Legoland: Florida Opening October 15, 2011 [Archive]

View Full Version : Legoland: Florida Opening October 15, 2011

peaches magee

06-19-2009, 12:19 PM

http://i42.tinypic.com/2hz4zlf.gif

From Screamscape:

Legoland News - (6/18/09) One of our readers was invited to take quite an interesting online survey the other day that involves the possibility of a brand new theme park coming to the central Florida area. The questions were all about building Legoland Florida, which would be based on the basic design and layout of the Legoland California park, and feature about 50 different rides and attractions.
The survey asked some basic questions about ticket price levels as well trying to tell how interested people would be in visiting Legoland Florida on their next trip to the area as well as what age groups were thought to be just right or too old for a Legoland park trip. They also asked questions about where people would rank a trip to Legoland in comparison to all the other central Florida area attractions. However the most interesting thing of all were questions that asked if Legoland chose to build their park on the site of Cypress Gardnes, would you be more or less interested in visiting. They even drew up a map to show off where Cypress Gardens is located, kind of between Tampa and Orlando, but unfortunately it has utterly dismal freeway access, requiring about a 30 minute drive off into the middle of nowhere to find it.
Personally I think a Legoland theme park in Central Florida would be a huge draw and would quickly become the premier Legoland experience in the world. However trying to set up roots on the Cypress Gardens site is one of the worst ideas I’ve heard. If they could take over the former Boardwalk & Baseball site right next to the freeway or somewhere even closer to Orlando, that would guarantee their success. Unfortunately I have no confidence at all in the Cypress Gardens site so I’d avoid it like the plague since I believe the poor freeway access has been a major issue all along with the park’s ability to survive.

Update:

Legoland Florida is scheduled to open October 15, 2011

BeachGurl

06-19-2009, 12:25 PM

I don't even know what Legoland in California is so I'm not sure what to think about this. :lol: I guess the more the merrier!

RocknGuitar

06-19-2009, 01:38 PM

^It is an ok park with a lot to do, but it is not only mainly for kids, it is only for kids. It is not like Disney or Universal or SeaWorld in that there is something for everyone. If you are an adult going there with other adults or older kids, it will feel very awkward. So although I am biased because of this, I personally don't like Legoland. The new darkride they put in is, in my opinion, very mediocre at best. The only thing i like to do there is look at the incredible Miniland, U.S.A. It is all the famous parts of the U.S. replicated in Lego. Some of it is pretty incredible.

But yeah, there's Legoland in a nutshell. I don't think a lot of people on the boards would want a Legoland, but I don't want to speak for them.

Joe

06-20-2009, 09:53 AM

If it did happen, Would it be added to the flexi Ticket or would it be independant?

tiredoldspook

06-20-2009, 07:10 PM

Legoland would be destroyed in Orlando, The land would cost a fortune to build and they draw mainly kids, I don't think Orlando is a good place to add another theme type park. If they move it between Tampa and Orlando they will never make it If six Flags is to scared to come the legoland need not bother.

Snoman

06-20-2009, 07:22 PM

I would welcome Legoland here but if they put it on the cypress gardens site forget it, it's dead.

FaithlessRock

06-21-2009, 11:11 AM

I think Orlando needs to continue to develop to maintain it's position as the number one destination for theme parks - especially with all the Dubai stuff in the pipeline (excuse the pun!)

But I must admit for us Brits it is becoming much harder now than before to visit! I mean that now compared to when we first visited in 1995, there are so many more parks that it is hard to fit everything in into a 2 week holiday!

Not that that is a bad thing...

some random guy

06-23-2009, 02:28 PM

its a nice idea but not in central florida its just to much in that area for it stay around now they could around the miami area but then again it just wont work

tiredoldspook

06-23-2009, 03:21 PM

Dubai will cater to a different market, there prices are way out of the Central Florida Realm...

chiefbrody

06-24-2009, 06:59 PM

Never been a huge fan of Legoland. Could work in Orlando though.

ChickenParmSub

06-26-2009, 11:56 PM

Legoland would be nice in orlando, idk how it would do though.

Poster X

06-27-2009, 11:11 AM

Snoman

06-27-2009, 10:07 PM

I can't see this doing well on it's own, esp down near or at Cypress Gardens.

I think the only way it could make it, is if it's parent company were able to purchase the AB parks, and if AB still has a big enough chunk of land very nearby to it's other parks, and would have discount deals for it.

The only other way I could see this working would be somehow connecting to Disney like the store at DTD, but I doubt it would be that easy, or would have much of a chance of happening.

I agree with the DD idea. That lego store is always jammed pack and the outside play area as well. Maybe move into the virgin mega store and create a monster lego store, maybe add a few attractions from LEGOLAND in there or nearby, it's not like anyone gives a poop about the westside DD anyways.

peaches magee

06-27-2009, 10:10 PM

I agree with the DD idea. That lego store is always jammed pack and the outside play area as well. Maybe move into the virgin mega store and create a monster lego store, maybe add a few attractions from LEGOLAND in there or nearby, it's not like anyone gives a poop about the westside DD anyways.

