Legoland Florida Discussion Thread

[robbalvey]

^^ Scott...totally agree.

 

I cannot see how this could fail...but I worry that it might not live up to the other Legoland parks.

 

--Robb "Trying to be optimistic though, because I *LOVE* Legoland!" Alvey

[BeemerBoy]

Yeah, I see what you're saying about "not living up to the other parks." As enthusiasts, I think we're all inclined to dissect this move with the perspective that this is the first time they're "re-branding" a place rather than starting from scratch. However, when I went back and read one of the initial press releases, it made me think further about it.

 

Its design will mirror the successful concept of the four existing LEGOLAND Parks in Denmark, Germany, UK and California. However, as with the other four, it will also have its own unique “twist” reflecting its stunning location and adding a Florida flavour.

 

The decision to open a LEGOLAND Park in Florida follows considerable research in the area by Merlin over a number of years. This indicated a high recognition of the LEGOLAND Park brand and a 90%+ intention to visit by families in this target market.

 

I know you've been to the other four, so I'll ask you (and anyone else who has), do the other parks clearly give off a "vibe" which is unique to its location? I haven't visited one yet, but I like the way they're identifying the uniqueness of the Florida location already.

 

As a native Floridian who visited the traditional Florida parks in the early 80's, I'm appreciative of the fact that some elements are being kept in place. If nothing else, it's just a nice nod to the past (like the glass bottom boats at Silver Springs, or the Mermaids at Weeki Wachee). But with that said, it could also lend itself to another unique marketing possibility.

 

Given Florida's high concentration of seniors, the move to preserve the gardens, etc., could work out as a great PR move as well, even if unintentional at first. In other words, as the quote read, research indicated a 90%+ intention to visit by families in the target market.

 

By offering something that appeals to the seniors as well, this could help make the park a "complete family experience," much like Dollywood. Water ski shows and botanical gardens may seem lame to many of us, but the 70+ generation may still eat this stuff up. And couple that with the opportunity to watch their grand kids play too? That's gold! At least, I'm picturing this in my mind anyway. I might be off in this assumption, but I'm intrigued by how this construction will play out over the next year or so.

 

Who knows? This place may have a much larger impact on the Central Florida market than any of us expect right now.

[ginzo]

^I'm not sure that keeping the botanical gardens is anything unique to Florida. Both the Legoland parks I've been to have had really, really nice landscaping. Remember, with Miniland being the "heart and soul" of Legoland the parks are, at their core, an aesthetic experience.

[doom1001]

 

Given Florida's high concentration of seniors, the move to preserve the gardens, etc., could work out as a great PR move as well, even if unintentional at first. In other words, as the quote read, research indicated a 90%+ intention to visit by families in the target market.

 

By offering something that appeals to the seniors as well, this could help make the park a "complete family experience," much like Dollywood. Water ski shows and botanical gardens may seem lame to many of us, but the 70+ generation may still eat this stuff up. And couple that with the opportunity to watch their grand kids play too? That's gold! At least, I'm picturing this in my mind anyway. I might be off in this assumption, but I'm intrigued by how this construction will play out over the next year or so.

 

Who knows? This place may have a much larger impact on the Central Florida market than any of us expect right now.

 

 

I agree about the seniors,look at Busch Gardens just down the road,they usually get a decent amount of seniors always visit that park,and if you go on a day when they have those big bands or those groups from the 60's like Herman's Hermits playing at the Stanleyville theater it seems like there are more seniors than young people.I remember one day at the park that honestly it was so noticeable it must have been like 70% of the people at the parks were over 65,that was a good riding day!!

[mwm1444]

Windsor was Windsor Safari Park before Lego got to it, and they made a concerted effort to keep the majority of the flora, if not (obviously) fauna, there.

[robbalvey]

Windsor was Windsor Safari Park before Lego got to it, and they made a concerted effort to keep the majority of the flora, if not (obviously) fauna, there.

I had thought that the old safari park was essentially wiped clean and then the land re-purposed as Legoland Windsor.

 

The only attraction that remains from the Safari Park days (aside from the mansion) is the funicular railway, now known as the Hill Train, that links The Beginning area of the park with Wild Woods.

