Legoland Theme Park In Florida Plans Expansion, New Rides

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — The Legoland theme park in Florida is planning an expansion next year including new rides, according to plans filed with the city nearest the attraction. The details have not been revealed, but news outlets report Legoland will add about 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares) to its resort near Winter Haven. The plan comes amid the global coronavirus pandemic that has rocked Florida’s tourism industry. A rendition of the new area shows at least six rides or attractions and a large building, possibly a restaurant. Legoland Florida spokeswoman Kelly Hornick told The Ledger in Lakeland that more would be revealed about the expansion plans in 2021 — which is the 10th anniversary of the theme park’s opening on the former site of Cypress Gardens.

Legoland Florida has expanded repeatedly since opening in October 2011. The park unveiled its first hotel in 2015, added the off-site Legoland Beach Retreat in 2017 and opened Pirate Island Hotel earlier this year. Like other Florida theme parks, Legoland Florida closed in March after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in response to the spread of COVID-19. Legoland reopened June 1 with restrictions on attendance and other health measures in place. An unknown number of jobs were eliminated. Legoland operates eight theme parks around the world, including in Denmark, Germany, Malaysia, Japan, California and Dubai.

Walt Disney World To Reduce Theme Park Hours, Starting September 8th

GREGG NEWTON/Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images

Visitors drive past a sign welcoming them to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

Walt Disney World is reducing the operating hours at all four of its theme parks, following the phased reopening last month amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in Florida.

Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios will close an hour earlier than usual, while Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney's Animal Kingdom will be open for 2 less hours each day. The changes will begin Sept 8. and remain in place through October. 

After months of being shuttered due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Walt Disney World began a phased reopening in mid-July with masks being mandatory for guests and staff, and other safety measures in place such as guidelines for social distancing and increased sterilization and cleaning requirements. To be admitted to the park, guests would need to have a reservation and a ticket, as the capacity was capped at a certain number — which wasn't made public — but assumed to be around 30 percent. 

Last week, the Walt Disney Co. revealed the financial impact of its parks being shuttered, noting a fiscal third-quarter loss of $3.5 billion. "Parks, Experiences and Products revenues for the quarter decreased 85 percent to $1.0 billion, and segment operating results decreased $3.7 billion to a loss of $2.0 billion," Disney's quarterly report indicated on Tuesday. "Lower operating results for the quarter were due to decreases at both the domestic and international parks and experiences businesses and to a lesser extent, at our merchandise licensing and retail businesses."

Walt Disney world came under fire last month for a "Welcome Home" promotional video that was posted to its social media channels, featuring masked employees welcoming guests back to the park. Some users on Twitter and Instagram accused the park of putting their staff and visitors in danger by reopening too early, and encouraged them to consider closing. 

Any further updates or changes to operating schedules will be posted to the Walt Disney World website at: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Offers Biggest Savings Of The Year With Seven Days Of Black Friday Deals

Be Among the First to Vacation Like a Pirate at LEGOLAND^® Pirate Island Hotel

WINTER HAVEN, Fla.  – LEGOLAND^® Florida Resort is stealing extra days of savings with great offers for  Black Friday beginning Wednesday, Nov. 27 and continue through Monday, Dec. 3. Instead of only one day for deals, shoppers have seven straight days of discounted prices to save 50 percent on vacation packages and annual passes.

Sale begins at midnight on November 27 and guests can purchase at www.legoland.com/blackfriday2019.

Here are this year’s deals:

Save more than 50 percent off Awesomest Annual Passes

Awesomest Annual Passes will be on sale for $99.99 (originally $209.99) plus tax during the seven-day sale. Passholders will receive 12 months of unlimited admission to LEGOLAND theme park and water park, all seasonal events during the “Year of the Pirate,” free standard parking and exclusive savings on hotel stays, dining and retail. Plus, Aweseomest Annual Passholders can visit other Merlin Entertainments U.S. attractions including Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Aquariums, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, the San Francisco Dungeon, LEGOLAND California and LEGOLAND New York opening in 2020!

