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Help Legoland Succeed By Extending SR 429 As Link From Orlando
Published: Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 6:28 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 6:28 a.m.
Credit: The Ledger
The sale of Cypress Gardens to Merlin Entertainments Group is certainly good news for Winter Haven and Polk County. As I am guessing most residents feel, I hope that they build a theme park like Legoland that would be a success as a stand-alone park and would bring tourist dollars to the area.
However, I feel a vital part of the success for the park would be to have a highway that would link Cypress Gardens Boulevard to the greater Orlando area.
If you look at satellite maps provided by online search engines, you can see that it would be relatively easy to extend State Road 429 to the intersection of Cypress Gardens Boulevard and U.S. 27. I would propose that the extension of SR 429 to run parallel of U.S. 27 to the east of that road.
SR 429 links up with Interstate 4 and has western entrance into Walt Disney World. Upon completion, tourists could travel from Disney to Winter Haven in about 30 minutes.
Polk County should work with the Florida Turnpike Commission to make the extension of SR 429 a reality.
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mz_
, Jan 25 2010 07:46 PM
5 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 25 January 2010 - 07:46 PM
mz_
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#2
Posted 25 January 2010 - 08:34 PM
Hush
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That's a great point...considering that the drive to Cypress Gardens is what detered most people we know from going there over the past years. Eric's parents already live out that way (deep into Haines City...I say it's at the end of the world...LOL) and we actually pass the intersection you take to get to Cypress Gardens to get to their house. If Polk County and the state could figure out a way to extend the 429, the new Legoland and all the businesses located in that area would without a doubt benefit from it.
I'll be curious to see if Merlin brings this up as a possibility in the future...it would only help all involved.
I'll be curious to see if Merlin brings this up as a possibility in the future...it would only help all involved.
I came here to chew bubble gum and kick ass. I'm all out of bubble gum.
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Posted 24 February 2010 - 07:29 PM
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Legoland could include aquarium attraction
By CJ NEWTON
Staff Writer Lake Wales News
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 10:18 AM EST
Would an aquarium made of Lego blocks hold water? Mark Jackson thinks it could be so.
A Sea Life aquarium could eventually be part of the final package as Legoland comes to Central Florida according to Jackson, director of tourism and sports marketing for the Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau.
The second phase of Legoland construction “possibly, if you look at the California model, (could include) a Sea Life aquarium (and) definitely a resort destination hotel,” he said Friday at a meeting of the Haines City Chamber of Commerce. Merlin Entertainment, the company which will build Polk’s Legoland’s park, also owns Sea Life aquarium centers, more than 30 around the world including one in California at the Legoland park there. Company officials told Jackson a Polk Sea Life aquarium is a possibility.
There are two Sea Life attractions currently in the United States, one adjacent to the California Legoland attraction and a second stand-alone attraction in Arizona. The California location opened in August of 2008, and was the first one to be built in this country.
*
Construction of the water attraction was completed in about 10 months. Legoland charges a separate admission for the attraction, but according to its Web site, a one-day pass that allows adults to visit both Legoland and Sea Life costs $77. An individual adult ticket to Sea Life costs $19.
The Sea Life attraction contains 72 Lego models and features more than 200 species. The company describes it as “an interactive, immersive and inspirational child’s guide to the life of the sea.”
A 35-foot-long acrylic ocean tunnel allows guests to walk through and experience Lost City of Atlantis without ever getting wet. Guests can also explore the 36,000 square-foot, two-story Aquarium, and discover 36 displays holding more than 250,000 gallons of water.
Key features throughout 14 themed rooms include the Discovery Zone, where guests interact with marine life experts, touch tide pool animals and take an inside look at the lives of sea creatures from special pop-up viewing stations; the Shoaling Ring, where guests are surrounded 360 degrees by schools of swimming fish; and the Ray Lagoon where several species of rays appear to “fly” through the water in Mayan temple ruins.
Key creatures include sharks, rays, jellyfish, seahorses, an octopus and several species of freshwater fish which can be found in California lakes and streams as well as cold water marine animals native to the California coastline, the company noted.
Dollar signs – lots of them – are bright spots in the area’s future thanks to Legoland, according to Jackson. They recently announced plans to locate a Legoland at the site of the former Cypress Gardens Adventure Park to be opened by late 2011.