You got a point there. I think that would certainly liven up Westside. I rarely even get over there when I go. So true, the Lego Store in and out is always packed.
Cypress gardens is too far out to be attached with the Orlando tourist crowd. How far is it again?
I went when I was really little. I just remember it being hot and boring. :rolleyes:

Snoman

06-29-2009, 07:36 AM

Yeah only time I've been was years ago when I was a little kid vacationing down here from Ohio and my memories are the same as yours Peaches: hot and boring, with a waterski show!

greenhpper

07-01-2009, 07:07 AM

As a person with a youngster I find this to be an interesting thread. Could it work? I think so. At Cypress Gardens? Probably not.

I think it could work for several reasons. For one, as stated above, the Legoland at DTD is usually very packed with kids playing and building. However, that is a smaller footprint and it may not be enough to support a full park. Second, Magic Kingdom seems to be the busiest of the 4 parks (after several years of being a passholder) and we think part of this is due to the KID friendliness of that park. Magic Kingdom is the best park for attractions to go to with small kids. I think Legoland could offer another option for familes with a gaggle of little kids. If there are teens in the group they can drop them off somewhere else or make them suffer at Legoland. Also, perhaps in an effort to compete, they will install better attractions/themes in a newer more updated park.

With that said, a "mini-park" inside Virgin might also work, similar to Quest.

some random guy

07-01-2009, 02:34 PM

the DTD idea seems like the best to work to me. the only other way i see it working is putting it in a another city in florida because it last in cypress gardens

tiredoldspook

07-01-2009, 02:37 PM

Now they are rumuring it down apst Old Town or in the old Splendid China locations. Sadly both of these are not the best of locations.

BigAl_PT

07-01-2009, 03:30 PM

An interesting anecdote:

While in Destin, FL for my cousin's wedding my wife and I shared a tram with a family of 5 - the parents and 3 boys. One of them asked if they could go to "Lego World" and the mom had to explain that they weren't in California anymore...they were in Florida. Then she proceeded to correct them - "Legoland". One of the sons explained to her that it SHOULD be LegoWorld in FL since DisneyLAND is in Cali while Disney WORLD is in Florida. This was the weekend of June 13, just before the announcement was made.

Eerie.

peaches magee

07-01-2009, 05:26 PM

Disneyhead

07-01-2009, 07:00 PM

Sunday morning we were doing live shots about this story standing in front of Old Town. Our reporter had talked to some local business owners about available land near Kissimmee and the plot next to Old Town and the old Splendid China locations were mentioned. No one has really mentioned them as being of interest to Legoland/ Blackstone, just that they were available and would be a good location for the park.

I am going out on a limb and saying I think it will be a full blown park on DISNEY property. WDW's 5th gate. As in Legoland@Walt Disney World.

peaches magee

07-01-2009, 07:29 PM

Interesting. You are probably right though, Disney is kind of intertwined with Lego so I would think it would go on their property.

some random guy

07-01-2009, 08:06 PM

disney should treat lego like they treat the wide world of sports, a small resort within disney

peaches magee

01-21-2010, 10:20 PM

Looks like it's a go...

WINTER HAVEN — Star-crossed Cypress Gardens is getting another makeover.

This time, the park's fifth owner since 1991 will try kids and Lego bricks as saviors rather than more thrill rides or Southern belles in hoopskirts.

Merlin Entertainments Group, which bought the property earlier this year, rolled out its plan Thursday to reopen the theme park as Legoland Florida in late 2011.

With up to 50 new rides, shows and attractions, it will be the biggest of five Legolands worldwide. The park is packaged to entice parents and kids 2 to 12 years old to spend a day immersed in a world that revolves around plastic Lego bricks, one of the world's most popular toys.

The centerpiece at Legoland Florida will be a town-square-sized hub with detailed, miniature replicas of cities, sites and people like the White House, Mount Rushmore and Abe Lincoln modeled from more than 40 million plastic Lego bricks.

Unlike the $100 million-plus mega-rides common in Orlando theme parks, Legoland buys off-the-shelf midway rides, then heavily rethemes them to create interactive experiences for adults and kids. Legoland classics include a design-your-own car to race against one created by a parent, a kiddie coaster shooting game with laser guns, and a fire truck ride that includes hosing down a smoking building. Kids also are rewarded with an official-looking Legoland driver's license after successfully making their first spin on the Volvo Driving School ride.

Legoland Florida will be priced about the same as Busch Gardens in Tampa. That's about $7 to $10 less than the big three Orlando parks, which currently want $86.29 including tax, though two-thirds of all theme park visitors pay discounted admission. Legoland also offers senior discounts and sells more annual passes than most parks.

