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LEGOLAND

Holidays Return at LEGOLAND Florida Resort!

1 November 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Brick-mas! LEGOLAND Florida Resort is preparing for it’s most wonderful event of the year, HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND presented by Hallmark Channel.

The park will receive a seasonal makeover and bring new entertainment, meet-and-greets, and more all included in general admission. Guests can enjoy:

Rocking around the LEGO Tree

Located in the heart of LEGO® City, our giant LEGO® tree comes to life each event evening with dazzling lights that dance along to holiday tunes. For the first time, guests can enjoy this interactive spectacle in full 360-degrees, making it a magical experience from every angle.

Entertainment that “Sleighs”

Brand-new original stage shows will add even more holiday joy this season, as well as the return of fan favorite, The Very Merry Mix-Up, where Mrs. Claus’s crew of holiday helpers return for some frosty fun with the help of LEGO® Gingerbread Man inside the LEGOLAND® Fun Town Theater.

Kids’ New Year’s Eve Celebration

Ring in 2022 with our Kids’ New Year’s Eve fireworks. Colorful bursts of LEGO® bricks light the night sky over Lake Eloise, at a kid-friendly time of 8 p.m. every night from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31

The event is sure to build memories to last a lifetime! HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND presented by Hallmark Channel will run November 26-28, and December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 24-31 from 10am to 7pm – and the park will add an extra hour of festive fun for it’s New Years Eve event from December 26-31, closing at 8pm those nights.

Check out our past coverage of the event here, and stay tuned for when we visit later this year!

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Filed Under: Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Latest News, LEGOLAND Florida Tagged With: brickmas, hallmark, holidays at legoland, LEGOLAND, legoland event, Legoland FL, LEGOLAND Florida, legoland florida resort, legoland holidays

LEGOLAND Florida Celebrates 10 Years!

23 September 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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It feels like LEGOLAND Florida has been for longer than I can remember – but it’s only celebrating its 10th anniversary next month! In that time, the Florida resort has become a classic destination for locals and tourists alike. To celebrate these 10 Awesome years, LEGOLAND is debuting attraction openings, party pop-ups, and Halloween fun.

The LEGOLAND Story

The LEGOLAND® Story will immerse LEGO® lovers in the unexpected origin story of everyone’s favorite brick. Guests will also learn about the ever-evolving theme park experience and how LEGOLAND® Parks were built, brick by brick!

LEGO MASTERS: L-R: Contestants Mark and Steven in the “Master Build – Day & Night” season finale episode of LEGO MASTERS airing Tuesday, Sept 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2021 FOX MEDIA LLC. CR: Tom Griscom/FOX

This new attraction will bring guests into the history of LEGO with exclusive, photo-worthy displays, and artifacts from LEGO’s past. Fans of LEGO MASTERS will also find the official winning models from Season Two of the show, along with the second and third place models on display.

In the entry to The LEGOLAND Story, will be the all new LEGOLAND Coffee Co., a new café featuring flash-chilled iced coffee and seasonal flavors.

Birthday Bash Party Pop-Ups

WINTER HAVEN, FL — Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. (PHOTO / LOCK + LAND, Chip Litherland for LEGOLAND Florida Resort)

Families are invited to join in the brick-tastic birthday bash on October 15 to dance along with their favorite LEGO® characters and friends. Party-packed play moments, surprise character appearances and pop-up entertainment will make this one awesome party!

LEGOLAND Florida will become home to a “more-than-20-foot” birthday cake, on display now through the end of the year. And if that wasn’t sweet enough, Granny’s Apple Fries – a LEGOLAND staple – will be offering the Apple Fries Cupcake and Birthday Cake Latte, ONLY on October 15.

MINILAND Reopening October 15

LEGOLAND’s most iconic area of the park has been under construction this year to fit the entire area with a new shade structure. That reopened area will finally be open October 15, just in time for the park’s exciting celebrations.

Brick or Treat Returns: Saturdays & Sundays in October

The classic Halloween event returns this year. It too has become a staple of the park – with its BOO-tastic fireworks, treat trails, and extended hours every event night.

 This kid-friendly event is the only time of year guests can meet exclusive classic LEGO® monster characters, enjoy Halloween shows and go trick-or-treating to collect loads of candy during the ultimate kids Halloween celebration.

