The "Legoland" Effect

[wm49rs]

I don't understand how you come by this when the same thing happens in DL. Lego Store exists there, in Disney, and there is a Legoland relatively close.

In this case, the Legoland is going to be farther away. :shrug:

Precisely. Some family flying in from out of state probably isn't going to feel a enormous desire to drive 45 minutes SW to hit Legoland. Not with WDW and Universal right there in town. And if they're without transportation, then it makes more sense to simply hit the Lego store at DTD than trying to arrange travel out to Winter Haven. And I'm sorry, but I don't think there's going to be a huge rush by the hotel/motel industry to start offering shuttles out there either.

 

[jt04]

You have a good point, but what I am saying is that the location of the park does not support a large quanity of guest flow and people are not likely to leave the mouse or Uni to experience a Legoland that is not easy to get too. Its location in Winter Haven is not that easily accessible and there are not many hotels in the area for those who want to stay overnight.

My hopes are that it will be popular enough with the local community to influence needed growth, but its location between superior parks in Tampa and Orlando is not helpful nor competitive. Cypress Gardens before Legoland went through many changes over the years and nothing has worked. Legoland may be different as it should be superior to Cypress Gardens offerings, but it is not likely to be a threat enough to the mouse for Disney to initiate major upgrades throughout its parks.

I disagree, especially where locals are concerned. And anyone with young children from the Tampa area will have a shorter drive to Legoland than the MK. Keep that in mind. I just wish I had purchased some real estate in the Cypress Gardens area about a year ago. I smell a boom.

 

[overdrive]

So how many times has Cypress Gardens been bought and sold, opened and closed over the years (especially recently). The track record of Cypress Gardens really plays out like the local pizza shop that gets bought and sold every year. Everyone thinks they can make it work because their pizza is the best, only to waste a bunch of their money on a business that just won't work in that location. Good luck to the new owners and to Legoland they will need it for sure.

I doubt TDO changes anything because of this development. I hope I am totally wrong because some big time change is needed.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Even more awkward: LEGO has picked up the Disney license, and is making Toy Story and Prince of Persia sets. :lookaroun

Not awkward, smart.

Remember DL and WDW have entirely different business models. WDW is set up to keep people on property. Anything that threatens that is a problem.

But, maybe Disney will make an exception. We'll see. I'd be suprised that's all.

But when it comes down to it, it's all competition. I think that this neutralizes them, in a way.

 

[jt04]

Precisely. Some family flying in from out of state probably isn't going to feel a enormous desire to drive 45 minutes SW to hit Legoland. Not with WDW and Universal right there in town. And if they're without transportation, then it makes more sense to simply hit the Lego store at DTD than trying to arrange travel out to Winter Haven. And I'm sorry, but I don't think there's going to be a huge rush by the hotel/motel industry to start offering shuttles out there either.

Flex Pass, Flex Pass, Flex Pass. Legoland is between Universal and Busch Gardens. Enough said. It's easy to figure out the rest.

 

[roadtripper]

I think that Blackstone bought this more as an investment oppurtunity that they will look to sell off once it's established and before it really has the chance to start losing money. They know the track record of Cypress Gardens. It would be real difficult to completely turn that around when you're an hour from everything else.

 

[Oddysey]

Precisely. Some family flying in from out of state probably isn't going to feel a enormous desire to drive 45 minutes SW to hit Legoland. Not with WDW and Universal right there in town. And if they're without transportation, then it makes more sense to simply hit the Lego store at DTD than trying to arrange travel out to Winter Haven. And I'm sorry, but I don't think there's going to be a huge rush by the hotel/motel industry to start offering shuttles out there either.

Agreed, I dont even think their are people willing to invest in the necessary infrastructure such as hotels, transportation, etc to allow the park to be more accessible. At least not at this point in time with the current economic climate. The property in itself has a stigma of failure in recent years, and their are not many investors that are willing to take a risk on Legoland providing an anchor of growth for the area. There is going to be a watch and see approach in the Winter Haven area. imho

 

[wm49rs]

Flex Pass, Flex Pass, Flex Pass. Legoland is between Universal and Busch Gardens. Enough said. It's easy to figure out the rest.

And just how does Flex Pass cover the cost of a taxi from the Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee/Orlando area down to Winter Haven? This possible (because let's face it, no official word about a Legoland being built has been announced) new park may be a boon for the locals, but a family of 5 coming in from Minnesota for a week probably won't be so inclined to pay for not only transportation but the cost of admission either.

