LEGOLAND Florida to replace Cypress Gardens

Merlin Entertainments Group has confirmed that it has taken ownership of Cypress Gardens and that the park will be transformed into LEGOLAND Florida by late 2011.

The buyout includes Cypress Gardens, the Splash Island water park as well as an operating lease on the historical botanical gardens.

LEGOLAND Florida, which will be the group's biggest LEGOLAND ever built, is to include more than 50 rides, shows and attractions.

"LEGOLAND Florida will be one of the most exciting and important projects Merlin has ever developed", Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainments Nick Varney said.

"We have been looking for the right site there for some time and in Winter Haven we plan to create one of the best and certainly most beautiful, theme parks in the world", Mr Varney added.

While the design of the park will mimic the successful concept of the group's four other LEGOLAND parks, the stunning location will provide guests with a unique "twist", along with some Florida flavour added.

The park is also likely to boast a resort and a range of branded attractions from the Merlin portfolio.

More than 1,000 new jobs will be created during the transformation, as well as providing a much-needed boost for the local economy.

LEGOLAND Florida is due to open by the end of 2011.

Photo: LEGOLAND Windsor