LEGOLAND Florida is quickly becoming one of my favorite Florida theme parks. Which is shocking because I myself am not under 12, nor do I even have any children. What I do have is an appreciation for themed places, and an ability to embrace my inner child. If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re similar to me. Right now we can all agree that themed places are having their renaissance. Universal has the upper hand with the success of Harry Potter, and Disney is following suit, opening themed lands of their own in the upcoming Pandora (Avatar Land) at Animal Kingdom and upcoming Star Wars Land at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
LEGOLAND does it’s own spin on theme by shrinking you down and allowing you to play with legos as if you’re the same size and living in the lego world. So I was thrilled to be invited to the announcement of 5 NEW THINGS as LEGOLAND Florida celebrates it’s 5th Birthday. As an aside, isn’t it incredible that we’ve had LEGOLAND in Florida for 5 years? I’m so thankful they didn’t let Cypress Gardens die when it closed up in 2009. And you know they totally could have let it die. But instead they preserved that area of the park and it is THRIVING. But more on that in another article, Let’s talk about what new stuff they’re bringing to the park!
So the first big announcement is a new LEGOLAND Florida resort hotel:
LEGOLAND Beach Retreat looks to expand their hotel offerings and give guests the choice to stay in the original hotel or new LEGOLAND Beach Retreat. Let’s look at the concept art:
“This whimsically themed vacation resort combines the fun of surf, sand and sun with the creativity of LEGO® bricks on a picturesque site next to Lake Dexter, adjacent to the theme park.”
“Distinguished by a colorful LEGO lighthouse, the village-style, lakefront resort will feature 83 single-story duplex units, offering 166 separate accommodations that sleep up to five.”
“Designed with the same combination of imagination and kid-centric detail that made the 10-month-old LEGOLAND Hotel an immediate hit, the all-new LEGOLAND Beach Retreat offers a great way for larger families and friends to vacation together.”
“Amenities will include a themed pool, a sandy play area, a buffet-style restaurant and complimentary transportation to and from the theme park.”
The concept art looks like this will be THE place to stay if your kids (or you adults) love Lego. I could easily imagine building this resort with actual legos and playing with it, but instead you get to go to it and visit it in real life. Did you see the little Duplex’s where you stay? THEY LOOK LIKE THEY’RE MADE OF LEGOS! I mean I get that, that’s the theme, but they’re so cute! I can’t wait to see this place open up. The beach theme is needed for central florida, where you are hours from the beach. I can easily see recommending to families coming to Orlando to include a Lego Beach Retreat in their vacation as an escape from the hustle and bustle. It looks SERENE.
Lego also announced a new land within LEGOLAND Florida: LEGO NINJAGO World
“Inspired by the popular series of LEGO building sets and the long-running TV show “LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu,” this all-new, fully immersive theme park land invites guests to step into a magical, martial arts kingdom”
“Guests will experience a first-of-its-kind attraction that blends eye-popping, 3D computer animation, “4D” atmospheric effects and groundbreaking technology by Montreal-based Triotech.
I just love how the concept art looks like the building guide you get when you buy a new LEGO set. But it’s real life!! The new land will feature a new attraction, LEGO NINJAGO The Ride.
“On LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, up to four guests per vehicle blast animated fireballs, lightning, shockwaves and ice using nothing more than their hands as they travel through dojos mastering their skills before teaming up to defeat a powerful villain.”
“Riders collect points and scores are displayed when each quest is complete.”
“The thrilling attraction is the epicenter of a new area featuring multiple hands-on, interactive experiences that will hone kids’ physical skills like NINJAGO heroes Kai, Jay, Cole, Zane and Nya, before their ultimate test on LEGO NINJAGO The Ride.”
Did you read the most important part? YOU USE YOUR HANDS. No toy gun. No toy cannon. You just use your hands to conjur fireballs, lightning, shockwaves and ice. I don’t think there is an attraction in central Florida using this tech. This is big! I can’t wait to try out my ninja skills!!
LEGOLAND Florida’s next announcement is an exciting expansion to their Water Park, where there is also now FREE WIFI, so get your waterproof cases and devices ready to capture the brick building and upload it while you’re there! The new area is called Creative Cove featuring Build-A-Boat.
“A fun expansion area at LEGOLAND Water Park adds a brand-new attraction, Build-A-Boat, where kids can create and race LEGO watercraft through fast-flowing rivers alongside cheering crowds in a setting inspired by the popular LEGO City Coast Guard sets.”
Nearby, the existing Imagination Station lets little ones build and play with colorful DUPLO® bricks in a water-filled activity center.
“Additional dining offerings, increased seating capacity and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the entire water park round out the all-new offerings for 2016.”
Build a Lego Boat, watch it race. This is such home spun family fun, I can’t even. I’m so glad LEGOLAND Florida is committed to keeping family centered activities in their parks. This seems like such fun for kids, While parents sit near by and use the new WIFI to take a relaxing break, am I right?
I can’t believe there is more, but we still have two things!! Remember when they debuted The Lego Movie 4D? Well they are debuting another 4D show…LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS 4D: The Book of Creativity.
“Set in the futuristic Kingdom of Knighton, this all-new theatrical attraction pits five young knights against the evil Jestro and his sidekick, the Book of Monsters, in a battle for control of a rare book of magic that gives its owner tremendous power.”
Based on the new LEGO series of building sets and the just-launched TV show, the 12½-minute, immersive experience combines 3D computer animation with “4D,” real-world effects that bring the high-tech action bursting off the screen and into the audience.
Elsewhere in the theme park, kids will discover six exclusive shields that unlock unique NEXO Powers within the LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS: Merlok 2.0 mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
This looks to be another great Lego 4D attraction. Adding an app an interactivity is smart in today’s digital age.
And finally announced for Summer 2016, we have LEGOLAND Night Lights
“The resort will debut its latest all-new event in June, a celebration of summertime fun featuring extended park hours, meet-and-greet opportunities with favorite LEGO characters, exclusive opportunities to build alongside LEGO Master Model Builders and a spectacular, brick-tacular NINJAGO fireworks display that will light the night above Lake Eloise with brilliant colors and triumphant music.”
“Held exclusively at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, the party is included with park admission and will take place every Saturday and Sunday from June 18 to July 31.”
So it looks like it’s going to be a great year for LEGOLAND Florida! As a theme park blogger and human, I highly recommend taking time to visit LEGOLAND Florida. It is well worth the trip, even if you don’t have a Lego fan in your family, it speaks to the child in all of us and the park is beautiful and creative and staffed with the wonderful, warm charm of the people of Polk County.
I’m very interested in visiting their water park now that it’s open for the season, since I’ve never been! And if you know a thing or two about me, you’d know that my husband and I are Lazy River connoisseurs. Experts in the art of lazy rivering. I can’t wait to see all of these beautiful plans come to life!
Did you enjoy this write up? Will you travel to LEGOLAND Florida? Let me know in the comments!
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