While you’re at the park celebrating ten crazy years, be sure to check out the other awesome experiences and attractions that have debuted in 2021!  Those looking to find tickets or passes can do so here.

And be sure to stay tuned here for more LEGOLAND updates!

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Filed Under: Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Latest News, LEGOLAND Florida, Parks Tagged With: Brick or Treat, florida halloween, floriday halloween, Halloween, halloween event, holidays at legoland, LEGO, lego masters, lego mater builders, LEGOLAND, legoland 10, legoland 10 years, legoland 10th anniversary, legoland anniversary, LEGOLAND Florida, legoland florida resort, legoland flroida resort, legoland tenth anniversary

Rides Revealed for Brand New Peppa Pig Theme Park

29 July 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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Earlier this year, Hasbro provided details on their brand new Peppa Pig Theme Park coming to Florida in 2022. Today, the company announced the rides and attractions we can expect to see when the park opens!

Designed to be the ultimate day for little ones, the new theme park combines interactive rides and themed play grounds with character shows and an indoor cinema for quieter moments.

Every corner of the charming new park is crafted with preschoolers in mind, from their first roller coaster rides with their parents and free fair games for the whole family, to an all-terrain course where they will pedal tricycles through a sensory-rich trail and a colorful splash pad that celebrates “muddy puddles” jumping fun!

Through every experience, families will snort, giggle and create their family’s first theme park memories together with Peppa and her friends.

The map provided gives us some details of the rides and attractions coming to the park, including Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride, and Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride.

While there are many rides and shows announced, families should know that the park is designed with little ones in mind, so all experiences will be child friendly. Many of the rides are interactive, and the park is also set to include several sensory-rich experiences and shows to keep children of all ages entertained.

Hasbro also announced that annual passes and vacation packages for the park are available now. For travel dates starting April 1, 2022, families can book two nights and receive a third night free! The vacation packages offered also include a stay at any of the LEGOLAND Florida Resort hotels, which are all located just steps away from Peppa Pig Theme Park.

Additionally, Annual Passes are on sale now and include free parking. To learn more and book now about the Annual Passes or book a vacation package, visit PeppaPigThemePark.com/Florida

We’ll be sure to follow the Peppa Pig Theme Park as more updates come out, and you can click here to see all our announcements from it.

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Filed Under: Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Latest News, LEGOLAND Florida Tagged With: annual pass, daddy pig, LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND Florida, legoland florida resort, peppa, peppa park, peppa pig, peppa pig annual pass, peppa pig theme park

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Announces Holiday 2021 Lineup

13 July 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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This morning, LEGOLAND Florida Resort has announced that it’s classic events Brick or Treat and Holidays at LEGOLAND are returning later this year.

Brick or Treat

Saturdays & Sundays in October

(October 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-31)

Activities at this event include trick or treating around the park at fun character interactions, life-sized LEGO builds, and meet-and-greet opportunities with seasonal characters. Guests can also enjoy “one-of-a-kind” live shows, and Halloween-themed snacks, all while the park is completely decked out for the event.

See our coverage of previous Brick or Treat events here.

Holidays at LEGOLAND

Select Dates in November & December

(November 26-28 & December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 24-31)

Guests will “dance, sing-along, and deck the halls” with interactive experiences, including a 30-foot tall LEGO tree. Get ready to meet LEGO Santa and create memories with giant holiday-themed LEGO builds.

Our coverage of previous Holidays at LEGOLAND events is available here.

All of the events this holiday season are included with LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s general admission and select annual passes – which can be purchased here.

Stay tuned for more updates from this year’s exciting events!

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Filed Under: Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Latest News, LEGOLAND Florida Tagged With: Brick or Treat, florida christmas, florida halloween, holidays at legoland, LEGO, LEGOLAND, Legoland Brick or Treat, LEGOLAND Christmas, legoland events, LEGOLAND Florida, Legoland Halloween, legoland holiday, legoland holidays

Family-Friendly Music Festival Coming to LEGOLAND Florida Resort

7 June 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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A year that’s already been crazy just got even crazier. The all-new, family-friendly LEGO VIDIYO Music Fest is coming to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort this Labor Day Weekend, September 4 through 6. ‘DJ L.L.A.M.A’ – the musical superstar behind LEGO® VIDIYO™ – will be making a special appearance at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort for one weekend only as part of his newly announced world tour.

