LEGOLAND Florida is staking its claim as the most affordable theme park and the best vacation value by refusing to raise its prices. While other major Central Florida attractions have raised their prices, LEGOLAND® Florida today announced it will keep its prices steady through the summer at $75 for adults and $65 for children under 12.  A family of four visiting the park will save between $40 and $56 a day compared to a visit to a competing park.

“The comparisons are important, especially in today’s economy,” said LEGOLAND Florida Director of Sales & Marketing Kim Isemann.  “Families are looking for great experiences at prices they can afford.  A day at LEGOLAND Florida is one of the highest values in our industry.”  

When families compare other incremental costs, such as dining and parking LEGOLAND Florida also shows big savings.  At LEGOLAND Florida, all menu items – from mahi-mahi sandwiches to chicken Caesar salads – are priced no higher than $11. Parking is also more affordable, at $12 per car, $6 for motorcycles.  Other parks charge $14 for both cars and motorcycles.

For those looking to visit LEGOLAND Florida and the all new water park attraction, which opened in May and features water slides, a wave pool, several playground areas and a lazy river called Build-A-Raft, they can for only an additional $12 a day.  A great value for families to experience more splashing thrills and family fun.

While ticket price comparisons are on single-day, full-price admissions, there are many discount and combination-ticket offers in the marketplace as well:

• Florida Residents save $20 on a Premium Pass, with unlimited admission to the theme park and water park, as well as free parking, plus food and merchandise discounts, through July 31. [Details here]
• Guests save $10 off single-day combo tickets for the park and water park by purchasing online through October 28. Or save $7 off a single-day adult LEGOLAND Florida ticket ($5 for child or senior tickets).

We know how important it is for families to stretch every vacation dollar. Share some of your favorite tips for vacation thrift in the comments!

The LEGOLAND Water Park attraction is open and ready for you to splash down to a summer of cool fun and new adventure. Enjoy the pink-knuckle thrills of Splash Out and Twin Chaser slides, relax in the LEGO Wave Pool or Build-A-Raft Lazy River, or cool off in DUPLO Splash Safari or Joker Soaker. When you're ready for a break, enjoy affordable food and refreshments from Beach-n-Brick Grill or stock up on sun block, new bathing suits, and towels at the Surf Shop.

Got that? Because it's going to be important later...

To help celebrate the grand opening of our new LEGOLAND Water Park attraction, we asked our Master Model Builders to create a set of Minilanders that could be found at a water park. LEGOLAND Florida's popular Miniland USA section is home to thousands of mainlanders each with their own distinct appearance and story. Here are a few of the creative designs they built:

In celebration of LEGOLAND Florida opening the LEGOLAND Water Park attraction, we're excited to give away one unique Water Park themed Minilander to ten (10) participants. Our giveaway takes the form of a fun trivia hunt that will test your knowledge of LEGOLAND Water Park. Answer the trivia to be eligible for our random drawing to win one Minilander figure (see our Facebook Album of all 10 Minilander figures). If you don't know the answer, you can find them all with a little hunting around on our website or blog.  But don't worry, you earn an entry simply by participating.

We will draw ten (10) winners on July 10th at 3PM EST. Must be over 18 and have a US Shipping address to participate. Only one entry per household.

Enter here!

As the Horticulture Manager at LEGOLAND® Florida Nigel Dunning is responsible for keeping the park looking beautiful. General Manage Adrian Jones is proud to say it's the most beautiful LEGOLAND Park in the world and much of that is owed to Dunning's expertise. In fact, the minute we knew we would have stewardship of the historical Cypress Gardens and adjacent properties, we hired Nigel for the job.

With Earth Day and Arbor Day coming in the same week, it was a good time to sit down with Nigel and ask him some tips you could use at home in your garden.

First, tell us a little about yourself
I grew up loving the fact that I could plant something and it would develop into something magnificent. Imagine putting one little seed into the ground and watch it turn into a giant Oak tree over the years.  I have been working with the green industry for 33 years in just about all the USDA zones that are on the map and I love each and everyone of them.

What are some of the best varieties of annuals to plant this time of year?
This time of year a few of the best annuals to plant would be Marigolds (they have many new kinds), also red and blue Sylvia burst with color. SunPatiens are full of energy and color. They grow large for an annual so they can fill up a flower bed quickly.

If I wanted to plant a tree for Earth Day/ Arbor Day, what species would you recommend?
I would plant Live Oak. They are one of the most majestic trees I have ever seen in my time as a Landscaper. They always have character in the structure not to mention the value in shade here in Florida.

How do you know when it is time to refresh your garden?
When I see a garden that lacks in buds or flowers or no shine it is time to bring it back to life with a seasonal flower change. There are other symptoms to look for also. The plant no longer seems to fill the area that they once did or if it is insect ridden. Look for insects such as aphids and scale insects.

What do you recommend to do with old plant material when you replace it?
Compost is a great solution for old plant material. They also have plenty of good products on the market to help manage this process. Starting a compost pile is easy. You need to keep it moist at all times, if it drys out all the micro organisms will die and the break down of product will stop. It is also important to turn the organic material often.

What kind of plants can I use in my yard that are safe around children?
Most fruit trees are a great choice and kids love to eat the fresh fruit that come from THERE trees. Orange trees are easy in this region. If you have a little more experience try the Florida peach tree.