The other Legoland in the U.S. – in Carlsbad, Calif., is the only theme park in the country to see an increase in visitors – and revenue – last year, he indicated. That park’s 6-percent increase can be compared to Orlando-area tourism which was down “almost 20 percent last year,” Jackson told those attending February’s Haines City Northeast Polk County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday.
And these visitors are, according to Jackson, “towing a trailer full of money behind them ... and they’re just dumping it in Polk County.”
Tourism is an export, Jackson said, “wherein somebody from another country or region purchases a product or service, they drop off their Pesos, Euros, Loonies, ... whatever it may be, they’re dropping it off here. They’re taking away with them a great feeling, a photograph, a great experience. That’s what we want them to have here in Polk. They’re leaving here with something – a product or service.”
Jackson said he and his agency worked for months to put together the deal that in January resulted in Merlin’s purchase of the former Cypress Gardens property in southeast Winter Haven from Bryan Philpot and Rob Harper’s Land South Holdings.
Merlin, formed in 1999, has grown to have 59 attractions in 13 countries on three continents and is second in size only to Disney. Merlin’s goal, Jackson said, is to become the worldwide leader in branded, location-based entertainment.
Existing Legolands are in Billund, Denmark; Gunzburg, Germany; Windsor, England; and California.
As a result of the partnership, Polk will, among other things, have a kiosk at the Legoland entrance. “We will touch 2 million people annually as they come through the park,” Jackson said. “We’ll get them to stay longer ... stay two or three days, not one day.”
Lake Wales and Ridge communities in general will benefit, Jackson adds.
“These visitors naturally will be attracted to Lake Wales,” he said. “Between Lake Wales itself, with all its natural charm – everything from fish camps to a thriving art culture – and Bok Tower Gardens, that area is a magnet for visitors. It will turn Lake Wales into (more of) a destination.”
Other businesses “won’t be able to keep up with the demand,” Jackson said. Vacation rentals and hotel and motel rooms will increase, especially up and down U.S. Highway 27.
“The highway – 27 – is the vessel that will bring these visitors in,” he said. “Businesses up and down the highway will see significant changes.”
Jackson said the area can expect a capital investment of “a lot more than $100 million” in phase 1, and 1,000 new jobs. Initially construction jobs and all the related things; 1.5 - 2 million visitors annually; $459 million economic impact for Polk County.
“That’ll be one of our largest industries – ever.”
The county annually will receive $1.4 million in sales tax – about 18.6 percent of the 7 percent state tax comes back to the county. That’s from just spending in the park
There’ll be also $1.2 million in property tax, Jackson said, as well as Tourist Development Tax revenue: “If we generate 50,000 room-nights, we’ll generate $175,000 in additional tourism spending. If 200,000 room-nights, $700,000 annually.”
Jackson says the county’s half-million-dollar annual contribution is a “pretty good investment.”
But that’s not all, Jackson said. “The most valuable thing: We have access to their data. Four million people are cult-like followers of Lego toys. We have visibility at 59 theme parks world-wide. We have access to their other marketing channels as well.
“We’ll be sharing billboards, print and electronic media, and other advertising and splitting the costs. We’re raising our revenue and we’re reducing our cost,” he added. ““You can’t pay for that kind of visibility to be associated with the second largest attractions company in the world.”
By CJ NEWTON
Staff Writer Lake Wales News
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 10:18 AM EST
Would an aquarium made of Lego blocks hold water? Mark Jackson thinks it could be so.
A Sea Life aquarium could eventually be part of the final package as Legoland comes to Central Florida according to Jackson, director of tourism and sports marketing for the Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau.
The second phase of Legoland construction “possibly, if you look at the California model, (could include) a Sea Life aquarium (and) definitely a resort destination hotel,” he said Friday at a meeting of the Haines City Chamber of Commerce. Merlin Entertainment, the company which will build Polk’s Legoland’s park, also owns Sea Life aquarium centers, more than 30 around the world including one in California at the Legoland park there. Company officials told Jackson a Polk Sea Life aquarium is a possibility.
There are two Sea Life attractions currently in the United States, one adjacent to the California Legoland attraction and a second stand-alone attraction in Arizona. The California location opened in August of 2008, and was the first one to be built in this country.
