On October 15^th, 2011 Florida added its newest addition to its collection of theme parks with Legoland Florida. The 150-acre park is located in Winter Haven along the shores of Lake Eloise in the place of what was originally Cypress Gardens. The full two-day interactive theme park is the largest Legoland park in the world. Other park locations include California, Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The Florida park features more than 50 rides, shows, attractions, restaurants, and shopping. It also includes a botanical garden and water park. Inside the park there are ten easy-to-navigate and highly-themed zones like the Imagination Zone and Lego City. Adult admission is $75 and a day pass for kids is $65. While the target age for attendance is children 2-12, on average the range of ages usually falls between 6 and 12. Legoland may be a child’s paradise but for older park-goers it isn’t all that appealing.

Although their financial and attendance records aren’t public, their annual attendance has decreased since the opening in 2011. Even though the park has popular attractions like roller coasters it isn’t as intriguing to an older crowd. Most of the rides there don’t cause the release of a high level of adrenaline unlike the rides you may find at theme parks like Busch Gardens. Most of the rides are designed to fit small children, sometimes with the accompaniment of an adult. However, occasionally some adults can’t even fit on the ride.

“I simply don’t fit in the rides,” English teacher Arthur Roberts said.

With the lack of a thrilling atmosphere and a strict riding standard, Legoland isn’t the first choice for most teens and adults when it comes to attending theme parks. While Legoland has proven to be kid-friendly it doesn’t seem to have that much to offer for an older group. Parks like Magic Kingdom have attractions such as Space Mountain that entertain older people but also have rides like The Little Mermaid aimed at younger people. Other parks like Busch Gardens and Universal also have the same appeal. They have the attractions that suit people no matter what age. With more than half of the world being made up of teens and adults Legoland is easily not a first choice for most vacationers.

“If I had to choose between Legoland and Disney I would choose Disney. They have so much more things to offer for teens like me,” sophomore Ally Walchak said.

Without older appeal attendance has proved to drop since the opening. Most of Legoland’s marketing goes out to kids. Their bright colors and figurines draw the attention of a child rather than someone who is older. Advertisements heard on the radio or pictures in magazines revolve strictly around how the park would be a perfect place for children to play and have fun. If they do not try to attempt to stretch their current goal as far as park-goers, attendance is not likely to improve. The park doesn’t even suit many of Florida’s own residents.

“I would go to Legoland if I didn’t feel like I would be surrounded by thousands little kids,” sophomore Grace Ishak said.

Despite the decreasing numbers the park has decided to add a new Legoland hotel that will feature over 100 rooms and a nice Lego theme. This is in hopes of attracting more people to the park. Recently a Lego movie came out in theaters featuring big stars like Will Ferrell. With famous celebrities and adult humor mixed in, there are hopes for greater park attraction. However, even with these efforts nothing is guaranteed to increase park attendees. Legoland might just wind up being a park whose light faded out.