Here’s when Legoland’s newest attraction opens
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Ahoy mateys, a new adventure will soon set sail at Legoland Florida. The Polk County theme park said Wednesday that Pirate River Quest will officially open Nov. 2. READ: Legoland Florida Resort becomes first theme park to be designated as certified autism centerThe family-friendly boat ride will have guests setting sail with a rowdy crew of Lego pirates to explore murky waters and retrieve the lost treasure stolen by mischievous monkeys. READ: Top tips for visiting Legoland Florida near OrlandoLego to remove ‘gender bias’ from products (NCD)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comLegoland Florida Resort becomes first theme park to be designated as certified autism center
Legoland Florida Resort becomes first theme park to become certified autism centerWINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Legoland Florida has become the first theme park resort to be designated as a certified autism center. READ: 9 things to do this weekend: St. Johns River Festival of the Arts, Crab & Seafood Festival and moreOfficials said the designation includes Legoland Theme Park, Legoland Water Park, Legoland Hotel, Legoland Pirate Island Hotel, Legoland Beach Retreat and the Peppa Pig Theme Park. The CAC designation was awarded to Legoland Florida Resort by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES.) WATCH: World’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park opens in Central FloridaThe IBCCES training program includes information on understanding what autism is, strategies for communication, and best practices for enhancing the on-site experience. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.
wftv.comHappy 10th birthday, Legoland! Theme park celebrates a decade of awesomeness
The popular toy company Lego transformed the former Cypress Gardens theme park after it closed in 2009 into a 145-acre family-friendly theme park based on Lego characters, playsets and more. See photos of Legoland in the gallery below:Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 15 Legoland Florida Legoland Florida celebrates 10 years of awesomeness this weekend. The new attraction will immerse Lego lovers in the ever-evolving theme park experience and how Legoland theme parks were built. On Jan. 15, 2010, Merlin Entertainments announced it would build a Legoland theme park on the former Cypress Gardens property. Peppa Pig Theme Park Peppa Pig Theme Park will officially open in February.
wftv.comHere’s when Peppa Pig Theme Park opens at Legoland Florida
Peppa Pig Theme Park, located adjacent to Legoland Florida in Winter Haven, will officially open on Feb. 24, the park announced Tuesday afternoon. READ: Rides, attractions announced for Peppa Pig Theme Park coming to Legoland FloridaPeppa Pig Theme Park Peppa Pig Theme Park will officially open in February. We’re SO excited to share that Peppa Pig Theme Park will be opening on February 24, 2022 AND theme park tickets are on sale NOW! https://t.co/5sxX7X9sW9 pic.twitter.com/cpqdV1Rj3W — Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida (@PeppaPigFlorida) October 12, 2021Peppa Pig Theme Park will include six rides, six themed landscapes, a water play area and more “oinktastic” experiences for the whole family based on the popular children’s cartoon. READ: World’s first ‘Peppa Pig’ theme park coming to LEGOLAND FloridaTickets for the new theme park also went on sale Tuesday.
wftv.comOpening, ticket prices announced for Peppa Pig theme park
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — (AP) — A standalone Peppa Pig theme park at the Legoland Florida Resort is set to open Feb. 24, park officials announced Tuesday. A one-day ticket for the central Florida park will be $34.99 at the gate and $30.99 online. Based on the popular preschool animated television series, the new park will be located near the main Legoland theme park, but will be separately ticketed, according to a news release. The Peppa Pig theme park will feature rides, interactive attractions, themed playscapes, water play areas and live shows, mostly designed for small children and their parents, officials said. The Peppa Pig theme park will be operated under a licensing agreement with Hasbro, which owns the character.
wftv.comLegoland Florida starting all-new LEGO VIDIYO music festival
An all-new, family-friendly music festival 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.
