Legoland discounts for Polk County residents select weekends in May

Press Release:

Winter Haven, Fla. (April 16, 2013) – Polk County residents will save a bundle this May when heading to their favorite theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions geared to families with children ages 2 to 12. LEGOLAND Florida is offering a special rate for Polk County residents during select dates, the weekends of May 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19, of only $25 plus tax for one single day admission to LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Water Park (ages 3+). In addition to this great rate, $1 for each ticket sold will be donated to support early childhood education throughout Polk County through a partnership with the United Way of Central Florida.

“Polk County Resident’s Days is a great way to give back to the locals for their support by offering a special rate on park admission for select days in May,” said Todd Andrus, sales manager at LEGOLAND Florida. “More importantly, we are thrilled to partner with the United Way to provide much needed support for our early childhood education programs throughout Polk County.”

To purchase tickets, Polk County residents should go to www.LEGOLAND.com, click on Polk County Resident’s Day on the home page and enter their zip code to proceed with the final purchase. The $25 special ticket offer is valid for Polk County residents ages 3 and older and must be purchased online in advance with a limit of 6 tickets per purchase. The parking fee is not included. Toddlers, ages 1-2, are not included in the offer but receive free admission to LEGOLAND Florida and only require a $3 admission to the LEGOLAND Water Park. In order to continue to provide exceptional guest experiences, there are a limited number of tickets available for purchase per day for Polk Resident’s Days. 

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Press Release: Legoland FL's full 2013 calendar of events

Press Release:

Winter Haven, Fla. (January 7, 2013) – LEGOLAND® Florida kicks off the year with a full line-up of action-packed fun for 2013 with special events specifically geared towards families with children age 2 to 12. From LEGO® Friends Weekend to Kids’ New Year’s Eve, guests will want to return again and again to enjoy a full year of LEGOLAND® Florida’s special events and more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. All events are included with regular park admission. Families will also enjoy more hours of interactive family-fun with extended daily operating hours for 2013, 9:30am — 6:00pm. Operating hours are extended even further for certain special events. Operating hours are available at www.legoland.com.     

•       Junior Master Model Builder is a fun and interactive LEGO® building competition that takes place quarterly. Guests are invited to participate and build a model that follows the designated LEGO theme for each competition. Quarterly winners receive special prizes and will be invited to participate in the Ultimate Build Off at the end of the year.

•       January 26 and 27, 2013: LEGO City Theme

•       May 4 and 5, 2013: Yoda Chronicles Theme

•       July 4 and 5, 2013: Independence Day Theme

•       November 9 and 10, 2013: LEGO Chima Theme

•       LEGO® Friends Weekend is a daytime party for girls that includes a LEGO Friends building event, entertainment, games, activities, a chance to meet your favorite character and much more. This second annual event celebrates girls and their personal individuality, just like the LEGO Friends product line for girls.

February 9 and 10, 2013

•       LEGOLAND Water Park, a park within a park, re-opens with a splash and just in time for spring break and summer-time fun. Guests of all ages can spend a full day of play in the water park with the Build-A-Raft River, where guests can build their own LEGO inner tubes and float down a 1,000-foot lazy river, the DUPLO® Splash Safari, the Joker Soaker water playground, a 583,000-gallon wave pool and five slippery-fast water slides. Opens March 9 and runs through the end of October. Daily operational hours vary and can be found at www.legoland.com.
March 9, 2013

·         Winter Haven Hospital Foundation’s Citrus Classic 5K Run and Fun Walk*allows runners and walkers to “play their part” during this community-wide health event designed for participants of all ages. Participants receive exclusive discounts for post-event park admission. Visit www.legoland.com for event registration fees and processes.