*
Construction of the water attraction was completed in about 10 months. Legoland charges a separate admission for the attraction, but according to its Web site, a one-day pass that allows adults to visit both Legoland and Sea Life costs $77. An individual adult ticket to Sea Life costs $19.
The Sea Life attraction contains 72 Lego models and features more than 200 species. The company describes it as “an interactive, immersive and inspirational child’s guide to the life of the sea.”
A 35-foot-long acrylic ocean tunnel allows guests to walk through and experience Lost City of Atlantis without ever getting wet. Guests can also explore the 36,000 square-foot, two-story Aquarium, and discover 36 displays holding more than 250,000 gallons of water.
Key features throughout 14 themed rooms include the Discovery Zone, where guests interact with marine life experts, touch tide pool animals and take an inside look at the lives of sea creatures from special pop-up viewing stations; the Shoaling Ring, where guests are surrounded 360 degrees by schools of swimming fish; and the Ray Lagoon where several species of rays appear to “fly” through the water in Mayan temple ruins.
Key creatures include sharks, rays, jellyfish, seahorses, an octopus and several species of freshwater fish which can be found in California lakes and streams as well as cold water marine animals native to the California coastline, the company noted.
Dollar signs – lots of them – are bright spots in the area’s future thanks to Legoland, according to Jackson. They recently announced plans to locate a Legoland at the site of the former Cypress Gardens Adventure Park to be opened by late 2011.
The other Legoland in the U.S. – in Carlsbad, Calif., is the only theme park in the country to see an increase in visitors – and revenue – last year, he indicated. That park’s 6-percent increase can be compared to Orlando-area tourism which was down “almost 20 percent last year,” Jackson told those attending February’s Haines City Northeast Polk County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday.
And these visitors are, according to Jackson, “towing a trailer full of money behind them ... and they’re just dumping it in Polk County.”
Tourism is an export, Jackson said, “wherein somebody from another country or region purchases a product or service, they drop off their Pesos, Euros, Loonies, ... whatever it may be, they’re dropping it off here. They’re taking away with them a great feeling, a photograph, a great experience. That’s what we want them to have here in Polk. They’re leaving here with something – a product or service.”
Jackson said he and his agency worked for months to put together the deal that in January resulted in Merlin’s purchase of the former Cypress Gardens property in southeast Winter Haven from Bryan Philpot and Rob Harper’s Land South Holdings.
Merlin, formed in 1999, has grown to have 59 attractions in 13 countries on three continents and is second in size only to Disney. Merlin’s goal, Jackson said, is to become the worldwide leader in branded, location-based entertainment.
Existing Legolands are in Billund, Denmark; Gunzburg, Germany; Windsor, England; and California.
As a result of the partnership, Polk will, among other things, have a kiosk at the Legoland entrance. “We will touch 2 million people annually as they come through the park,” Jackson said. “We’ll get them to stay longer ... stay two or three days, not one day.”
Lake Wales and Ridge communities in general will benefit, Jackson adds.
“These visitors naturally will be attracted to Lake Wales,” he said. “Between Lake Wales itself, with all its natural charm – everything from fish camps to a thriving art culture – and Bok Tower Gardens, that area is a magnet for visitors. It will turn Lake Wales into (more of) a destination.”
Other businesses “won’t be able to keep up with the demand,” Jackson said. Vacation rentals and hotel and motel rooms will increase, especially up and down U.S. Highway 27.
“The highway – 27 – is the vessel that will bring these visitors in,” he said. “Businesses up and down the highway will see significant changes.”
Jackson said the area can expect a capital investment of “a lot more than $100 million” in phase 1, and 1,000 new jobs. Initially construction jobs and all the related things; 1.5 - 2 million visitors annually; $459 million economic impact for Polk County.
“That’ll be one of our largest industries – ever.”
The county annually will receive $1.4 million in sales tax – about 18.6 percent of the 7 percent state tax comes back to the county. That’s from just spending in the park
There’ll be also $1.2 million in property tax, Jackson said, as well as Tourist Development Tax revenue: “If we generate 50,000 room-nights, we’ll generate $175,000 in additional tourism spending. If 200,000 room-nights, $700,000 annually.”
