The folks behind Legoland California are set to undertake what could be the costliest expansion project yet for the famous theme park. Construction is set to begin on a long-promised themed hotel on the park grounds later this year.

The Lego-inspired hotel will be the first of its kind in the United States, though a 176-room Lego hotel already exists at another park location in Denmark.

The hotel will be a costly but wise investment, according to Legoland officials. They are hoping a hotel on site will keep folks arriving on flights to San Diego to stick around the expansive park for more than one day at a time.

Park planners argue that with Legoland’s ever-increasing reach, it is becoming harder for families to see everything in one day. Since opening in 1999, Legoland California has embarked on a number of ambitious expansion projects, the latest of which resulted in the $20 million SeaLife Aquarium just a few summers ago.

Source: SignOnSanDiego

Flickr: C Jill Reed