April 6, 2013                                                                                                                                                                      

•       LEGO® Star Wars^TM Days is a thrilling event where guests will feel the power of the force. Celebrating all-things Star Wars^TM, guests will enjoy reliving the Star Wars^TM saga in the park’s newest expansion of Miniland USA where the six live-action Star Wars^TM movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ are created of more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks. Guests will enjoy a Yoda Scavenger Hunt and a special LEGO Yoda build activity.
May 4 and 5, 2013

·         Red, Brick & Boom allows guests to celebrate the 4^th of July with a bang at this second annual Independence Day event.  With special viewing glasses that turn ordinary fireworks into millions of exploding bricks, this July 4^th celebration is sure to dazzle and delight with three nights of family fun and fireworks.July 4, 5 and 6, 2013

•       Brick-or-Treat offers safe and family-friendly Halloween festivities every Saturday and Sunday in October. This spooky, kooky event features a Haunted Scavenger Hunt in Miniland USA, trick-or-treating along the brick-or-treat trail, LEGO build activities, the largest LEGO Jack-O-Lantern in the world, Halloween entertainment and an all-kids costume contest with brick-tastic prizes!

Weekends in October 2013

•       Christmas Bricktacular brings in the holiday season with a 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree made of 270,000 LEGO bricks, festive decorations, LEGO build activity stations, a LEGO Santa Scavenger Hunt and holiday entertainment. LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier make daily appearances in the park providing a perfect family photo opportunity.

Weekends in December 2013

•       Countdown to Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party features nightly fireworks over Lake Eloise. Watch the spectacular fireworks explode into millions of tiny LEGO bricks with special viewing glasses. December 26-30, 2013

•       Kids’ New Year’s Eve is the perfect way to bring in the new year with the family where the giant LEGO brick drops at a very kid-friendly midnight KST (Kid Standard Time) – otherwise known as 6 p.m. EST. Other event elements include a spectacular fireworks show and a DJ dance party in Miniland USA.
December 31, 2013

All events (*except Citrus Classic 5K) are included with regular park admission. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida is with the new LEGOLAND Florida Resident Pass starting at just $10 per month after a down payment (only $159 for adults, only $129 for children/seniors). Pass members receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Water Park, as well as all other Merlin US attractions (LEGOLAND California & Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Sea Life Centers and Madam Tussauds), free parking and 10% off food and merchandise with no black-out dates. The Monthly Payment Plan includes a down payment of $57.24 with a monthly payment of $9.26 for an adult and a $46.44 down payment with a monthly payment of only $7.51 (pre-tax) for a child/senior. For the most current information on special events, daily operating hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Press Release: Legoland Christmas Bricktacular

Press Release:

LEGOLAND® Florida is getting into the holiday spirit with brick-loads of family-friendly fun with its second annual Christmas Bricktacular. Sounds of the season and stunning holiday decorations fill The Beginning and Fun Town with festivities every Saturday and Sunday in December, 10am-5pm.

The Beginning is home to a truly Bricktacular sight - a more than 30-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree made with a combination of 270,000 forest green LEGO and DUPLO® bricks.

Holiday festivities on Saturdays and Sundays in December during Christmas Bricktacular will feature tons of family fun:

• ·         LEGO® Christmas Tree: The more than 30-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree made with a combination of 270,000 forest green LEGO and DUPLO® bricks provides the perfect place for every holiday family photo. Through Dec. 25, a special family will be chosen to help light the Bricktacular tree each night.
• ·         LEGO Model Build Activity: What LEGO lover doesn’t want a chance to build while at Central Florida’s newest theme park featuring massive creations of the world’s most beloved toy? Help LEGOLAND Florida build a LEGO Christmas Tree in the Wells Fargo Fun Town 4D Theatre Plaza that will stand over 20 foot tall when completed.
• ·         LEGO Santa Scavenger Hunt: It’s Christmas Eve in Miniland USA and Santa is busy delivering gifts to all the good girl and boy minilanders. Help find Santa in this fun-filled holiday scavenger hunt. The whole family can enjoy searching for Santa in the over 30 million LEGO bricks that make up Miniland USA.
• ·         LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier: Guests will have meet and greet opportunities with LEGOLAND Florida’s special holiday friends, LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier.
• ·         Holiday Festivities and Entertainment: Festive decorations and sounds of the season will fill the entrance of the park and a variety of holiday entertainment will take place throughout the weekend to delight guests of all ages.
• ·         Holiday Shopping: LEGOLAND Florida is the best place to celebrate the season and pick up the holiday gifts that are on every child’s wish list – LEGO! With six specialty stores, the park is proud to offer a unique and often hard to find selection of LEGO products and more.

