Locals get a preview of what's to come at new Legoland Florida theme park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Traffic was backed up over the overpass on U.S. Highway 17, as well as for several blocks near the Orange Dome along Cypress Gardens Boulevard. By 4 p.m., the parking lot was largely full and a crowd was forming outside the building. According to Jakobsen, 7,000 to 9,000 people of all ages turned out to learn about Florida's newest attraction, which is expected to open in late 2011 on the former site of Cypress Gardens, Florida's first theme park. Cypress Gardens closed its doors in September 2009.

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Legoland Florida

Starliner..."will be sold". That sounds pretty definitive to me....and sad. The ride had gotten SO much better in its incarnation at Cypress... :(

Glad to hear they are trying to preserve Starliner. I can't believe how many people showed up to this preview. I really enjoyed my first trip to Legoland California this spring. I can't wait til this one opens. It will be much more accessable for me. I found it ammusing how many times the article went back and forth between saying "legos" vs "lego bricks". I realize most people don't know or care. But, I still found it ammusing.

884 Coasters, 34 States, 7 Countries
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It was indeed very packed. When my friend and I arrived at the Orange Dome at 3:30 there was already a large crowd outside waiting to get in. Hopefully that display of interest in indicative that the park is able to survive.

Original BlueStreak64

I haven't told my son yet. The moment I do I will be hearing "when are we going up to Legoland" every day until the place opens.

If that's the case, I wouldn't tell him. I'm sure he'll find out by word of mouth soon enough.

884 Coasters, 34 States, 7 Countries
http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com My YouTube

I have a good feeling attendance will be great once again at this park... Lego is an incredibly powerful Brand. Disney will benefit, but Universal and Sea World may have to seriously look at something else even with Harry Potter and Sesame Street.

Legoland isn't going to take business away from the big boys. Now, it might take away from something like DisneyQuest (which is dying anyway), Wet 'n Wild, or other ancillary attractions that would have been a 3rd, 4th or 5th day for some. But, it isn't going to put a dent in Universal or Disney.

What I do think it will do is secure the Gardens for the forseeable future. I don't see it not being successful enough to operate for years to come. If it doesn't solidify the park, nothing will.

^ Don't be too sure. LegoLand CA has proven to be resession-proof. They have done nothing but expand and open new parks & attractions while most others are simply riding it out. The brand is much bigger today with all the Lego themed games and such.

Pass da' sizzrup, bro!

Legoland Carlsbad is hugely popular. I would expect Legoland Florida to be the same.

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