Legoland Florida Discussion Thread

[PeoplemoverMatt]

Perhaps I'm being unrealistic here, but in terms of sheer value, asking for Orlando Ticket Prices while deliberately holding back attractions such as a Kuka arm for "future expansions" comes off as a deliberate screw job, if that's what's indeed going on. Unfortunately most FL residents are unaware of what's at other Legolands and won't be able to make that comparison.

[robbalvey]

Unfortunately most FL residents are unaware of what's at other Legolands and won't be able to make that comparison.

And that's exactly why it makes sense. This park looks to already be opening with MORE attractions than DCA or Animal Kingdom opened with. It has more to do for kids than either Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Orlando. It's "technically" closer to Orlando than Busch Gardens Tampa.

 

And while the price point does look a bit high, this is Orlando we're talking about here.

 

For someone who has never been to any other Legoland, or heck, even if you HAVE been, the initial line-up still looks fairly strong.

 

It's about on par with what I was expecting.

 

--Robb

[moinab]

^Agreed.

 

I would be all over this, if we hadn't just been to Legoland CA. But now, I think it would be a bit of a letdown for us, at that price, and a 3.5 hour drive. I still think it's a great addition for FL, especially for young boys, who are a bit too young for Universal, but are turned off by all the princess/fairy stuff at WDW. Every young boy I know LOVES Legos.

[BeemerBoy]

It still seems like a pretty simple formula to me, regardless if it's a "weak" lineup when it opens:

 

Lego = kids = money = more rides = more kids = more money = hotels = more families = more kids = more money.......

 

 

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this place should be just fine.

[robbalvey]

Lego = kids = money = more rides = more kids = more money = SEALIFE AQUARIUM = more families = more kids = more money.......

Fixed. Remember...this is Merlin we're talking about here!

[gameplayer951]

This seems just like another Lego theme park to me. If you've been to one, you've been to them all.

[robbalvey]

This seems just like another Lego theme park to me. If you've been to one, you've been to them all.

Huh? I'm sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. That's like saying "This seems like just another Disney park to me. If you've been to one, you've been to them all."

 

I'm sorry, but I've actually been to them all! I can tell you they are all very different and all very AWESOME!

 

--Robb

Edited October 23, 2010 by robbalvey

[Skycoastin Steve]

^^Don't forget the gardens that are still going to be there. I think that pretty much sets it apart from every other Legoland.

[fatdaddy]

^^Wait, Legoland California is awesome? I've never been, but nobodys ever said it was awesome. Everyone I've ever talked to said it wasn't worth it, or they never saw any reason to go. But, if Robb "Extra b" Alvey says it's good then I think I should go.

 

BTW, I've decided that you and Elissa's rap names are "E Ticket and Extra b". Why, I dunno, it came to me when I was about to pass out on the treadmill.

[SharkTums]

^Are you serious? It's by far the best park in California. Not joking.

 

It got some bad press and reviews the first few years when it looked (honestly) a lot like Florida's with few rides and a high price admission. But I don't know how anyone could say something bad about the park in California now, it's incredible!

[fatdaddy]

^Ok, I will check it out. Since you seem to think it's "awesome", I may even get season passes. Seriously, I never had anybody who's been there recommend it.

[ernierocker]

I think that even if each Legoland park were exact replicas of each other they would still be popular. Don't underestimate how effective the Lego theme is to kids, not to mention how it brings out that young kid in adults. Now, the one in Florida will allow more access to people who were too far away from the west coast to make the trip.

[live2tell75]

Found another article about Legoland Florida. This one mentions the old Island in the Sky ride being included, a car safari ride, a conservatory to make lego flowers (maybe the old butterfly Conservatory?) and possible future water boat rides. I bolded all of these in the article.

link:

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2010/10/sneak-peek-at-legoland-florida.html

 

Sneak peek at Legoland Florida

Orlando Business Journal - by Anjali Fluker

Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010, 4:21pm EDT - Last Modified: Friday, October 22, 2010, 4:40pm EDT

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Legoland Florida General Manager Adrian Jones

 

Now that most of the new feeling of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure has worn off, it’s time to shift gears to a little further away from Orlando.

Legoland Florida officials on Thursday hosted a hard-hat tour and project update of the more than $100 million revamp of the former Cypress Gardens theme park in Winter Haven. Though the tour was more virtual than actual — I think the hard hats were more of a rule than necessity in the area media and potential hospitality partners were allowed — park officials did unveil specifics on the park’s layout, rides, shows, stores and restaurants.

Some of the themed lands and rides were reported on by my colleague Richard Bilbao back in July. Officials confirmed those and added more detail.

The park will feature nine themed lands: The Beginning, Fun Town, Miniland USA, Duplo Village, Castle Hill, Xtreme, Imagination Zone, Land of Adventure and Lego City. Among those will be 50 rides and attractions, including what used to be known as Cypress Gardens’ signature attraction on the water.