More here... http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/retail/new-owners-roll-out-plans-for-a-legoland-on-the-old-cypress-gardens-site/1067190

HitchHikingGhostFangirl

01-21-2010, 10:34 PM

Heard this on the news last night that it was gonna be where Cypress Gardens was. It'll be interesting to see how it goes over.

mickeyfan1999

01-21-2010, 10:59 PM

I think it will be a great park, what a better place then Central Florida.

cbisson

01-23-2010, 09:28 PM

i worked at the one here in Cali for 3 year. its alright. but i hope they build more rides for the thrill seekers. here in Cali its mainly for kids 12 and under. but again i worked there for 3 years so its boring to me cause i saw every inch of that place.

marine_2003

01-24-2010, 03:53 PM

cbisson

01-24-2010, 09:54 PM

you have to go at least once

HitchHikingGhostFangirl

01-25-2010, 11:32 AM

I think Legoland would be a great addition to central Florida. One of the biggest reasons is it will bring more jobs into the area, but also give another park to attend. Don't get me wrong, I love the Disney Parks, and Universal, but sometimes you just need somewhere else to go.

:look: :lol: Then go to Sea World....Sorry I could resist.

I think it's good that it's not actually in the Orlando area, there are already too many people here and too many tourist-y thing. Pretty the tourists to another area for a change.

OperaSinger

01-25-2010, 11:40 AM

Interesting. You are probably right though, Disney is kind of intertwined with Lego so I would think it would go on their property.

That has no validity. Disney is intertwined with Universal and has filmed COUNTLESS movies, commercials, etc. at Universal Studios on BOTH coasts. That doesn't mean Universal is gonna have a park in Disney! HAHA

cbisson

01-26-2010, 10:18 AM

only time will tell

BeachGurl

01-26-2010, 10:40 AM

That has no validity. Disney is intertwined with Universal and has filmed COUNTLESS movies, commercials, etc. at Universal Studios on BOTH coasts. That doesn't mean Universal is gonna have a park in Disney! HAHA

Not that this needs to be argued because its already been announced that its going where Cypress Gardens was, but Universal already has its own theme park in Orlando so I don't get where you were really going with that statement. :lol:

peaches magee

02-24-2010, 09:43 PM

New website is up! Looks like Fall 2011 for the opening :)

http://www.legolandfloridaresort.com/

P.S. Just looked up the website for Cali... it's really $67.00 for a one day ticket!? :yikes:

peaches magee

07-08-2010, 11:56 PM

Apparently a community preview for Legoland in FL went very well...

http://brickpal.com/2010/07/09/community-preview-a-huge-hit-for-legoland-florida/

aspen_snow04

07-09-2010, 12:16 AM

New website is up! Looks like Fall 2011 for the opening :)

http://www.legolandfloridaresort.com/

P.S. Just looked up the website for Cali... it's really $67.00 for a one day ticket!? :yikes:

I bought mine through Costco for $50 something. Such a waste of money. I left VERY disappointed and after only a few hours.

disneylover1955

10-19-2010, 10:01 PM

I know the announcement happened in the beginning of this year but I thought I would share it anyways for anyone (like me) who didn't know! Can't wait to see this park next year! :happy:

Central Florida will be home to the world's largest Legoland by the end of 2011, Merlin Entertainments Group said Thursday.

http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-01/51779304.jpg

The park, which is planned for the former site of Cypress Gardens, is expected to include between 40 and 50 main attractions. In addition to Lego's signature attractions -- such as kid-powered rides and giant Lego brick models -- some of Cypress Gardens' top draws are expected to stick around. The historical gardens will stay intact, according to Nick Varney, Merlin's chief executive officer.

Merlin said it plans to keep the popular Splash Island Waterpark operating, although it will be a separate, ticketed admission. Cypress Gardens' water ski shows and one of its two wooden roller coasters will probably be integrated into the new Legoland as well, Varney said.

The details of Florida's newest theme park were announced at a news conference this morning that was attended by government and tourism officials, including Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

Officials hailed the capital investment -- which Crist said would be hundreds of millions of dollars -- and the fact that the park will create more than 1,000 jobs.

"Obviously in these challenging economic times, these jobs are fabulous," said Florida Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales.

Varney kicked off Thursday's event by calling Legoland Florida's "worst-kept secret," referring to the fact that details of today's announcement leaked out Wednesday, after an email surfaced confirming that it was indeed Legoland that was coming to Central Florida.

Merlin said it scouted multiple locations in the Orlando area, but eventually chose the out-of-the-way Polk County spot because of the value of its existing infrastructure.

Renovating a pre-existing theme park, instead of building from scratch, will help Merlin shave years off the development timeline, allowing it to get the park up and running in less than two years.

