Yet more proof you really don't read what other people have to say. Sad, really....
And the first game doesn't start until 3:00......
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The "Legoland" Effect
- Thread starter steve2wdw
- Start date
Yet more proof you really don't read what other people have to say. Sad, really....
And the first game doesn't start until 3:00......
jt04
Well-Known Member
Laura
22
Actually it is year-round...it's just not open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the off-season.
As far as it being the fastest growing park, that may be true (I have no idea), but it still has NOTHING on Disney. I go to Legoland every couple weeks, and even when attendance is at it's peak it doesn't come close to Disneyland's attendance on the deadest of days.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
A boulder cast into the Atlantic Ocean.
Gatorboy
Well-Known Member
The Tampa area will not have a shorter drive to legoland. I live in the Tampa Bay area and have all my life. It takes about an hour either place you go if you use I-4 & I-75 as a starting point. There is no direct route to Legoland. You still have to go I-4 over to US 27 then south. Beleive me unless you travel alot of back roads that is the only way. That said, I think Legoland will be more popular than anything at Cypress Gardens before it. The only thing I see drawing significant crowds from WDW is a major boom in onsite rooms at Legoland or direct bus service from Orlando area hotels.
EpcotServo
Well-Known Member
Oy vey, my speculating Tolerance has been pushed around too it's limits around this site lately...
:brick: :lol:
:brick: :lol:
trr1
Well-Known Member
how far is this from WDW?
http://www.cypressgardens.com/p/park_map.pdf
also they have a water park but no rides
http://www.cypressgardens.com/p/park_map.pdf
also they have a water park but no rides
roadtripper
Member
For actual facts about Blackstone and Legoland go to the General Disc. section thread, with newspaper article links. BTW, Blackstone does not own Lego, only 70% of the theme parks. So Lego can do whatever they want with the stores.
RSoxNo1
Well-Known Member
I wrote a 3 part blog post on the competition that's brewing in Central Florida.
Theme Park Wars (Part 1)
Theme Park Wars (Part 2)
Theme Park Wars (Part 3)
I'm really optimistic about the Harry Potter expansion, and like many people on here, I'm hoping it's a major game changer. This presents an opportunity for competition that hasn't happened since Islands of Adventure first opened. If Harry Potter succeeds in drawing attendance away from Disney World, we should have an amazing decade to look forward to. Legoland adds to this as Blackstone/Universal could have just as easily stood pat with the Harry Potter expansion, but they need to keep striking at Disney until something finally breaks. Hopefully Harry Potter starts to shift that balance of power, and now that Legoland has been announced it will further shift that balance of power.
Theme Park Wars (Part 1)
Theme Park Wars (Part 2)
Theme Park Wars (Part 3)
I'm really optimistic about the Harry Potter expansion, and like many people on here, I'm hoping it's a major game changer. This presents an opportunity for competition that hasn't happened since Islands of Adventure first opened. If Harry Potter succeeds in drawing attendance away from Disney World, we should have an amazing decade to look forward to. Legoland adds to this as Blackstone/Universal could have just as easily stood pat with the Harry Potter expansion, but they need to keep striking at Disney until something finally breaks. Hopefully Harry Potter starts to shift that balance of power, and now that Legoland has been announced it will further shift that balance of power.
disnyfan89
Well-Known Member
Clearly doing research is out the window nowadays.
In their press statement Merlin entertainment said they plan on building the WORLDS LARGEST Legoland. They also plan to separate the current Water Park in cypress Gardens to a separate ticket gate. This is not surprising as Legoland in California just announced they are building their first ever water park and where looking to expand their new brand in several locations. So when Legoland opens it will already be the worlds largest and have a waterpark to go along with it. Plus it's rumored they are keeping the Ski show which Cypress Gardens is known for and preserving the botanical gardens. So now we have the worlds largest legoland with it's own water park and a history to build off of. Not to mention it is being based off a bran that has world wide recognition. Merlin also announced they were looking at building a hotel onto the property.
So we have a family brand that is recognized world wide with it's own unique history plus the ability to build off the history of Cypress Gardens and their beautiful botanical gardens all while being able to offer two new experiences to individuals vacationing in Florida. Not to mention they plan to out do their previous efforts by making it larger than any of their other parks and will eventually have their own hotel. Sounds oddly familiar- Disney with their recognizable brand bringing their largest project to date to Florida to attract tourist in a different region of the United States all while building in the middle of nowhere central Florida. (Obviously its hard to do a direct comparison but you get the idea.) Merlin Ent also conducted a study showing that 90% of families visiting in 2011 would be interested or would commit to visit legoland Florida.