Some of the areas I think will be the most fun are:

• Fun Town, the area that will include the repositioning of the former Island in the Sky ride into Flying Island, as well as the Conservatory, where guests can buy and make Lego flowers, the Lego Factory, which shows guests how the bricks are made; and the newly revamped Fun Town Theater, which will feature four different 3-D shows — Bob the Builder, Lego Races, Spellbreaker and Clutch Powers — with the added dimension of snow, rain and wind, said Legoland Parks Managing Director John Jakobsen.

Fun Town also will hawk Granny’s Apple Fries, a snack made popular in California’s Legoland. The treat consists of cinnamon dusted, deep-fried Granny Smith apple slices served with a rich, vanilla cream dip — something visitors to Thursday’s event had the pleasure of sampling.

• Miniland USA will display miniature landmarks of the Las Vegas Strip, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Florida’s own Daytona International Speedway and Kennedy Space Center, all made of Legos.

• Castle Hill, a Medieval-themed land that fits right in with our region because “there’s a perception that you have to have a castle to be successful in Central Florida,” joked Legoland Florida General Manager Adrian Jones. This part of the park will feature the Castle Coaster with a dragon, along with Lego horse rides and a special place for princesses to get dolled up.

• Xtreme, with “pink-knuckle” roller coasters like the Technic Coaster, and rides where kids can see what it feels like to Jet Ski, plus Lego Races, a track-less, bumper car ride.

• Land of Adventure will have some cool rides, including a wooden, dinosaur-themed roller coaster; an Egyptian-themed, laser-shooting ride called Lost Kingdom; and the Legoland staple Safari Ride. It also will be where a new barbecue restaurant will be built from the ground up. Hey, you can’t have a park in Florida without barbecue!

Legoland also is working on plans for something Cypress Gardens was best known for: the Jet-Skiing shows on Lake Eloise. New management is calling it a water stunt show, and the new story line includes pirates. Although it’s still in the “experimental stage,” it will be interactive, Jones said.

Additional features from Cypress Gardens include the Southern Belles still continuing to be part of the park in some way, along with possible boat rides.

Though the park opening is still a year away, tickets went on sale Thursday — discounted from standard prices through year-end — on Legoland Florida’s website (http://florida.legoland.com/buy_tickets/tickets). The most extravagant deal is the $2,500 Ambassador Pass, a lifetime pass that includes preferred parking, special events, and discounts on food and merchandise.

Meanwhile, demolition work and infrastructure updates are under way, and vertical construction is expected to start once the initial work is completed, Jakobsen said. The parks have hired about 35 workers to date.

Despite the 54 miles I had to drive from home to the park site and not getting a chance to actually see much of the work that’s under way, it seems that the Legoland folks are doing their best to please the nostalgic Cypress Gardens fans, while also catering to kids and families who love Legos.

And who can argue with an annual pass for less than $100?

Would you invest in early passes? Leave a comment below or e-mail me.

 

Read more: The Buzz | Orlando Business Journal

 

Since I have not been to a Legoland park, I'm looking forward to see this transformation. Glad to see that they are possibly keeping the Island In The Sky ride. I always enjoyed this ride and I think it will be a good fit with Legoland. Probably will give a nice view of Miniland.

[gameplayer951]

This seems just like another Lego theme park to me. If you've been to one, you've been to them all.

Huh? I'm sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. That's like saying "This seems like just another Disney park to me. If you've been to one, you've been to them all."

 

I'm sorry, but I've actually been to them all! I can tell you they are all very different and all very AWESOME!

 

--Robb

Well, we have our differences in parks. I know you and Elissa are big fans of the Lego parks, and I'm a huge fan of the Disney parks. So that's just my opinion.

 

BTW, I highly disagree in your Disney park comment! [all the landscaping / rides are different, besides the clones (i.e. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Muppet*Vision 3D, etc.)]

[SoCalCoasters]

I still wish Legoland had kept Spellbreaker, being that it was so unique and interesting. it's the only standup inverted swinging racing coaster with an elevator that I've ever seen. The name was perfect: SpellBreaker. If they had found some way to raise the capacity level, and reduce downtime, it would have been a great coaster. I used to wait in line and ride it just so I could see the construction of Technic from the top of the elevator. Good car theming too.

 

Great Concept, bad design.

 

Knight's Tournament is a great attraction don't get me wrong, I ride it every time I go, but Spellbreaker was just so...different that it stood out from all the other attractions.

 

I wonder if Legoland kept the double queue railings on the ramps down to the attraction as a tribute, or reminder of how much energy they wasted on it.

 

 

Maybe they'll go to Premier Rides and bring back the concept. It would be quite interesting to see what they could do to the design for Legoland Florida...I'd say make it racing with double stations for each track. That is the only way I ever see the capacity for those things change majorly.

[Bonemachine]

It's by far the best park in California. Not joking.

Really? It's by far better than Disneyland? I don't see how that's possible.

[robbalvey]

It's by far the best park in California. Not joking.

Really? It's by far better than Disneyland? I don't see how that's possible.