Along with LEGOLAND Florida’s Christmas Bricktacular, guests can still enjoy a full day of theme park fun with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. Holiday events are included with normal park admission. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida for the best value is with the new LEGOLAND Florida Resident Pass. Pass members receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Water Park, as well as all other Merlin US attractions (LEGOLAND California & Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Sea Life Centers and Madam Tussauds), free parking and 10% off food and merchandise with no black-out dates. A new monthly payment option of less than $10 per month is also available both at the front gate and online. The Monthly Payment Plan includes a down payment of $57.24 for and adult with monthly payment of $9.26 and $46.44 for child/senior with a monthly payment of only $7.51 (pre-tax). To purchase tickets, visit www.legoland.com. 

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Press Release: Chris Kirkpatrick at Legoland Tree Lighting

Press Release

Singer CHris Kirkpatrick makes things bright at

LEGOLAND^® Florida’s second annual tree lighting ceremony

Double Discount Holidays Makes Visiting Central Florida’s Newest Theme Park in December even Brighter

Winter Haven, FL (Nov. 30, 2012) – As guests gathered and joyful carolers sang, LEGOLAND^® Florida gleefully launched into the Christmas holiday season on Nov. 29 with its 2^nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring LEGO^® Santa, LEGO Toy Soldier and special guest, singer Chris Kirkpatrick. Well known for forming and starring in *NSYNC, a hit recoding group who sold over 56 million records, won awards and broke sales records, Kirkpatrick took the honor of lighting thousands of twinkling LED lights on the 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree for the first time this season. Among the 50 rides, shows and attractions, the massive tree weighing more than 11 tons and made of more than 270,000 forest green LEGO and DUPLO bricks is a key feature of LEGOLAND Florida’s annual Christmas Bricktacular.

A recording artist, as well as the founder and president of the Chris Kirkpatrick Foundation, Kirkpatrick is passionate about giving back to his community and providing help and hope to children that are less fortunate. Kirkpatrick said, “As we enter this holiday season, it’s important to think about those children that may not get anything under the Christmas tree this year and how each of us might be able to help brighten their holiday season.”

“Families dealing with financial and/or health burdens rarely have an opportunity to enjoy family time away from the stress, especially during the holidays,” said Adrian Jones, LEGOLAND Florida General Manager. “Through the Chris Kirkpatrick Foundation, LEGOLAND Florida is granting 40 families the opportunity to cast their burdens aside to create a memorable family experience at LEGOLAND Florida that will have lasting memories for years to come.”

Families can enjoy Christmas Bricktacular on Saturdays and Sundays in December. With brick loads of festive family fun, guests can build LEGO ornaments to decorate holiday trees, help find LEGO Santa’s in a Miniland USA Santa Scavenger Hunt, meet and take photos with the new LEGO Santa and LEGO Toy Soldier and enjoy holiday entertainment and shopping in six specialty stores packed with unique and hard to find LEGO products.

New Year’s festivities include a Countdown to Kids’ New Year’s Eve that features a nightly LEGO firework show Dec. 26-30 and a grand finale on Dec. 31. The Kids New Year’s Eve celebration features an amazing live-action show, an impressive LEGO fireworks display, and a chance to watch the BRICK Drop at just the right time for kids, midnight KST (Kid Standard Time) - otherwise known as 6 p.m. EST.

Holiday events are included with normal park admission but now a special holiday gift is available with Double Discount Holidays. From Dec. 1-21, guests can enjoy discounts as much as $30 off single day admission on weekdays and $15 off on weekends. The park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the winter season (Dec. 4-5 and 11-12). Tickets may be purchased online at www.legoland.com beginning Dec. 1 and redeemable only Dec. 1-21. The full array of Christmas Bricktacular event activities are available on weekends in December. Weekdays provide limited holiday activities.  

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Star Wars Miniland now open at Legoland (pics)

Press Release:


A legion of pint-sized Darth Vaders clad in ebony robes and shining masks marched on LEGOLAND^® Florida today during the official opening ceremony of the park’s newest expansion, LEGO^® Star Wars^TM Miniland Model Display.

