Project Dojo

Work on removing Vikings River Splash at LEGOLAND Windsor continues, with more of the ride’s trough now removed alongside some iconic pieces of theming from around the attraction.

The Viking figures that once stood over the ride near the Hill Train have now been removed and appear to have been ripped out rather than saved. Work also looks to have started on the rapids section near the Hill Train entrance, with a digger now spotted in the turnaround section of the ride.

Even more impressive is the progress being made on removing the large mound that the rapids once sat on, with dirt and metal rebar now being taken away. It looks like the land could be completely flattened back to how it looked many years ago before the attraction was built.

Parts of the station and queue line also still remain standing. Looking across the site from the Spinning Spider queue line, one final section of the large queue line structure can still be seen.

It will not be long before Vikings River Splash is completely gone.

Legoland have submitted plans for a new rollercoaster to be installed on the site of the former Vikings River Splash ride at Legoland Windsor.

The proposal appears to mirror a recent addition at Legoland Korea known as Masters of Spinjitzu, which was revealed to be a Mack family spinning rollercoaster. The planning application, submitted under the title and reference 26/01050/CPD, seeks a certificate of lawfulness to determine whether the proposed installation of plant and machinery is acceptable.

This includes the coaster itself along with associated features such as an operators cabin, loading platform and perimeter fencing. It is encouraging to see this area of the park being brought back into use so soon after the previous attraction is being demolished.

The removal of Vikings River Splash at LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is progressing well, with much of the old rapids ride now dismantled. However, the lift hill is still standing, so there is plenty of work remaining before the attraction is fully removed.

The roof over the queue line is currently being taken apart and removed. Several LEGO models are still in place, including the large dragon and those located near the Hill Train entrance at the bottom of the hill. The four Viking figures also remain standing for now, although it is likely they will be removed soon, marking the end of a well known and much photographed scene.

A white fence has been installed beside the Hill Train while work continues on the site. It would be good to see some graphics added to this fence, as it is not particularly attractive for guests using the train.

Overall, it is estimated that around 60% of the ride has now been removed.

Significant work is currently underway at Legoland Windsor to remove Vikings’ River Splash, with roughly one quarter of the ride now dismantled since our last visit to the area. The removal is proving no easy task, given the ride’s location, but the large, heavy-duty machines are handling the demolition with surprising efficiency.

The work has already seen the first section of the station taken apart, along with the initial corner bend around the LEGO model and the opening section of the Vikings tunnel. This tunnel, lined with teeth along its exterior, marks the first major visual portion of the ride to be removed—essentially accounting for about a quarter of the entire attraction.

At the base of the lift hill, even more machinery is on site. While it’s not entirely clear what each piece is being used for, it seems certain they will aid in dismantling the remaining sections of the ride. The scale of the equipment and the speed of progress suggest that the full removal may be completed sooner rather than later.

It is particularly interesting that the park has chosen to carry out such substantial demolition while remaining open to guests, a move that will certainly be noticeable to visitors exploring the surrounding area.

Goodbye, Vikings’ River Splash

The permit to remove the Vikings River Splash ride has been approved, and demolition work is now in full swing. Heavy machinery is on site, starting with the removal of a section of the rapids to improve access. Piles of metal rebar from the trough are stacked on the ground, waiting to be collected in large skips before the major demolition begins.

Dismantling the ride is no small task — this was a concrete-heavy rapids ride, and crews are carefully breaking down sections piece by piece. Massive chunks of concrete and steel are being removed, making way for the next phase of the project. Watching the machinery and teams tackle this enormous task is impressive, and a little bittersweet for fans who have loved the ride over the years.

As for what comes next? Rumors are already swirling that the area could be transformed into a NINJAGO® spinning rollercoaster, similar to the one that recently opened at NINJAGO®: Masters of Spinjitzu in LEGOLAND Korea. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but fans are excited to imagine what could take the place of the Vikings River Splash!

LEGOLAND Windsor has submitted a site notice of application for prior approval for demolition. The application seeks a determination from the local planning authority regarding the method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the former Vikings’ River Splash ride.

Some removal work has already begun, with LEGO models and ride theming being taken down, but this marks a major milestone for the park. The ride occupies a significant piece of land that could soon become home to a new rollercoaster, themed area, or set of attractions.

A Final Look

With the hillside near the ride open on Sunday, we had the opportunity to take one last look at the site. Demolition is scheduled for 9th March 2026, meaning this area will soon disappear from the park forever.

While some large LEGO models remain on-site, they are likely destined for disposal. It’s sad to see these intricate creations removed, but a few models from the ride’s queue line have been gathered in a small display on the hillside. Fans have already begun imagining what could replace the ride—ideas range from a LEGO Harry Potter attraction to a space-themed ride or rollercoaster, similar to expansions seen at LEGOLAND Florida and California.

The queue line and entrance structure have mostly been dismantled, and the huge red dragon that once stood proudly is now missing from its original location. Meanwhile, a classic Vikings’ River Splash bin still stands, vinyl panels intact, serving as a small but nostalgic reminder of the ride’s history.

It’s also almost certain that the picnic area adjacent to the ride will be closed and removed as part of this major redevelopment, freeing up even more space for whatever new attraction is planned.

Interestingly, the ride and its themed area have never been mentioned on the LEGOLAND Windsor history billboards. There is even a noticeable gap between the years 2005 and 2009, with no reference to what occupied the space during that time.

This is almost certainly our final opportunity to see Vikings’ River Splash in its original form. While it’s sad to see the ride go, excitement is already building for whatever comes next at LEGOLAND Windsor.

LEGOLAND Windsor has officially submitted a prior notification application for the demolition of Vikings’ River Splash, which has been SBNO since its closure in September 2023.

According to the application, demolition is expected to take place between March and November 2026, with the replacement attraction requiring a separate planning application. The area affected includes not only the ride footprint but also the adjacent picnic zone, which is likely to be removed as part of the redevelopment.

This represents a major change for the park, opening up a significant section of land that could be used for a new rollercoaster, themed area, or multiple attractions. While the ride has been quiet for over two years, its removal marks the start of an exciting new chapter for LEGOLAND Windsor.

After closing on 25th September 2023, nothing has changed with Vikings River Splash… until now!

Work on removing the huge rapids ride appears to have begun at LEGOLAND Windsor. Over the past few weeks, many of the LEGO models around the ride layout have been removed, but the ride itself remains largely intact.

The most noticeable change so far is the removal of the ride’s entrance portal, along with sections of the queue line and part of the queue canopy. This may only be the very start, but it’s still significant news and could hint at a potential new rollercoaster or even a brand-new area coming to LEGOLAND Windsor in the next few years.

The removal of such a large concrete rapids ride won’t be fast, quick, or easy. With work currently focused on the entrance and queue line, it’s likely we won’t see the attraction itself being removed for several weeks yet — but movement has finally begun.