[mwm1444]

Okay, I'd assumed from what my parents, who'd lived in Windsor and visited whe it was the Safari Park, said, that a lot of the trees were Safari Park-vintage, but their memories may be off.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.theledger.com/article/20100202/NEWS/2025039/1001/BUSINESS?Title=Anatomy-of-a-Deal-How-Polk-Landed-Legoland

 

When a British visitor arrived at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park one day in November 2008, the gates were closed and the park was empty. But the compact, dark-haired man wasn't turned away. He had been invited. Brian Philpot, a co-owner of the venerable theme park, took the wheel of a golf cart and gave his guest a tour of the 150-acre attraction.

 

Fourteen months later, that visitor, Nick Varney, CEO of England-based Merlin Entertainments Group, was back at the park, this time standing at a lectern - red and shaped like a Lego - to announce his company had bought Cypress Gardens and would transform it into Legoland Florida. The attraction is scheduled to open by late 2011. Between Varney's hushed first visit and the celebratory press conference Jan. 21, the park was the subject of intensive and secretive discussions involving not just the Cypress Gardens owners and Merlin representatives but also Polk County tourism officials and government leaders. Today, the county commission is expected to approve a package of incentives totaling up to $5 million over 10 years for the company.

 

"We both thought the deal was dead a number of times," said Philpot, who, along with partner Rob Harper, sold the park for a price indicated by county tax records as $22.3 million. "Whether it was the Lego team or whether it was us, Rob and me, whenever we got to those moments we were able to resurrect it with one solution or another. It just goes to show their side and our side were really committed to getting this done."

 

Mark Jackson, director of the public-private Central Florida Tourism and Sports Marketing, also played a crucial role, crafting a package of incentives that promises up to $5 million over 10 years to Merlin for choosing Polk County over other potential locations for its fifth Legoland park and only second in the United States. "I think I put on about 10 years with this one," Jackson said of the negotiations. "My hair has gotten grayer, my wrinkles have gotten bigger and my stress level has gone up. But in the end it was all worth it."

 

FIRST CONTACT IN 2008

 

Philpot and Harper, managers of Mulberry-based Land South Holdings, first heard from Merlin executives in the summer of 2008. Merlin, the world's second-largest operator of tourist attractions behind Walt Disney Co., was seeking a site for a second American Legoland park. Philpot and Harper made plans to meet with Merlin executives in November 2008 at the annual convention of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions in Orlando. Merlin CEO Varney was a keynote speaker at the convention. Philpot said he and Harper first met with John Ussher, Merlin's general manager, and John Jakobsen, managing director for Legoland parks, at the convention. Philpot said Merlin representatives made a scouting trip to Cypress Gardens, and their report convinced Varney to take a look. At the time, the park was closed on weekdays, making it easy for Varney to visit without attracting attention.

 

At the Jan. 21 press conference, Varney described his response to Cypress Gardens as "love at first sight." Philpot said the Merlin CEO made no attempt to maintain a poker face on that first visit, either. Varney may have loved the place, but Philpot said the company had to go through a long period of analysis before making an offer. Philpot said he and Harper knew Merlin was considering other properties, and he heard rumors about three sites in Orlando, including the former Splendid China attraction, which closed in 2003. Philpot said he heard one out-of-state entity offered to make $150 million in infrastructure improvements to lure Legoland.

 

Meanwhile, the Cypress Gardens owners were hearing from other potential buyers, before and after they shut down operations at the park last September. Philpot said he and Harper declined some competing offers as the Merlin deal slowly developed. As negotiations heated up last summer, the Cypress Gardens owners met with leaders from county planning departments and the tourism agency.

 

Jackson, the point man for Central Florida Tourism and Sports Marketing, began a long series of phone calls with Merlin's Florida-based lawyer. Jackson said Poole, England-based Merlin was engaged in intensive research on Polk County, conducting Lego brand-recognition marketing surveys, even as his own group plunged into a crash course about Merlin. Jackson and other county officials quickly determined the theme park's financial potential merited a major offer of incentives from the county, and Jackson began drawing up the details.

