LEGOLAND Florida's Expansion Officially Announced

LEGOLAND Florida has finally made an official announcement regarding the new land that will open this year!:

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LEGOLAND® Florida Announces Major Park Expansion Opening Summer 2013 - The World of Chima Presented by Cartoon Network

Winter Haven, Fla. (March 19, 2013) – A powerful new energy source is coming to Central Florida. Already the largest LEGOLAND® park in the world, LEGOLAND® Florida is thrilled to announce another major park expansion coming summer 2013 adding to the park’s already exciting line up of more than 50 rides, shows and attractions designed specifically for families with children ages 2 to 12. Based on the new product line, LEGO® Legends of Chima, LEGOLAND Florida will bring this fantastical world to life with The World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network. Families will embark on a journey in search of a mystical energy source through a highly-interactive water ride experience, the Quest for CHI. Guests can also try their hand at an action-packed Speedorz Arena, meet the beloved Chima characters and be transported to the Land of Chima with a new 4D movie, which are all part of the family-friendly Chima experience.

This expansion will be one of the centerpieces of the new LEGO Chima brand, which already includes a major LEGO product line, a stunningly animated television series to air on Cartoon Network and multiple interactive video games and apps. LEGOLAND Florida is the only place in the world that LEGO fans can go to unleash the power and be fully immersed in The World of Chima, providing an experience like no other.

“This is the first time a theme park has invested in a major expansion concurrently with the rollout of a new brand and product line, and it was an easy decision based on how well LEGO Legends of Chima has been received by children and those who are young at heart around the world,” said LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones. “This is also a reflection of the overall success of the park, which has already enabled us to open a new Water Park and build multiple new attractions during the past 18 months.”

LEGO Legends of Chima is the highest tested new LEGO theme in the last 12 years, and LEGO fans across the nation and around the world are embracing this new storyline of powerful tribes of animal warriors entwined in a struggle between good and evil in a mystical land.

As part of today’s announcement, LEGOLAND Florida announced that Cartoon Network is the presenting partner of The World of Chima and the Official Kids Cable Network.

“This is a great opportunity to continue the successful relationship that Cartoon Network has had with LEGO Group,” said Cartoon Network Chief Marketing Officer Brenda Piper. “We are always looking to expand the Cartoon Network brand to reach children outside the world of television and what better way to do that than by bringing the Legends of Chima to life at a theme park.”

As the presenting partner, Cartoon Network will have a major presence in the park during the summer months, and beyond. In addition, Cartoon Network will have screens placed around the park that will consist of other content from the network including the hit original series, Adventure Time.

The Legends of Chima series will focus on the highly-advanced animals that live in the magical land of Chima. The stories of those who understand the true nature of the Chi, as well as those who try to conquer it, will be told throughout the season.

The centerpiece of the new World of Chima at LEGOLAND Florida is an interactive, family-friendly water ride, The Quest for CHI. Guests will enter The World of Chima through a fantastical stone and moss covered entrance which leads to the Lion Temple at the base of the majestic 45-foot tall floating Mount Cavora. There, guests will explore a diverse landscape setting and join the Lion Tribe in an epic battle to recover the stolen CHI orbs. Guests will board a watercraft which will take them on an interactive experience using water cannons to help their hero, Laval the Lion Prince, defeat Cragger the Crocodile King as he attempts to steal the precious supply of CHI. The journey will take them through the land of Chima where they will meet some of the highly advanced animal tribal habitats, including the Rhino Quarry, Raven’s Roost, Eagle’s Nest, Wolves Encampment, Gorilla Forest and Crocodile Swamp among other imaginative settings.

The World of Chima also features a super-charged, super-fast Speedorz Arena where multiple players build their LEGO Speedorz and compete to win the precious supply of CHI by participating in group challenges and competing in a series of obstacles. A new 4D movie, the LEGO Chima 4D Movie Xperience, will further immerse families into The World of Chima by bringing the characters to life on the big screen. Kids will also get to meet their hero Laval the Lion Prince and Cragger the Crocodile King at daily character meet and greet sessions. Plus, with the largest supply of LEGO products in Central Florida, guests can find their favourite LEGO Legends of Chima sets and Speedorz.

While building and developing the World of Chima is good fun, it’s also good business. Since opening in 2011, LEGOLAND Florida has created more than 1,300 new jobs in Central Florida. LEGOLAND Florida’s new World of Chima expansion has already had a positive impact on Florida’s economy by supporting nearly 150 construction jobs, of which 85 percent are from Central Florida. In addition, approximately 50 jobs will be added to LEGOLAND Florida when The World of Chima opens this summer to support the park’s operation of the area.

For the most current information on LEGOLAND Florida and to purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

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This sounds very exciting, especially since the artist rendering of the land shows a large section of the new ride being indoors. Dark ride, anyone? Stay tuned, as we will keep you up-to-date with the progress of the expansion!

LOGO, ARTWORK, AND PHOTOS: © 2013 LEGOLAND Florida/Merlin Entertainments Group