19 April 2011 by Independent Online
Legoland is counting on the popularity of the little plastic building blocks to draw families to their newest theme park, which will open later this year near Orlando.
Incorporating as many as 50 million of the iconic bricks in rides and attractions, Legoland is under construction in sleepy Winter Haven, a 45-minute drive south of Disney World. The opening is planned for October, but a firm date has not been set.
It will be the largest of five Legolands and the only one on the East Coast, with others in California, England, Germany and Denmark, where the company was founded.
The 60-hectare park is being built on the former site of Cypress Gardens, one of Florida’s earliest theme parks that opened in the 1930s but closed in 2009. Legoland is retaining the old park’s gardens and famous water ski shows, and eventually will add its water park to the mix. Also left from Cypress Gardens is the Flying Island, which raises riders 53 meters into the air.
“I think Legoland has its place in the theme-park community,” manager Adrian Jones said, looking out over a vast construction site where roller coaster tracks hint at what will eventually take shape. “We focus on families with children aged 2 to 12. We don’t try to be all things to all people.”
Besides four gentle roller coasters, visitors will get to see Legoland’s trademark models, including miniature skylines of famous cities, a castle and jungle animals, with exhibits ranging in size from intricate to life-size to larger-than-life. Of course, there will be places where kids get their hands on Lego and build things themselves.
AP
Legoland is backed by the Merlin Entertainment Group, which owns Madame Tussauds and the London Eye. – Sapa-AP
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