What interesting to me and I can't believe no one has brought up is that lego appeals mostly to Boys ages 3-12. The Magic Kingdom recently has placed a large focus on building their Princess and Pixi brand which appeals mostly to Girls ages 3-12.
In terms of the previous owners of cypress gardens they where owners on a level lower than your local six flags park. Merlin Ent on the other hand is the worlds largest growing amusement company second only to The Walt Disney Co. Chances of Merlin not succeeding in this venture will be slim since they will know how to properly build, maintain and ADVERTISE their new park. Something the previous owners severely lacked.
Sea world currently offers a shuttle from their park to Busch Gardens. With their new ownership it makes sense to include Legoland into the mix cause it on the way to Tampa. Add in transportation to Universal Orlando and suddenly getting to and from any of the Blackstone/Merlin parks is easy and stress free.
Legoland SHOULD have an effect on Disney. When Universal announced their opening Disney was quick to jump on the bandwagon to offer a movie park as well. It is also not hard to see Animal Kingdom is trying to capture the audience that would visit Busch Gardens and Sea World with it's mix of Live Animal experiences and thrilling attractions. With HP and now a whole new park and brand opening in Florida I will be shocked if Disney sits around and waits to see what happens to their bottom line.
In their press statement Merlin entertainment said they plan on building the WORLDS LARGEST Legoland. They also plan to separate the current Water Park in cypress Gardens to a separate ticket gate. This is not surprising as Legoland in California just announced they are building their first ever water park and where looking to expand their new brand in several locations. So when Legoland opens it will already be the worlds largest and have a waterpark to go along with it. Plus it's rumored they are keeping the Ski show which Cypress Gardens is known for and preserving the botanical gardens. So now we have the worlds largest legoland with it's own water park and a history to build off of. Not to mention it is being based off a bran that has world wide recognition. Merlin also announced they were looking at building a hotel onto the property.
So we have a family brand that is recognized world wide with it's own unique history plus the ability to build off the history of Cypress Gardens and their beautiful botanical gardens all while being able to offer two new experiences to individuals vacationing in Florida. Not to mention they plan to out do their previous efforts by making it larger than any of their other parks and will eventually have their own hotel. Sounds oddly familiar- Disney with their recognizable brand bringing their largest project to date to Florida to attract tourist in a different region of the United States all while building in the middle of nowhere central Florida. (Obviously its hard to do a direct comparison but you get the idea.) Merlin Ent also conducted a study showing that 90% of families visiting in 2011 would be interested or would commit to visit legoland Florida.
What interesting to me and I can't believe no one has brought up is that lego appeals mostly to Boys ages 3-12. The Magic Kingdom recently has placed a large focus on building their Princess and Pixi brand which appeals mostly to Girls ages 3-12.
In terms of the previous owners of cypress gardens they where owners on a level lower than your local six flags park. Merlin Ent on the other hand is the worlds largest growing amusement company second only to The Walt Disney Co. Chances of Merlin not succeeding in this venture will be slim since they will know how to properly build, maintain and ADVERTISE their new park. Something the previous owners severely lacked.
Sea world currently offers a shuttle from their park to Busch Gardens. With their new ownership it makes sense to include Legoland into the mix cause it on the way to Tampa. Add in transportation to Universal Orlando and suddenly getting to and from any of the Blackstone/Merlin parks is easy and stress free.
Legoland SHOULD have an effect on Disney. When Universal announced their opening Disney was quick to jump on the bandwagon to offer a movie park as well. It is also not hard to see Animal Kingdom is trying to capture the audience that would visit Busch Gardens and Sea World with it's mix of Live Animal experiences and thrilling attractions. With HP and now a whole new park and brand opening in Florida I will be shocked if Disney sits around and waits to see what happens to their bottom line.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Research is fine, however I prefer heuristic knowlege and logical thought.
How many buses running from I-Drive would actually be required to make a noticeable impact on numbers, and what would be their operating costs.
As stated Legoland is focussed on young kids, so how does that fit with the thrill park accusation levelled at the other parks that would be on the ticket. If you are on a budget would you really go for option B when you had Disney the self appointed guardian of pixy dust available on a more centralised site? :shrug: If it were located on I-drive area I may agree that it could hurt Disney.
