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LEGOLAND is coming to Florida!
I'd normally be skeptical about another theme park opening in Florida. Does the state really need another one? But, when I saw the announcement from Merlin Entertainments, I changed my mind very quickly. After all, every city should have a LEGOLAND®. By the end of 2011, Winter Haven, Florida will open in this new attraction, which will sit on 145 acres that is currently home to Cypress Gardens. The development will involve a "significant multi-million dollar investment over a number of years" and eventually will include accommodations and other branded attractions along with the theme park. When the project is finished, this will be the world's largest LEGOLAND.
Gallery: Welcome to LEGOLAND, Florida
Nick Varney, CEO of Merlin Entertainments, calls LEGOLAND Florida "one of the most exciting and important projects Merlin ahs ever developed." He explains, "It is a unique opportunity for us; Florida is the biggest family tourist centre in the world. We have been looking for the right site there for some time and in Winter Haven we plan to create one of the best and certainly most beautiful, theme parks in the world. LEGOLAND California has already proven how much US families love the unique LEGOLAND concept."
The new LEGOLAND park will have more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including LEGO models and interactive experiences. It'll also bring more than 1,000 new jobs to the area by the time it opens. This is music to the ears of the state's governor, Charlie Crist, who says, "We are delighted at this news. We are extremely happy that the future of Cypress Gardens is secure. LEGOLAND is one of the most exciting names in family attractions and a welcome new addition to Florida."
The new LEGOLAND park will have more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including LEGO models and interactive experiences. It'll also bring more than 1,000 new jobs to the area by the time it opens. This is music to the ears of the state's governor, Charlie Crist, who says, "We are delighted at this news. We are extremely happy that the future of Cypress Gardens is secure. LEGOLAND is one of the most exciting names in family attractions and a welcome new addition to Florida."
Filed under: Arts and Culture, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Anne Jan 26th 2010 2:27PM
I used to do field work for the local power company in Florida. Winter Haven was considered "Backwaters Florida".....surprised the park is going in there! Though I bet that small town is LOVING the thought of all that extra money....
us mael Jan 27th 2010 8:21AM
What does Backwaters florida mean?
Dave Jan 27th 2010 8:30AM
You're a little late!!! This was reported last week on the local news stations!!!
us mael Jan 27th 2010 9:22AM
The article says they already had Cypress Gardens. Why would bringing in Legoland be much different? I am sure business may have slowed down, but I bet it was already fairly good. I don't know what you mean by backwater. the reason i am asking is becasue I am moving my fmaily to Florida soon from Kansas. We are undecided on whether to go to the Orlando/Tampa area or up to the Destin, Florida area up in the panhandle. From what I have read...the two areas have significant differences. We spent 2 weeks in the Tampa/St Petes Beach area in December and enjoyed it. We have a very hot humid summer in Kansas, but only about 2-3 months of it. All of Florida will have a solid 6 months of the very hot humid stuff. It is the winter months that can vary a lot depending on location in Florida from location to location. I am looking for advice.
roger Jan 27th 2010 10:26AM
know exactly where to move to...i lived in the orlando area for 40 years and moved away 4 years ago.be careful.florida is not all it is cracked up to be..extremely high crime and gangs..overcrowded..not a good mix..used to be very pretty but now it is too crowded and screwed up to enjoy what it has to offer..the weather is great but not worth what you have to give up as far as quality of life..just do your research and know where you are moving to you may regret it
Cooper Jan 27th 2010 10:57AM
Just a note. Destin (and most of the panhandle) is regionally known (possibly widely known) as the "Redneck Riviera." Think Smokey and the Bandit, Dukes of Hazzard, etc. Also, I've never heard or read anything good about Florida public schools.
tallafolks Jan 27th 2010 12:18PM
Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, is a very family friendly town with some great schools. Its not on the ocean but has lots & lots of trees/forest areas. Jacksonville is a very huge sprawling area with some of the best & worst schools in the country. Stanton & Paxon in top 10 high schools in nation, good magnet schools, good beach schools, others not so much. If you live in one of the adjacent beach communities, the ocean moderates the weather so less humid & 10 degrees cooler in summer. Avoid Orlando proper - congested traffic and all the usual big city problems. I would suggest looking to move to a college-town in Florida. Yes the North of Florida gets more "Winter", but NOTHING like what a real winter is in the rest of the country. Destin (anything West of Port St. Joe) has the most beautiful white sand beaches, and it gets rural & forested real quick. Just depends what y'all are lookin for. Good Luck. BTW, I' very excited about the coming of LEGOS!
us mael Jan 27th 2010 9:23AM
Late?
What you say may be true...but this article just appeared on my AOL homepage for the first time this morning. I am not late for nothing. I only saw one comment at the time I posted my comment...uh...I think that makes me early?
Karen Jan 27th 2010 8:55AM
Winter Haven is not a small town. It has a population of 34,000 people with many social and recreational activities for residents and visitors.
