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Just sending out a shout out to any fans of LEGO that might be out there in the
Florida South Miami area.
my website is: http://www.jjsierra.com
Curious to know if I’m not alone.
Build On -
J.J. Sierra
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LEGOLAND Construction Right on Track
By GARY WHITE
THE LEDGER
Officials say the Winter Haven attraction is set to open in 99 days
WINTER HAVEN - The countdown toward the opening of LEGOLNAD® Florida has passed
the 100-day mark.
As of today, just 99 days remain until the attraction’s scheduled first day,
Oct. 15, at the former Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven.
Construction is on track, and hiring is in high gear, LEGOLAND Florida
spokeswoman Jackie Wallace said Thursday.
“We have construction workers hard at work six days a week,” she said. “Every
single day the park looks completely different. Sidewalks are being poured;
pavers are being put down. It’s an incredible process.”
Wallace said construction is proceeding in all 10 zones of the park. She said
several rides have been fully installed and are now being tested.
Among the rides now in place at the 150-acre property are The Royal Joust, the
LEGO Technic Test Track Coaster and the Aquazone Wave Racer. Wallace said tracks
are in place for several roller coasters, though the cars have not yet been
installed.
About 500 construction contractors work at the LEGOLAND site on a typical day,
Wallace said.
In addition, new elements of the park’s showcase, Miniland USA, are arriving
each week, Wallace said. Miniland USA will feature miniature replicas of famous
buildings and monuments made from millions of Lego bricks. Wallace said much of
the New York City section is now in place.
The park has been overwhelmed with applicants for its front-line jobs, Wallace
said. LEGOLAND Florida began posting openings for “Model Citizens” on June 1,
and Wallace said more than 6,000 people have applied since then.
She said LEGOLAND has so far hired 245 of the approximately 800 front-line
workers it plans to add before the opening date. Wallace said new hires will
begin training and orientation in mid-August.
LEGOLAND Florida announced Wednesday on its Facebook page that it will offer
preview dates for annual pass holders before the grand opening. Wallace said
details will come later.
The Facebook announcement also said a free child ticket will be offered for the
opening weekend with the purchase of an adult single-day ticket. Quantities of
those tickets are limited.
LEGOLAND Florida has generated excitement, but so far that hasn’t yet translated
into many reservations, according to one local hotel manager.
Bob Rogers, manager of the Winter Haven Days Inn, said his staff is fielding
many inquiries about LEGOLAND. He said guests have plucked up more than 200
LEGOLAND brochures from the hotel’s lobby, yet so far few people have made
reservations for the period around Oct. 15.
Days Inn, a partner in LEGOLAND Bed & Brick Preferred Hotel campaign, has a link
on the park’s website. Rogers said the link has produced about 50 hits.
“We at the hotel are expecting in August we’re going to see reservations start
coming in,” Rogers said.
Mark Jackson, director of Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing, said the
agency is gearing up for increased marketing of LEGOLAND. One example, he said,
is the agency will soon promote LEGOLAND on billboards along interstates in
Florida.
Jackson said his agency is also coordinating with LEGOLAND to bring
international travel writers in to tour the park. He said his organization, in
conjunction with the University of South Florida Polytechnic, has lined up a
First LEGO League robotics competition to be held next May at LEGOLAND.
TheLedger.com
-end of report-
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LEGOLAND® Florida Announces Opening Date
World’s Largest LEGOLAND Park Will Debut Saturday, October 15, 2011
May 23, 2011 (Business Wire) — To the delight of youngsters everywhere,
LEGOLAND® Florida today revealed its official opening date: Saturday, October
15, 2011.
Inspired by America’s love affair with all things LEGO®, the new 150-acre theme
park will cater to kids ages 2 to 12 with more than 50 “pink-knuckle” rides –
from roller coasters to race cars – as well as family focused shows and
attractions.
Park officials disclosed the date, a closely guarded secret since the park broke
ground last year, to help families already planning vacations in the fall.
“I’d estimate 80 percent of the inquiries we’ve received have been about our
opening date,” said LEGOLAND Florida sales manager Todd Andrus. “Guests are all
but begging to know the date, so they can book their flights and accommodations,
and purchase admission tickets.” The park also unveiled a new online
reservations program to make the vacation booking experience even easier.
Travelers can now book tickets, accommodations, airlines and rental cars through
the LEGOLAND Florida website.
“Planning a family vacation can be daunting, especially for families with very
young children,” said Andrus, a father and frequent traveler. “Packing alone is
enough to overwhelm even the most organized parents. That’s why we designed our
online system to be both user-friendly and convenient, allowing parents to book
the essentials and then print out everything they’ll need right at home.”
The other key benefit of the program, Andrus explained, is that it features 13
preferred hotels in Central Florida that are officially endorsed by the park.
Part of the “Bed & Brick” program, the hotels are all family friendly and
collectively provide a range of price points and assets to accommodate different
styles and budgets. Each of the hotels in the program will offer special rates
and ticket/room packages.
For more information:
www.LEGOLAND.com
Facebook.com/LEGOLANDFlorida
Twitter @LEGOLANDFlorida
LEGOLAND® Florida opens October 15, 2011 and will be a 150-acre interactive
theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12.
