The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce will conduct a “LEGOLAND® Florida Host City Forum” for our members on Tuesday, July 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium. We have seating for 60. City, County and Polk Tourism representatives will  participate.

Topics for discussion will include:

- How can Winter Haven become the best LEGOLAND® host city in the world.

- How do we best prepare to serve families with children 2 to 12 years old.

- How do we preserve and enhance our entryways and prevent “visual chaos.”

- How do we enhance our ability to make the Chain of Lakes a part of the visitor experience.

- How we can be an effective marketing partner of the Central Florida visiting experience.

Participation is limited to two persons per member organization to ensure the diversity of the forum input. Our tourism-related (hotels, restaurants, attractions) industries are encouraged to participate.

RSVP is required to attend.

If you have questions or issues you feel should be discussed, please email them to chamber1@winterhavenfl.com.

LEGOLAND Florida made a stunning preview debut to crowds of families with children as the colorful bricks were on display as both models … and  more importantly, playthings. Throngs of interested area residents jammed the landmark Orange Dome to view actual models of the park, complex LEGO models that will grace the park and help to create a mural of the upcoming entrance to LEGOLAND Florida. LEGOLAND Parks CEO John Jakobsen and LEGOLAND Parks Developer John Ussher were on hand to meet and talk with the crowd.

Observations of Chamber Communications Manager Andrea Cruz:

Within 15 minutes of this open house, the place was packed; within 30-45 minutes, easily 1,000 people or more had come through the doors; an hour and a half later, easily 2,000.

The LEGOLAND community meet and greet featured life-size models of Darth Vader, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank and other scaled-down models, including a dinosaur and lots of LEGO people.

The centerpiece of the Orange Dome was “The Thinker” – he drew lots of attention and truly was a “model,” as many had their photos taken with him.

The White House scaled model that was on display is the original from LEGOLAND California. It came out to Florida for this event and will go back to California, AND eventually return and be a permanent fixture in the LEGOLAND Florida park.

Other fixtures in the room included before and after photos of artist’s renderings of certain areas of the former Cypress Gardens park, certain buildings, etc. Of course there was the LEGO building area where people worked on different pieces of what is to be a larger mural, and the stage and monitors with running video of the other LEGOLAND parks, showing the rides and happy people.

Managing Director of LEGOLAND Parks John Jakobsen and General Manager of LEGOLAND Development John Ussher spoke to the crowds. Ussher answered the most burning and frequent questions they receive, to quell any rumors and verify others. Those issues included: botanical gardens, ski show, access for nearby neighborhood, the Starliner and whether they are buying the land across the street.

The crowd applauded when Ussher said they were keeping the botanical gardens of the original Cypress Gardens park.

Regarding the ski show – Ussher said: “Will there be a ski show? Of course, it’s Florida! Of course there will be a ski show!” Again, applause and laughter.

He told the crowds there will be separate road(s) constructed for the neighborhood that is next to the park to ease worries about in-and-out access.

Ussher assured everyone the waterpark would open hopefully sometime in the Spring 2012. The Starliner will be preserved, although they haven’t found a home for it yet, they’ve found a safe place to store it while they find a home – Ussher said the Starliner didn’t quite fit in with the LEGOLAND parks and themes.

Finally, he assured the crowd they are not buying the land across the street (currently a shopping plaza with a K-Mart and Publix among other stores).

I asked a few children what they were more excited for — the LEGOS or the rides and it was pretty much 50/50, or I got the response of “both.”

Congratulations to LEGOLAND officials for an entertaining and informative evening. Welcome to Winter Haven! The park is scheduled to open in Fall 2011.

Obviously a good time was had by all …

WHAT: On Thursday, July 8, 2010 LEGOLAND® Florida is hosting a community open house to meet with area residents about Central Florida’s newest theme park. This open house-style event is intended to acquaint local residents with LEGOLAND Florida and how it will impact Central Florida. Attendees will come face to face with amazing LEGO® models, view Park concepts, ask questions and hear about job opportunities. Managing Director of LEGOLAND Parks John Jakobsen, General Manager of LEGOLAND Development John Ussher, Sales & Marketing Director Kim Isemann and Human Resources Director Kim Clark will be on hand to answer questions.