Cooper Jan 27th 2010 11:00AM
34,000 people IS a small town. At most, it's a small city. Might be a very nice place - I don't know. But, 34,000 people is small.
us mael Jan 27th 2010 9:37AM
Dave...I forgot to tell you to shut up. There was no need to be a smart aleck.
Team Texas Jan 27th 2010 10:28AM
us mael? Are you a relation to Obama? I don't think anybody was refering to you as being late. But I get the impression that like Obama, you are so self absorbed that everything MUST be about you... So, shut the hell up and quit giving folks crap. The story hit broadcast media a week ago. So AOL is late. Dumba$$.
Nika Jan 27th 2010 11:53AM
US MAEL,
I live her in Florida. And what the other writer Dave may have been commenting on regarding "being late" is to the original writer of the article in general.
I happened to be home on the day that they gave the press conference announcing that Cypress Gardens, which in my opinion, was a truly lovely establishment blending their botanical gardens, which is is very well known for and their previous selection of rollercoaster rides that were good for young coaster enthusiats to partake on. Well the previous owner who had a previous park in Valdosta GA called Wild Adventures decided maybe a year or so after owning it to remove the rides and really focus it more as a waterpark. They tore of the coasters and started expanding it. We had an annual membership so when they closed it abruptly, we lost out for the later part of the year. So they recently reopened it and from their website layout they expanded the parking lot, yeah for some & changed the enterence point, but the Gardens remained in tact. So personally, I'm glad to see that another party sees the potential of Cypress Gardens and will be making it back into a theme park w, interactive rides for the kids. The press conferenced held mentioned that the age group is 2-12 and will separate themselves from ofther theme parks, which offer a "passive experience". Also feel free to go to www.baynews9.com which showed the press conference & see if they have any streaming video.
Personally if I had to choose which location to live would be near Tampa. There are small surrounding cities like Oldsmar, Clearwater, Lutz, South Tampa. Just heed locations East of I-75. Good luck in your move & I hope this info helps you.
Happy Jan 27th 2010 9:58AM
This is great!!!!! I'm a 67-year-old woman and I LOVE Legos. Wish they'd been around when I was a kid. I just hope that they keep the Cypress Gardens theme w/in the park (sort of a park w/in a park). It's one of the original attractions and now the park can be marketed as truly for ALL AGES.
Cooper Jan 27th 2010 11:02AM
So, what happened to Cypress Gardens? Is it gone? Out of business? Shut down? What? Did LegoLand buy it out with plans to completely change it? I'd like the back-story on this.
Sue Jan 27th 2010 12:06PM
I have had a HUGE box of LEGO since I was a child. My nephew, nieces and now my own son have spent countless HOURS playing. I will be THRILLED to visit.
(Simmer down guys... late or early... it's still NEWS to some.)
Trudy Jan 27th 2010 12:47PM
Why all the negativity? This is a great thing for central Florida! Yes, it was announced locally last week. Yes, Winter Haven has suffered since the previous owner of Cypress Gardens closed it down. But, bringing Legoland here will really boost the economy in a time that it's really needed. The new owners are keeping the botanical gardens; it's the ski shows and hoop skirts that are facing an uncertain future at the moment. I feel that Legoland is a good addition to the theme parks in this state! And the whole state isn't crawling with crime either!
Greg Jan 27th 2010 1:24PM
Holy crap! This sounds awesome!!! I can't wait!
Sandi Jan 27th 2010 1:17PM
Lived here 7 years and went every year dor the entertainment. I am older of course but knew it drew a lot of snowbirds. Do they have any plans to bring back that kind of entertainment?
us mael Jan 27th 2010 1:41PM
To''TEX'' of whatever he called himself. First I want to thank everyone for the very excellent advice on Florida. It has been very helpfull. Now, back to Tex: Oh my god...if I said or wrote anything for anyone to confuse me with loving Obama...I would do anything to convince you or them other wise. I hope that fact alone improves your viewpoint of me. I certainly don't want to be confused with anyone like that. I think the truth is Tex, that I just like to give people some crap now and then, sort of like you sound. I have a lot of Texas in me, so lighten up. Lived there for ''many'' years. Retired from the Army now, so you can shut up too. Seems as if you just like to butt into business that is not your own. I am a better Texan than you...at least I stay clear of other people fights. Most Texans I respected are the same way...unless it is to step in and help someone who is being picked on...which this situation is not. Then again, I hear things are changing a lot in Texas, like every place else. I think I read that Houston voted in an openly Gay Mayor. I bet you voted for him. If so, then we all now know you are a closer Obama worshiper of ''the one''. Whatever, but don't wet your pants over my business. If anything, you should be on my side. You evidently did not see the comment that I felt was directed towards me for no apparant reason. Some other commenter has pointed out that they think that I misunderstood, and the comment was not directed to me at all. I am not sure, but they may be right. They probably are right. Ok...I'm sorry if I should be, but not if I'm not. Did you pay someone to make you more stupid? You got your money's worth. I don't claim to be the smartest person, just smarter than you, dumbera$$