(Interview) Inside Legoland Florida’s decision to preserve its wooden coaster, Coastersaurus

In an interview with Attractions Magazine, Cory Lytle, tech services director at Legoland Florida Resort, explained why preserving one of Florida’s last fully wooden roller coasters was the right investment, what went into the ambitious project, and how modern upgrades were carefully integrated without changing the ride’s character.

“The benefit of a wooden coaster is you still feel all the jostling—and that’s still there.”

Preserving a classic wooden coaster

Coastersaurus previously underwent a smaller refurbishment in late 2024 that focused on replacing sections of its wooden structure before reopening in December. According to Lytle, that work addressed only part of the coaster, with the remaining structural improvements completed during the attraction’s more extensive rebuild that began at the end of January 2026.

While this year’s refurbishment included significant structural work and upgrades to modern technology, Lytle said the goal was never to change what has made Coastersaurus a favorite for more than two decades. The goal of this extensive work was to preserve the classic ride experience while extending the attraction’s lifespan for years to come.

Lytle explained, “We want Legoland to have ride experiences for all of our guests—a full portfolio of different types of rides.”

What’s changed at Coastersaurus?

• Refurbished coaster train with new seats and handles
• Enhanced onboard audio and show elements
• A smoother stop in the station
• Updated LEGO models and scene placements
• Upgraded ride control systems
• Improvements to the ride tower and operational systems
• Extensive structural wood replacement

At first glance, Coastersaurus may look much as it always has, and that’s exactly what the team intended. Lytle said the project focused on preserving the attraction’s familiar appearance and ride experience while making meaningful improvements both on and off the track.

“The majority of the things guests see and feel are historical,” Lytle said. “Nothing major changed. It was really a one-for-one replacement of the ride’s structure.”

Take a look back at our POV video of Coastersaurus during a previous refurbishment.

Guests who ride after the reopening may notice a few refinements, particularly as the train returns to the station. The coaster’s train has been refurbished with new seats and handles, while adjustments to the braking system create a smoother, less abrupt stop. Frequent riders may also spot refreshed Lego models, enhanced audio, and relocated visual moments throughout the attraction.

Behind the scenes, however, the scope of work was far more extensive. The project included upgraded control systems, enhanced lap bar monitoring, improvements to the ride tower, and other maintenance investments designed to improve reliability while preserving the coaster’s classic wooden character for years to come.

Flashback: Tour Legoland Florida during its early days in 2011.

Balancing projects across the resort

Although Lytle brings more than 20 years of project management experience, overseeing the rebuild of a wooden roller coaster presented unique challenges. Unlike many construction projects, wooden coasters can reveal unexpected issues once crews begin removing aging materials, requiring careful planning and built-in contingencies throughout the process.

“With a wooden coaster, you start uncovering things, so you have to build in contingencies,” Lytle shared.

The timing added another layer of complexity. The comprehensive rebuild began after the end of January, while Legoland Florida was also preparing to debut its new indoor roller coaster, Galacticoaster.

Lytle said balancing multiple capital projects while maintaining the guest experience required constant coordination between the resort’s technical services, ride maintenance and project management teams. That same philosophy has guided recent refurbishments across the resort, including attractions like Joker Soaker and Mia’s Riding Adventure.

“If we take a ride down, it needs to come back feeling refreshed and brand new,” Lytle said.

For Lytle, preserving Coastersaurus was about more than replacing aging wood. It was about ensuring the classic family coaster continues to complement Legoland Florida’s growing lineup, giving guests a full range of ride experiences while honoring one of the park’s longest-running attractions.