 

Meanwhile, he and others - including Tom Patton, executive director of the Central Florida Development Council, which oversees Jackson's agency, and Polk County Manager Mike Herr - began meeting individually with all five county commissioners and all nine members of the Tourist Development Council board, which oversees the tourism and sports marketing agency. Consulting with more than one at a time would have required public notice under the state's open-government laws, and Jackson said Merlin representatives wanted to avoid publicity.

 

UNANIMOUS SUPPORT

 

Jackson said the commissioners and TDC board were unanimous in supporting financial incentives for Legoland. The TDC voted to approve the incentive deal last week. Herr and other county officials also discussed transportation concerns with Merlin representatives. Those talks included plans for a land swap that would allow the county to reroute Helena Road away from the park on its south end, a plan the county had considered for years. Herr said he and his staff also discussed its development review process and how it calculates impact fees.

 

Jackson and Merlin representatives also traveled to Tallahassee to meet with Gov. Charlie Crist and leaders from the state's Department of Community Affairs and Department of Environmental Protection. Jackson said state agencies were brought in to ensure a potential Legoland would face no obstacles from a conservation easement on Cypress Gardens established in 2004 as part of a complicated deal among state and county officials, the Trust for Public Land and a private buyer.

 

Though Merlin representatives never made any explicit demands from the county, Jackson said it was understood that the company wanted assurances of support.

 

Jackson said he spent many nights and weekends crafting a package of inducements. He continually revised the package based on suggestions from Herr, Patton and County Attorney Michael Craig. "When you're dealing with a company of that size and that magnitude and realizing what's at stake, there are always going to be some tense times and nervousness," Jackson said. "You get a little tenseness and then there's a bright spot, tenseness and a bright spot. There's a lot riding on it, and you take it personally. It was a roller coaster ride."

 

The result was a four-page letter dated Aug. 20 and addressed to Jakobsen, spelling out in detail what the county would offer and what it expected from Merlin.

 

"Knowing what our competition was, it (the offer) had to be pretty powerful," Jackson said. "I felt we pretty much had one shot at it, and this came together very quickly. I knew we had to put our best foot forward, not sit here and finagle back and forth."

 

Under the marketing partnership arrangement, Polk's tourism agency will pay Merlin $350,000 a year for 10 years. The company also will be eligible for up to $150,000 a year for a decade through the Polk County Business Incentive program, which rewards new businesses that pay at least 115 percent of average county wages. Jackson's offer also pledged marketing of Legoland at physical locations and through media operated by his agency.

 

Merlin won't receive the county money right away. Jackson said the first check from the tourism fund will go out when the park opens. Merlin won't become eligible for the PCBI until after it hires a staff and submits records proving it meets the program's criteria. And if for any reason Legoland ceases operations, the flow of county money would stop, Jackson said.

 

While attention has focused on Polk County's promised payments to Merlin, Jackson said he thinks the benefits to the county will outweigh the costs. For example, he said Merlin's agreement to promote Polk County vacation packages through its 4-million-member Lego Club database offers invaluable exposure.

 

A county economist has projected an economic impact of $459 million a year from Legoland Florida. The county expects to take in $1.4 million a year in intangible property taxes, Jackson said.

 

Jackson said the promised $350,000 a year to Merlin represents about 5 percent of his agency's tourism development funds. Under state law, that money can only be used for tourism initiatives, meaning it isn't coming from the general county budget. "We will probably double that in terms of just tourism revenue (increases) the first year they're in operation," Jackson said. "So it is going to pay for itself."

 

Even with the county inducements, it took another four months before the purchase was completed. Philpot said potential obstacles arose into late December.

 

Asked about moments of doubt, Philpot said, "Since we initially began negotiating the deal in earnest, I'd say half the weekends were that way. We really did not have a firm feel the deal was going to happen till Christmas."

[disneyfan1313]

Interesting - I am surprised they kept it quiet for as long as they did.

 

Philpot said he heard one out-of-state entity offered to make $150 million in infrastructure improvements to lure Legoland.

 

I wonder what area this was... perhaps HRP?