Current Annual Passholders can receive 50 percent off overnight stays³ between January 6 and June 30, 2020² excluding nights April 4 through April 11, 2020 and May 22 through May 24, 2020 at LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel, LEGOLAND Hotel or LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.

Stay – and play – and save 50 percent on room packages¹

Guests can save 50 percent on vacation packages³ at LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel, LEGOLAND Hotel or LEGOLAND Beach Retreat for stays between January 5 and June 30, 2020² excluding nights April 4 through April 11, 2020 and May 22 through May 24, 2020. Packages start at just $58¹ per person, per day (plus tax)¹ and include a one-night stay at any of the three uniquely themed on-site accommodations plus two-day theme park and water park combo tickets for each member of the party. Guests of LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel, LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Beach Retreat receive free breakfast with each night of their stay and standard parking.

Guests purchasing a vacation package will receive an exclusive LEGOLAND holiday gift set and letter valued at $19.99.

The package discount cannot be combined with other offers or applied to existing reservations or tickets.

1. Pricing is per person, based on a one-night booking for two adults and two children 12 and under.
2. Blackout dates may be applied.
3. Two night minimum stay required.

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About LEGOLAND Florida Resort Located just 45 minutes from Orlando and Tampa, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is the ultimate vacation destination for families with kids. The resort includes an interactive, 150-acre theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions inspired by popular LEGO® brands and characters, LEGOLAND Water Park and two uniquely themed accommodations: the LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Beach Retreat. Now open, is the  all-new THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD where guests are immersed in the ultimate theater to theme park experience, interacting with their favorite characters and living out scenes from THE LEGO® MOVIE™ universe! Inside THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD, guests can experience three new rides, grab a bite to eat at Taco Everyday or meet Emmet and Wyldstyle at the only Central Florida theme park built just for kids. For more information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/Florida.  About Merlin Entertainments plc Merlin Entertainments plc is a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe's number one and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates more than 130 attractions, 19 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 25 countries and across 4 continents. Merlin’s purpose is to deliver memorable experiences to its 67 million guests around the world, through its iconic brands and multiple attraction formats, and the commitment and passion of its 28,000 employees (peak season).

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Announces All-New Beach-Themed Accommodations, Immersive Theme Park Land With Cutting-Edge LEGO® NINJAGO® Attraction And '4D' Theatrical Experience Starring LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS™

Five Projects Launch Largest Expansion in Site's History-

 LEGOLAND Florida Resort today announced an unprecedented slate of projects that will deliver additional

 on-site accommodations, an immersive new theme park land with a cutting-edge, interactive attraction,

 the first-ever expansion of its water park, a new, action-packed "4D" theatrical attraction and an all-new 

summertime event filled with fireworks and special entertainment, giving guests even more reasons

 to play – and stay – at the place #BuiltForKids:

NEW! LEGOLAND Beach Retreat – opening mid-2017This 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.

NEW! LEGO NINJAGO World – opening early 2017Inspired 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 where they'll experience a first-of-its-kind attraction that blends eye-popping, 3D

 computer animation, "4D" atmospheric effects and groundbreaking technology by Montreal-based Triotech.

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.

NEW! Creative Cove featuring Build-A-Boat – now openA 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.

NEW! "LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS 4D: The Book of Creativity" – opening May 26, 2016Set 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.

NEW! LEGOLAND Night Lights – Summer 2016The 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.

The exciting new projects represent the largest period of growth in the nearly 4½-year history

 of LEGOLAND Florida Resort, a rapid trajectory of expansions that has included LEGOLAND

 Water Park (May 2012), LEGO STAR WARS™ Miniland Model Display (November 2012), LEGO

 World of Chima™ (July 2013), DUPLO Valley (May 2014), LEGOLAND Hotel (May 2015), Heartlake

 City (June 2015), and phased restorations of the historic Cypress Gardens botanical wonderland,

 which recently celebrated its 80th anniversary.

For more information about visiting LEGOLAND Florida Resort, including savings on advance

 purchase of admission tickets, multi-tier annual passes, special events, VIP experiences,

 educational programs, services for guests with disabilities and themed accommodations at LEGOLAND Hotel, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/florida.