Legoland 'Star Wars' models invading California

SAN FRANCISCO--On March 31, Legoland California will open to the public for the first time the new 'Star Wars' Miniland. Featuring more than 2,000 models that cover seven specific 'Star Wars' scenes, the new area at the Carlsbad, Calif., amusement park is aimed at entertaining children and adults alike. Made from 1.5 million Lego bricks, the models weigh about 1.3 tons.

But Lego made a stop in San Francisco yesterday and as part of my Road Trip at Home series, CNET was one of the only media outlets to get a sneak peek at some of the models that will soon be on display in Carlsbad. Legoland personnel, including master model builder Gary McIntire, dropped by CNET with life-size Chewbacca and R2-D2 models, as well as what they said is the world's largest Lego Millennium Falcon and several other smaller pieces.

This is the Millennium Falcon model, seen not-quite fully put together.

Here, master model builder Gary McIntire (right) and another Legoland employee pull the model of the Millennium Falcon off the truck.

A look at the front of the Millennium Falcon model.

A look at the cockpit of the Lego Millennium Falcon that will soon be installed at Legoland California.

McIntire adds a major rear section of the Millennium Falcon to the model, which was built in Germany and shipped mostly whole to the United States.

McIntire attaches the Millennium Falcon's main radar.

The Millennium Falcon's top turret sits unattached near the body of the giant Lego model.

The Legoland Millennium Falcon is wired for lights, and here we see some of the wiring inside the model's body.

The turret is now attached to the Millennium Falcon.

A life-size Chewbacca Lego model stands covered up inside the truck that Legoland personnel used to bring the pieces to CNET.

McIntire and another Legoland employee move the Chewbacca model, minus its head, off the truck.

The headless Chewbacca model stands in front of the CBS Interactive building in San Francisco, where CNET is based.

Chewbacca's head is added to the life-size Lego model.

Life-size models of R2-D2 and Chewbacca stand side-by-side. The two are part of more than 2,000 "Star Wars" models that will soon be installed at Legoland California.

The head of the life-size Lego Chewbacca.

McIntire and another Legoland employee pull their life-size R2-D2 model off their truck.

The R2-D2 model.

McIntire carries a base for an AT-AT Lego model.

McIntire begins assembling the AT-AT Lego model.

The body of the Lego AT-AT model that will be installed in the new "Star Wars" Miniland at Legoland in Carlsbad, Calif.

McIntire lifts the body of the AT-AT model into place.

One of the feet of the AT-AT model.

McIntire places the AT-AT body on its legs.

McIntire attaches the AT-AT model's head to its body.

A set of small models of other iconic "Star Wars" items, including the door to the Rebels' Hoth base, a fighter, and a ton ton, which is being ridden by a figurine of Luke Skywalker.