News
Legoland Holds Public Open House in Winter Haven
Published: Monday, July 12, 2010
A Sneak Peak - Residents have chance to see future of theme park
Paul Crate / News Chief Guests admire a Lego brick replica of the White House during the Legoland Florida preview held Thursday at the Orange Dome in Winter Haven. Thursday, July 08, 2010.
WINTER HAVEN - John Jakobsen, managing director of Legoland Parks, smiled broadly as he finished speaking to the large crowd packed into the Orange Dome during Thursday's open house.
"I think we're very overwhelmed in a way. It's fantastic," Jakobsen said, describing the turnout for the event designed to introduce Legoland Florida to the local community.
Traffic was backed up over the overpass on U.S. Highway 17, as well as for several blocks near the Orange Dome along Cypress Gardens Boulevard. By 4 p.m., the parking lot was largely full and a crowd was forming outside the building.
According to Jakobsen, 7,000 to 9,000 people of all ages turned out to learn about Florida's newest attraction, which is expected to open in late 2011 on the former site of Cypress Gardens, Florida's first theme park. Cypress Gardens closed its doors in September 2009.
I never thought in my career I'd be speaking in an Orange Dome," Jakobsen quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
He spoke of Legoland parks in Denmark, Germany, England and California, the first in the United States.
"We had 35,000 visitors today between them," he said.
Jakobsen stressed the importance of the company becoming a part of each community.
"We enjoy an excellent relationship with communities," he said. "Legoland is working well in these communities."
While Jakobsen explained company officials weren't quite ready to disclose all the plans for the attraction, he did promise Legoland would offer "a completely new experience" featuring over 50 rides and shows.
John Ussher, managing director of Legoland development, said he has "the most wonderful job."
"I get to build the Legoland Florida Park," he said with a grin.
Ussher publicly answered questions he has been asked most frequently by Polk County residents.
He provided reassurance of the preservation of the botanical gardens, the original Cypress Gardens opened by Dick Pope in 1936, and the return of ski shows. .
"We love the gardens. They will be a distinct part of the park and will be much as you remember them," Ussher said.
He didn't provide details about the ski shows but said they are definitely in the works.
"It's Florida, of course there will be ski shows," Ussher said.
As for the water park, it will reopen eventually but not at the same time as Legoland.
"We're concentrating on opening the Legoland park," he said.
Although some rides from Cypress Gardens will remain in Legoland Florida, the Starliner isn't one of them. It will be sold.
"It doesn't fit in with our program," he said. "The Starliner is being preserved."
And he squelched the rumor circulating about the company purchasing the Winter Haven Square property - which includes a Publix store - located across Cypress Gardens Boulevard.
"We have 145 acres. That's enough," Ussher said.
Visitors were invited to experience Legoland by stopping at several stations set up throughout the dome.
A series of posters illustrated new additions to the park - such as the new Castle Hill, City, and Land of Adventure - how existing buildings will be transformed into new experiences. Aunt Julies Country Kitchen will become the Garden Restaurant, the Radio Museum will be Factory Tour and the Jubilee Mercantile will become the Big Shop.
Children - and their parents and grandparents - took delight in crafting creations with Lego bricks at a number of well-stocked tables. They also had an opportunity to create a square with bricks to include in a large mural to be displayed during various occasions, such as informational meetings.
The giant Lego mural will depict the front entrance of the park. When complete, it will be 9 feet wide and 5 feet tall, and will be created out of 35,000 Lego bricks.
Jackie Freeman of Haines City was all smiles as she watched her 6-year-old twins, Jon and Sarah, create a panel to add to the mural.
"We are so excited because they love Legos," she said. "They wanted to be a part of making the sign (mural). That way we would be a part of history."
"It's cool," said Jon, when asked what he thought about contributing to the mural.
The Freemans plan to attend the opening of Legoland Florida.
Giant Lego installations elicited exclamations from parents, who were amazed at the detail of the miniature White House, a rather imposing Darth Vader and a replica of Rodan's "The Thinker," and children delighted in a colorful dinosaur and lady firefighter applying makeup from a compact.
