A Little Legoland Fun!

Last weekend, the grounds of Florida’s first theme park, Cypress Gardens, were given a new life filled with kid centric rides, happy families, and cityscapes made entirely of Legos. The largest of five Legoland parks around the globe, Winterhaven’s Legoland Florida embraces all the classic rides of its West Coast counterpart while embracing the gorgeous gardens filled with cypress and banyan trees which help the brand new park stand out from its predecessors.

When they set about designing this new park, the Model Citizens, or Legoland park employees, knew that the restoring the gardens would be a great way to bring beauty into the park, as well as offer needed shade from the often-scorching Florida sun. Lego Southern Belles in hoops skirts can be found within the park and serve as reminders of the ground’s past.

Unlike many of the theme parks in the Orlando area, this park focuses on its target demographic, children ages two through 12, and its 50 rides, shows and attractions reflect that.  The park is divided into 10 zones, with uniquely Legoland –style rides such as the Royal Joust where kids can ride LEGO-themed horses through medieval scenes filled with Lego knights, wizards, and more. At Rescue Academy, kids and their families can work together to race against one another to blast out “flames.” Future captains can practice their navigation skill at the Boating School while Nascar champions of 2025 will love getting in some practice time at the Ford Driving School. Of course, there are a couple pint sized coasters for little daredevils as well – Coastersaurus, Test Track, and my son’s favorite, The Dragon.

Of course, what will always set Legoland apart from other theme parks are its incredible Miniland reproductions of cities, landmarks, and scenes, all at a 1:20 scale. Parents will appreciate the miniature version of the Las Vegas strip, complete with landmark casinos such as Luxor, Excalibur, Venetian, and the Stratosphere while kids will get a kick out of being squirted by the elephants at the miniature Mirage resort, especially since this portion of the park is light on shade. Miniature versions of New York City, DC, and Florida landmarks include Mallory Square in Key West, Bok Tower, the Kennedy Space Center, and an interactive Daytona International Speedway where kids will have a great time racing cars against one another, are also featured in this part of the park.

Since the park sits on scenic Lake Eloise, Model Citizens felt that was important to bring it into the Legoland Florida experience and created the Pirate’s Cove Live Water Ski Show. Costumed Lego characters strap on their skis and head out in search of Brickbeard’s Bounty. Kids will love the interactive portion of the show where they can shoot water cannons at pirates as they race by on jet skis.

While it is true that many of the rides and experiences are similar to those that can be found at other Legoland parks around the globe, the beautiful gardens that grace the park’s grounds and the little touches of Florida that can found around the park really do set it apart. Families ready to book a flight to Orlando will experience Legoland Florida for themselves and will be happy to know that it sits midway between Tampa and Orlando, giving them an even better chance of finding a colossal CheapOair bargain!

Families in Boston looking to get away on the cheap can do so with today’s travel deal! Boston to Orlando, round-trip, for $282, be sure to use PROMO code SM17 for up to $17 off!

Photo: Joshua