“We are celebrating much more than the opening of a new model display,” said LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones.  “We are witnessing the collaboration of two unequaled brands.  LEGO^® is one of the most powerful toy brands in the world, and Star Wars is arguably the best-known and loved franchise in the history of film, television, literature and gaming.”
 

Costumed four and five-year-olds joined grown-up Star Wars fans from the 501^st and Rebel Legions to mark the opening and help unveil scenes from each of the six movies, and a seventh from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars^TM.  Design, construction and installation took more than 12 months and a total of 1.5 million LEGO bricks built in 1:20 scale.  The models include sound effects, lighting and animation that bring them to life.

The featured cinematic scenes are:

·         Episode I: Naboo: Naboo is one of the most geographically varied planets in the Star Wars movies. This scene depicts the Battle of Naboo and the capital Theed – both the Royal Palace and the hangar can be seen. In this battle scene, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn encounter and fight the Sith apprentice, Darth Maul.

·         Episode II: Geonosis: In this scene, visitors have a fantastic view of the Geonosis arena, in which Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker battle ferocious creatures. Witness the clash between Count Dooku’s droid army and the Grand Army of the Republic.

·         Episode III: Kashyyyk and Mustafar: In this scene, two planets are revealed: Kashyyyk and Mustafar. On one side, you'll be placed right into the Battle of Kashyyyk – the home of Chewbacca and the Wookiees. Here you'll discover fantastic vehicles modeled from LEGO bricks, such as the massive Clone Turbo Tank. On the other side, catch a glimpse of the fateful duel on Mustafar between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.

·         Episode IV: Tatooine: Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, C-3PO and R2-D2 can be spotted in this desert planet, Tatooine. Here you'll discover Uncle Owen’s moisture farm, where Luke Skywalker lived as a child; peek inside the Cantina where the animated Cantina Band plays and stand above the spaceport where the largest LEGO model of Han Solo's famous starship, the Millennium Falcon, blasts off.

·         Episode V: Hoth: The Rebels take refuge on this icy planet, Hoth, but the Empire tracks them down and the Rebels are forced to flee. This scene features LEGO models of the Imperial AT-ATs, Rebel snowspeeders and Luke Skywalker’s X-wing starfighter. Look closely and you'll see Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia.

·         Episode VI: Endor - Next we travel to a forest moon and home of the Ewoks, who fight against the Imperial Forces alongside the Rebels. The Endor system plays a key role in Return of the Jedi as the site of the Battle of Endor, fought to prevent construction of the second Death Star. This scene presents the final victory of the Rebel Alliance over the Empire. Here you can view a large-scale model of an Imperial shuttle on its landing platform, delivering a fearsome passenger - the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader.

·         The Clone Wars: Christophsis - The seventh area brings us to a scene from the animated series The Clone Wars on the planet Christophsis. Chronologically, the series takes place between Episode II and Episode III and focuses on the adventures of Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The LEGO scene depicts part of the planet’s surface, with the largest of all LEGO Star Wars models: an approximately 8-foot tall building from the Crystal City. You will also see a scene showing a battle between Separatist battle droids and Republic clone troopers.

The new LEGO Star Wars Miniland will be included with park admission. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida for the best value is with the LEGOLAND Florida Resident Pass. For a limited time, Florida Residents will receive a $20 discount on the purchase of a Merlin Annual Pass USA ($159-adults, $129-children/seniors) which includes unlimited 12 month admission to LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Water Park, as well as all other Merlin US attractions (LEGOLAND California & Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Sea Life Centers and Madame Tussauds), free parking and 10% off food and merchandise. A new monthly payment option of less than $10 per month is also available both in park and online. The Monthly Payment Plan includes a down payment of $57.24 for an adult with monthly payment of $9.26 and $46.44 for child/senior with monthly payment of $7.51 (pre-tax).

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Star Wars Miniland opens Nov. 9 at Legoland FL

Press Release:

DARTH VADER LEGION TO MARCH ON MINILAND AS legoland® 

Florida OPENS lego® star warsTM miniland

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (November 7, 2012) – A legion of black-robed Darth Vaders will march on Miniland Friday as the theme park officially opens its new LEGO^® Star Wars^TM Miniland Model Display.

