World’s Biggest Legoland Adds to China’s Amusement Park Glut

Legoland’s Shanghai theme park opens this week as the world’s biggest of its kind. But attracting the crowds that Disneyland did when it launched in 2016 will be an uphill battle for operator Merlin Entertainments in China’s now frugal, crowded consumer market.

While construction of the project began when Chinese tourism was on its rebound post-pandemic and theme park tickets were selling out during major holidays, amusement destinations are now raking in less cash.

The recent three-day Dragon Boat Festival public holiday saw spending per trip go down 2.2% on year to 359 yuan (about $50), though the data ...