[JuanSe_Colombia]

I don't think Legoland will have an epic fall like HRP did. Legoland has a very international-touristic location even though it's not at Orlando, the marketing will bring the people all the world-wide visitors from Orlando to Legoland as it does with Busch Gardens. Busch Gardens is not an international recognize brand as Disney or Universal are and Bushc Gardens is in Tampa but yet people who visit from outside US (like I do) still go, and if they see a Lego-theme park just few hours aways from Orlando they would want go there and probably go. Florida is full with international tourist many people from South America travels to florida, to go to Disney-Universal-all kinds of theme parks- Daytona-JFK Soace center and all florida tourist attractions. Legoland see like a very profitable park to me. I've travel 8 times to USA which 7 of them I've been in Florida. And the other in California. Myrtle Beach is not a worldwide know touristic city.

[PriestofSyrinx]

If Polk County expands its toll road to the western way road, then it will be a rousing success!

 

I'm pretty sure though Polk county and the State of Florida will make sure that this park wont end up like HRP. Since the State of Florida has taken extreme measures in the past (with the company that owned both Wild Adventures in Valdosta GA and then Cypress Gardens) and basically gave the park to that company. But look at that company now...

 

Merlin (Blackstone)=Success from what I've seen...

 

Maybe now that Blackstone fully owns 6 gated parks and half of 3 others in that stretch of I-4, that Orlando Flexiticket might actually become a good bargain to compete with Disney...

 

 

 

 

[monsterfan99]

^I was thinking the same on the Flex ticket, but who knows if Legoland will be added. Right now, from what one of the PR people said, the park will run by itself with no cross promotion with the Blackstone parks. They are treating Merlin and Blackstone as two different companies despite Blackstone owning Merlin.

[disneyfan1313]

Legoland Florida launches its web site!

www.legolandfloridaresort.com/

 

There is press info and even some jobs listings. Looks like they are hiring for a few positions already! It is interesting that the url is the "Legoland Florida RESORT" - I wonder if they are really trying to make it a resort destination.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.lakewalesnews.com/articles/2010/02/24/news/local/doc4b843cdf33eff183631314.txt

 

Would an aquarium made of Lego blocks hold water? Mark Jackson thinks it could be so. A Sea Life aquarium could eventually be part of the final package as Legoland comes to Central Florida according to Jackson, director of tourism and sports marketing for the Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau.

 

The second phase of Legoland construction “possibly, if you look at the California model, (could include) a Sea Life aquarium (and) definitely a resort destination hotel,” he said Friday at a meeting of the Haines City Chamber of Commerce. Merlin Entertainment, the company which will build Polk’s Legoland’s park, also owns Sea Life aquarium centers, more than 30 around the world including one in California at the Legoland park there. Company officials told Jackson a Polk Sea Life aquarium is a possibility.

 

There are two Sea Life attractions currently in the United States, one adjacent to the California Legoland attraction and a second stand-alone attraction in Arizona. The California location opened in August of 2008, and was the first one to be built in this country.

 

Construction of the water attraction was completed in about 10 months. Legoland charges a separate admission for the attraction, but according to its Web site, a one-day pass that allows adults to visit both Legoland and Sea Life costs $77. An individual adult ticket to Sea Life costs $19. The Sea Life attraction contains 72 Lego models and features more than 200 species. The company describes it as “an interactive, immersive and inspirational child’s guide to the life of the sea.” A 35-foot-long acrylic ocean tunnel allows guests to walk through and experience Lost City of Atlantis without ever getting wet. Guests can also explore the 36,000 square-foot, two-story Aquarium, and discover 36 displays holding more than 250,000 gallons of water. Key features throughout 14 themed rooms include the Discovery Zone, where guests interact with marine life experts, touch tide pool animals and take an inside look at the lives of sea creatures from special pop-up viewing stations; the Shoaling Ring, where guests are surrounded 360 degrees by schools of swimming fish; and the Ray Lagoon where several species of rays appear to “fly” through the water in Mayan temple ruins. Key creatures include sharks, rays, jellyfish, seahorses, an octopus and several species of freshwater fish which can be found in California lakes and streams as well as cold water marine animals native to the California coastline, the company noted.