Under construction for four months and crafted from 1.5 million LEGO bricks, the new area recreates scenes from each of the six Star Wars movies, and a seventh from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars^TM. 

Fans will delight in the famous Cantina scene and marvel at replicas of Luke Skywalker’s X-wing starfighter, Han Solo’s starship the Millennium Falcon and the Imperial Shuttle that transports the Dark lord of Sith himself, Darth Vader.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Legoland FL to offer first ever Brick-or-Treat weekends in October, included with admission

Press Release:

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (August 29, 2012) – Ghouls, ghosts and goblins will invade LEGOLAND® Florida during its first kid-friendly Halloween celebration of Brick-or-Treat presented by Wells Fargo.  This spooky, kooky event takes place on Saturdays in October from 10am to 9pm and Sundays in October from 10am to 5pm.

During Brick-or-Treat, presented by Wells Fargo, Miniland USA will transform into a fun, haunted scavenger hunt for the whole family with the

invasion of LEGO® Monster Fighters and their enemies. With extended hours on Saturdays, Miniland USA gets a bit more spooky when the sun goes

down and the fog rolls in on these LEGO® cities.

This thrilling family event also features trick-or-treating along the brick-or-treat trail, a kids’ four category costume contest with brick-tastic prizes and a build your own Halloween themed LEGO® pumpkin model activity station.  Only found at LEGOLAND Florida, families can also check out the world’s largest LEGO Jack-O-Lantern made of 26,500 LEGO bricks and capture a great photo memory.

Activities Include:

·         LEGO® Pumpkin Build: Build your own LEGO Pumpkin at the model activity station in the Wells Fargo Fun Town 4D Theatre Plaza

·         LEGO® Monster Fighters Haunted Scavenger Hunt: Help the LEGO Monster Fighters capture monsters haunting the cities of Miniland USA in this haunted scavenger hunt. The whole family can enjoy searching for these creatures found in the over 30 million LEGO bricks that make up Miniland USA. With extended hours on Saturdays, Miniland USA gets a bit more spooky when the sun goes down and the fog rolls in on these LEGO cities.

·         Brick-or-Treat Trail: Trick-or-Treat along the Brick-or-Treat trail near the Pirates South Stadium for goodies, tasty treats and other fun surprises

·         Dance Party: Join us for our spooky Dance Party in the Haunted Miniland USA with a live DJ and dance games (Saturday only)

·         Kids Costume Contest: Show off your BOO-tiful costumes in the Kids Costume Contest in the Wells Fargo Fun Town 4D Theatre Plaza to win brick-tastic prizes like LEGO product and tickets to LEGOLAND Florida. Children may enter one of 4 specialized categories: Heroes & Villains, LEGO Monster Fighters, LEGO Themed, and most Creative.

This thrilling Halloween celebration is made possible by our generous sponsors: Hurricane Grill & Wings®, LEGO Club^TM, LEGO® Monster Fighters, Old Navy®, PEPSICO®, Sam’s Club®, Sour Jacks, TECO® Energy, Webb’s Candy Shop, Wells Fargo® and Wendy’s®.

Brick-or-Treat as well as more than 50 rides, shows and attractions can be experienced at LEGOLAND Florida and is included with normal park admission – No upcharge for evening events. For the most current information on LEGOLAND Florida special events, operating schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Press Release: Star Wars Miniland coming to Legoland

Press Release:

The Force is coming to legoland® Florida 

LEGO^® Star Wars^TM Miniland Cluster Announced as Newest Expansion

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (September 6, 2012) – The Force is coming to LEGOLAND^® Florida with a new expansion to the park, LEGO^® Star Wars^TM Miniland Cluster. The expansion plans revealed the new LEGO Star Wars Miniland Cluster will include a scene from each of the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ all created from more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks and built in 1:20 scale. Following a chronological path through the Star Wars™ timeline, guests will retrace the major events of the beloved Saga. Some of the 2,000 LEGO^® models will be more than 6-feet-tall. Interactive buttons will allow children to activate animations throughout the scenes.

“Today, less than a year after our grand opening and only three months after opening the all-new water park, we are thrilled to announce yet another expansion this November. This new LEGO Star Wars Miniland Cluster will add to our 150-acre family theme park, which already features more than 50 rides, shows and interactive attractions,” said General Manager Adrian Jones.

