by Adele Woodyard
Have one or more kids ages 2 to 12? Did they like to play with blocks? Build things out of Legos? If “yes” they’ll love Legoland Florida, the states latest theme park. What was once Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven is now a collection of buildings, little people, even actual rides made of millions of Lego bricks. Yet things that move are operational.
In Miniland USA the Sunshine State spreads from Panama City beaches to Key West. Lego cars race around a Daytona Speedway track. A space shuttle gets set to take off from Cape Canaveral and pastel bricks copy the colors of Miami’s South Beach. You meet President Obama with family and dog in front of the White House, watch water shoot from a fountain at New York’s Rockefeller Center, and drop in on Las Vegas.
But what about rides? Kids taller than 34 inches can steer a boat through a river maze, bigger ones earn a driver’s ,license if they safely drive a car. They can shoot at mummies in the Egyptian tomb Lost Kingdom Adventure, or a water cannon during a Jet Ski-like ride. Of course there’s a 4D theatre, pirates, a Legoland Castle and rides for toddlers in a Duplo Village. There’s even a couple of (real-not Lego) roller coasters, one a wooden one left over from Cypress Gardens. Altogether there are over 50 rides and shows spread over 150 acres and many of the attractions feature push button cannons that shoot water, smoke, foam and plastic balls.
My memory of Cypress Gardens recalls a boat ride past flourishing gardens, a water ski show on Lake Eloise, and lovely Southern belles in hoop skirts strolling along the paths. According to my September, 1993 column, a butterfly house and numerous rides had been added, but it was still a beautiful park that appealed more to adults. Today live water ski shows remain, this Southern belle’s hoop skirts cover a body made of 62,000 Lego bricks, and kids can let their imagination run wild. Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $75 adult, $65 ages 3-12 and 60+. 877-350-5346. http://www.floridalegoland.com
Legoland opened Oct. 15. Another “newbie” in an older theme park has featured cheetahs in a ride and habitat, at Busch Gardens, Tampa since May 27. Cheetah Hunt coaster mimics these sleek, exceedingly fast and endangered cats in three separate “launch” sections over 90 minutes. Said to be the longest ride in the park, it is also the least scary, but minimum height is 48”. Since it zips past where they live at 60 mph, Cheetah Run is the best place to view them up close. You might even get to see the baby cheetah named Kasi, and its puppy pal, Mtani. Admission: $83.95 adult $72.75 ages 3-9; deals online. 888-800-5447. http://www.buschgardens.com
Your kids seen the movie The Dolphin Tale yet? Whether yes or no they’ll love to meet Winter, Florida’s newest celebrity at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The dolphin with the prosthetic tail daily charms adults and kids alike. $14.95 adult, $10.95 age 60+, $9.95 ages 3-12. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Thurs. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. http://www.seewinter.com
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