 

[SirGoofy]

I think the factor that people fail to realize is that Legoland could be added to a new "Flex Pass" that already includes US, IoA, SW, and BGT.

5 parks vs Disney's 4? Sounds like competition to me.

 

[SirGoofy]

And just how does Flex Pass cover the cost of a taxi from the Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee/Orlando area down to Winter Haven? This possible (because let's face it, no official word about a Legoland being built has been announced) new park may be a boon for the locals, but a family of 5 coming in from Minnesota for a week probably won't be so inclined to pay for not only transportation but the cost of admission either.

First of all, Legoland HAS officially been announced.

Second of all, it is rumored that transportation may be added to Flex Pass in the near future.

 

[wm49rs]

I think the factor that people fail to realize is that Legoland could be added to a new "Flex Pass" that already includes US, IoA, SW, and BGT.

5 parks vs Disney's 4? Sounds like competition to me.

No, I completely understand where you're coming from. But none of those five parks has the extensive lodging and/or transportation infastructure that WDW has.

 

[Oddysey]

I disagree, especially where locals are concerned. And anyone with young children from the Tampa area will have a shorter drive to Legoland than the MK. Keep that in mind. I just wish I had purchased some real estate in the Cypress Gardens area about a year ago. I smell a boom.

Remember that Tampa has its own entertainment offerings and some that are superior to Legoland such as Busch Gardens. As far as a boom coming I hope you are right because my business and wallet could use a boom.

 

[SirGoofy]

No, I completely understand where you're coming from. But none of those five parks has the extensive lodging and/or transportation infastructure that WDW has.

Read my last post.

That infrastructure may be on its way.

 

[wm49rs]

First of all, Legoland HAS officially been announced.

Second of all, it is rumored that transportation may be added to Flex Pass in the near future.

My mistake, I missed it. I simply thought the parent company had bought Cyprus Gardens...

 

[jt04]

Remember that Tampa has its own entertainment offerings and some that are superior to Legoland such as Busch Gardens. As far as a boom coming I hope you are right because my business and wallet could use a boom.

They are not necessarily "superior" to the 12 and under crowd. And it won't be long before Winter Haven is essentially a suburb of Tampa....AND Orlando! :sohappy:

 

[wm49rs]

Read my last post.

That infrastructure may be on its way.

WDW has what, 20 resort hotels? That's not going to be matched by the other group, not for quite some time in this economy....

 

[jt04]

And just how does Flex Pass cover the cost of a taxi from the Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee/Orlando area down to Winter Haven? This possible (because let's face it, no official word about a Legoland being built has been announced) new park may be a boon for the locals, but a family of 5 coming in from Minnesota for a week probably won't be so inclined to pay for not only transportation but the cost of admission either.

Rental cars are cheap and easy to get in Orlando. Add GPS and poof, your Florida adventure begins. Magical.

PS- What rock are you living under that you didn't see the Legoland announcement?

 

[SirGoofy]

WDW has what, 20 resort hotels? That's not going to be matched by the other group, not for quite some time in this economy....

Doesn't matter. Uni already has some of the nicest(and economical!) hotels with more on the way, I believe. Partner up with some of the other nicer hotels in the area,and you've got all you need.

 

[wm49rs]

Rental cars are cheap and easy to get in Orlando. Add GPS and poof, your Florida adventure begins. Magical.

Pretty free about spending someone else's money, aren't you?

Sorry, but if someone is already spending thousands on a WDW vacation, using ME and staying on the grounds with the DDP, they're not going to take time out to spend even more on a rental car and admission for a Lego park 45 minutes away. Especially if their kids are above the age of 8. He!!, my son is 6 and he's already outgrown the Lego phase....

 

[SirGoofy]

Pretty free about spending someone else's money, aren't you?

Sorry, but if someone is already spending thousands on a WDW vacation, using ME and staying on the grounds with the DDP, they're not going to take time out to spend even more on a rental car and admission for a Lego park 45 minutes away. Especially if their kids are above the age of 8. He!!, my son is 6 and he's already outgrown the Lego phase....

Uhhhh...seriously?

Most of the kids I know(including my friends and I back in the day) didn't "out grow" legos until way past 8. Hell, I STILL buy an interesting leggo set when I see one.