It appears Cypress Gardens will soon become Legoland.
An email sent this week to Polk County commissioners indicates that Merlin Entertainments Group, the British amusement company that acquired Cypress Gardens earlier this month, plans to convert the venerable attraction a theme park based on the toy building blocks.
Merlin has declined to discuss its plans for Cypress Gardens since news that it had purchased the site broke late last week, saying it would wait to unveil details until a news conference scheduled for tomorrow at the park.
But the email, sent by a Polk County tourism official to county commissioners invited to tomorrow's news conference, appears to confirm long-running rumors that Merlin intends to use the site for its second Legoland in the U.S.
Under the heading, "Helpful facts: Confidential until Thursday," the email reads:
"1.LEGOLAND Florida will be the fifth LEGOLAND attraction worldwide (CA, Denmark, England, and Germany).
"2.Merlin is the second largest attraction company in the world, second only behind Disney.
"3.Merlin's massive research in the area already indicated that; the LEGOLAND brand already has high recognition and a 90% intention to visit by families in their target market.
"4.LEGOLAND, CA is the fastest growing theme park in the U.S., realizing an astounding 6% growth in 2009. The park was also recognized by Amusement Today as the country's best theme park for children for the sixth consecutive year.
"5.Check out Merlin's website (www.merlinentertainments.biz.) for a broad overview of their operations."
The existence of the email was first reported by the Lakeland Ledger.
A spokeswoman for Merlin, whose other holdings include Madame Tussaud's wax museums and the London Eye, could not be immediately reached for comment. Multiple high-profile business and government officials are expected at tomorrow's event, including Gov. Charlie Crist and Merlin Chief Executive Nick Varney.
Merlin is owned by The Blackstone Group, the private equity giant that last fall purchased SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment for about $2.5 billion. The firm also holds a 50 percent stake in Universal Orlando.
Another iteration for Cypress Gardens. I wonder if it will include a water ski show and Southern Belles. Boy that goes back a few years. _________________ [
Highlights include:
*Keeping ski show and gardens (they have to keep the gardens, they are a Florida Historical Landmark and protected)
*Splash Island will remain, but become a separate ticketed park/gate
*Park will have 40-50 attractions, possibly to include one of existing wooden roller coasters
*Plans for an onsite hotel and resort
*Possible plans to improve roads to the park
I think the biggest thing is going to be transportation improvement and options to the park... the biggest problem with Cypress Garden was how hard it was to get to the place... The one time we went, we got lost TWICE because someone had knocked down the sign for the park. And with the park being so far away from Orlando, Disney, Universal, etc... kind of difficult to visit the park as an additional option to any of the other parks. _________________ Up or Down North, South, East, or West An Adventurer's Life is Best!
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