 

Dollar signs – lots of them – are bright spots in the area’s future thanks to Legoland, according to Jackson. They recently announced plans to locate a Legoland at the site of the former Cypress Gardens Adventure Park to be opened by late 2011. The other Legoland in the U.S. – in Carlsbad, Calif., is the only theme park in the country to see an increase in visitors – and revenue – last year, he indicated. That park’s 6-percent increase can be compared to Orlando-area tourism which was down “almost 20 percent last year,” Jackson told those attending February’s Haines City Northeast Polk County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday. And these visitors are, according to Jackson, “towing a trailer full of money behind them ... and they’re just dumping it in Polk County.” Tourism is an export, Jackson said, “wherein somebody from another country or region purchases a product or service, they drop off their Pesos, Euros, Loonies, ... whatever it may be, they’re dropping it off here. They’re taking away with them a great feeling, a photograph, a great experience. That’s what we want them to have here in Polk. They’re leaving here with something – a product or service.” Jackson said he and his agency worked for months to put together the deal that in January resulted in Merlin’s purchase of the former Cypress Gardens property in southeast Winter Haven from Bryan Philpot and Rob Harper’s Land South Holdings.

 

Merlin, formed in 1999, has grown to have 59 attractions in 13 countries on three continents and is second in size only to Disney. Merlin’s goal, Jackson said, is to become the worldwide leader in branded, location-based entertainment. Existing Legolands are in Billund, Denmark; Gunzburg, Germany; Windsor, England; and California.

 

As a result of the partnership, Polk will, among other things, have a kiosk at the Legoland entrance. “We will touch 2 million people annually as they come through the park,” Jackson said. “We’ll get them to stay longer ... stay two or three days, not one day.” Lake Wales and Ridge communities in general will benefit, Jackson adds. “These visitors naturally will be attracted to Lake Wales,” he said. “Between Lake Wales itself, with all its natural charm – everything from fish camps to a thriving art culture – and Bok Tower Gardens, that area is a magnet for visitors. It will turn Lake Wales into (more of) a destination.” Other businesses “won’t be able to keep up with the demand,” Jackson said. Vacation rentals and hotel and motel rooms will increase, especially up and down U.S. Highway 27. “The highway – 27 – is the vessel that will bring these visitors in,” he said. “Businesses up and down the highway will see significant changes.” Jackson said the area can expect a capital investment of “a lot more than $100 million” in phase 1, and 1,000 new jobs. Initially construction jobs and all the related things; 1.5 - 2 million visitors annually; $459 million economic impact for Polk County. “That’ll be one of our largest industries – ever.”

 

The county annually will receive $1.4 million in sales tax – about 18.6 percent of the 7 percent state tax comes back to the county. That’s from just spending in the park There’ll be also $1.2 million in property tax, Jackson said, as well as Tourist Development Tax revenue: “If we generate 50,000 room-nights, we’ll generate $175,000 in additional tourism spending. If 200,000 room-nights, $700,000 annually.” Jackson says the county’s half-million-dollar annual contribution is a “pretty good investment.”

 

But that’s not all, Jackson said. “The most valuable thing: We have access to their data. Four million people are cult-like followers of Lego toys. We have visibility at 59 theme parks world-wide. We have access to their other marketing channels as well. “We’ll be sharing billboards, print and electronic media, and other advertising and splitting the costs. We’re raising our revenue and we’re reducing our cost,” he added. ““You can’t pay for that kind of visibility to be associated with the second largest attractions company in the world.”

[disneyfan1313]

^ Sigh. No Polk County - no one is going to "Stay a few extra days" to experience your marvelous nothingness. Sure Bok Tower Gardens is beautiful but its a 3 or 4 hours trip at the *most* and the average age going there is 70-80. It blows my mind that they think that Legoland will "change" them into a tourist destination.

 

Sigh.

[Jew]

Uhm...The business model for Legoland California works because Carlsbad is easy to get to from two major cities, and it's also an actual resort town with beaches/golf/hotel capacity/etc.

 

They're going to be very disappointed if they are expecting to make that area a resort area and have the same success as Carlsbad.

