Paw Patrol, Pokémon and LEGO power a new wave of toy tourism

From Tokyo’s verdant hillsides to the outskirts of London and Southern California’s coast, 2026 is shaping up as a landmark year for “toy tourism,” with Paw Patrol, Pokémon and LEGO all anchoring major new attractions aimed squarely at families planning their next big trip.

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Paw Patrol rolls into the UK with a first-of-its-kind land

In southwest London, Chessington World of Adventures is preparing to debut what published coverage describes as the world’s first fully fledged Paw Patrol land in spring 2026. The multi‑million‑pound project, widely reported as costing around £15 million and covering roughly 1.4 acres, will transform a corner of the family park into Adventure Bay, complete with a full-scale Lookout Tower and character meet-and-greets for young fans.

Plans, concept art and recent construction updates indicate that the new World of Paw Patrol will launch with four rides tailored to preschool and early primary school visitors. A family coaster inspired by the show’s emergency missions is due to headline the line-up, joined by an aerial spinner themed to Skye, a water or hovercraft-style attraction linked to Zuma, and a reimagined flat ride rethemed around firefighter pup Marshall. Soft landscaping, pup-sized theming elements and an interactive trail are expected to extend the experience beyond the rides themselves.

Travel trade and leisure outlets note that Chessington’s Paw Patrol investment is part of a broader push by Merlin Entertainments to lean into globally recognised preschool brands. Early ticket information suggests that the new land will be included in general admission, positioning it as a key draw for families weighing up UK breaks and day trips in 2026.

For international visitors, especially those combining London with other European cities, the new Paw Patrol area adds another reason to factor suburban theme parks into their itineraries. With work on site reported to be in advanced stages and ride testing underway, operators are signalling confidence that the land will be ready for the crucial spring and summer travel windows.

PokéPark Kanto brings Pokémon fans to Tokyo’s Tama Hills

On the other side of the world, Pokémon is making a decisive move into destination tourism with the opening of PokéPark Kanto at Yomiuriland, on the western edge of Tokyo. According to information released through Japanese and international media, the permanent outdoor park opened its gates on 5 February 2026, timed to coincide with the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

Covering around 26,000 square metres in the Tama Hills, the park is organised into two main zones: Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town. Reports from early previews describe Pokémon Forest as a 500‑metre walking route through rocky paths, tunnels and tall grass, dotted with more than 600 Pokémon figures, sculptures and interactive elements that can be discovered and photographed. Sedge Town, by contrast, concentrates more traditional attractions, food outlets and game experiences that echo the feel of a classic Pokémon hub city.

Japanese travel specialists highlight PokéPark Kanto as one of the country’s headline openings for 2026, positioning it alongside major anniversary events at other theme parks and new cultural attractions. Advance coverage suggests that demand from both domestic and international visitors is strong, with fans keen to fold a day at the new park into Tokyo itineraries that already feature the city’s anime districts and gaming landmarks.

For long-haul travellers, PokéPark Kanto reinforces a trend in which single‑IP lands evolve into stand‑alone reasons to cross continents. With Pokémon’s multigenerational fan base and extensive merchandise ecosystem, tour planners are already treating the park as a potential anchor for themed packages, especially for families with school‑age children and for adult fans looking to connect their nostalgia with a once‑in‑a‑lifetime trip.

LEGO looks to the stars with new Galaxy attractions

In the United States, LEGO’s theme park portfolio is also entering a new phase in 2026, with confirmed space‑themed expansions at key resorts. At Legoland California, official park information points to the opening of LEGO Galaxy in early 2026, a new land designed as an “out-of-this-world” environment featuring interstellar theming, kid-friendly attractions and character encounters that lean into the toy brand’s long-running space sets.

Details published by the resort indicate that LEGO Galaxy will combine hands-on play zones, family rides and photo spots in a compact but highly themed footprint. The concept taps into a renewed interest in space exploration and science storytelling, while giving the park a fresh hook for repeat visitors from the densely populated Southern California market and from further afield.

On the opposite coast, industry documents and travel trade materials reference Galacticoaster at Legoland Florida, billed as the resort’s first indoor roller coaster and also targeting an early 2026 debut. The ride is set inside a 30,000‑square‑foot building and is expected to immerse guests in a stylised LEGO universe of planets, starships and cosmic characters, increasing the park’s weather‑proof offerings for families visiting central Florida.

Together, LEGO Galaxy and Galacticoaster underline how LEGO parks are leaning into high‑concept, story‑driven environments that mirror the narrative worlds children build at home. For families planning multi‑day Orlando or Southern California itineraries around the major destination parks, these LEGO additions provide extra reasons to allocate a day to smaller, child‑focused resorts.

Toy brands as travel drivers in the 2026 family market

Across continents, the 2026 slate of Paw Patrol, Pokémon and LEGO projects signals how toy and children’s entertainment brands are evolving into powerful travel motivators. Publicly available planning documents, park announcements and media coverage all point to operators concentrating investment on properties that already command strong loyalty among preschoolers, school‑age children and millennial parents.

For destination marketers, that shift is significant. A themed land or dedicated park based on a recognisable brand can function as a shorthand for the kind of holiday on offer, simplifying decisions for time‑pressed families. A child who recognises Adventure Bay, Pikachu or a classic LEGO spaceman from streaming and playtime is more likely to lobby for a particular trip, making these attractions a potent tool in the battle for limited vacation days and budgets.

At the same time, the 2026 openings illustrate how toy tourism is becoming more geographically diverse. Paw Patrol’s new land reinforces Britain’s position as a family short‑break hub for northern Europe, PokéPark Kanto strengthens Tokyo’s pull among international visitors, and LEGO’s expansions in California and Florida deepen North America’s already dense cluster of kid-focused parks. For many travellers, combining one of these new stops with museums, nature trips or cultural experiences will be an increasingly appealing way to keep both children and adults engaged.

As the year progresses and more details emerge on ticketing, soft openings and seasonal events, families planning 2026 and 2027 vacations are likely to see Paw Patrol, Pokémon and LEGO appearing ever more prominently in brochures and search results. For destinations that can align transport, accommodation and supporting experiences around these toy-fuelled attractions, the rewards could be substantial.