Is Legoland Florida Destined for Failure?
Legoland Florida Theme Park Slated to Open in 2011
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Legoland Florida will open in 2011. The site of Legoland Florida will be the old Cypress Gardens Park in Winter Haven, Florida, a 40-mile drive from Florida's premiere theme park, Walt Disney World. Cypress Gardens closed several months ago after years of changing hands. Legoland Florida, like its California cousin, would be geared toward toddlers to pre-teens. With so many attractions in Central Florida, is Legoland Florida destined for failure?
Legoland Florida: Too far from Walt Disney World
Having been to Florida twice in recent years for a vacation to Disney World, I don't see a future for Legoland Florida. I see it more of an attraction mainly for Florida residents and those of neighboring states. To stay a week at Disney World can easily cost $3,500 if you are staying on site. If you are going to spend that kind of money, you aren't going to hop into your car and drive 40 miles out of your way to see a bunch of Legos. If you want to see some nifty Lego sculptures, just head to Downtown Disney and hang out around the Lego Store there. In the two times I've gone to Disney World, I've not visited other closer attractions, mainly due to cost.
Disney travelers who take advantage of the resort's Magical Express Service would likely not have a rental car to make such a trip. If Legoland Florida is hoping to cash in on Disney vacationers, they should take the distance factor into consideration.
Narrow audience also cause for concern
Legoland Florida's target audience will be children aged two to twelve. This is an extremely narrow audience and other than attracting Lego enthusiasts, it is a serious negative for the park. Considering that Disney World would offer far more rides for the pre-teen and teenage sets, parents would choose Disney over Legoland because of the variety of rides. No one wants to be kept standing all day, too big to ride the attractions.
Admission cost to Legoland Florida may also be a deterrent to success
The admission cost to Legoland Florida may be a turn off to some consumers. Given that a one-day ticket to Walt Disney World is about $80 and a one-day ticket to Legoland in California costs $67, there is not much of a price difference if Legoland Florida were to price similarly to its park in California. Considering that Walt Disney World offers infinitely more by way of entertainment, I don't see Legoland Florida being able to compete with Disney.
Will Legoland Florida turn out to be a smashing success? Time will tell. But for now, I'm predicting that the park will not be able to compete with Disney unless they creatively market the park, complete with rock bottom prices on tickets.
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Published by Carly Hart
One of AC's Top 1000 Content Producers, Carly Hart's interests include news, politics, parenting, frugal living and consumer related issues. A Featured Contributor in the Shopping and Fashion category, she... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentThose are some expensive tickets! Having 2 boys we would love legoland:)
It can't be a failure--LEGOS RULE! I didn't know there was going to be a USA Legoland--I am so happy! :):):)
Good job done here..
While it's true that the Disney vacationers may not make the trek to Legoland, Disney is not the only game in town. SeaWorld and Universal each draw over 6 million guests a year so obviously some Florida vacationers are renting a car and doing more than Disney. With Blackstone/Merlin having a stake in each of those parks, I expect to see packages that will include SeaWorld/Aquatica, Busch Gardens, Legoland and Universal. Legoland California succeeds with only 1.5 to 2 million in attendance. I can see a Florida Legoland easily drawing that.
Interesting article. True Sylvia!
The distance between DisneyWorld to Legoland, Fl is comparable to the distance between Disneyland and Legoland, Ca. The theory that the park will fail is, in itself, a failure. We won't know until the park has been open for a while and given a chance. These parks are apparently popular worldwide and the success of four other parks is probably a good indicator of Legoland, Florida's success. Here's hoping.
I'm assuming this is one of those articles you get paid per click for. I want my money back!
You offered no valid reason why the park would fail. Your excuse of the location is pathetic, it is in a great spot. Cost really isn't a valid reason, all parks are overpriced. Legoland is more than just a bunch of Lego's and it appeals to a very wide audience. The Legoland park is both entertaining and educational.
As a parent living in the L.A. area near a wide array of theme parks, I can tell you that cost is a huge factor. A family of four (or more) simply cannot afford an afternoon in these parks.