During the event, guests will have the unique opportunity to help build a giant LEGO mural depicting the front entrance of LEGOLAND Florida. When complete, the mural will be 9 feet wide and 5 feet tall created out of 35,000 LEGO bricks.

WHEN:  Thursday, July 8, 2010          4 – 7 p.m.

WHERE: The Orange Dome - 150 Cypress Gardens Blvd.

VISUALS: LEGO Models of Darth VaderTM, Bob the BuilderTM, Thomas the Tank EngineTM, a miniature version of the White House – which will be the Florida park’s first permanent model – and more

Attendees building LEGO mural out of 35,000 LEGO bricks

Graphics showing the exciting plans for LEGOLAND Florida; the new family theme park opening fall 2011.

Those other activities include scale models of the park, video and blackboard plan displays and, of course, a LEGO play area for the children.

The event is a “drop by anytime during those hours” sort of unveiling and, expecting a large crowd, organizers chose the venue for its size and available parking.

Winter Haven will be home to America’s second LEGOLAND theme park and, in terms of acreage, the largest of Merlin Entertainments five LEGOLAND venues. The park is expected to open in Fall 2011 … just in time for the City’s Centennial Anniversary.

Pictured above, Merlin Entertainments CEO Nick Varney announces Winter Haven’s
selection as the site for LEGOLAND® Florida – January 21, 2010.

Isemann brings considerable expertise in theme park and attractions marketing and will lead the estimated 20-person marketing team as Director of Sales & Marketing for LEGOLAND Florida. Isemann joins the team of Model Citizens (LEGOLAND Park’s affectionate term for employees) from her role as General Manager of the Daytona 500 Experience Attraction at the Daytona International Speedway. Prior to the Speedway, Isemann was with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in escalating roles over a 12-year period, culminating in her position as the Florida Parks Director of Promotions. Isemann is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and will soon be relocating to Polk County.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of Merlin Entertainments Group on this exciting new venture,” Isemann said. “LEGOLAND has such a tradition of quality entertainment, and I know this will be a successful park when we open next year.”

Joining Isemann as the Manager of Sales is Andrus, a 13-year sales veteran from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment where he was most recently the Senior Manager of National Sales. Andrus’ knowledge and contacts in the sales arena will prove invaluable to the first new theme park to be built in Central Florida in more than 10 years. Andrus graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Communications.

Wallace will be heading the communications efforts for the new park as Public Relations Representative. With more than 10 years of theme park experience, Wallace comes to LEGOLAND Florida directly from the promotions team at SeaWorld & Busch Gardens. Previously, she was a member of the SeaWorld Orlando media relations team that opened Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark and several headlining shows. Wallace graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations.

LEGOLAND Florida will offer more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including thousands of spectacular LEGO® models. The Florida development will be Merlin Entertainments’ second LEGOLAND Park in North America and will play an important role in the group’s continued growth in the U.S. Providing a full-day, year round theme park experience geared towards families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, LEGOLAND Florida will mirror the successful concept of the four existing LEGOLAND Parks in Denmark, Germany, U.K. and California. However, as with the other four, it will also have its own unique “twist” reflecting its stunning location and adding a Florida flavor.

Winter Haven is excited to host LEGOLAND® Florida and we welcome Kim Isemann,Todd Andrus and Jackie Wallace as they begin to tell the world about the park .

According to Reuters, “The deal would value Merlin Entertainments at approximately 2.5 billion pounds ($3.71 billion), one of the sources said, with CVC Capital Partners, Blackstone and Kirkbi A/S — the Danish investment company owned by the family behind the Lego brand — owning about 30 percent of the business each.”

Kirkbi owns about 36 percent of the business, while Blackstone owns approximately 52 percent. A deal with CVC would allow the U.S. buyout firm to reduce  its stake and return cash to its investors.

