Jim, Alice and I visited SEA LIFE™ Aquarium back in September and -- while we thought the place made for a charming addition to LEGOLAND California -- it was still admittedly a bit on the sparse side.

Which was why it was so great to see that the folks at LEGOLAND California had spent the past six weeks so wisely. Adding detail wherever they could. A new mural in SEA LIFE™ Aquarium's entrance area as well as a new welcoming video. They also added a new slide and additional decor to the Aquarium's Lake Tahoe section ...

Photo by Shelly Smith

... not to mention a new interactive LEGO sand castle building area.

Photo by Shelly Smith

The end result is that SEA LIFE™ Aquarium now provides a far better guest experience. As you tour this building's 14 themed rooms and view its 36 displays, you don't notice the shortcomings anymore. You just enjoy the show.

Anyway, rather than re-open its Aquarium attraction with a bang, LEGOLAND California opted to go with a splash instead. Sending two "elf" drives into the building's main 200,000 tank. Where -- right in the middle of the Aquarium's Lost City of Atlantis display -- they decorated a LEGO^® Christmas tree was made up of 4,000 DUPLO^® bricks and topped with a LEGO starfish.

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SEA LIFE Aquarium isn't the only part of this park that's celebrating the season. If you wander back into LEGOLAND California itself, you'll find the world's biggest LEGO Christmas tree ...

Photo by Shelly Smith

... as well as a life-size version of Santa, his sleigh and two reindeer built entirely out of (you guessed it!) LEGOS.

Photo by Shelly Smith

Speaking of Santa, if you make your way over to Miniland, you can discover how tough Mr. Claus actually had it as he flew 'round the world yesterday and tried to make his deliveries. Between having his sled slide off a rooftop in San Francisco ...

Photo by Shelly Smith

... to being roughed up by the Secret Service when he landed on top of the White House.

Photo by Shelly Smith

Thank goodness that -- once Santa finished -- he was then able to blow off steam by attending a Santa Claus convention down in New Orleans.

Photo by Shelly Smith

If you're like Santa and looking for a liitle post-Christmas fun, you should consider dropping by LEGOLAND California and catching the park's tenth annual Holiday Block Party. Which culminates on December 31st with the park's very popular Kids’ New Year’s Eve party. For further information on this Carlsbad, CA. area attraction, please click on this link.

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