Careful where you step: What to know about Legoland Florida, the world’s biggest toybox
Starting March 8th, you can build your own Ferrari.
Legoland Florida is opening a new attraction, the LEGO Ferrari Build & Race Experience. Kids (and grownups) will be able to check out a life-size Ferrari 296 GTS made out of LEGO bricks and then design and test their own smaller ones before digitally racing them.
The attraction also announced a new Sea Life aquarium coming next to its Winter Haven park. planned for fall 2024.
Want to come play? Here's what you need to know.
What is Legoland Florida?
Like the popular colorful LEGO bricks themselves, the 150-acre Legoland theme park in Winter Haven, Florida is always changing and building.
Florida is the second-largest Legoland in the world after the one in the U.K. The park, located at One LEGOLAND Way in Winter Haven, is in the old Cypress Gardens location.
There are more than 55 rides, shows and attractions including the Battle of Bricksburg, the Safari Trek, the Lost Kingdom Adventure, LEGO Ninjago World, the Pirate River Quest and many more, plus onsite hotels. Get your personalized driver's license in the Ford Driving School or build creatures in the interactive LEGO DREAMZzz experience. Did you like The LEGO Movie? You can wander around Bricksburg and see Emmet's apartment.
There are stunning LEGO creations from the park's master builders and plenty of places for you and your family to try your own hands at building something new.
Legoland Florida has two other parks, the Legoland Water Park and the Peppa Pig Theme Park. The company behind Legoland, Merlin Entertainment, also runs dozens of Sea Life aquariums around the world, including Sea Life Orlando, among other attractions.
Legoland parks are autism-friendly, with sensory guides for each attraction and low-sensory areas where guests can rest and reset.
When does Legoland open?
The Legoland Florida resort is open 365 days a year, from at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. most days.
The park is usually open till 6 p.m. on the weekends, but Legoland also stays open till 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. on select days of the week throughout the year. Check the calendar to be sure.
The Peppa Pig theme park is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, but again on some dates the closing time may be later.
The Legoland Water Park is currently closed for the season.
How much are Legoland tickets?
One-day tickets to Legoland, the water park or the Peppa Pig park start from $74 per person, plus taxes and fees, if bought in advance and $119 at the gate. You can pay extra and visit multiple parks the same day.
Two-day tickets start from $94 in advance, $149 at the gate. Three-day tickets start from $139 in advance, $194 at the gate.
Legoland also offers VIP packages for personal tour guides, valet parking, behind-the-scenes tours of the LEGO Master Model Builders' Workshop, exclusive souvenirs, reserved seating at the ski show and more. VIP packages start at $400 per person.
Comparing theme parks: Is Legoland worth the cost compared to Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and SeaWorld?
Does Legoland have annual passes?
Legoland offers several tiers of annual passes. All of them include free parking and exclusive collectibles.
Elite pass, $349 or $23.25/month: Unlimited access to Legoland, Legoland Water Park, Peppa Pig Theme Park and Sea Life Florida (no blockouts); discounts at Legoland shops and restaurants; discount tickets for family and friends, and admission to more than 30 other Merlin Entertainment attractions
Gold pass, $249 or $16.50/month: Admission to Legoland and Legoland Water Park (blockout dates apply), admission to Sea Life Orlando, admission to Peppa Pig for an additional $40, discounts, admission to more local attractions
Silver pass, $199 or $12.99/month: Admission to Legoland (blockout dates apply), discounts
Bronze pass, $149: Admission to Legoland plus select annual events, lockout dates apply; ticket discounts for family and friends
Does Legoland let you come back if it rains?
Yes! Unlike other big theme parks, when rain or bad weather forces Legoland to close some of the rides and attractions Legoland will allow you to use your ticket to come back for another visit within a year.
What is the LEGO Ferrari Build & Race Experience?
Opening March 8, the LEGO Ferrari Build & Race Experience allows you to build your own Ferrari race car with LEGO bricks, fine-tune it on one of three "extreme race tracks," and digitally customize it before putting it up against other racers in a "virtual race zone."
Younger drivers can build cars with slightly larger blocks in the LEGO Duplex build zone.
And there will be a life-size Ferrari made from LEGOs to inspire you.
What is the Sea Life Aquarium?
Sea Life is the largest family of aquariums in the world. They feature immersive marine experiences with a 360-degree tunnel that lets you stroll through a richly populated world under the sea. Sharks, manta rays, jellyfish and brightly colored fish swim around and above you with smaller habitats around the attraction.
The new Sea Life Florida Resort, currently being constructed next to the Legoland Florida resort in Winter Haven, is due to open this fall, according to a release from Merlin Entertainment.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Legoland Florida: Where it is, hours, new Ferrari experience coming
