In slightly belated news (but for the sake of completeness), LEGOLAND operators Merlin Entertainment last week announced LEGOLAND Florida, scheduled to open in 2011.
The new park is replacing the defunct Cypress Gardens, located in Winter Haven, about an hour south of Orlando.
Here’s the official word:
Merlin has purchased the historical Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven Florida from property investment company Land South Group and will open LEGOLAND Florida on the site at the end of 2011. The deal to buy the 145-acre site includes the freehold on the current theme park and waterpark as well as an operating lease in perpetuity on the historic botanical gardens. Merlin plans a significant multi-million dollar investment over a number of years, up to and beyond opening, in what will be the biggest LEGOLAND to date. In line with the group’s “resort” strategy for its theme parks this is likely to include both accommodation and the addition of further branded attractions from the Merlin portfolio. This will build on the $100m invested over the last few years in improved infrastructure on the site.
Read the full press release on the Merlin site.
And don’t miss Thanel’s review of LEGOLAND California for adult visitors.
Cool. Could another building competition for potential employees be in the works?
^ Heh, I’d enter that one. Central Florida is a much more attractive prospect than the North West of England.
That’s excellent news! It’s about time a theme park was introduced in the Orlando area…
I like how they can just use the old park instead of starting a new. It’s better than just letting the old park just fall down.