Legoland Florida celebrates its grand opening October 15 with a shower of confetti.
With brightly colored confetti raining down on thousands of eager families, Legoland Florida celebrated its grand opening on October 15 in Winter Haven, Florida. Legoland Florida is the fifth—and largest—Lego theme park in the world, so don’t be surprised if it
takes more than one visit to enjoy everything there is to see and experience in Florida’s newest theme park.
There are 10 separately themed lands in Legoland—and that isn’t even including the portion of the historic Cypress Gardens botanical garden that was preserved from the original attraction that was on this land from 1936 – 2009. With a target demographic of
children from ages 2 to 12, there will be plenty of family friendly entertainment to enjoy in the many lands of Legoland:
The Beginning: The aptly named entrance way features The Big Shop gift shop and Market Restaurant, but the main attraction is the Islands in the Sky ride which raises passengers way above the park so they can get a bird’s eye view of Legoland.
Fun Town: This section includes a double decker carousel and a Factory Tour where kids can get a commemorative Lego brick. Many of the park’s dining and shopping venues can be found here, including the Lego Studios, Pick a Brick, Garden Shop and Minifigure Market and the Fun Town Pizza & Pasta Buffet, which greets customers with a Lego chef.
Miniland: If you are working your way around the park in a clockwise fashion, the next land past Fun Town is Miniland, which is loaded with photo opportunities. Legoland has recreated several iconic Florida locations here including Kennedy Space Center, the Daytona Speedway, Panama City, Miami Beach, Tampa’s Ybor City, and Key West.
Pirate’s Cove: For a taste of what Cypress Gardens was like back in the day, catch a water ski show on Lake Eloise at Pirate’s Cove, where there are regular performances of The Battle for Brickbeard’s Bounty. The kids will enjoy the wet and wild fun, and the adults will wonder how some of the performers can waterski fully suited up in a Lego character costume.
Lego Technic: For the older kids who enjoy coaster rides, the Project X ride provides some high flying thrills, while the younger kids—and their parents—can get a little exercise peddling their flying car up and down on the Technicycle or get wet on the Aquazone Wave Racers.
Imagination Zone: The Imagination Zone really allows kids to exercise their muscles as well as their creativity, with an Imagination Zone where kids can build their own Lego creations, as the Kid Power Towers where children and adults have to hoist themselves up by a pulley to enjoy a view of the park.
Lego City: Many of the rides here are just for child riders, such as the Ford Driving School for kids ages 6 -13 (it’s like a Driver’s Ed class with a lot more students) and a Ford Junior Driving School for the preschool set. For older thrill-seekers, check out the Flying School, and give yourself time to dry off if you get stuck near one of the fountains in Boating School
Land of Adventure: Travel back in time in the Land of Adventure, with the Coastersaurus roller coaster that was retrofitted from Cypress Gardens’ Triple Hurricane wooden roller coaster. Kids can also visit Ancient Egypt through the indoor Lost Kingdom Adventure ride.
Lego Kingdoms: From the time of the dinosaurs to the era of knights and chivalry, the main roller coaster ride here is The Dragon (another ride that was re-themed from Cypress Gardens), and for kids who want to get in a little climbing and sliding the Forestmen’s Hideout gives parents a brief respite from walking around the park while the kids play.
Duplo Village: The section is for the littlest guests, with rides and attractions such as Duplo Farm, Granny Jalopies, Big Rig Rally and Junior Fire Academy.
With so much to do and see at Legoland, it’s no wonder that families were already lining up for their annual passes during the grand opening. And with a location that is sure to draw residents of the Tampa area and both residents and tourists from Orlando, Legoland is bound to have many visitors for years to come.
Driving School in the Lego City section of the Legoland theme park.
Waterski shows at Pirates' Cove recall the theme park's history as Cypress Gardens.
A reproduction of Kennedy Space Center at Miniland.
Crowds file into Legoland Florida for the grand opening.
Legoland Florida celebrates its grand opening October 15 with a shower of confetti.
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Legoland in Florida is a great family park I love the idea that they have kept Cypress Gardens as part of the park. My kids love the park and want to
Legoland in Florida is a great family park I love the idea that they have kept Cypress Gardens as part of the park. My kids love the park and want to visit again.
