Merlin Entertainment will announce Thursday that the company plans to open a Legoland amusement park at the old Cypress Gardens site, an e-mail sent to a county commissioner reveals.
The e-mail was sent Tuesday to Commissioner Randy Wilkinson and appears to have been sent to VIPs expected to attend Thursday’s press conference about the project. It was from Mark Jackson, director of tourism and sports marketing for Central Florida Tourism & Sports Marketing.
The Ledger reported last week that Merlin had bought the Cypress Gardens property in Winter Haven. E-mail sent to public officials in Florida are considered public record. The company had declined to say what it would do with the property, saying that would be announced Thursday.
Here are some details listed in the e-mail:
“Helpful Facts: Confidential until Thursday.
1. LEGOLAND Florida will be the fifth LEGOLAND attraction worldwide (CA, Denmark , England , and Germany ).
2. Merlin is the second largest attraction company in the world, second only behind Disney.
3. Merlin’s massive research in the area already indicated that; the LEGOLAND brand already has high recognition and a 90% intention to visit by families in their target market.
4. LEGOLAND, CA, is the fastest growing theme park in the U.S., realizing an astounding 6% growth in 2009. The park was also recognized by Amusement Today as the country’s best theme park for children for the sixth consecutive year.
5. Check out Merlin’s website (www.merlinentertainments.biz.) for a broad overview of their operations.”
Wed, Jan 20, 2010
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