LEGOLAND Florida is growing brick by brick into a major attraction in Central Florida
Throughout it’s brief history, the LEGOLAND Florida Resort has suffered from the same dilemma that ultimately lead to the closure of its predecessor, Cypress Gardens. Located in the quiet hamlet of Winter Haven, approximately 45 minutes from most of the other Central Florida attractions, the resort has always needed a way to not only be a 1-day park, but a multi-day destination.
Recent additions, such as the expansion of the LEGOLAND water park and the addition of the World of Chima have helped but they are not the answer. Now, with the official opening of the LEGOLAND Hotel on May 15, 2015, the park is set to become a place where families choose to not only visit, but stay.
“LEGOLAND Hotel offers a unique experience unlike any other in Florida,” said General Manager of LEGOLAND Hotel, Kevin Carr. “Imagine how excited children will be to wake up in a giant toy box full of LEGO bricks and to be the first to enter the theme park each day.”
Carr expects to hire 150 Model Citizens (employees) to support the Hotel.
Coupled with the opening of I-Drive 360, which features the Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium and Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions, the park’s owners, Merlin Entertainments, is set to become one of the major players in the Orlando area.
“Merlin Entertainments is branching out in Central Florida and we’re excited to offer guests not only days of memorable family experiences at LEGOLAND Florida Resort but another fun-filled day at The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium,” added LEGOLAND Florida Resort General Manager Adrian Jones. “Discounted ticket packages to be announced at a later date will be offered along with shuttle services that already exist between Orlando and Winter Haven.”
Jones also announced Heartlake City, the newest land based on the popular LEGO® Friends line of toys, is opening this summer.
“When it opens in summer of 2015, Heartlake City will be a colorful and vibrant new land offering adventures for all ages,” said Jones. “The centerpieces will include a fantastic horse-themed disc coaster called Mia’s Riding Adventure and an interactive show, ‘Friends to the Rescue’ as well as new shops inside Heartlake Mall. Between our constant expansion, the new LEGOLAND Hotel opening in May and the Water Park re-opening in March, LEGOLAND Florida Resort is definitely a multi-day attraction.”
Jones also announced a Master Model Builder Workshop being offered exclusively to Hotel guests.
“We’re moving the Model Shop into our Hotel and guests will be able to learn and build with our Model Builders daily in the Master Model Builder Workshop,” Jones continued.
Both additions are expected to boost the local economy.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a 150-acre interactive theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, a Water Park and The LEGO World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network all geared to families with children ages 2 to 12.
There are currently five other LEGOLAND Parks in the world – LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Deutschland near Günzburg, Germany and LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London and LEGOLAND Malaysia —the sixth LEGOLAND Park and first in Asia. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in the world.