LEGOLAND writes,

L.L.A.M.A, whose name is an acronym for Love, Laughter And Music Always is the first LEGO® minifigure to sign a deal with a record label and the first artist to release a song via LEGO® VIDIYO™, will be touring five LEGOLAND® Resorts across the world to perform on stage. L.L.A.M.A is a global citizen, originally from the Andean region of South America, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of making music that keeps people happy.

The figure is part of the innovative music video maker experience by LEGO, titled VIDIYO.

VIDIYO is a brand-new way to play that helps children dream big by directing, producing, starring in, and safely sharing their own music videos, featuring tracks from across the globe, led by chart hits by Universal Music Group’s unrivalled artists.

L.L.A.M.A., who is featured in the augmented reality experience, also appears in the new DJ Llama BeatBox kit, available here.

And big DJ L.L.A.M.A. fans will be able to see even more from the artist later this year at the LEGO VIDIYO Music Fest.

This vibrant, interactive music festival will feature “dance-off” parties, interactive games, and pop-up performances. Colorful photo opportunities include larger-than-life scenes, and guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite music artist to win prizes.

L.L.A.M.A will headline the music fest with two performances on each of the three event days on a specially themed stage. During the three-day extravaganza, families will also learn more about the world of LEGO VIDIYO while they get creative and produce their own content.

All of the event activities during the festival are included with LEGOLAND Theme Park general admission and select Annual Passes. Those looking to learn more details or purchase passes to the park can do so on the event’s website.

If you’re interested in the upcoming LEGO VIDIYO Music Fest, be sure to check out our other updates about the park!

 

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Filed Under: Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Latest News, LEGOLAND Florida, Things to Do Tagged With: dj llama, LEGO, lego vidiyo, lego vidiyo music fest, LEGOLAND, legoland event, LEGOLAND Florida, legoland florida event, legoland florida resort, llama, music fest, music festival, vidiyo music fest

NIK WALLENDA to Perform Stunt at LEGOLAND’s Pirate Island Hotel Opening

10 March 2020 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

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World-renown daredevil Nik Wallenda has announced that he will be ‘walking the plank’ at the grand opening of LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s all-new Pirate Island Hotel. The stunt is scheduled to air live on ABC for all to view!

LEGOLAND Florida Resort writes,

In true pirate-fashion, Wallenda will “walk the plank” from inside the theme park to the new hotel to kick off the resort’s opening festivities on Thursday, April 16. LEGOLAND Florida Resort park and hotel guests are invited to take part in the fun and watch the nail-biting stunt safely from the ground.

This event will be no “walk in the park” for the Wallenda Team as they will construct a high wire longer than 500 feet for the walk. They will also work closely with LEGOLAND master model builders to craft LEGO bricks onto Wallenda’s 28-foot balance pole.

LEGOLAND and Nik Wallenda fans alike can stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram as the park releases additional details on how to watch the stunt unfold live on Thursday, April 16.

NEW! LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel Grand Opening – April 17

Located just 130 kid-steps from the theme park entrance, LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel will feature 150 LEGO-filled rooms (including four suites), a heated pool (complete with LEGO soft bricks to build in the pool), hundreds of LEGO models, exclusive character experiences and in-room LEGO treasure hunts. Similar to the popular LEGOLAND Hotel, each room will include two separate spaces: a kid’s sleeping area and an adult area.

The five-story hotel will house the pirate-themed Shipwreck Restaurant with family-style dining, Smuggler’s Bar for adult swashbucklers, an entertainment area with kid-friendly nightly programming and LEGO play areas. Directly outside the entrance to the hotel, a pirate shipwreck will greet guests and offer a unique photo opportunity.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort has also prepared a brief video to tell us more about the event!