Well, we're not big fans of Disneyland. IMO, Disneyland is one of the worst of all the Disney parks and Legoland San Diego is one of the best of all the Legoland's. So that's kind of how it pans out for us.

 

So yes, it's possible.

 

--Robb

[Bonemachine]

What's wrong with Disneyland? Too crowded and expensive? Employees not too friendly?

 

I've only been there twice but it's right up there with IOA and Epcot as one of my favorite parks. I realize that most of the rides are on a much smaller scale than at Magic Kingdom and the castle is a joke but they have Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Roger Rabbit, and a couple other additional rides in Fantasyland. Plus it has the historical importance.

[krazekiddd]

^Historical Importance doesn't make a park awesome. It would be nice if the park had the mentality of "we're the original so let's try and be the best" but I don't think that is the case with Disneyland.

 

I've only been two of the Disney resorts, though I'll be doing Tokyo Disney in June. In regards to Disneyland, what I hated was how cramped it was. The pathways were small and when a show let out it was horrible to get around. Not to mention the line cutting seemed to be horrible there.

 

I did Disneyland and Legoland within a few days of each other. I'm not a Legoland fan, but the park was a lot better in terms of staff, cleanliness, open atmosphere and the fun I was able to enjoy while I was there.

[ginzo]

In regards to Disneyland, what I hated was how cramped it was. The pathways were small and when a show let out it was horrible to get around. Not to mention the line cutting seemed to be horrible there.

 

Yeah, I had a great time at Disneyland when it was dead, but it sucked when it was crowded. The place is too small for the crowds it gets. Line cutting was rampant and the staff was indifferent to this. LA locals just seem to be some of the world's worst humans.

[Bonemachine]

Touche. I was lucky and it wasn't very crowded either time I went. I guess the rides there are just my cup of tea. I think Pirates of the Caribbean is the best ride ever.

[xxmat2]

Lego Land is geared for kids 3-12, I work at the one at Lego Land California and always notice the kids always have a great time, if you go in with a positive attitude and a opportunity to spend time with your kids Lego Land delivers, Definitely suggest getting the year passes, it pays after 2 visits and you get great benefits like bring a friend coupons once or twice a year, comps, free parking and such. Lego Land Florida seems like its going to have a small lineup but you can bet it will expand every year as the one in California does. Can't wait to go check it out!

[robbalvey]

What's wrong with Disneyland? Too crowded and expensive? Employees not too friendly?

 

I've only been there twice but it's right up there with IOA and Epcot as one of my favorite parks. I realize that most of the rides are on a much smaller scale than at Magic Kingdom and the castle is a joke but they have Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Roger Rabbit, and a couple other additional rides in Fantasyland. Plus it has the historical importance.

I could care less about the historical importance. I think I explained it the best in my post - I've been to all the Disney resorts in the world, and I visit them all fairly regularly, and I find Disneyland in California to be the worst. The worst employees, the least impressive park, the worst clientelle (yes, So Cal locals are even worse than Paris!), and mediocre versions of many rides that other resorts have much better versions of.

 

Sure, Disneyland has Indy, but so does DisneySeas, and a much better version of the ride. Matterhorn is "ok", but I far prefer WDW's Space Mountain, which is a similar type of ride. Tokyo Disneyland also has Roger Rabbit. Mr. Toad is exclusive to Disneyland, but I'm not about to drive 2 hours and drop about $400 for a day at the park for a dark ride.

 

If I'm going to put in that kind of money and effort, I'll put it towards a visit to Walt Disney World or Tokyo Disney. It's kind of funny that I live 65 miles from the park, but I haven't been to Disneyland in California since August of 2009, and since then I've been to Tokyo Disneyland 3 times, and Walt Disney World twice (with a third visit coming up in a couple of weeks.) I'm a huge fan of Disney, but I choose to get my "Disney fix" other places besides California.

 

I'm just not a fan of the California Disney parks, sorry...but I *AM* a fan of Legoland California! If we're going put in the effort to drive all the way down to Orange County to go to Disneyland, I'd rather pass right by the park and continue driving to Legoland...and we've already done that once this year!

 

--Robb

Edited November 2, 2010 by robbalvey

[robbalvey]

There was an article posted to the Times today about the attractions found at Legoland Florida:

 

http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-legoland-florida-preview-20101105,0,5340584.story?page=2

 

One thing I noticed, that I really hope is *NOT* true is the following:

 

the indoor/outdoor Dragon coaster (utilizing Cypress Gardens' former Okeechobee Rampage family coaster, which will eventually wind through a castle filled with Lego scenes)

Yes, it's cool they are building the castle part of the coaster like all the other versions, BUT, is the actual "coaster part" really going to just be the same standard Vekoma Roller Skater? All the other models have been MUCH larger extended versions of a Roller Skater, some of them able to run three trains!

 

This is going to be quite the bummer if this coaster really just ends up being the smallest Roller Skater model available with the castle part attached. I hope this is not the case.

 

--Robb

[BridgeMan]

Robb, sadly I've heard it will be just that - an addition of the castle section before the lift with the existing layout.