CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Legoland in Carlsbad wants to expand, and the theme park plans to ask the Carlsbad City Council for approval of a hotel on its property.

"The hotel is due to be a fully themed Legoland hotel, quite different from the other hotels around us," said Legoland General Manger Peter Ronchetti.

The hotel will have theme rooms, such as pirate rooms and adventure rooms. The rooms are similar to those in the only existing Legoland hotel in the world -- in Billund, Denmark.

The 254-room hotel would be located right by the entrance to Legoland, in what is now a parking lot. Legoland has no idea yet when the hotel would be built. If it receives city council approval, it still has to be approved by the California Coastal Commission.

Additionally, there are economic implications.

"We need to keep an eye on the economic situation, watch for signs of recovery in the market," said Ronchetti.

Legoland itself has bucked the bad economy, as Ronchetti said last year was a record year for attendance, and this year is significantly higher.

The hotel has been in the planning stages for three years, Legoland officials said.

Legoland currently has 600 to 1,500 employees, depending on the season.

They have no figures yet on how many more jobs the hotel would create.