[videopress hF5wR6Ny]

The Pirate Island Hotel will officially open to the public on Fri., April 17. Reservations are available at LEGOLAND.com/pirateisland

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Filed Under: Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Latest News, LEGOLAND Florida, Places to Stay Tagged With: grand opening, LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND Florida, legoland florida resort, legoland pirate, nik wallenda, pirate hotel, pirate island hotel

LEGOLAND Florida’s Brick or Treat Returns for 2018 With More Spooky Fun

17 August 2018 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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It’s no secret that LEGOLAND’s Brick or Treat is one of my family’s favorites. My youngest son, Gio, has had the good fortune of being a part of a few of their local social media campaigns, but we were fans far before that. It’s such a fun, family experience and included in park admission on those dates! This year they are offering even more dates, and some new surprises too. Here’s the complete rundown, and you can always take a look at the past posts on LEGOLAND Florida fun.

 

 

 

 

The Halloween party built for kids returns to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort on nine dates in October. Brick or Treat features a lineup of kid-friendly, Halloween fun! No extra ticket is require

d to enjoy a brand-new show, loads of candy along a uniquely LEGO® trick-or-treating trail, interactive character meet-and-great experiences, a fireworks spectacular and much more.

New this year, a pair of curious trick-or-treaters will sing, dance and chant their way through solving “A Candy-Coated Curse,” a new show on the LEGO City Stage – showing on event dates only! Also, making her Brick or Treat debut, LEGO Spider Lady will be weaving webs of fun inside LEGO Kingdoms.

Except for Wednesday, Oct. 31, each Brick or Treat date will conclude with a ghostly show featuring the “Tale of Pirates’ Cove,” and a Halloween fireworks spectacular in the skies above Lake Eloise. Wear a complimentary pair of viewing glasses for a brick-tastic LEGO twist.

Guests can sip in spooky style with an event-themed Coca-Cola Freestyle® collector’s cup, indulge in Pumpkin Spice Granny’s Apples Fries and nibble on a variety of Halloween-themed snacks. Back after popular demand, Be-A-Minifigure Costume Shop will offer more than 20 LEGO minifigure outfits for boys and girls allowing kids to dress up as their favorite LEGO characters. Guests who spend $50 will receive a special gift-with-purchase item, LEGO Penguin Girl Snow Hut. The seasonal retail shop is available for a limited time only.

Staying the night at the LEGOLAND Hotel is getting a lightly-frightful touch with Halloween-themed rooms. Guests will be able to boo-k a night – or two – beginning August 20 by calling 1-888-690-5346.

 

2018 Brick or Treat Dates

  • Oct. 6-7         (Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.)
  • Oct. 13-14     (Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.)
  • Oct. 20-21     (Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.)
  • Oct. 27-28     (Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.)
  • Oct. 31          (Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.)
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Filed Under: Central Florida Family Entertainment, Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, LEGOLAND Florida, Theme Park Holiday Events, Top Stories, Travel, Theme Parks, and Resorts Tagged With: Brick or Treat, LEGOLAND, Legoland Brick or Treat, Legoland FL, LEGOLAND Florida

VIDEO: LEGOLAND Hotel Officially Opens Its Doors (And Disco Elevators) to Guests

18 May 2015 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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It’s no secret we are huge fans of LEGOLAND Florida here at Zannaland. It is a place where all of my kids, from ages 16 to 6 have SO much fun every time we visit. It’s a place where everyone has a great time, and the surroundings are so beautiful. It’s a wonderful place to reconnect as a family and experience some of the real Florida at the same time as a fun theme park. Now that time can be extended with the opening of the Legoland Hotel. In complete Legoland style, they’ve seemed to have thought of every detail to make Lego fans and families relax and enjoy. The Legoland Hotel had its grand opening ceremony last Friday and we sent correspondent Kira from SecondBlogToTheRight.com over to cover this event. She came back with some great photos and details that make me want to book a hotel stay right NOW! So without further ado, please enjoy Kira’s coverage and see all of the bricktacular details below:

…

LEGOLAND® Hotel is officially open for business & we’ve got the inside scoop!

Legoland Hotel
Legoland Hotel at Legoland Florida

On May 15, 2015, the doors opened…well maybe that’s not exactly how it happened, check out the video below…

The grand opening was honored with thousands of colorful LEGO® minifigures blasting out of cannons atop the hotel and a child discovering a key to open the hotel built for kids.

Legoland Hotel Dragon

A few of our LEGO® friends greeted us in the lobby. The details in this hotel are incredible. As an avid LEGO® video game player & huge fan of The LEGO® Movie, the little things are really easy to get lost in.

