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Legoland Florida sets out to hire 800 more Model Citizens

The announcement that LEGOLAND Florida would be coming to Polk County was greeted with the happy realization that the park would mean plenty of jobs for a region that had been hurting a lot in the recession. There have been hundreds of construction jobs created, a couple hundred of management and maintenance positions have been filled, and finally, the bulk of the expected 1000 jobs required to operate the theme park on a day to day basis are now open for applications.

If you’re interested in one of those jobs you must apply online at www.LEGOLAND.com/jobs. Most of the jobs will start in late September or early October leading up to the parks grand opening on October 15th.

As part of the announcement LEGOLAND released this footage of the park under construction, as well as someone applying for the job online. I love seeing what they’ve done to the Cypress Gardens property so far.

More details on the hiring spree below the jump:

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Legoland Florida announces October 15th, 2011 Grand Opening Date

General manager Adrian Jones poses with a map of Legoland FL LEGOLAND Florida just announced that its official opening date will be Saturday, October 15, 2011. Park officials revealed the date as early as possible to help families already planning vacations in the fall. The… Read More »Legoland Florida announces October 15th, 2011 Grand Opening Date

LEGOLAND Florida Aerial Update – Snapping the Bricks Together Slowly

Yesterday the team at LEGOLAND Florida sent over some new pictures showing the progress on the former Cypress Gardens Adventure Park property as it converts to the brick and toy themed park. They’ve done a lot of work preparing the site, but now it’s a rush to get vertical construction and themeing done in time for an October 2011 opening.

LEGOLAND Florida is planned as a 150-acre, full-day family theme park designed specifically for families with children ages 2 to 12.  It will be the largest LEGOLAND Park in the world, featuring more than 50 family rides, shows and interactive attractions, restaurants, shopping and beautiful historic botanical gardens. Currently LEGOLAND Florida annual passes during the park’s inaugural year are available for $99, but pricing for the 15-month ticket will increase May 1.

More aerial shots and a park map below the cut:

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Does Disney World have an answer for Universal Orlando?

Apparently the New York Times quoted my article published November 28th, 2010 where I was reacting to the news that while Universal Orlando was having a banner year, Walt Disney World actually decreased in attendance. Here’s the full context:

The first was an Orlando Sentinel story on the flat attendance at Walt Disney World. I have to think that given the poor state of the economy, Disney would have been happy to have not lost any ground. But the reality is Disney did lose ground to Universal Orlando (despite their attempts at hiding the figures). Harry Potter is drawing guests away from the mouse house and Disney still has no answer lined up. That’s very troubling.

I then went on to talk about how Osceola County can capitalize on increase in attention that’s coming Central Florida’s way with LEGOLAND Florida and the Orlando Thrill park.

Like Disney states in the NY Times article, I believe that the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a net gain for Orlando tourism business. Unlike Disney World officials, I do believe that there is a high risk of guests shifting their attendance to Universal away from Disney resulting in a net-loss for Disney. Universal is already siphoning off the teens and twenty somethings and LEGOLAND Florida threatens to do the same for the 6 to 10 year old set.

Look at all the Hogwarts scarfs and t-shirts you see next time you’re at WDW. Those guests all visited Universal before coming to Disney. The money they spent there on broomsticks and Butterbeer will not be spent on mouse ears and popcorn. That doesn’t include the guests who are spending a day or two at Disney and then visiting Universal.  I can’t understand why Disney doesn’t appear to be worried.

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LEGOLAND Florida extends early-bird deal through April

If you’re like me and your budget didn’t allow for purchase of one more annual pass at the end of last year, or you just plain forgot, you’ll be happy to hear that LEGOLAND Florida has extended their special offer for discounted day and annual passes through April 30, 2011. With LEGOLAND scheduled to open in October 2011 and the pass valid through the end of 2012, you’ll even get a few extra months of value if you act soon.

“Our strong sales numbers have proved to us that people are excited about the opening of LEGOLAND Florida,” Director of Sales and Marketing, Kim Isemann stated. “By extending these special rates through the early spring, we want to allow our future guests the opportunity to lock in their tickets and annual passes before the Park opens.”

Available only at www.LEGOLAND.com, general admission tickets are $65 for adults and $55 for children and seniors. Standard Annual Passes are offered at the children’s prices of $99 with no Blackout Dates! Plus Annual Passes and Ambassador lifetime passes are also available at the non-discounted rates of $159/$129 and $2,500 respectively. These passes includes unlimited admission, discounts on preferred parking, special events, plus discounts on food and merchandise. (Prices do not include sales tax.)

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Does Disney World have a LEGOland problem?

A column in the Motley Fool insightfully points out that Walt Disney World has a problem. LEGOLAND Florida’s arrival will be a mixed blessing for Disney (NYSE: DIS). On the one hand, the new park should bring more tourists to central Florida. Travelers coming down… Read More »Does Disney World have a LEGOland problem?

More LEGOland Florida Details at official announcement

In a ceremony full of LEGO bricks, LEGO sculptures, and VIPs, Merlin Entertainments officially announced the 2011 opening of LEGOland Florida. After spending a few years skulking around Central Florida considering various options, they settled on Cypress Gardens based on its rich history and the… Read More »More LEGOland Florida Details at official announcement

Legoland Official, Memo Leaks Out

Florida’s oldest tourist attraction is about to become its newest. Merlin Entertainment will be building a new Legoland theme park at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, FL. Winter Haven is about a 45 minute drive from the Orlando attractions area, assuming light traffic. But that… Read More »Legoland Official, Memo Leaks Out