What are some activities that kids can help with around the garden?
I have watch my kids grow up and from when they were very young I will always remember them picking the vegetables out of the garden putting some in the basket and eating some as they went along the rows.

We'd like to send a big thank you to Nigel! You can find more of Nigel's expertise and planting ideas for your garden inside the Fresh From Florida Greenhouse next time you visit LEGOLAND Florida. If you have any questions you'd like us to ask Nigel for our next Q&A please leave a comment on this post.

Partnership will spread important safety messages for kids and families

Streamers flew and smoke alarms beeped as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) kicked off its long-term partnership with LEGOLAND® Florida to provide lifesaving information to families and kids during a press event and special fire safety day at central Florida’s newest theme park.

NFPA will sponsor the park’s fire safety - themed “The Big Test” live show at the LEGO® City Stage where these messages will be incorporated.  “The Big Test” is an acrobatic, comedy show in which a cast of characters goes through a series of hysterical antics as they try to become firefighters. There will also be special activities throughout the year that stress the importance of fire safety and acknowledge the critical work of the fire service.

“This partnership allows us to combine kids’ love of the fire service and LEGOLAND to build life-saving knowledge,” said Adrian Jones, LEGOLAND Florida general manager. “We are proud to play this important role for our community.”

“The majority of fire deaths happen in homes where there are no working smoke alarms,” said NFPA President Jim Shannon. “We are excited to join with LEGOLAND Florida to impart two extremely important messages - test your smoke alarms and have an escape plan.”

We look forward to seeing you at The Big Test soon!

Central Florida’s Newest Theme Park Announces Water Park Details and

Unveils All-New Premium Annual Pass

Just six weeks after its official grand opening, LEGOLAND® Florida today released details of its first expansion – LEGOLAND Water Park. Scheduled to open in time for summer 2012, the water park will feature a wave pool, Build-A-Raft lazy river, tube slides, body slides and an interactive water-play structure - DUPLO® Safari. 

“We’re very excited to share plans for this amazing new attraction,” said LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones.  “True to our mission, the water park attraction has been designed for families with children ages 2 to 12 and will add hours of water play to an already full day and move LEGOLAND Florida into a multi-day experience for vacationers.  The additional also adds another great value proposition for our Annual Pass members.”

Admission to the water park attraction is included with an all-new LEGOLAND Premium Pass, which offers 12 months admission to LEGOLAND Florida and seasonal access to the LEGOLAND Water Park ($179 adults/$149 child/senior).  Single-day LEGOLAND Florida guests may upgrade to a water park attraction ticket for an additional $12 per person (children under 3 are $3).  The Premium Pass is now available for purchase at www.LEGOLAND.com or AAA Auto Club South branches.

Key areas of LEGOLAND Water Park attraction include:

• LEGO Wave Pool – Families can catch a gentle wave or simply cool off in this perfectly sized wave pool where the waves are just big enough for all ages to enjoy
• Twin Chasers – Friends ride tubes 375 feet down an intertwining pair of enclosed water slides before plunging into a refreshing pool below
• Splash Out – The thrill seekers of the family can ascend to the tallest point of the water park attraction and choose from one of three unique slides, then speed down a 60-foot drop and “splash out” into the water below
• Joker Soaker - A fun, interactive playground with various lengths, heights and types of slides that offer something different for every member of the family.  Guests can wade in the surrounding pool and be surprised with a torrential spill from a 300-gallon bucket 
• Build-A-Raft River - Families can imagine, design and build a unique LEGO vessel and set afloat on a maiden voyage around the 1000-foot-long lazy river, set amongst  playful LEGO Friends, flowering vegetation and palm tree
• DUPLO® Splash Safari – Toddlers will rule at this  water play area with shorter slides and interactive, larger-than-life DUPLO creatures

“This newest attraction is just one of many ways we will continue to evolve LEGOLAND Florida over the next several years,” said Jones.  “Creating a multi-visit proposition for families adds another dimension to the LEGOLAND Florida offering.  Adding the water park attraction will fulfill this criteria as well as offering a unique attraction in Central Florida.”

LEGOLAND Florida is getting into the holiday spirit with the first annual Christmas Bricktacular.  Festive decorations and sounds of the season will fill The Beginning and Fun Town through the holidays, Dec. 8-31, followed by Kids’ New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31.  With more than 50 rides, shows and attractions all dedicated to families with children age 2 to 12 and one of the widest selections of LEGO^® products available, LEGOLAND Florida is the best place to celebrate the season and pick up the Christmas gifts that are on every child’s wish list – LEGO!

The Beginning is home to a truly spectacular, Bricktacular sight - a more than 30-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree made with a combination of 270,000 forest green LEGO and DUPLO® bricks.  The park’s first-ever tree lighting ceremony takes place on Dec. 5 with a special master of ceremonies.  Through Dec. 31, a special family will be chosen to help light the Bricktacular tree each night.

Santa Claus even makes special daily appearances in the historical botanical gardens making a picture perfect spot to capture family memories sure to be treasured for years to come.

Kids’ New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 let’s kids rock out and watch the sky explode with LEGO fireworks at just the right time for them, midnight KST (Kid Standard Time) - otherwise known as 7 p.m. EST.

Holiday events are included in park admission. Tickets and Annual Passes for LEGOLAND Florida are available at www.LEGOLAND.com