 

Legoland Hotel Check-in Legoland Hotel Check-in

 

LEGOLAND® Hotel features 152 guest rooms and suites across four themes: Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, and LEGO® Friends. Guests of the Hotel also enjoy early access to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, free full breakfast daily, interactive play areas, daily and nightly entertainment, disco elevator, resort pool and much more.

Bricks Family Restaurant  (PHOTO / Chip Litherland for LEGOLAND Florida/Merlin Entertainments Group Inc.)
Bricks Family Restaurant
(PHOTO / Chip Litherland for LEGOLAND Florida/Merlin Entertainments Group Inc.)
Legoland Hotel Bricks Restaurant
Legoland Hotel Bricks Restaurant
Legoland Hotel Bricks Buffet Restaurant
Legoland Hotel Bricks Buffet Restaurant

 

 

Legoland Hotel Skyline Lounge
Legoland Hotel Skyline Lounge

 

Disco Elevator!  (PHOTO / Elaine Litherland for LEGOLAND Florida/Merlin Entertainments Group Inc.)
Disco Elevator! (PHOTO / Elaine Litherland for LEGOLAND Florida/Merlin Entertainments Group Inc.)

 

Legoland Hotel Pool
Legoland Hotel Pool

 

Legoland Hotel Pool Splash Area
Legoland Hotel Pool Splash Area

Each room sleeps up to five, and offers a king-sized bed for adults and a separate sleeping area for up to three children, featuring a bunk bed and a trundle bed, as well as two flat panel TVs.

 

Legoland Hotel King Bed
Legoland Hotel King Bed

 

Legoland Hotel Bunk Beds
Legoland Hotel Bunk Beds

 

Legoland Hotel Bathroom
Legoland Hotel Bathroom

VIP Suites feature a king bed, a living room, pull out sofa, kids’ play area and three flat panel TVs. Suites can sleep up to nine people.

Legoland Hotel VIP Suite Adult Room
VIP Suite Adult Room
Legoland Hotel VIP Suite Living Room
VIP Suite Living Room
Legoland Hotel VIP Suite Bunk Beds
Legoland Hotel VIP Suite Bunk Beds
Legoland Hotel VIP Suite Bath
Legoland Hotel VIP Suite Bath
Legoland Hotel VIP Suite Balcony
VIP Suite Balcony

 

All rooms and suites feature LEGO models and a treasure chest, which can be unlocked only by completing a hotel scavenger hunt.

In-room Treasure Chest
In-room Treasure Chest!

My personal favorite was the Adventure themed rooms due to all the Indiana Jones details!

Sidenote: LEGOLAND® resort is happy to preserve the land that used to be Cypress Gardens. Guests of the hotel can enjoy a relaxing walk on the boardwalk as well as the serene views of Lake Eloise.

Legoland Hotel Lake View
Legoland Hotel Lake View

Room rates begin at $219 per night. To make a reservation, visit LEGOLANDHotel.com.

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Filed Under: Central Florida Family Entertainment, Family Travel, Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Guest Authors, LEGOLAND Florida, Top Stories, Travel, Travel, Theme Parks, and Resorts Tagged With: Central Florida theme parks, Family theme parks, Florida theme parks, lego city, lego friends, LEGOLAND, Legoland Bricks Restaurant, LEGOLAND Florida, Legoland Hotel, Legoland Hotel Grand Opening, LEGOLAND theme park, Legoland VIP Suites, Polk County, Winter Haven FL

Legoland Florida’s Annual Red, Brick and Boom Returns for the 4th!

2 July 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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LEGOLAND Fireworks My family and I LOVE LEGOLAND Florida. I’ve gushed about it many times, and while it’s definitely not the park for everyone, if you are a LEGO fan, or an old Florida fan, you will love it too. I personally think it’s a great addition to an Orlando visit.

It’s almost time for their annual Fourth of July celebration, so I thought I’d share all the details below. A very different but exciting experience and with the addition of the “Everything is Awesome” song, what could be better? Here are the details below:

LEGOLAND® Florida is celebrating the 4th of July weekend in 2014 with its annual Red, Brick and Boom event! Three nights of fireworks set to The LEGO ® Movie soundtrack will light up the sky for all guests to experience, along with fun activities for the entire family to enjoy.  The event allows visitors to celebrate the weekend in style while experiencing LEGOLAND Florida’s more than 50 rides, shows and attractions.

