It’s official. Representatives from Merlin Entertainments confirmed this morning that their company will construct their second U.S. Legoland Park on the historic Cypress Gardens property. (The park will be the largest Legoland so far.)
In a page torn directly from the promotions book of Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens, Merlin Entertainments officials presented a news conference that involved a Florida panther, large orange and Polk County logo constructed completely of Lego blocks. If that wasn’t enough, the grand finale featured 100,000 Lego blocks cascading from a front end loader to the screams of delight from young guests from the Florida Baptist Children’s Home.
Facts at a glance:
Projected re-opening: Late 2011
Employment: Estimated 1000 jobs
Highlights: Rides, displays, interactive lego building for the whole family. And Merlin CEO Nick Varney (left) assured everyone present the the Cypress Gardens botanical gardens are in very safe hands with his company. They are part of what makes this location so special.”
Varney told of his first visit to Cypress Gardens in October of 2008 when he “absolutely fell in love with the park.”
The park will see 40 million lego blocks used in its construction.
Varney declined to specify the exact amount of the company’s initial investment rumored to exceed $150 million.
On hand for the festivities, Florida Governor Charlie Crist accepts a Lego replica of a Florida Panther from Merlin CEO Nick Varney
State Senator J. D. Alexander, Nick Varney and Winter Haven Mayor Jeff Potter
More than 400 billion Lego blocks have been manufactured in the company’s history. Varney described Florida as the world’s number 1 tourism destination and noted his park will fare well as it is positioned 180 degrees apart from a traditional theme park. He noted, “Most parks put you on something (like a ride) and do something to you. We set ourselves apart by inviting the guest to join in interactive activities such as race car building where parents compete against their children.” He admits the 23 month build out is ambitious but he feels very manageable. Mr. Varney also noted that of all the locations worldwide that his company has worked with government officials, their Florida and Polk County experience has been among the best. He also thanked the local businesses who have posted “Welcome Legoland Florida” on their reader boards.
Welcome to Winter Haven Mr. Varney and Merlin Entertainments. Mr. Pope wouldn’t have it any other way.
Post Update 1-22-10: In interviews after the news conference Nick Varney confirmed plans to reinstate the famed Cypress Gardens ski show “with a Lego twist.” He also noted that long range plans call for the property to become a Legoland Resort and including at least one hotel.
Way to go.. Congrats to the whole team that put this together and moved it forward. It’s a good day for Winter Haven.
It’s undeniably good news that Winter Haven is joining Merlin’s international community of amusement parks as their newest home away from home. I have no doubt that Winter Haven will show a heaping helping of the warm southern charm we are so well known for, and band together with Merlin to make Legoland Florida a rousing success.
Perhaps we can all learn a valuable lesson from these small, plastic interlocking parts. Individually, they are colorful, but unremarkable – while when joined together they can be almost anything – an orange, a Florida panther, or an amusement park that has the power and presence to provide a resurgence to an already vibrant economy, for the benefit of all concerned.
Long live, Legoland Florida!
This is huge!!!
Winter Haven just got a shot in the arm of the economy machine. All local businesses will benefit from this!
Thank you Legoland for chosing us…
From this business owner:
Affordable Computer Geeks
This is the biggest news in the five years I have lived in Winter Haven. I wonder what Cypress Gardens Blvd. will look like when the park opens, much different I am sure.
This is fantastic news. It will be exciting to be part of Winter Haven’s progress over the next few years. Our leaders have an incredible opportunity to be part of something really big and I’m confident they will do a great job moving everything forward in a way that benefits the citizens of Winter Haven.
This is truely a blessed event/day for Winter Haven, Polk County and the State of Florida. How blessed and fortunate we are to have been shown favor in the selection of Cypress Gardens by Merlin Entertainments for the new home of Legoland. We look forward with great anticipation at what the future holds for this historical location that we all have come to love and to see it thrive once again as a family oriented facility.
