LEGOLAND Florida made a stunning preview debut to crowds of families with children as the colorful bricks were on display as both models … and more importantly, playthings. Throngs of interested area residents jammed the landmark Orange Dome to view actual models of the park, complex LEGO models that will grace the park and help to create a mural of the upcoming entrance to LEGOLAND Florida. LEGOLAND Parks CEO John Jakobsen and LEGOLAND Parks Developer John Ussher were on hand to meet and talk with the crowd.
Observations of Chamber Communications Manager Andrea Cruz:
Within 15 minutes of this open house, the place was packed; within 30-45 minutes, easily 1,000 people or more had come through the doors; an hour and a half later, easily 2,000.
The LEGOLAND community meet and greet featured life-size models of Darth Vader, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank and other scaled-down models, including a dinosaur and lots of LEGO people.
The centerpiece of the Orange Dome was “The Thinker” – he drew lots of attention and truly was a “model,” as many had their photos taken with him.
The White House scaled model that was on display is the original from LEGOLAND California. It came out to Florida for this event and will go back to California, AND eventually return and be a permanent fixture in the LEGOLAND Florida park.
Other fixtures in the room included before and after photos of artist’s renderings of certain areas of the former Cypress Gardens park, certain buildings, etc. Of course there was the LEGO building area where people worked on different pieces of what is to be a larger mural, and the stage and monitors with running video of the other LEGOLAND parks, showing the rides and happy people.
Managing Director of LEGOLAND Parks John Jakobsen and General Manager of LEGOLAND Development John Ussher spoke to the crowds. Ussher answered the most burning and frequent questions they receive, to quell any rumors and verify others. Those issues included: botanical gardens, ski show, access for nearby neighborhood, the Starliner and whether they are buying the land across the street.
The crowd applauded when Ussher said they were keeping the botanical gardens of the original Cypress Gardens park.
Regarding the ski show – Ussher said: “Will there be a ski show? Of course, it’s Florida! Of course there will be a ski show!” Again, applause and laughter.
He told the crowds there will be separate road(s) constructed for the neighborhood that is next to the park to ease worries about in-and-out access.
Ussher assured everyone the waterpark would open hopefully sometime in the Spring 2012. The Starliner will be preserved, although they haven’t found a home for it yet, they’ve found a safe place to store it while they find a home – Ussher said the Starliner didn’t quite fit in with the LEGOLAND parks and themes.
Finally, he assured the crowd they are not buying the land across the street (currently a shopping plaza with a K-Mart and Publix among other stores).
I asked a few children what they were more excited for — the LEGOS or the rides and it was pretty much 50/50, or I got the response of “both.”
Congratulations to LEGOLAND officials for an entertaining and informative evening. Welcome to Winter Haven! The park is scheduled to open in Fall 2011.
Obviously a good time was had by all …
What a turnout! I was amazed and encouraged to see as much public interest in the arrival of LegoLand as was evident at this evenings get together. Based on what I saw and heard first hand, my confidence level is very high that Winter Haven, and Polk County are about to be welcoming a very desirable neighbor into the fold.
LegoLand looks to be a hit, and they haven’t even opened their doors yet.
I agree Jamie – entusiasm abounds all around the region for Legoland’s arrival.
Although Polk County has had to delay many road improvements, the alignment of Helena Road is getting done in a timely manner and should address the past traffic problems.
I can’t wait for their opening!