Legoland to replace Cypress Gardens
Merlin Entertainments ("Merlin"), Europe's No 1 and now the world's second largest visitor attraction operator, has announced a multi-million dollar investment in the biggest family tourist centre in the world with the planned opening of LEGOLAND Florida.
Merlin has purchased the historical Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven Florida from property investment company Land South Group and will open LEGOLAND Florida on the site at the end of 2011. The deal to buy the 145-acre site includes the freehold on the current theme park and waterpark as well as an operating lease in perpetuity on the historic botanical gardens. Merlin plans a significant multi-million dollar investment over a number of years, up to and beyond opening, in what will be the biggest LEGOLAND to date. In line with the group's "resort" strategy for its theme parks this is likely to include both accommodation and the addition of further branded attractions from the Merlin portfolio. This will build on the $100m invested over the last few years in improved infrastructure on the site.
Posted on 2 February 2010
