The boys and I recently took the day off and enjoyed a field trip to Legoland® Florida!
We live almost two hours from the park, which is quite a car ride, but considering there are only 6 parks in the world (one in Malaysia! Alison, are you listening?), having one two hours away is pretty awesome. My boys love Legos®. When we learned that there would be an entire Lego® theme park opening up near us, we were super excited.
The location of the park brings back so many memories for me. When I was a little girl, we used to go the Cypress Gardens all the time. Cypress Gardens was this huge botanical garden. The park was famous for it’s amazing water ski shows and beautiful Southern Belles. You would walk around and look at all the beautiful flowers and trees. It doesn’t really sound that amazing. Walking around and looking at flowers? But, it was. It was breathtaking.
The Southern Belles, who I really thought lived in The Garden, walked around the park wearing these huge garden dresses and always looked stunning. I know now that they were really just employees of the park, much like the characters at Disney, but I remember being so in awe of those women. My grandmother used to hand make dresses for my sister and I to wear to the park, so we could be dressed up too. We really gave those Cypress Garden ladies a run for their money.
That’s me in all of my garden glory.
Now the property is home to Florida’s very own Legoland®. I won’t lie. It was a little sad to hear where the park was being built, but I was thrilled to find that they kept a huge part of the Gardens in the park. They really did a wonderful job keeping Florida’s very first commercial theme park alive. Everything I remember about Cypress Gardens is still there and a part of Legoland®.
Walking through the garden was my favorite part of the whole day. I just had to go through some old pics to share with you. Many of the pictures we took during the day were taken of me and my sister in front of the same exact places thirty plus years ago. That is beyond cool! Humor me. I promise, there’s more about Legos® coming!
Then: me 4 years old. Now: my son and his best friend, 8/9 years old.
Then: me and my sister and The Gardens. Now: Still a breathtaking view.
A Huge Banyan Tree. The picture does not do it justice.
On the left: my sister and I 30+ years ago. Right: My boys and their friend-2013.
The Garden was cool enough to keep four boys entertained. After we made our way down memory lane, my kids really wanted to…ya know, play with Legos®.
Ok, ok. Let’s go. We made our way out of The Gardens and the rest of the day was Lego®-filled and fabulous! There’s something even better than looking back at the past, and that’s building memories for the future. We enjoyed a special day with special friends, and we were so grateful for the opportunity to go.
Legos®, ya’ll. So cool!
The park is filled with more Legos® than your kids could ever imagine. Everything is geared for children. It’s not like going to an overcrowded park in the hopes your child is tall enough to ride the rides. The whole park is recommend for children ages 2-12. But, my son is 14 and he loved it too! There’s everything from roller coasters to bumper boats and EVERYTHING is made out of Legos®. You would be amazed! It’s a hands-on kind of park. There’s something to keep little hands of every age busy.
Lego® City
If there isn’t something super cool for your kids to do, there’s something super cool for them to look at! It was easy to spend the day there. The park offers plenty of spots for dining and resting. Two things that a theme park must have! The kids had a great time. We all did!
Fun, fun, fun!
Remember those Southern Belles I told you about?
Well, now they look this. Haha.
Here’s the best part. Educational programs are available and include full-day admission to the park. Self guided programs are also available.
Are you a homeschooling family? Legoland® even offers Homeschool Days! Yes, please. Turn your day of learning into something amazing for your kids! Download this educational guide and learn with Legos® while you’re at the park.
Upcoming Legoland® Homeschool Days dates and pricing:
April 15, May 13
***Only $8.00 per student!***
Group minimums do not apply on selected homeschool days.
$25 admission for each additional friend of family member.
Thanks for a great time, Legoland®!
*We were provided with complimentary passes in exchange for my help spreading the word about Homeschool Days. All opinions are 100% mine.
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Twitter: TheDoseTweets
says:
Little Adrienne in her Southern Belle finery is the cutest!! AW!!!
The fact that you could get photos from 30 years ago and basically have your boys stand in the same spot is amazing I LOVE IT. I hope you frame some of those side by side!!
What a fun day, and the park looks glorious…and they even have a LEGO Southern Belle! SO CUTE!! –Lisa
The Dose of Reality recently posted..You’re Going DOWN, Iceman!