Jackson says the county’s half-million-dollar annual contribution is a “pretty good investment.”
But that’s not all, Jackson said. “The most valuable thing: We have access to their data. Four million people are cult-like followers of Lego toys. We have visibility at 59 theme parks world-wide. We have access to their other marketing channels as well.
“We’ll be sharing billboards, print and electronic media, and other advertising and splitting the costs. We’re raising our revenue and we’re reducing our cost,” he added. ““You can’t pay for that kind of visibility to be associated with the second largest attractions company in the world.”
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Posted 02 July 2010 - 02:15 PM
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#5
Posted 10 July 2010 - 08:28 PM
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Legoland open house reveals new details about coming park
Written by Racheal (Behind the Thrills)
Thursday, 08 July 2010 19:02
Legoland hosted an open house today, open to anyone and everyone to attend and see some concept art for the park, help build a mural (made completely of Legos), check out some Lego models, and most importantly ask questions. Representatives from the park did several Q&A sessions with the crowd. So, what's new with Legoland?
Starliner
It's a sad sight to see the coaster being removed, but they are officially in the process of removing the coaster. According to a representative from the park, John, they will be removing The Starliner, taking extreme care to ensure it's not damaged. The pieces will be put into storage for re-constructing it. With high hopes to sell the coaster and it's current demolition, could this really be the beginning of it's survival? The Starliner has been up for sale for quite some time now and has yet to have a buyer, however, if the park is moving it into storage to be re-erected somewhere else, it's very well possible the ride might have a buyer. Nothing has been confirmed by Legoland except for it's removal to be stored.
Employment
Legoland has hired 25 people to work for the park so far. They are looking to fill 975 more by the time the park opens. Visit www.legolandfloridaresort.com to view current positions that are open.
The Gardens/Ski-show
The park is keeping the gardens and will be very much like they are now. It will be located in the back of the park. Legoland will also keep the Ski-show and it will be themed to Legos. They currently have three plans proposed for the show and will be doing a conference call this coming Monday to make a final decision on which show to use. There will also be plenty of shade and benches for parents/grandparents.
Waterpark
Legoland has plans to re-open the waterpark..eventually. Right now they are busy concentrating on getting the main part of the park open first. It will be a future project.
Road system
To help with traffic, the road between the park and the residental area will become a parking lot. Residents that live near the park will have a different entrance to their neighborhood to help alleviate traffic to park guests and residents. Construction on Cypress Gardens Blvd. is scheduled to begin in just a few days. If this is for the proposed road to Legoland is beyond me. It's a possibility though (considering road construction takes time). Also, the park has no current plans to rename Cypress Gardens Blvd.
Lego store at Disney/Ticket pricing
The burning question here: What's going to happen to the Lego store at Downtown Disney? Nothing. The Lego store at Disney is in no way owned by Legoland and is just a Lego retail store. It will remain at Downtown Disney. Legoland is a theme park with over 50 rides, shows, and attractions. Ticket prices will be similar to parks in the area. From the sounds of that, it will be comparable to Busch Gardens, Seaworld, Universal, and Disney, and possibly it's sister park in California. One day ticket prices for Legoland California are $67 for adults and $57 for children.
-
In general, construction has not started on the park yet as crews work to dismantle what's left of Cypress Gardens. Another coaster (Okeechobee Rampage) and a water slide have been removed and is sitting in pieces in the parking lot. Galaxy Spin has been previously removed and is being moved to Fun Spot in Orlando. According to some of the concept art, it seems that Triple Hurricane will become a dinosaur themed roller coaster in Land of Adventure. The Castle Hill concept art also promotes a "new block". Kind of looks like a roller coaster, doesn't it? Most of the concept art is all "before" and "after", featuring re-themed buildings and rides. The official press release announces all of the areas of the park, not including the Gardens. City, Duplo, Castle Hill and Dino Island will be the new areas of the park, and by the sounds of things will feature a signature ride with smaller rides shops and play areas. Castle Hill will feature a indoor/outdoor coaster. The footage of the other parks kept featuring the Bob the Builder Dark ride that is featured at Legoland California, so it's pretty reasonable to think it will end up here as well.
See the pictures HERE.
