Legoland Florida

By Arthur Levine, About.com Guide

BABY YOU CAN DRIVE MY CAR. Legoland Florida features lots of hands-on activities, including a kids' driving school.

Legoland Florida. Used with permission.

See More About

Overview:

The 150-acre site is larger than any of the four other Legolands (including the only other US property, Legoland California) and offers about 50 rides and shows. Like the other parks, it is geared to the 12-and-under set, and features Lego-themed lands and attractions, many of which are interactive and include hands-on activities. Toddlers have plenty geared specifically for them, including their own land, Duplo Village.

Legoland doesn't skimp on thrill rides, but the thrill levels are toned down. In addition to a nice collection of roller coasters, the park offers some spinning rides.

Because of its Cypress Gardens heritage, Legoland Florida includes some features not found at any of its sister parks. The namesake botanical gardens are a Florida treasure, and it's great that the Legoland folks decided to maintain them. Younger kids may itch to get back to the brightly colored rides and activities, but their parents and grandparents will revel in the gardens' beauty. And the park has retained the famous Cypress Gardens water ski show, but has replaced the bathing beauties with Lego-themed pirates.

Phone:

(877) 350-LEGO(5346)

Location and Directions

Winter Haven, Florida. About halfway between Orlando and Tampa, app. 60 minutes from both cities. The actual address is One Legoland Way, Winter Haven Florida 33884

From Orlando: I-4W to exit 55 (U.S. Hwy 27S). South on U.S. Hwy. 27. Turn right off U.S. Highway 27 at State Road 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Park is 4 miles on the left.

From Tampa: I-4E to Polk Pkwy East. Exit State Road 540E, Winter Lake Road. Follow to the end and turn left on Highway 17. Turn right at State Road 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Park is 3 miles on right.

Tickets and Admission Policy:

Reduced price for children (3 to 12) and seniors (60+). 2 and under are free. The water park requires a separate ticket. Regular and season passes available. Legoland Florida offers a unique "Ambassador pass" that includes unlimited admission for life as well as other benefits.

The vendor, Best of Orlando, offers discount tickets (lower than both the gate price and the park's online price) to Legoland. Buy direct from Best of Orlando.

Hotel Information:

Find Legoland Florida Hotel Accommodations
Compare rates for Winter Haven-area hotels at About.com's booking partner, Kayak.

Park Highlights:

As with other Legoland parks (such as Legoland California), the attractions include lots of interactive, hands-on activities such as a passenger-powered monorail (think of a bicycle suspended on tracks) Kid Power Towers (guests pull themselves up colorful towers), and Lost Kingdom Adventure, an interactive shoot-'em-up dark ride. Other highlights include Driving School, the Fun Town Fire Academy, a Lego clubhouse, intricate Lego dioramas in Miniland USA, and a 4-D theater showing Lego-themed films. Pink-knuckle "thrill" rides include the coasters, Test Track, Flight School, and Coastersaurus, a gentle wood coaster held over from Cypress Gardens that was known as Triple Hurricane.