Welcome Nick Varney and Merlin Entertainments to Winter Haven. We wish you the greatest success.
What a exciting historical day for our beloved Winter Haven! I am VERY proud to be a native of this beautiful city and thrilled that Legoland Florida will bring new jobs, new people and other new opportunities to our area!
Forget “Orlampa” or “Tamplando”…we’re IMPERIAL POLK COUNTY! Cheers!
Merlin Entertainments made a wise decision in selecting Winter Haven for its Legoland Florida. Winter Haven’s size and assets including a revitalized downtown, beautiful city parks and recreation, chain of lakes and convenient location and property already set up for a theme park make it a natural. One thousand new jobs for us is wonderful. Park employees will find Winter Haven area ideal for living at reasonable realistic prices. Visitors will be impressed and will patronize our hotels, restuarants and shops. We should all be winners in the Chain of Lakes City! Welcome Legoland Florida!!!
Welcome Legoland!
As a business owner I am excited to see millions invested in this park giving our local economy a much needed boost. As a winterhavean for past 15 yrs I am excited to see our town regaining the tourist destination status. As a mother of two I am excited to have a truly family oriented park in my backyard.In other words this day is made of WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
The update regarding the ski show and planned resort are icing on the cake. I hope Legoland attracts other big businesses to Winter Haven…hmmmm…like another major league ball team?
Let us all support the efforts by all the local and state agencies to bring our Chain of Lakes into a quality waterway to Legoland.
When will the employment opportunities be available to the public and how will they be offered?
Again, it is great for the city and county that Legoland chose us. Let me also say that widening hwy. 27 is not the answer as the main roadway from I-4 to Cypress Gardens. I hope there is a plan in the works to extend hwy. 429 to Cypress Gardens Blvd. To have a road from I-4 to Winter Haven without any traffic lights would be extremely beneficial to the city and is something it has lacked in general!
The Chamber has contacted Merlin Entertainments for guidance on their timetable for employment. Both park construction and park opening will create jobs of varying types. We hope to work with the company on both a vendor fair and an employment event possibly in conjunction with Polk Works. Whatever the case, when we know their plans we will report them here.
Does anyone know if they will be keeping the Southern Belles as part of the gardens?
To our knowledge, the matter of continuing the Southern Belle tradition was not addressed. We feel certain that much of that planning and decision making will take place much closer to the park’s opening.
When can we see the overall plans for the layout of the park and any other changes that might be needed such as roads and park entrance and such.
Thanks
When we know, we will post to our blog. Right now we need to give the company time to complete their planning process.
Welcome Merlin Entertainments! Village at Lake Highland is so excited to have Legoland just around the corner for our residents. Please let us know if you have any accomodation needs. 863-701-7101!!!!
This is very exciting. I look forward to new information as it becomes available.
PRAISE GOD! This will be good, now I hope they will use the locals to help construct and run the theme park!
This is an AWESOME win for Florida residents and our Central Florida tourism alike. After visiting the Legoland in England, I can assure you that you get your monies worth. It’s a great day of fun for the whole family.
Wonderful!, read about this in the Orlando Sentinel this morning, called the grandchildren in Michigan prior to leaving for school…. “Pop’s purchase airline tickets now so we can visit”…can’t wait…
President Obama wants to make the world a place where every one can have something going for them … the rich, the poor and middle class. I’m not typing to preach I’m reaching out for a job badly, I am very fit, love to work out and go to school but it seems like there are no jobs in Polk County period .I have filled out an application but nothing happens. my number is 863-618-5050
We visited Cypress Gardens in the past and really enjoyed the water park, after a long hot day of attractions. Was wondering if the the water portion of the park will be included when it becomes Legoland?
LEGOLAND Florida plans to open a water park on the former site of the Cypress Garden’s water park. However, it will open at some point in the future after the LEGOLAND park opens in October. When date certain is available, we will share that information.