What: LEGOLAND Florida is hosting a special 4th of July weekend. Activities for guests to enjoy include:

  • Fireworks choreographed to The LEGO Movie soundtrack, including such hits as “Everything is Awesome!”
  • Special viewing glasses to turn fireworks into millions of exploding LEGO bricks at night
  • Collective, interactive build of a giant LEGO American Flag
  • Special scavenger hunt in Miniland USA to win a LEGO Prize pack and much more

LEGOLAND fireworks

Where: LEGOLAND Florida | One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, FL, 33884 |

When: Red, Brick and Boom will run from Friday, July 4th through Sunday, July 6th and is included in park admission. Park hours will be extended to 9 p.m. during the three-day event.

Additional Details:  For more information, please visit Florida.LEGOLAND.com.

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Filed Under: Central Florida Family Entertainment, Disney Movie News & Reviews, Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, LEGOLAND Florida, Top Stories, Travel, Theme Parks, and Resorts Tagged With: 4th of July, fireworks, Fourth of July, LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND fireworks, LEGOLAND Florida, Polk County, Red Brick and Boom, Winter Haven

LEGOLAND Florida Proudly Restores A Piece Of Florida History

5 March 2014 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

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Cypress Gardens Southern Belle Readers of Zannaland are no doubt aware of my great love of Legoland Florida. I think this is due to the dual nature of the man-made vs. nature that is abundant at Legoland Florida. My children and I truly do enjoy the Legoland side on its own, but also the fact that Legoland has embraced the grounds and the history upon which it made its Florida home – the former Cypress Gardens.

Many who grew up in Central Florida any time before the 1990’s probably visited Cypress Gardens at least once growing up. Over the years, the park had changed quite a bit since its 1936 opening by champion water skier Dick Pope and his wife Julie; these changes being a product of Walt Disney World making Orlando the hub of Florida tourism and leaving the many “old Florida” attractions by the wayside, quite literally. However, what remained the same were the beautiful, well-maintained gardens, native plants and trees which called Cypress Gardens home. The colossal Banyan tree, planted in 1939 became a centerpiece of the gardens, just as much as the Southern Belles who would dot the landscape, smiling and waving to visitors. Two other iconic spots were the Oriental Gardens and the Florida Pool, which until today had been closed off to the public as part of Legoland Florida.

The Florida Pool
Here is how the Florida Pool originally looked when built in the 50’s, all tile work with the lake water inside the pool.

The Florida Pool was first built in 1953 for the film “Easy to Love,” starring Esther Williams, based on a man’s successful water show at Cypress Gardens. Once the film was complete, Dick Pope decided to fill the pool with oranges, have some Belles pose with it, and use it as a promotional photo for Cypress Gardens (see below). Pope was instrumental in building Florida’s tourism back in those days and was an amazing promoter in addition to running the park and choreographing the famous human pyramid water ski shows. His work led to Winter Haven being named  the “Water Ski Capital of the World.” (As a side note, when I lived in Ocala, FL – I took swimming lessons with the daughter of Newt Perry. Newt was responsible for teaching Johnny Weismuller [who often worked with Esther Williams] his moves in the Tarzan movies-some filmed at Silver Springs, and for starting the Weeki Wachee mermaid attraction.)

The Florida Pool
The promotional shot Pope used after filming of “Easy to Love” in 1953

The other area which was reopened today was the Oriental Gardens. Known for its giant golden Buddha statue, the Oriental Gardens were in great disrepair and many of the pathways needed to be restored to be accessible to guests. Legoland has done that and it makes for a perfect area to meander and explore the beautiful plants and water features.

As Bob Gernert, former Winter Haven Chamber Executive Director said at today’s ceremony, “The most exciting thing about this is it makes the gardens whole again. It makes it exactly what it was when Mr. and Mrs. Pope put the concept together so many years ago.” I couldn’t agree more.