During the event, Jones also outlined the many successes of the park since its opening. Among the achievements include the successful grand opening of LEGOLAND Florida, surpassing attendance projections, opening the LEGOLAND Water Park, setting a World Guinness record and making a huge economic impact with creating more than 1,300 new jobs. In addition to the amazing LEGO models found in the park, Central Florida’s newest theme park provides a full two day experience for families with children ages 2 to 12. The latest expansion of the LEGO Star Wars Miniland is scheduled to open in November. 

The new LEGO Star Wars Miniland Cluster experience will be included with park admission. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida for the best value is with the Premium Pass. Premium pass holders receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and seasonal admission to the all-new LEGOLAND Water Park with no black-out dates. Plus, free parking, discounts on food and merchandise and a complimentary subscription to LEGO^® Club Magazine are also included. Guests can purchase the Premium Pass at the front gate or online. To purchase tickets, visit www.legoland.com. 

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Press Release: Additional shuttle services to Legoland Florida

Press Release:

LEGOLAND® fLORIDA AND PARTNERED BED & BRICK hOTELS 

aDD sHUTTLE sERVICE

Central Florida’s Newest Theme Park Continues to Add More Family Friendly Perks

Winter Haven, FL (August 9, 2012) – Local transportation to LEGOLAND® Florida just got easier and it’s free.   A bright yellow shuttle bus featuring LEGO® characters can be seen traveling the local streets around Central Florida’s newest theme park. As an added benefit to guests staying in the area, LEGOLAND Florida and three of its local Bed & Brick Preferred Accommodations Partners; Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn of Winter Haven and Hampton Inn of Lake Wales, have teamed up to provide a new shuttle service which will run daily to and from the hotel establishments and the park. With more than 50 rides, shows, attractions and an all-new water park attraction, LEGOLAND Florida provides a great interactive theme park experience for families and now offers transportation to the park stress-free. 

“This new shuttle service is one more step toward becoming a multi-day destination. Our strong relationships with our Bed & Brick partners and the benefits we continue to offer guests are key to providing memorable vacations for our families,” said Todd Andrus, Sales Manager at LEGOLAND Florida.

LEGOLAND Florida Shuttle Daily Operating Hours:

Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn, Winter Haven
200 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven

·         Morning Hotel Pickup Time:

8:30am and 10am

·         Evening Return Park Pickup Time:

7pm and 8:30pm

Hampton Inn, Lake Wales

22900 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales

·         Morning Hotel Pickup Time:

9:15am

·         Evening Return Park Pickup Time:

7:45 pm

Greg Grimmer, Vice President of Operations at Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn of Winter Haven stated, “We are very excited to offer this new benefit to our guests. The LEGOLAND shuttle service will definitely help build Winter Haven as a destination for vacationing families.”

The LEGOLAND shuttle service provides more than just convenient transportation locally. While in route, guest’s excitement will build as they discover fun facts about the park generating energetic anticipation as families begin to enter LEGOLAND Florida for a day full of fun. The shuttle service also provides ADA compliant travel accommodations.

The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida for the best value is with purchase of a Premium Pass which provides unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and seasonal admission to the all-new LEGOLAND Water Park for just $159 plus tax with no black-out dates.  Plus, free parking, discounts on food and merchandise and a complimentary subscription to LEGO Club Magazine are also included. Guests can purchase the Premium Pass at the front gate or online.

For the most current information on LEGOLAND Florida special events and operating schedule, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Legoland Water Park Tour #6 - Legoland Joker Soaker Water Playground (video)

The water playground at Legoland Water Park is not the area's biggest, nor is it highly themed. There is a LEGO joker atop the structure, which makes sense given the name of the Joker Soaker.

Billboards and announcements about the water park found within Legoland use artwork that shows a more highly-themed structure. This appears to be the water park at the other Legoland, in California.

The Joke Soaker doesn't have quite that much theming.

Still, it's a pretty fun little structure. Explore it here with us from the comfort of your home. No need to get wet, since we did it for you! Enjoy!

This concludes our tour of Legoland-Florida's water park. Come back tomorrow for a new direction!

