Merlin Entertainments is investing more than US$20m (£27.8m, 13.6m euro) in a new adventure area and SEA LIFE aquarium to be located adjacent to its LEGOLAND theme park in California, US.

The 36,000sq ft (3,345sq m) aquarium – to open in July 2008 – will feature an educational and interactive element with play zones, fun facts and quiz trails themed on the fresh waters of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, San Francisco Bay and the depths of the Pacific Ocean, complete with local sea creatures. An interactive discovery zone will offer children the opportunity to help build their own coral reef out of LEGO bricks and enjoy touch pools.

Opening in March 2008, the new Land of Adventure area will house four new attractions – Cargo Ace, Beetle Bounce, Pharaoh’s Revenge and Lost Kingdom Adventure – within a recreated 1920s Egyptian environment featuring ancient temple ruins and pharoahs made out of LEGO. The Lost Kingdom Adventure will be the park’s first dark ride.