Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Legoland Florida
Zamperla takes on
Merlin buys Cypress Gardens
Coney Island park
Merlin Entertainments is to transform the former Cypress Gardens park in Winter
Haven, Florida, into Legoland Florida – the biggest Lego theme park to date.
New York City has chosen Zamperla USA to operate a new amusement park
When it opens in 2011, the 145-acre site will become the second Legoland
at Coney Island, reports the New York Daily News.
in North America (after California), and play an important part in Merlin’s
The company was among several vying for the operating rights, and its
continued US growth. The decision to open a Legoland park in Florida follows
thought the company’s experience operating a park in the New York’s Central
considerable research for a number of years. This indicated a high recognition
Park may have given it an edge.
of the Legoland brand, with over 9 out of 10 families expressing an intention to
Bidders for the rights had to submit proposals for developing one of the
visit. The Winter Haven site is less than an hour from Orlando.
three parcels of land between the former Astroland site and KeySpan Park.
“Legoland Florida will be one of the most exciting and important projects
Zamperla's plan include developing all three. Rides are expected to be operat-
Merlin has ever developed,” declares Merlin CEO, Nick Varney. “It is a unique
ing by this summer.
opportunity for us; Florida is the biggest family tourist centre in the world. We
Zamperla's American subsidiary is based in Parsippany, New Jersey, and
have been looking for the right site there for some time and in Winter Haven we
was one of two ride manufacturers represented on the Coney Island Advisory
plan to create one of the best, and certainly most beautiful, theme parks in the
Committe. Zamperla also operates a park near Milan, by the name of
world.”
Minitalia Leolandia.
“We are delighted at this news,” adds Florida Governor, Charlie Crist. “We
are extremely happy that the future of Cypress Gardens is secure. Legoland is
one of the most exciting names in family attractions and a welcome new
addition to Florida.” Changzhou Dino Coaster
Legoland California opened in 1999 and is currently the fastest growing
Zamperla’s new junior coaster will be one of several new attractions
theme park in the US. Merlin also operates a smaller indoor Legoland Discovery
opening in 2010 at Changzhou Dinosaur Park in China, and it features a
Centre near Chicago, with two more planned in Texas and New Jersey. The
unique twist: a choice of regular or sit-astride themed ride vehicles.
Florida park is expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs by the time it
Due to go into operation at the beginning of May, the coaster offers an
opens in late 2011.
exciting succession of curves, dips and
Founded in 1936 by Dick and Julie Pope, Cypress Gardens became famous
valleys during a course of over half-a-
for its botanical gardens and water-ski shows and had multiple owners,
kilometre. The total ride footprint (see
particular in recent years. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, then owner of Sea World,
right) is 67 by 67 metres, and the highest
bought the park in 1985 and Anheuser-Busch later acquired it before selling to
point is 20.5-metres.
a private partnership in 1995. The park then shut down in 2003.
Each of the ride’s trains can seat up to
In 2004 it was acquired by Georgia theme park owner Kent Buescher, who
20 riders, but it is the two-abreast
was plagued by three hurricanes and a subsequent conflict with his insurer. Land
Dilphosaurus-mounts that are expected
South Holdings acquired the
to offer the more interesting riding
property for $16.8 million at a
position. Riders as small 105cms can
bankruptcy auction in 2007, but
ride, and the maximum speed is 65km/h.
closed the ride park in late
The train are brought up the lift hill by
2008, and the rest of the park a
kicker motors. An anti roll-back system is provided by way of mechanical
year later. Merlin’s acquisition
brakes. Magnetic brakes are used at the end of ride to bring the train to a
also includes the Splash Island
stop, and the coaster requires no foundations. The ride has been developed
Waterpark and botanical
using the most advanced software programs, designed and calculated to
gardens.
meet the international safety standards.
LEFT: A taste of what guests can Also new this season at Changzhou Dinosaur Park will be a King Kong
expect in Florida
ride and Sky Tower by Huss (see Ride Guide Extra, page ??), plus an S&S
tower ride.
BELOW: The sit-astride ride vehicles in the Zamperla factory
Return of the Ducks
In addition to its various theme parks, Herschend Family Entertainment
operates Ride the Ducks sightseeing tours in 10 North American cities.
However, supplies of these World War II amphibious vehicles have
practically dried up and General
Motors, builder of the original
version, is no longer in the Duck-
building business
So when Herschend needed
new vehicles for Seattle and
Boston it turned to Chance
Morgan. The Wichita-based ride
manufacturer is now building nine
more vehicles. Quacking news,
we’re sure you’ll agree?
10
FEBRUARY 2010
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