Well, I could go on about old Florida all day, but lets get back to present times. Certainly part of why I love Legoland Florida so much and praise it whenever I can, is its commitment to keeping and now restoring the elements which made Cypress Gardens what it was so long ago.  Of course they did not have to keep the gardens. They could’ve bulldozed over it and filled the park with easy-to-care-for cement and low-maintenance plants. They could’ve let these areas sit and rot, with nothing remaining but fond memories…like some other old areas we know and love (*cough River Country cough*). But they didn’t. They committed the time, effort and dollars needed to retain this beautiful Florida landmark, and keep up with its care, inspiring new generations to come and experience natural Florida. And for that, they are to be praised and admired.

At every Legoland event I’ve attended for the blog, company officials have always invited and partnered with local Winter Haven and Polk County representatives, fostering this feeling of family and community, which definitely shows when you are in the park. There are Legoland employees who were Cypress Gardens employees, and almost everyone seems to have a relative who was a former Belle, or water skier, or has some story to share about the history of the park and gardens. That is what makes Legoland Florida so very special and why I wish them nothing but success and support from all Florida visitors. Visiting Legoland Florida is completely different than any other typical Orlando vacation, and that’s just wonderful. Many visitors may go for the Legoland side, the rides, the Mini Lands, the water park, which are all fun on their own (I could spend hours in the Mini Lands!). But hopefully once there, they will explore the Cypress Gardens side and see that there is so much more to Florida than rides and attractions, and that it’s okay for both sides to exist in one theme park.

The Florida Pool has been cleaned and the tile restored, with water circulating again. The first step in the process, said Legoland Florida General Manager Adrian Jones, was getting a couple of alligators, who had taken up residence in the pool, out – which was done by putting some wooden boards in so they could get out on their own. The LEGO bricks you see in the pool photos below are just for today, and will be removed and brought back to the water park, where they normally float around the lazy river. I asked Adrian if they had any plans to restore the original tile work and while he agreed that that would be wonderful, they have other areas they are going to focus on within the park first.

Easy to Love poster
“Easy to Love” filmed at Cypress Gardens
The Florida Pool Legoland
The restored Florida Pool – I love the homage with the oranges and replacing them with LEGO bricks for the opening.
The Florida Pool Legoland
Florida Pool (shaped like the state of Florida)
The Florida Pool Legoland
Love the LEGO oranges
Cypress Gardens Southern Belle
The Southern Belles of Cypress Gardens
The Florida Pool Legoland
General Manager Adrian Jones with some real and brick-tacular Belles
The Florida Pool Legoland
Ribbon cutting ceremony with Bob Gernert
Cypress Gardens Oriental Gardens
Entry to Oriental Gardens
Cypress Gardens Oriental Gardens
Unique Y-shaped palm tree
Cypress Gardens Oriental Gardens
Golden Buddha at Oriental Gardens
Cypress Gardens Oriental Gardens
Bamboo water feature
Cypress Gardens Oriental Gardens
View from the upper pathway

Now, the canal boat rides may be on your mind as much as they were on mine as “what’s next” for the park…and that may not be too far off. Adrian Jones said that is definitely the next big project, but that it is a multi-million dollar endeavor and will take some time. (I for one would totally be willing to pay an additional cost for a canal boat ride!) For now, the next step is to add little LEGO animals, butterflies and such to the newly reopened areas, and a children’s path as well. I know I can’t wait to take my own children back to Legoland Florida again to enjoy both the Legoland experience and the special, old Florida Cypress Gardens experience.

Cypress Gardens is included with general park admission. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida is with the LEGOLAND Florida Resident Annual Pass as low as $99 each. Pass members receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and free parking. For the most current information on special events, daily operating hours and to purchase tickets, visit LEGOLAND.com.

 

The Florida Pool Legoland
Aerial shot of the Florida Pool and Belles – photo ©LEGOLAND Florida
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Filed Under: Disney Movie News & Reviews, Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, LEGOLAND Florida, Orlando Area Attractions, Top Stories Tagged With: adrian jones, Banyan tree, Belles of Cypress Gardens, Bob Gernert, Cypress Gardens, Dick Pope, Easy to Love, Esther Williams, LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND Florida, Old Florida, Oriental Gardens, Polk County, Southern Belles, The Florida Pool, Winter Haven

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