"If we'd gone anywhere else it would have taken 4 or 5 years," Varney said. He added that the company eventually hopes to turn Legoland Florida into a resort by adding an on-site hotel.

In exchange for building a Legoland in Winter Haven, Merlin Entertainments will receive $5 million in incentives from Polk County over a 10-year period. The package includes $150,000 per year for job creation and $350,000 per year in marketing support, Polk County economic development officials said. The company said it has also talked with government officials about improving road links between Orlando and Winter Haven, but did not provide specifics.

http://blog.winterhavenfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/LLF-4C-BLK-01-THICK.png

The Florida park is Legoland's second U.S. location, after Legoland California in Carlsbad, Calif. The addition of a Legoland in the Sunshine State is part of a broader push into the U.S. for Merlin.

"We see it as a big development market for us," Varney said. Lego, Varney said, "is without question one of the strongest brands in the world."

Merlin did not provide attendance projections for the Florida park, but said its other Legolands draw between 1.5 million and 2 million people a year.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-legoland-florida-park-20100121,0,1659229.story

Qsk50

10-19-2010, 10:05 PM

disneylover1955

10-19-2010, 10:08 PM

This looks like a fun place. I have never been to the one out in California ( I think that's where it's at) so I have no clue what this place is like. Is it mostly for kids or like Disney, where adults enjoy it just as much?

I went to Legoland here in California and it was cool but I definitely enjoy Disney more! Its interesting that this will be the biggest legoland built and when this park is completed central Florida will have the same theme park companies as California (Sea World, Disney, Universal, and Merlin) with the exception of a parked owned by Cedar Fair and another owned by Magic Mountain! :idea:

Phylers

10-20-2010, 01:51 AM

This looks like a fun place. I have never been to the one out in California ( I think that's where it's at) so I have no clue what this place is like. Is it mostly for kids or like Disney, where adults enjoy it just as much?

I haven't been there either (in the US, I've never actually been West of Texas), but I've heard and read that it's more kid-focused. It won't stop me from checking out the Central Florida one, though. Who can resist giant Lego models? :D

minniemose35

10-20-2010, 06:50 AM

Legoland sounds really cool. We've been to Cypress Gardens a few times many years ago. Incorporating the ski show and the gardens into the new park's theme is a great move to get adults that don't have kids to visit. We may just have to check the new place out.

mshalloween

10-20-2010, 06:55 AM

My husband has been talking about Legoland for what seems like 2 years now. He is SO excited about it. What a kid he is!! :lol: We'll definitely be going next year! Thanks for the article!

Dozy

10-20-2010, 06:37 PM

Florida nearly has a full tick list all the major theme parks, just needs a six flags.:lol: And if a Legoland is going to Florida, perhaps a whole Harry Potter theme park in the UK, hmm?

To answer peoples questions Legoland is more kiddie, but still great to take the family to. Just a big no no for teenagers and thrill seekers. Although when I was younger I use to go to Legoland Windsor all the time. Hopefully they will include this park for Merlin AP holders (international parks owned by Merlin you can get 20% off ticket prices). Even though I love Disney Parks, I also love Merlin, globally second largest after Disney and strangely, British.

wdwfan8

10-20-2010, 08:26 PM

Legoland is a blast! Have AP at the park. Rated #4 family theme park. Best for: age 4 to 14

spartacus519

10-20-2010, 09:27 PM

I gota definitely check that place out when it opens.

Fab5Fan

01-12-2011, 05:34 PM

Planning a central FL theme park trip around Thanksgiving time. Legoland site says October of this year so hopefully there isn't too much delay. Mainly going for my kiddos so no worries there, wasn't expected any major thrills LOL

Qsk50

06-01-2011, 09:13 PM

Legoland Florida is scheduled to open October 15, 2011.

According to their Facebook page they are taking applications:

Wanna work at LEGOLAND Florida? Check out our new postings at www.LEGOLAND.com/jobs! We'll be hiring 800 additional Model Citizens between now and our grand opening on October 15th.

photographymom517

06-01-2011, 09:43 PM

Just a heads-up -- there was a coupon for a free child's admission in the Orlando Magazine from 2010. It said that it was good throughout the entire year of 2011 so you would be able to use it at Legoland in Florida in October, November, or December! The coupon said it was good for the new Legoland in FL so its definitely allowed to be used there!!!

Carol

06-01-2011, 11:01 PM

Legoland will certainly be worth visiting for people who haven't been to one before. We go to the one in San Diego every time we visit LA.

From what I have seen of the pre-advertising for the Florida one, it is just about an exact duplicate of the San Diego one so I am not sure that we will visit when we are in Orlando next year as it is probably not the best use of our theme-park dollars - we will have annual passes to both Disney and Universal so paying $60ish each for four people is pretty steep when there really isn't anything new for us to see, do or ride.