Study shows Legoland, Disney boost nearby home values
It found proximity to landmarks has a net positive on nearby residential property values. The full study included other factors, such as traffic volume and nearby CO2 emissions. When all these factors were included, the landmark with the biggest impact on nearby property values was Paris’s Arc de Triomphe. While Disney World’s Magic Kingdom may be the most visited theme park in the world, Hong Kong Disneyland was the best theme park in the study, which also considered crowd levels. The lack of Universal’s resorts is surprising, considering the Harry Potter Studio Tour in the U.K. and four Legoland parks all made the list.
orlandoweekly.comSmaller Central Florida attractions like Legoland and Gatorland should see benefits from sold-out theme parks
Last month I shared some encouraging signs of recovery at Orlando's attractions, and those small shoots have become full-blown blossoms ahead of spring's arrival. Construction on Universal's Epic Universe has officially resumed, Walt Disney World's theme park reservations are booked solid with spring breakers, and all signs are pointing toward a blockbuster summer travel season. Brickbeard's Watersports Stunt Show debuted at Legoland Florida as part of February's Pirate Fest Weekends, and performances of the new show continue daily at the park's lakeside amphitheater. With or without the plastic pirate shtick, that's a tradition worth passing on to the next generation. Don't worry, you should be perfectly safe ... just so long as you don't smell like plastic or goldfish.
orlandoweekly.comPeppa Pig theme park set for Legoland Florida Resort in 2022
(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A standalone Peppa Pig theme park is set to open next year at the Legoland Florida Resort, park officials announced Thursday. The new park, based on the popular preschool animated television series, will be located near the main Legoland theme park, but will be separately ticketed, according to a news release. Annual passes to the Peppa Pig theme park will be available as standalone memberships or multi-park passes that include the Legoland theme park and water park. The Peppa Pig theme park will feature rides, interactive attractions, themed playscapes, water play areas and live shows, officials said. The Peppa Pig theme park will be operated under a licensing agreement with Hasbro, which owns the character.
Peppa Pig theme park opening at Legoland Florida Resort
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Peppa Pig is about to get its own theme park at Legoland Florida Resort. Peppa the Pig theme park at Legoland Florida (Merlin Entertainment)The new theme park will be separately ticketed and will be within walking distance to Legoland Hotel, Legoland Pirate Island Hotel and the entrance to Legoland Florida Theme Park. Merlin Entertainment, which runs Legoland parks, has entered an exclusive multi-territory agreement with Hasbro, which owns Peppa Pig. Parents with “little piggies” can be among the first to hear some of the big news about the new theme park by signing up here. Use the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops newsletter, sent every Friday morning.
PirateFest Weekends setting sail at Legoland Florida Resort
WINTER HAVEN, Fla – Legoland Florida Resort is set to begin its all-new PirateFest Weekends Friday. The performer, originally from Sarasota, will perform an epic high-wire walk nearly 600 feet cross the skies of the theme park. AdNew this year is Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show. Some foods being offered during PirateFest Weekends include sunken ship Funnel cakes, buried treasure mac’n’cheese, peg leg barrrgh-BQ wings and alligator bites. Use the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops newsletter, sent every Friday morning.
High-wire acrobat Nik Wallenda walks the plank at Legoland Florida
WINTER HAVEN, Fla – Florida’s famous high-wire acrobat Nik Wallenda walked the plank at the Legoland Florida Resort on Friday. The performer, originally from Sarasota, performed the epic high-wire walk nearly 600 feet cross the skies of the theme park. Legoland Florida also started a new show, Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show and PirateFest Weekends. During the new PirateFest Weekends, guests can meet the famous Lego Pirate characters and participate in all-new shows and activities. Pirate Weekends runs Feb. 12-14, 20-21, 27-28.
Legoland Florida to begin transformation on Miniland USA
Beginning next week, Legoland Florida Resort will begin installing a new shade structure over the top of its popular Miniland USA. Kennedy Space Center at Legoland's Miniland USA (Legoland Florida)The transformation is just a piece of the park’s plans to celebrate its 10th birthday this year. 🥳... Posted by LEGOLAND Florida on Monday, January 4, 2021The park is also offering its Preschooler Pass for a limited time. The pass grants children ages 3 and 4 admission for the year to both Legoland Florida and its neighboring waterpark. Legoland Florida is also adding pirate fest and LEGO friends weekends, a master model builders experience and a new 4-D film at the Legoland fun town theater.
