Cypress Gardens to become Legoland Florida

After closing yet again in 2009, Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven is now under new ownership and is slated to become Legoland Florida by the end of 2011. Earlier this year the Merlin Entertainments Group purchased the land lease and development rights to Cypress Gardens as well as the botanical gardens and adjoining Splash Island waterpark.

The British-based Merlin is the second busiest amusement company in the world, and it is part of the Blackstone Group that purchased the SeaWorld parks and entertainment last year and also co-owns Universal Studios in Orlando. Merlin’s holdings include Madame Tussaud's wax museums and the London Eye. The new owners have a history of successful theme park operations, including Legoland theme parks in Europe and California. The proposed Legoland Florida theme park will be the only Legoland in North America east of the Mississippi River--a similar set up to how Disney and Universal have established their American theme parks.

Merlin has indicated that the company will preserve a 30-acre section of Cypress Gardens' botanical gardens, so at least a small legacy of one of Old Florida's original theme parks will remain.

Cypress Gardens opened in Winter Haven, Florida in 1936 and was one of Central Florida’s premier attractions before Walt Disney World opened and forever changed the destiny of the region in 1971. The Southern Belles in hoop skirts, botanical gardens and water-ski shows have long been associated with Cypress Gardens, although in recent years the park has tried to compete with the Orlando attractions with additional thrill rides.