Written by Racheal (Behind the Thrills)
Thursday, 08 July 2010 19:02
Legoland hosted an open house today, open to anyone and everyone to attend and see some concept art for the park, help build a mural (made completely of Legos), check out some Lego models, and most importantly ask questions. Representatives from the park did several Q&A sessions with the crowd. So, what's new with Legoland?
Starliner
It's a sad sight to see the coaster being removed, but they are officially in the process of removing the coaster. According to a representative from the park, John, they will be removing The Starliner, taking extreme care to ensure it's not damaged. The pieces will be put into storage for re-constructing it. With high hopes to sell the coaster and it's current demolition, could this really be the beginning of it's survival? The Starliner has been up for sale for quite some time now and has yet to have a buyer, however, if the park is moving it into storage to be re-erected somewhere else, it's very well possible the ride might have a buyer. Nothing has been confirmed by Legoland except for it's removal to be stored.
Employment
Legoland has hired 25 people to work for the park so far. They are looking to fill 975 more by the time the park opens. Visit www.legolandfloridaresort.com to view current positions that are open.
The Gardens/Ski-show
The park is keeping the gardens and will be very much like they are now. It will be located in the back of the park. Legoland will also keep the Ski-show and it will be themed to Legos. They currently have three plans proposed for the show and will be doing a conference call this coming Monday to make a final decision on which show to use. There will also be plenty of shade and benches for parents/grandparents.
Waterpark
Legoland has plans to re-open the waterpark..eventually. Right now they are busy concentrating on getting the main part of the park open first. It will be a future project.
Road system
To help with traffic, the road between the park and the residental area will become a parking lot. Residents that live near the park will have a different entrance to their neighborhood to help alleviate traffic to park guests and residents. Construction on Cypress Gardens Blvd. is scheduled to begin in just a few days. If this is for the proposed road to Legoland is beyond me. It's a possibility though (considering road construction takes time). Also, the park has no current plans to rename Cypress Gardens Blvd.
Lego store at Disney/Ticket pricing
The burning question here: What's going to happen to the Lego store at Downtown Disney? Nothing. The Lego store at Disney is in no way owned by Legoland and is just a Lego retail store. It will remain at Downtown Disney. Legoland is a theme park with over 50 rides, shows, and attractions. Ticket prices will be similar to parks in the area. From the sounds of that, it will be comparable to Busch Gardens, Seaworld, Universal, and Disney, and possibly it's sister park in California. One day ticket prices for Legoland California are $67 for adults and $57 for children.
-
In general, construction has not started on the park yet as crews work to dismantle what's left of Cypress Gardens. Another coaster (Okeechobee Rampage) and a water slide have been removed and is sitting in pieces in the parking lot. Galaxy Spin has been previously removed and is being moved to Fun Spot in Orlando. According to some of the concept art, it seems that Triple Hurricane will become a dinosaur themed roller coaster in Land of Adventure. The Castle Hill concept art also promotes a "new block". Kind of looks like a roller coaster, doesn't it? Most of the concept art is all "before" and "after", featuring re-themed buildings and rides. The official press release announces all of the areas of the park, not including the Gardens. City, Duplo, Castle Hill and Dino Island will be the new areas of the park, and by the sounds of things will feature a signature ride with smaller rides shops and play areas. Castle Hill will feature a indoor/outdoor coaster. The footage of the other parks kept featuring the Bob the Builder Dark ride that is featured at Legoland California, so it's pretty reasonable to think it will end up here as well.
See the pictures HERE.
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#6
Posted 21 September 2010 - 11:15 PM
Cramer
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I, for one, welcome our new theme park overlords. Maybe it'll make Polk County bearable again. Or maybe they'll realize how unbearable it is at the last moment, and back out. Either way, I'm definitely glad that we're getting a theme park back, so hopefully we can have more jobs and whatnot. Hoping that maybe they open up a water park too...the very very simple water park that Cypress Gardens had was its biggest selling point for me. I loved it. Though a children's park doesn't really appeal much to me, maybe I will be able to have fun visiting once or twice. I really hope that they have some sort of discounted pass for Polk County residents, because paying 60-70 dollars for something that we're supposed to be welcoming doesn't seem so nice.
Formerly known as King_Panther13.
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