Legoland Florida plans expansion, new rides
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Legoland Florida is planning an expansion next year including new rides, according to plans filed with the city nearest the attraction. Details have not been revealed, but other news outlets report Legoland will add about 4.5 acres to its resort near Winter Haven. We’re excited for our next “big build” at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, but you’ll have to wait until next year for more expansion news” said a Legoland spokeswoman. The expansion plans in 2021 come on the 10th anniversary of the theme park’s opening on the former site of Cypress Gardens. Legoland Florida has expanded repeatedly since opening in October 2011.
Legoland Florida is planning its biggest expansion yet — here's what it might be
“We’re always looking for opportunities to build new attractions and experiences for families at LEGOLAND Florida Resort as the ultimate vacation destination for kids. The resort does already have the Legoland Water Park, but this is better viewed as an upcharge to the Legoland theme park as admission to the theme park is required to access the waterpark. That leaves few options for the U.K.-headquartered, location-based entertainment company.An ideal choice for the site would be Peppa Pig. This is slightly smaller than the 14,000-square-foot Peppa Pig World of Play found in the Grapevine Mills mall in Dallas, Texas. Both Heide Park and Gardaland have Peppa Pig themed rooms.2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Florida resort.
orlandoweekly.comLegoland Florida is planning its biggest expansion yet — here's what it might be
“We’re always looking for opportunities to build new attractions and experiences for families at LEGOLAND Florida Resort as the ultimate vacation destination for kids. The resort does already have the Legoland Water Park, but this is better viewed as an upcharge to the Legoland theme park as admission to the theme park is required to access the waterpark. That leaves few options for the U.K.-headquartered, location-based entertainment company.An ideal choice for the site would be Peppa Pig. This is slightly smaller than the 14,000-square-foot Peppa Pig World of Play found in the Grapevine Mills mall in Dallas, Texas. Both Heide Park and Gardaland have Peppa Pig themed rooms.2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Florida resort.
orlandoweekly.comLegoland Florida reveals big 10th anniversary celebration plans for 2021
click to enlarge Photo via LEGOland Florida ResortLegoland Florida's Pirate Island Hotel, the resort's third onsite hotel. Florida’s tourism industry may still be a long way from recovering from this year’s downturn, but that hasn't stopped Legoland Florida from announcing an awesome 10th anniversary celebration coming up in 2021.Merlin, Legoland’s parent company, has found success with its parks via a constant stream of updates and revamping, adding new attractions and refreshing older content. That model can be seen in the company’s 2021 plans for its Polk County resort.A new 4D movie will debut in the Fun Town Theater next spring. The LEGO City section of the theme park will feature a new stage show and “larger-than-life” LEGO models. A Master Builder Experience will be introduced in the spring at the park’s new LEGO-building Center.The Winter Haven attraction will also finally be adding shade structures to the Miniland section, home to LEGO re-creations of famous sights from around the world, including numerous Florida landmarks.One of the biggest changes will occur on Lake Eloise, home to the park’s pirate-themed ski shows.
orlandoweekly.comBrick-or-treat returns to Legoland Florida
ORLANDO, Fla – Legoland Florida is bringing back its Brick-or-Treat event this October. The event, included with admission, allows kids to safely enjoy trick-or-treating, characters, spooky shows and much more. LEGOLAND Florida with a spooky squad of characters that guests can only see during Brick or Treat. (Legoland Florida)Click here to learn more about the brick-or treat event and to purchase tickets. For a limited time, Florida residents can buy an awesome annual pass and get a 2nd pass 50% off.
Legoland Florida to become first major Central Florida theme park to reopen, on June 1
click to enlarge Photo via Legoland Florida/FacebookLooks like Legoland Florida has put together all the pieces. The Winter Haven theme park is the first in Central Florida to have its reopening plans approved, and they're preparing to welcome visitors again starting on Monday, June 1. The park and water park will reopen with adjusted hours at first.The coronavirus pandemic closed Legoland in March, along with scores of other parks, attractions and hotels. SeaWorld hasn't filed plans yet but hopes to reopen in June, while Walt Disney World has only reopened Disney Springs, with no announced date for the parks to reopen. Disney has, however, begun accepting park reservations for July.In addition to their parks, Legoland is opening their new Pirate Island Hotel on June 1, with reservations already open now.
orlandoweekly.comLegoland reopening plan heads to state officials for final approval
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Legoland Florida executives presented their reopening plan to Winter Haven city commissioners Wednesday and were given the go-ahead to reopen on June 1 if Gov. Under DeSantis’ executive order theme parks need to get local government approval before submitting plans to reopen to the state amid the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, Legoland General Manager Rex Jackson detailed his plan at the Winter Haven City Commission meeting. The commission approved the plan to reopen June 1. If the park receives the final approval from the state to open it would be at 50% capacity.