[cfc]

And these visitors are, according to Jackson, “towing a trailer full of money behind them ... and they’re just dumping it in Polk County.” Tourism is an export, Jackson said, “wherein somebody from another country or region purchases a product or service, they drop off their Pesos, Euros, Loonies, ... whatever it may be, they’re dropping it off here.

 

I wonder how many "Loonies" you can buy for a dollar--what's the exchange rate?

[moinab]

1 Canadian dollar = 0.942863 U.S. dollars

 

Or was that a rhetorical question?

[SharkTums]

They can put a hotel, put a Sea Life, Water Park, put an amazing Legoland, I'm still not staying near that park in the middle of nowhere...I'll be in Orlando if you need me!

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.newschief.com/article/20100304/NEWS/3045023/1021/NEWS01?Title=Legoland-county-land-swap-to-affect-traffic

 

What initially was expected to be a simple swap of land ownership between Polk County and Merlin Entertainments Group will affect traffic once Legoland Florida opens for business at the Cypress Gardens site in Winter Haven.

 

During their meeting Wednesday, Polk County Commissioners unanimously approved the trade of a section of Helena Road from the county, which runs along property in front of Legoland Florida. In return, Merlin Entertainments gave two plats of rights of way to the county: one off Cypress Gardens Boulevard and the second north of Winterset Road. The two plats received will allow the county to implement a new road project to move traffic heading north on Helena Road toward Cypress Gardens Boulevard. According to Wade Allen, chief rights-of-way agent for Polk County, the county wants to have a bid for the road construction to the purchasing department within two or three weeks. "We are trying to get it to purchasing as quickly as possible," Allen said. "We would like to begin construction of the new road plan by the summer."

 

The new road will merge to the right, heading north on Helena Road shortly after Winterset Road. It will continue north and it will come out at Cypress Gardens Boulevard at the southern end of the shopping plaza that includes Publix and K-Mart.

 

Allen said the county has to deal with some utilities before construction, but is hopeful the summer construction date is possible. He said the county didn't expect anything but a unanimous vote on this matter. "We expected this decision because the board has been proactive about jobs," Allen said. "And this will create more jobs for the county." Allen said the goal of the new road is to keep the local traffic away from the theme park to avoid major traffic problems. According to Allen, there were traffic issues on Helena Road when Cypress Gardens was opened. "We want to try and avoid as many traffic issues as possible when Legoland opens," Allen said. "And we believe this road should help with the traffic at the theme park."

 

Legoland Florida will be assembled on the former site of Cypress Gardens, which was purchased in January by Merlin Entertainments. The theme park is expected to open late in 2011 and bring 1,000 new jobs to Polk County.

[beyondthepalace]

I do believe that this change in roads will benefit locals the most since northbound Helena comes from a housing area. Still good to see that Polk County is all about this park!

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2010/3/23/protected_parcel_at_center_of_legoland_construction.html

 

Could protected environmental status delay or stall the building of the Legoland theme park in Polk County? That is what lawmakers, including Gov. Charlie Crist will meet to discuss today in Tallahassee. Crist and the Florida Cabinet will gather to determine how part of the former Cypress Gardens site's 'protected parcel' status will affect construction on the new park.

 

Merlin Entertainment Group announced plans in January to convert the park to a Legoland. But before that can happen, the cabinet has to approve any changes on the specialized land.

 

Officials said they expect to open the park, which will be the largest Legoland in the world, by the end of 2011.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.newschief.com/article/20100323/NEWS/100329990/1021/NEWS01?p=2&tc=pg&tc=ar

 

Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved the use of state lands to enable Merlin Entertainments Group to build a Legoland family theme park on the 150-acre Cypress Gardens site in Winter Haven.

 

“The addition of Legoland Florida to our state’s already impressive list of attractions will serve only to enhance the Sunshine State as a travel destination,” Crist said for a news release distributed by his office. “The beauty and splendor of the historic Cypress Gardens site will once again fascinate visitors and residents alike.”

 

The following is an exerpt taken directly from the news release:

 

Cypress Gardens is rich with international flora, containing over 8,000 plants from more than 90 countries in its historic gardens. In an effort to preserve this cultural and historic resource in August 2003, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) joined the state to negotiate a contract with the property owners and successfully executed agreements with the state, county and a private buyer.

