Planning a family vacation to Legoland Florida is a must for families with young children. Built on the site of the former Cypress Gardens theme park in Winter Haven, Legoland is approximately one hour from Orlando, Disneyworld, and Universal Studios. Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA) airports are the closest for travelers wishing to fly to Legoland Florida. If you stay with us, you will be close to all the action!
Legoland preserved the beautiful botanical gardens of Cypress Gardens, which ceased operations in 2009. These historic gardens, planted in 1939, are a horticultural marvel, featuring a collection of exotic plants from all over the world, including rare azaleas, camellias, countless varieties of palms, banana trees, and an extraordinary giant Banyan tree.
Legoland Florida is part of a chain of international, family-friendly LEGO-theme parks operated by Merlin Entertainments. Merlin Entertainment purchased the former Cypress Gardens site for $22.3 million in 2010 and re-themed the water parks, rides, and various attractions to reflect LEGO brands. Legoland, FL officially opened its doors just one year later in 2011. Today, stretching 145 acres, Legoland, FL is the second-largest Legoland park in the world.
If a trip to Legoland Florida has been on your agenda as a family vacation destination, 2023 may be the ideal year to finally take this important journey. Fans of Legoland, FL will delight in the news of a brand new park attraction opening on January 12th, 2023.
Adventure awaits you at Pirate River Quest! This sailing journey and family-friendly treasure hunt unfolds brick-by-brick, as an interactive storyline, through the murky, uncharted waters of the legendary Cypress Gardens and Lake Eloise. Afterwards, set sail with a crew of LEGO pirates on Captain Redbeard’s orders to retrieve a lost treasure. Indeed, riders will encounter a tribe of mischievous monkeys and a Kraken!
The Legoland Florida resort includes the theme park itself, the Legoland Water Park, three on-site accommodations. Additionally, there is a separately-ticketed on-site park based on the British children’s animated series Peppa Pig that opened on February 24, 2022. Designed for families with children ages 2 to 12, Legoland, FL boasts more than fifty-five rides, attractions, events, shows, restaurants, and shops, plus the original Cypress Gardens botanical gardens.
Seeking activities for the very littlest family members? Duplo Valley, with the Duplo Train, is ideal for toddlers. Toddlers can board a Duplo-themed train to ride through countryside-themed scenery featuring farms, rolling hills, campgrounds, and fishing holes. The splash pad and Duplo Farm/Tot spot are non only specifically designed for tots and preschoolers, adults can have fun too!
Looking for a great family-friendly holiday getaway or New Years’ celebration this winter? Basically, there’s nothing more entertaining for kids than Legoland! Kids will love the giant LEGO Christmas tree, dazzling seasonal shows, twinkling lights, jolly holiday characters and special activities.
Top Five Highlights of Legoland, FL:
Lego Movie Masters of Flight:
This exhilarating, flying theater ride is one of the most technically advanced rides in the park. Riders are immersed in the experience within a giant, full-dome screen display. Sensory elements such as smoke, and the aroma of gunpowder and cannon fire over a pirate battle, enhance the experience. Riders zoom through an action-packed world where everything is constructed from lego pieces. The locations and scenes are mostly based on the LEGO movie and The LEGO Movie 2: The second part.
The Dragon:
Feel the breath of a real dragon warm your face while exploring this enchanted castle. The coaster cars are designed to resemble green dragons! This indoor/outdoor steel roller coaster full of twists and turns is one of the park’s most popular rides. But the mystery remains… will you meet an actual dragon on this adventure?
The Great Lego Race:
The Great Lego Race is one of the most action-packed rides at the park. This entirely outdoor steel roller coaster features a 50-foot drop and reaches speeds up to 35 mph. Riders will be dazzled by a scenic, panoramic view of Lake Eloise, after the initial climb. More experienced riders have the option to wear a virtual reality headset during the ride. Less experienced riders may find this to be one of the most intimidating rides at the park. The virtual reality goggles offer computer-animated visuals of a LEGO-themed race.
Coastersaurus:
This authentic wooden roller coaster is one of the original remaining attractions from Cypress Gardens. This historic Coastersaurus, originally named “The Triple Hurricane” twists and dips through a prehistoric jungle of animated, life-sized LEGO brick dinosaurs. Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?!
Kid Power Tower:
Kids are sure to feel empowered as they hoist themselves to the top of these colorful towers to enjoy the scenic view of Lake Eloise. This ride challenges kids to use strength, endurance, coordination, and teamwork to hoist themselves, and riders next to them, using ropes, to reach the top of the tower. Once riders have accomplished the feat, they can free-fall back down to the bottom.