Twitter: themommymess
says:
It was pretty cool! I got those shots by accident! When I realized I had the same photos I was freaking out! That Lego lady probably would have scared the you know what out of me when I was little.
Adrienne recently posted..Featured Blogger-From Tracie
Twitter: experbadmom
says:
I’m jealous that you grew up and now live in the same place! How cool. Love your Southern Belle picture. And Legoland looks awesome. When they build closer to Michigan, I’m there. Might I suggest they construct the first indoor Legoland conveniently located near *me*?
Twitter: themommymess
says:
It’s funny. I always wish I’d traveled around more. But, it guess it is pretty cool.
Adrienne recently posted..Featured Blogger-From Tracie
Twitter: fromtracie
says:
This is very awesome. I’ve heard good things about Legoland, and I’m so happy to see that they maintained some of the beautiful gardens and park areas from Cypress Gardens. (I love the picture of you all dressed up in your southern belle finery.)
Even more than that, I love that they have special educational things going on for homeschoolers. That rocks my face off. We definitely need to go for a visit.
Tracie recently posted..Anne of Green Gables Cover Art Take Two
Twitter: themommymess
says:
It was a great day! I got an email from them yesterday and they have some more Homeschool Days dates coming soon in the fall. I will keep you posted! Maybe we could go together!
Adrienne recently posted..Featured Blogger-From Tracie
Twitter: chasingcloud9
says:
My son would be in complete amazement if we took him there! He has been a LEGO fanatic since he was 4! Looks like a fun trip
Stacey @ Life So Lovely recently posted..Review: Gone Girl
Twitter: themommymess
says:
It was fun!
Adrienne recently posted..Featured Blogger-From Tracie
I totally agree. Legoland is amazing. We live in Massachusetts, but we were in Florida in February. We spent 1 full day at Legoland. Like you, my 2 boys are HUGE fans of Lego. If anybody has the opportunity to go don’t pass it up. It’s well worth the money. I am jealous that we don’t live near enough for the homeschool days.
Twitter: themommymess
says:
I’m so glad you got the chance to go! It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?
Adrienne recently posted..Featured Blogger-From Tracie
Ok Legoland looks awesome but have to say why did they have to tear down a beautiful garden to create it…….the garden looked so lovely…………back to Legoland I wish there was a Legoland in Aus but there isn’t which sucks……..
Jo-Anne recently posted..Working Email, a New Car and annoying Letters
Twitter: themommymess
says:
It was beautiful! But, it still is. They did a wonderful job keeping that part they did. I’m not really sure how much of the property was renovated.
Adrienne recently posted..Featured Blogger-From Tracie
Twitter: AlisonSWLee
says:
Yes! We do have a Legoland here and it’s about 4 hours drive away. I have a friend who works there, actually, how convenient is that? Because of the long drive though, we haven’t made our way there.
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun!
Alison recently posted..Motherhood Has Taken Me
Twitter: themommymess
says:
Four hours is a long haul. It will be worth it when the little one can really enjoy it too. And yes! How convenient that you have a friend there!
Adrienne recently posted..Featured Blogger-From Tracie
Twitter: shanMKwalker
says:
Wow, what a cute little Southern Belle! LOVE it!
Blessings,
Shan
The How to Guru
Shan recently posted..My Six-Week Eating Fresh Challenge~Results so far
Twitter: TheMomCafe
says:
OH that picture is so ADORABLE!!! You are so so lucky to live so near to it all! I hope we can venture there someday…
Chris Carter recently posted..“When Life Gives You Lemons…”
I am so excited to hear about homeschool days!!! We will definitely make plans for next year to get down there from ATL. Loved your photos from the past! How nice to know they’ve kept some of the original park’s beauty within it’s new theme.
Twitter: ateachablemom
says:
I loved Legoland and we had to fly to CA to get to one! So fun! I’m so happy to hear you had this exciting opportunity and enjoyed your trip. Your photos – old and new – are fantastic, Adrienne!
Mary @ A Teachable Mom recently posted..Guess Who’s Having a One-Year Blog Anniversary?
I know your children have to think you are the coolest mom ever! While everyone else gets to sit in school and learn from a seat with a teacher and a book, your children get their mom, no uniforms, and an awesome educational day at Legoland! I love how you also did a cool “history” with the pictures from the past. Very neat!!!
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