 

“Cypress Gardens is known as Florida’s first theme park and has been an integral part of Central Florida’s history since it opened in 1936,” said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole. “The purpose of this agreement is to both create jobs and maintain the cultural integrity of the land and ensure it retains its scenic and historical value.”

 

The new park is slated to open in 2011, bringing with it an estimated 1,000 new jobs to Polk County with a $300 million projected investment over the next five years. In January, Governor Crist, along with Senator JD Alexander, joined Merlin Entertainments for the company’s announcement of plans to open the family theme park at the 145-acre Cypress Gardens site in Winter Haven.

 

“A project like this helps create quality-paying jobs while growing the economy,” said Chris Hart, interim director of the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. “Tourism plays a significant role in Florida’s economy, and we welcome LEGOLAND® to the Sunshine State.”

 

Florida will be home to the fifth Legoland opened worldwide. The only other one in North America is Legoland California, which was recently voted the country’s best children’s theme park by Amusement Today for the sixth consecutive year.

 

“Merlin Entertainments Group has a proud history of preserving historical sites,” said John Ussher, general manager of Legoland Development. “Merlin is grateful to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Cabinet for their role in helping to preserve the historical botanical gardens and insuring Legoland Florida will be enjoyed by millions of visitors for years to come.”

 

DEP is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. DEP enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.theledger.com/article/20100411/NEWS/4115023/1134?Title=Haines-City-Wants-to-Capitalize-on-Legoland&tc=ar

 

It's become an intriguing challenge for the city's business community: Figuring out how to lure motorists off U.S. 27 and get them to take a detour into the historic downtown Haines City neighborhood.

 

That's always been a strong goal of the business community, but the need to get motorists to take that exit for U.S. 17/92 north into Haines City is getting more critical as the city faces the prospect of up to 2 million visitors a year traveling along U.S. 27 on their way to the new Legoland Florida theme park in Winter Haven.

 

"We need to think about how we in Northeast Polk, as a community, can attract some of the people traveling from Disney to Legoland," said Jane Patton, president of the Haines City/Northeast Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

 

Merlin Entertainments is building the new Legoland theme park, modeled after the ones in Europe, at the site of the former Cypress Gardens. It would be only the second Legoland theme park in the United States, following the one in Carlsbad, Calif.

 

"Legoland California's revenues increased 6 percent last year," Patton said. "They are just doing amazingly well. So we have a huge opportunity here." Patton recently joined the members of the chamber's Economic Development Committee to explore ways to capitalize on Legoland. They agreed that it's important to find creative ways to encourage motorists who might never have heard of Haines City to stop here on their way to or from Legoland.

 

Steve Shealey, the chairman of the committee, said they should explore getting increased signage on U.S. 27, pointing to the historic Haines City downtown or to new facilities like the Banquet Hall and Aquatics Center at Lake Eva Park.

 

Allison Beeman, deputy director of the Haines City Economic Development Office, agreed that motorists not familiar with Polk County might want to see what else is in the area - if the highway signage let's them know there's something worth stopping for. "You need to grab them immediately when they hit 27," she said.

 

Shealey said the chamber should also consider asking a gas station on the busy highway to provide tourist information, letting motorists know what there is to do in Haines City. "In other places, the advertisement on the road is 'Local tourist information, stop here,' and usually it's at a gas station," Shealey said. "It shouldn't be hard to find a gas station willing to do that for us. The incentive is they're going to be getting the extra traffic that stops there for the tourist information." Shealey said Haines City leaders might want to consider a long-term comprehensive plan for U.S. 27, one aimed at catering to the kinds of tourists that Legoland will bring to Polk.

 

Patton said it's also important to keep pushing for a hotel to be built in the city and for more restaurants to come here - the kinds of things that travelers are looking for. "I want this group, and people who understand economic development, to know we can make this place a dynamic area that people want to come to," she said. "We just have to figure out how to stick out our foot and make people stop here."

[RCFreak]

"We just have to figure out how to stick out our foot and make people stop here."

 

 

lol when I read this my mind went immediately to Nothing But Trouble!