Legoland California is a theme park and miniature park located in Carlsbad, California, based on the Lego toy brand. On March 20, 1999, it became the third Legoland park to open, and the first Legoland outside of Europe. The park is owned by Merlin Entertainments, the largest theme park firm in Europe, and second largest in the world after Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Merlin acquired the properties in 2004, and took a controlling interest in 2005. Merlin also owns and operates the Sea Life aquarium that opened in August 2008 at Legoland California, the first in North America.