Anyone planning to go to the new Legoland ?

**Terra** · 08-02-2011, 03:43 PM

Yes it is in Winter Haven, FL, where Cypress Gardens used to be. You can Google Legoland and then pick the Florida park [not sure if I can post the link here or not].

We live about 15 minutes from it. We'll check into getting Annual Passes after we check it out for the first time and think it will be worth it like Disney or not

**Bucs300** · 08-04-2011, 01:57 AM

They actually just showed a segment on the local news about it tonight, showing the progress they've made and talking about what kind of attractions will be there. It looks like it's coming along pretty nicely from what I saw!

**RAIDER** · 08-10-2011, 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by Bucs300

They actually just showed a segment on the local news about it tonight, showing the progress they've made and talking about what kind of attractions will be there. It looks like it's coming along pretty nicely from what I saw!

I am really looking forwad to visiting here ,but i find it weird that in Dec according to their website their closed on tues and weds ????
Does anyone know the reason for this ?

**MonoMan** · 08-15-2011, 05:59 PM

I'm wondering when they will release their 2012 operating hours. We are planning to go there in January. I did find this article that address the two day a week closure:

From Orlando Sentinel:

Legoland leaves evenings, certain days off its schedule

Planning a trip to Legoland when the park opens in October? Be sure to check the calendar first — and don't get a late start.

In a land of theme parks open every day of the year and often late into the evening, Legoland Florida plans to close by 5 p.m. most days when it first opens. And the park, scheduled to open Oct. 15 in Winter Haven, will be closed two days a week, at least during certain months of the year.

Legoland officials say the planned operating schedule is in keeping with the park's family friendly business model; still, the limited hours contrast with parks such as Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, which sometimes stays open as late as 2 a.m.

"We say we target kids 2 to 12," said Kim Isemann, Legoland Florida's director of sales and marketing. "We're backing that up, and we're going to be reasonable and not keep the park open all hours of the night so the kids get tired and grumpy."

According to a schedule on Legoland Florida's website, the park will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays in November and December except during holiday weeks. The park hasn't released its calendar and operating hours for 2012, but so far they are similar to the year-round schedule for the only other U.S. Legoland, in Carlsbad, Calif.

That park is open five days a week, with the exception of summer months and major holiday periods such as spring break.

"It works very well for them," said Isemann, who noted that Legoland is testing to see whether the same approach will work for Florida. "We understand the two markets are different." The Southern California park also stays open until 8 p.m. in the summer.

Lee Cockerell, a former Disney World executive vice president of operations, said anything short of a year-round calendar in Central Florida could be a problem for an attraction.

"I would be concerned about being closed a couple days a week, where you become inconsistent," Cockerell said. "Orlando's a seven-day-a-week business."

If Legoland can pull off a five-day week and 10-to-5 operating hours, it could help keep costs in line by limiting staff to a single shift and workweek. Most larger parks employ three work shifts, which requires more people.

"In our industry, salaries and wages range anywhere from 30 to 34 percent [of revenue]," said Manny Gonzalez, a Dallas-based theme-park consultant. "The way to minimize your risk in the expense line is to say, 'Well, let's pick a couple of days to close.' "

Most Central Florida theme parks and attractions open between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Closings can range from as early as 5 p.m. at Disney's Animal Kingdom during the fall to as late as 2 a.m. at the Magic Kingdom for special events.

**NJGIRL** · 08-16-2011, 12:30 AM

I don't have a problem with their earlier hours, but do think that closing a couple of days a week will be a problem in FL.

**Mary Poppins** · 09-04-2011, 02:40 PM

Does anyone know if Legoland decorates the park or have special displays during the holiday season?? Cant wait to check it out!

**Melanie** · 09-04-2011, 04:05 PM

We decided to take a detour today on our way home from WDW, and check out the progress. What do I know, but goodness it looks like they've got a lot of work to do in a month! The Lego Castle looks really cool though.

**Noah's Helper** · 09-20-2011, 08:15 AM

I discovered this at the Florida Legoland web site:

LEGOLAND Shuttle

Purchase your 1-day bus ticket to Central Florida's Newest Theme Park.

Staying in Orlando? Roundtrip transportation is now available from Orlando Premium Outlets® – Vineland Ave.

Pick up time: 9:00 am, please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure.
Leaves to return at Park closing. Check operating schedule for the latest times.

Exclusive Preview Pricing:
Adult/Child/Senior (3+): $5.00 plus tax
Child (0-3): $0.00 plus tax

This option appears when you purchase tickets through the site.

**NJGIRL** · 09-20-2011, 08:55 AM

That's a great deal!

I just don't know that I would want to be stuck in one place until closing time.

**Main Street Jim** · 10-14-2011, 05:19 AM

When it first opened, there was a certain theme park that was only open five days a week, closed Mon-Tue, and was only open until 6:00pm

I think that the $65 one-day adult price ($55 children) might be a bit much, though...not many options on tickets...

**mudpuppysmom** · 10-14-2011, 10:51 AM

We missed the opening by a week. When DS2 found that little detail out he blamed me for not being in FL at the right time and I planned it that way on purpose so HE couldn't go and see it!

Fact is, when I planned our trip, I didn't know when Legoland was going to open!

I told him we'll go next time we are in Florida -- which may require a special trip seeing that we're planning a beach vaca next summer!

**AgentC** · 10-22-2011, 08:37 AM

We went yesterday and had a good time. I am going to try to write up a review this weekend.

**NJGIRL** · 10-22-2011, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by AgentC

We went yesterday and had a good time. I am going to try to write up a review this weekend.

Thanks Cindy, Can't wait to hear about it. Since it is so new a review will be very helpful!

**Noah's Helper** · 10-22-2011, 06:59 PM

We were there Wednesday. It was a lot of fun, and a great break from the crowds of WDW.

I hope to write a trip report too, but it may take me a week or two to get everything together.

**NJGIRL** · 10-23-2011, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Noah's Helper

We were there Wednesday. It was a lot of fun, and a great break from the crowds of WDW.

I hope to write a trip report too, but it may take me a week or two to get everything together.

Thanks Ben! Can't wait to hear all about it.

**Kenny1113** · 10-23-2011, 06:56 PM

I can't wait to hear either. We are going next month.

**dinahvixen** · 10-23-2011, 10:23 PM

I am curious about the early close - is over 200 bucks for my family of 4 going to be worth it if we have to leave by 5? We're doing a non-Dis trip this spring and I wonder how much we'll be able to see by 5 or 6 on a crowded spring break day.

**AgentC** · 10-24-2011, 06:34 AM

Originally Posted by dinahvixen

I am curious about the early close - is over 200 bucks for my family of 4 going to be worth it if we have to leave by 5? We're doing a non-Dis trip this spring and I wonder how much we'll be able to see by 5 or 6 on a crowded spring break day.

I'll talk a little about that when I post a review, but one thing I found interesting is according to an employee, the park hours are flexible. We went on a Friday that had decent turnout, so they extended the hours until 6. But they had a day earlier in the week where only 400 people showed up so they closed early.

We go there late (12:30) and did not have time to see any shows and did not do all the rides.

I don't know if they will be doing it in the spring, but at the park you can upgrade to a second day for $15.