Tim and Karen Davis of Winter Haven were enthralled with the Lego creations, particularly the replica of the White House. Tim Davis, who worked at Cypress Gardens from 1996-2001, took the opportunity to teach his 6-year old daughter, Brook, a bit about the landmark.
"If I have the opportunity to do this, I will," he said, referring to teaching his daughter lessons in history and architecture through Legoland.
Karen Davis said she was pleasantly surprised with what she learned about the attraction.
"We thought it was going to be something to look at," she said.
As an educator, she is now looking forward to having Legoland as another option in teaching various skills to children.
Her husband was thrilled to hear about the preservation of the gardens and ski shows as well as the company's track record of working well in the community.
"I was excited," he said.
Also popular was a table set up for those interested in learning about employment opportunities at Legoland, Florida.
Lake Alfred residents Shirley and Mike Sanders, like many who attended Thursday's event, were interested in the job openings.
At 59, Mike Sanders is bored in retirement and is ready to return to work.
"We came for the job opportunities. We're just checking things out," Shirley Sanders explained.
Her husband is hoping his background in the entertainment industry will be a plus while looking for a construction type job with Legoland.
According to Jackie Wallace, a public relations representative with Legoland, about 25 of the 1,000 positions with the attraction have been filled.
Hiring for construction positions will be done this year while those in operations will be filled in 2011.
"The bulk of the hiring will be done next year," Wallace said.
Applications and resumes are only accepted online at www.legoland.com/jobs.
Conversation ranged from comments about what Legoland means for the future of Polk County to the fun to be had creating with Lego bricks.
Eleven-year-old T.J. Wyatt excitedly took in every display in the room.
"I can't wait for it," said Wyatt, who has built a giant Indiana Jones Temple with Legos bricks. "I love Legos. I just can't wait for it."
His mother, Jan Wyatt, is pleased Legoland will bring economic changes to Winter Haven.
"It's going to bring more people to the area. It will bring more jobs," she said. "And we won't have to go to Orlando to Disney World to entertain us - we can go to Legoland."
Opal Gable, 69, was busy helping her grandsons, 9-year old A.J. Whitley, and his brother Philip, 6, create a section for the mural.
"Since the boys love Legos, I thought I'd surprise them and give them a little taste of what it (Legoland) will be like," said Gable, who lives in Davenport. A.J. and Philip live in Virginia and visit during the summer and holidays.
"It's really cool," A.J. said about Legoland opening near his grandmother's house. "I'd been wanting to go to the one in California. When I heard about the one in Florida, I was real excited."
Helen and Mike Mannebach and their sons, Kurt, 9, and Cole, 8, drove from their home in Orlando to check out Legoland.
"My boys are big fans of Legos, we wanted to come over and see what it is all about," said Helen Mannebach, who remembers playing with Lego bricks as a child.
Kurt described the experiences as, "pretty cool."
His father laughed when Kurt indicated he would make his parents drive them to Legoland on a regular basis.
"We're going to make the kids come to Legoland," said Mike Mannebach, who intends to purchase an annual pass as soon as they are available.
Local sculptor Al Kriston stopped by to see what the children were creating out of Legos and perhaps make something of his own.
"It is creating young sculptors. It's great," he said. "I was going to do a sculpture but I don't have to - the kids are doing a great job."
Christian Waters, 13, enjoys building with Lego bricks and is looking forward to the opening of Legoland.
"I think it is going to be a good new addition," he said. "I grew up with Legos and I really like them. It gives a chance for kids to be really creative."
The event brought back memories for Paul Thomas, who as a 12-year-old in 1973, won third place in a Lego national model building competition. His prize was a Lego set. He, too, is looking forward to the opening of Legoland Florida.
"I can feel the excitement. There's something big on the horizon and it's built of Lego bricks," he said.
By Donna Kelly
News Chief correspondent
Tagged: Legoland open house