Merlin has grown into the second largest theme park operator behind Disney during Blackstone’s ownership. You can read the complete Reuters report here.

Editors note 6-24-10:  The Wall Street Journal reported this same speculation in today’s edition.

Renovations on the Cypress Gardens site will begin in summer. Watch for plans and  artist renderings of the LEGOLAND Florida park in July.

]]> http://blog.winterhavenfl.com/2010/04/27/photos-from-legoland-california-visit/feed/ 12 http://blog.winterhavenfl.com/2010/04/12/what-you-can-expect-from-legoland-florida/ http://blog.winterhavenfl.com/2010/04/12/what-you-can-expect-from-legoland-florida/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:51:48 +0000 Bob Gernert http://blog.winterhavenfl.com/?p=2317 City of Winter Haven and Winter Haven Chamber representatives visited Carlsbad and Legoland California April 8 and 9. The group met with Carlsbad Chamber and City officials on Thursday and enjoyed a five-hour Legoland visit on Friday. Since many local folks aren’t quite sure what to expect … here are a few observations:

Expect a park designed to entertain children two to twelve years old and involve their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles in that experience.

Expect lush landscaping with photographic sight lines in the best traditions of Dick and Julie Pope.

Expect a gourmet dining experience – no exaggeration here. Traditional burgers and hot dogs are available but add to that such items as gourmet wood fired pizzas, Asian chicken stir fry, spicy shrimp linguini, Carne Asada steak nachos, Cajun salmon, spinach and pear salad and much, much more. You’ll also find child “right-sized” buffet lines.

Expect to become addicted to Granny’s Apple Fries (a Legoland original!) Warm Granny Smith apple fries are dusted with cinnamon and sugar and served with a vanilla cream dipping sauce. (Pictured left)

Expect bright primary colors and millions upon millions of Lego bricks used in sculptures and creations.

Expect a Miniland USA so complete and complex with examples such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, The U. S. Capitol, Washington Monument and New York skyline. Our Miniland will have its own unique mix of Lego brick creations, but these were part of just the Miniland USA area of the park, and it alone could take more than a day to explore and appreciate its intricate detail. (Below)

Expect rides that have parents and children participating together. Rides that move on their own – but move faster if you peddle. Rides that involve pulleys that the occupant pulls for elevations. Rides such as the Junior Driving School where kids can get their Legoland Driving License. Expect queue lines for rides that surround a Lego brick play area for kids to keep them occupied while Mom and Dad weave around them.

Expect a dedicated management team laser-focused on their target audience … those two- to twelve-year-old guests that will allow us to particpate with them. You’ll find friendly, engaged employees and a spotless park as well.

Expect a good corporate citizen that works closely with the community and gives back. Legoland is particularly supportive of education.

Expect to say (as we did) “Wow, how perfect that they chose Winter Haven for their Florida Park!”

The City of Winter Haven and the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce wish to thank The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, City of Carlsbad and Legoland California for their extraordinary hospitality. Special thanks to Peter Ronchetti, General Manager and Brian Shaw, Director of Finance for their personal tour of the Legoland California facility.

You can read for yourself here beginning on Page 24.

It provides a much more comprehensive look than Florida Trend’s April Economic Yearbook.

Due to the strong interest from contractors, a separate email has been set up for those wishing to introduce their company and offer their services to Merlin Entertainments. All those inquiries should be addressed to LLFContractors@LEGOLAND.com.

LEGOLAND Florida opens at the end of 2011 and will be the biggest LEGOLAND Park to ever open offering a unique mix of more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including spectacular LEGO® models. The Florida development will be Merlin Entertainment’s second LEGOLAND Park in North America and will play an important role in the group’s continued growth in the U.S. Providing a full-day, year round, theme park experience geared towards families with children between the ages of two and 12, LEGOLAND Florida will mirror the successful concept of the four existing LEGOLAND Parks in Denmark, Germany, UK and California. However, as with the other four, it will also have its own unique “twist” reflecting its stunning location and adding a Florida flavor.