To be honest how many people actually make the effort to go to Busch gardens, which despite having some great rides doesnt look as well kept as its Orlando sister.
How many buses running from I-Drive would actually be required to make a noticeable impact on numbers, and what would be their operating costs.
As stated Legoland is focussed on young kids, so how does that fit with the thrill park accusation levelled at the other parks that would be on the ticket. If you are on a budget would you really go for option B when you had Disney the self appointed guardian of pixy dust available on a more centralised site? :shrug: If it were located on I-drive area I may agree that it could hurt Disney.
To be honest how many people actually make the effort to go to Busch gardens, which despite having some great rides doesnt look as well kept as its Orlando sister.
disnyfan89
Well-Known Member
On its own legoland may not be much of a threat but if it is added to flex ticket it fills in a missing demographic. Universal and IOA definitely appeal to the tween and up market. Sea World and Busch Gardens are great all around parks for the whole family. Legoland will also appeal to families but will have more to offer to the younger crowd. Suddenly all these parks can offer the same demographics as Disney.
Legoland appeals to the young families much like Magic Kingdom. Universal and IOA appeal as the movie and thrill park much like DHS with Disney's top thrill rides. Sea World is the quite relaxing parking like Epcot and Animal Kingdom offers the same thrill and animal encounters as Busch Gardens while still appealing to the younger demographic.
Legoland is a piece of the puzzle. We just don't know how big that piece will be. If planned and Marketed right anything can happen.
roadtripper
Member
I think Disney's dining plan figures big into this. Uni's plan sucks in comparison, so does Disneyland for that matter. If people want the convenience of dining at Disney they will have to stay on site, making the hour long travel to Legoland that much less of an option as I don't see Dis ever offering bus service down there.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Marketing wont change the location, which is what will make or break this venture. Unlike many on this site I do go to all the parks, but Busch is not something Id do everytrip, so I just cant imagine too many families being enticed down the road twice on a trip to visit both Busch and Legoland. So if it becomes a case of one or the other surely that would mean that they are only dispersing visitors from one location to the other.
If money were being spent by SeaWorld or Uni im significant volumes I may be more inclined to believe that there would be a reaction from the rodent. However I feel local management have much to much contempt for their customers to believe they need to up their game. Sadly.
disnyfan89
Well-Known Member
The dinning plan is a great incentive to stay on Disney property and certainly does it's job well. However, food alone is not enough to draw people in as pointed out in the whats new in 2010 thread. If the general population had to base their vacation decision off of seeing the same old thing while getting a great deal on food or an entire new park I would be willing to bet they would take the new park.
I agree with you there. I don't think Disney is going to act right away or if at all. Do I think they should? Yes.
Laura
22
Exactly my thoughts.
Someone may take one day out of their Disney vacation to hit up Legoland, but it just means they will be skipping Sea World this time around because of it. Most people who vacation to Southern California are going to check out everything from Los Angeles to San Diego with a rental car, and they'll just happen to be driving right past Legoland on their route. The Legoland in Florida isn't going to be "on the way" to anything. I imagine a lot of families will want to go check it out once "just to see" and then just go back to strictly Disney in subsequent years. I'm thinking most of it's revenue is going to need to come from locals.
Studios Fan
Active Member
It will be interesting to see if Disney does make a pre-emptive strike like they have in the past. The Monster's Inc. coaster would be a quick and relatively cheap way of getting attention.
roadtripper
Member
I think you're more likely to see discounts continue than new rides. FL is costing too much. They will need to fill the parks and IMO "free dining" will be the draw again. Whether you like the plan or not, it brings people in.
I'm thinking that Dis is not too worried about Legoland. They're gonna take a wait and see approach. They know how #'s were affected when Cypress Gardens was open and when it closed. They'll base decisions on those, but I don't think they're scared by Legoland, it's too far away.
I'm thinking that Dis is not too worried about Legoland. They're gonna take a wait and see approach. They know how #'s were affected when Cypress Gardens was open and when it closed. They'll base decisions on those, but I don't think they're scared by Legoland, it's too far away.
DVCOwner
A Long Time DVC Member
One problem I see is that Disney now has to have something to release at D23 each year. If they make news releases about upcoming rides and attactions thoughtout the year D23 annual meeting will not continue to grow. I guess the guestion all this year is what is Disney going to tell us at the D23 grathering.