As Disney opens its new Star Wars land in Orlando, another local theme park says goodbye
click to enlarge Photo via Legolandclick image Image via Legolandclick image Image via LegolandAt Walt Disney World, the anticipation around Rise of the Resistance was met with nearly unanimous praise when it opened earlier this month. But while Disney has been preparing for their new Star Wars land rollout, another theme park chain has said goodbye to the franchise.This is the first significant Star Wars investment for Disney Parks since Disney purchased Lucasfilm, the production company behind the Star Wars franchise. With Disney now going all-in on their own multi-billion-dollar Star Wars investments, they weren't too keen on having the second largest attractions company in the world with their own Star Wars attractions.Legoland has confirmed their Star Wars mini-lands will close within the coming weeks. In America, both Legoland California and Legoland Florida will close their respective Star Wars lands on January 6. All of the Star Wars mini-lands will be closed and removed by this coming summer.The closure of the Star Wars mini-lands will not affect the LEGO Star Wars sets.
orlandoweekly.comLegolands new pirate-themed hotel is opening in April
click to enlarge Photo via LegolandToday, which just so happens to be international "Talk Like a Pirate Day, Legoland Florida announced new details for their upcoming pirate-themed hotel.Opening April 17, 2020, the new five story Pirate Island Hotel will feature pirate-themed Lego models, in-room treasure hunts and plenty of Lego character experiences.The Winter Haven theme park says the 150 room hotel will also host a Shipwreck Restaurant, a Smuggler's Bar for adults, a heated pool, nightly programming for kids, and free breakfast for every night stayed.Reservations are currently available.In other Legoland news, the park is offering free admission to all first responders for the entire month of September.
orlandoweekly.comLegoland Florida offers $25 tickets this weekend for Hurricane Dorian relief
Legoland Florida announced it is offering $25 tickets this weekend, with a portion of the sales going to Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. Ten dollars from each ticket sold will be donated to the American Red Cross to help those direcly impacted by the hurricane. Tickets are only valid on Sept. 7 and 8 and must be purchased at the ticket window. Legoland will also be collecting donations, including nonperishable food, water, toiletries, baby products, radios, batteries, candles and bedding for those impacted by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. There's a maximum of six tickets per transaction and cannot be used with any other discount or promotion.
LEGOLAND set to debut new water attraction
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – LEGOLAND Florida is set to debut its new water attraction World of Chima Wednesday, but Local 6 got a sneak peek. LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones says Chima is one of only a few rides in the world where kids can actually step inside a world they've built themselves. On the attraction riders enter Chima to search for Chi, navigating the twisting path that lies along the way. Waterfalls, water cannons and misters line the route which drench guests from head to toe. There's even a place where riders and observers can duel back and forth using on-board water blasters.
LegoLand To Reveal 'Top-Secret' Expansion
LAKELAND, Fla – Florida's newest theme park is about to get bigger. According to a video press release sent out by Legoland Florida, the park will "reveal a top secret expansion taking place" on Thursday. The video mimics the opening narrative of the "Star Wars" films. The event will take place Thursday, September 6 at 10:30 AM. 'Legoland will reveal a top secret expansion taking place'Thursday September 6th at 10:30 AM
Legoland Water Park sets opening day
HAINES CITY, FL – Legoland Florida announced Friday when its water park will open. The new Legoland Water Park will open on May 26th. The water park will feature Lego versions of water park favorites, including a rafts built from Lego blocks and a gentle wave pool with Lego walls. The water park is an area inside of the park, requiring admission to Legoland plus an extra fee. Legoland has launched a Premium Pass that includes unlimited admission to the main park, the water park, along with free parking and other discounts.