Travel Reviews

Legoland Florida Celebrates Christmas

By Brian Searl, Insider Perks

For the first time ever, less than 2 months after opening to the public, Legoland Florida is getting ready for its first holiday celebration entitled 'Christmas Bricktacular'. For those who are fans of the colorful blocks that helped us be creative when we were kids this is welcome news and with such an avid worldwide fan base, there is little room to disappoint.


While many who call Central Florida home may view LegoLand Florida's holiday events as yet another pitch to the tourism crowd in an already overcrowded market, this newly minted theme park is trying to change that perception and offer a few things that nobody else does.


Before we go into everything though, please, temper your expectations. Walt Disney World has over 40 years under its collective belt filled with childhood memories of extravagant Christmas parades, fireworks and Mickey Mouse meet and greets. While we weren't there for the first year of holiday events that Walt Disney World put on in 1971, we feel safe in assuming that it wasn't even close to as good as their events are today. In other words, Legoland Florida will likely get bigger and better every single year so don't go expecting a Disney-like experience just yet.


That's not to say that there isn't quite a bit to do here already though. We attended the first official tree lighting in the park on Dec. 5th as they kicked off the holidays in Winter Haven. With the flip of a Lego switch, confetti streamers and a little Florida snow the tree sparkled and shimmered in the backdrop of a quickly fading Florida sun.


USA Olympic Medalist David Oliver was there to throw the switch as well as Legoland Florida General Manager Adrian Jones who both cheerfully welcomed Santa Claus as a surprise addition to the delight of many children who had gathered around the base of the tree.


Made out of 270,000 forest green LEGO and DUPLO bricks, the tree is over 30 feet tall and towers over guests who stroll by on their way to the parks other attractions. It looms even larger in a park that markets itself to guests younger than twelve. Even more amazing is the fact that it was assembled in the Czech Republic and brought here afterwards.


Legoland Florida is calling their holiday event 'Christmas Bricktacular' and it will feature daily appearances by Santa Claus. Decorations throughout certain areas of the park will include carefully placed lego elves, nutcrackers, reindeer and even Santa himself within the displays of Miniland USA along with chances for children to help build another LEGO tree and a special event on New Year's Eve that will give kids a chance to celebrate the New Year at midnight KST (Kid Standard Time) or 7pm EST.


Regardless of whether you call Central Florida home or if you are just visiting for the holidays, Legoland Florida is definitely worth a look. After all, everyone has a Christmas tree but how many have one made on the other side of the world out of hundreds of thousands of colorful bricks? Bricks that have delighted children for years and will continue to do so throughout the holiday season.


© 2013. Insider Perks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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