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Legoland Water Park Tour #5 - Twin Chasers

The smaller of the two towers at Legoland Water Park is home to Twin Chasers, dual slides that let riders cruise down on inflatable tubes. They have more kick to them than you might be expecting based on outward appearances!

One tube is enclosed, and the other is open-air, but they both share one thing: the riders will find themselves riding high up on the walls of the tubes. So high that they might fear they are about to tip over (they aren't). That gives these slides a visceral thrill. Good thing, too, because the slides are otherwise not that remarkable. They aren't too fast or too steep or unexpected.

You can ride solo or in a raft built for two. Terrifyingly, you are allowed to launch your raft facing backwards for an extra thrill. I was too chicken to take this option, but younger and braver souls were taking full advantage of the opportunity on the day of my visit.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Legoland Water Park Tour #4 - Splash Out

Thrill junkies will rejoice at Splash Out, the tall tower of slides in the back of the Legoland Water Park. They may be simple, but they are tall enough to generate the thrills your kids are looking for. 

Be sure to admire the view from the top of the tower.

There are three slides at the top of the tower. One is an enclosed tube, and it's colored so darkly that it's essentially nighttime on the ride even if it's broad daylight outside. Be aware that the various twists and turns will splash water on you, and since you're lying down by necessity, you may get water up your nose.

The two open-air slides are better. The simpler one, a simple drop out, has the usual steepness of such rides and the expected thrill. The other one has three smaller drops, but because you accelerate each time you drop, the third drop is actually quite thrilling. As a rider, you feel very out of control, so this is the best water slide in the park for my money.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Legoland Water Park Tour #3 - Wave Pool

The wave pool at Legoland Florida is not large by comparison to other parks, nor are the waves particularly big. But it suits the purpose just fine of a wave pool, and for many visitors, that's all they need.

The waves are not constant; rather, they cycle on and off every few minutes. They never reach a very high level - maybe 18 inches or so? This will be perfect for young kids, which is indeed the target audience of Legoland.

Like most features in Legoland, the wave pool has a LEGO themed element to it.

Be sure to take a few minutes to play with the interactive tables at the front of the wave pool. Move around gates to change the flow of water, shoot a water cannon at a fan to make a LEGO base spin, or block up fountains to make LEGO bricks float up a clear tube.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Legoland Water Park Tour #2 - Lazy River

There's a lazy river at Legoland's Water Park, but it's not as heavily themed as most of Legoland. Much of it is bare concrete, so if you go in expecting that, you'll be fine. 

The big attraction here is the rafts themselves. They have single or double rafts, and they have the usual rafts for young kids with a "floor" in them. But the thing that's new is that the rafts have a field on both sides where you can add LEGO bricks (not real LEGOS, but they look like soft rubber oversized versions of the real thing).

This lets you customize your raft, and the kids like it.

For some reason, an attendant has to issue you a raft. I don't know why they don't let anyone just pick one up, but these are the rules.

My 9-year old was highly irritated by the policy that he had to stay in his raft, and "up" in a sitting position at all times. His feet were not to touch the bottom. Parents can walk alongside a child under 12, but even they can't walk freely if they have no child to tend. It's an odd rule.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.

Legoland Water Park Tour #1 - Entrance, Facilities, Menus

We'll be taking a photo tour over the next few days of Legoland's Water Park, which opened several weeks ago but I've only recently taken a leisurely tour of the various attractions here.

Let's start at the entrance. You pay a $12 upgrade per person to go into this park. The brick pylons here were not present when the water park first opened.

There's a Surf Shop near the entrance, with sundries, swim clothes, and lots of other knickknacks. Here, as elsewhere in the park, you'll find LEGO touches, such as small figures constructed out of the signature blocks.

The only dining establishment in the water park is around the corner from there, and the bar is behind that. Here are the menus!

There are LEGO touches in the lazy river area, and in the Duplo kids slides.

At the wave pool, a second interactive table has been added, letting kids have a second place to build bricks and interact with water.

There's a bathroom near the kiddie playground, but it has no kid-sized urinals - only adult-sized. This is undoubtedly because the park and its facilities were installed when this area was owned by Cypress Gardens and not targeted to families with little kids. They need to change that.

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.