Located midway between Orlando and Tampa, just 45 minutes from either city
center, the park features more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. There are
currently four other LEGOLAND Parks in the world – LEGOLAND California in
Carlsbad, LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Deutschland near Günzburg,
Germany and LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a
part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in
the world. For the most current information, log on to
www.LEGOLANDFloridaResort.com.
MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family
entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any
company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the
world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates over 74
attractions, six hotels/two holiday villages in 17 countries and across four
continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to
its 43.6 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands,
and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 15,000 employees.
Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame
Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND
Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington
World of Adventures Resort, Heide Park, Earth Explorer, Sydney Aquarium, Sydney
Wildlife World, Sydney Tower Observatory and Skywalk, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic
Encounter Underwater World, Oceanworld Manly and Hamilton Island Koala Gallery.
All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have
great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for
more information.
Source:
Gamutnews
-end of report-
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Would anyone be interested in having a small get-together at the Lego
Imagination Center in Downtown Disney to trade minifigures?
Reading those bumps on the packages is really tough. I wasn't able to get a
complete set of Series 3, but I ended up with a few duplicates. I'm not even
going to bother trying to read the bumps for Series 4.
A trading get-together would be fun. :-) Besides, the newly-renovated store is
beautiful, and has some truly amazing new Lego statues.
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Robin Werner
MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA - The Greater Florida LEGO Users Group and Train Club
(GFLUG/GFLTC) is proud to announce its participation in the RealRail’s Orange
Blossom Special Train Show this February 27-28, 2010 at the Manatee Civic
Center.
The GFLUG/GFLTC all LEGO Gauge train layout will feature the Downtown Tampa
Scene with skyscrapers. There will be multiple loops of running LEGO Trains and
even more trains on display in the railroad yard. Also, don’t miss the Kids
Build and Play area where you can build with thousands of LEGO Bricks!
Show details:
http://realrail.org/Shows.asp
RealRail’s Orange Blossom Special Train Show
Manatee County Convention and Civic Center
1 Haben Blvd, Palmetto, Florida
Saturday, February 27, 2010 - 10am till 4pm
Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 10am till 3pm
Admission: Adults, $7.00, kids FREE.
Directions from Tampa and St. Petersburg:
Take 275 south over the Sunshine Skyway bridge. After the Skyway, take US 19
South. 19 will end and merge with US 41. Just after this point, US 41 will
split into US 41 & Business 41. Stay left on US 41 (towards Bradenton). You
will go up and down 2 times (2 overpasses) and through 2 traffic lights. After
that, when you come to the 3rd light, the Manatee Civic Center is on the left at
the 3rd light (Haben Blvd).
--
Robin Werner
Co-Founder, GFLUG/GFLTC
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Robin Werner
TAMPA, FLORIDA - The Greater Florida LEGO Users Group (GFLUG) is proud to
announce its participation in the Tampa Model Train Show this December 19-20,
2009 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center.
The GFLUG all LEGO Gauge train layout will feature our large Downtown Tampa
scene with various skyscrapers, buildings, highways and more. There will also be
a large beach scene with condos, hotels, a fishing pier and water front homes.
There will be multiple loops of running LEGO Trains and even more trains on
display in the large railroad yards. Also, don’t miss the Kids Build and Play
area where you can build with thousands of LEGO Bricks!
Show details:
http://www.gserr.com
5th Tampa Model Train Show
December 19 and 20, 2009
Florida State Fairgrounds
Special Events Center
Martin Luther King Boulevard
Tampa, Florida
Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 9am - 5pm
Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 10am - 4pm
Admission: Adults, $8.00, kids 12 and under FREE w/adult.
There is a Fee for parking (so carpool with friends)
Dollar off adult coupon:
http://www.gserr.com/shows/DiscountCard2.htm
--
Robin Werner
Co-Founder, GFLUG/GFLTC
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Robin Werner
TAMPA, FLORIDA - The Greater Florida LEGO Train Club (GFLTC) is
proud to announce its participation in the Tampa Model Train Show
this December 20-21, 2008 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Special
Events Center.
The GFLTC all LEGO Gauge train layout will feature our large
Downtown Tampa scene with various skyscrapers, buildings, houses and
more. There will be multiple loops of running LEGO Trains and even
more trains on display in the expanded railroad yard. Also, don’t
miss the Kids Build and Play area where you can build with thousands
of LEGO Bricks!
Show details:
http://www.gserr.com
4th Tampa Model Train Show
December 20 and 21, 2008
Florida State Fairgrounds
Special Events Center
Martin Luther King Boulevard
Tampa, Florida
Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 9am - 5pm
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 10am - 4pm
Admission: Adults, $8.00, kids 12 and under FREE w/adult.
There is a Fee for parking (so carpool with friends)
Dollar off adult coupon:
http://www.gserr.com/shows/DiscountCard2.htm
--
Robin Werner
President and Co-Founder, GFLTC
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In lugnet.events, Carolyn Redmond wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I work for an event planning company in Philadelphia and we are in need of an
> expert Lego artist for an event in Orlando on February 25-28. We are looking for
> someone to construct either a 6'x4'x2' bridge or a giant seashell (approximately
> the same size) for an exhibit booth. Ideally, the individual would build the
> structure in front of exhibit attendees during the afternoons of these days. If
> necessary, we are open to some pieces being built ahead of time to allow for
> construction time.
>
> This is a compensated job. We can discuss further details off-line.
>
> If you are interested and available, please email me a reply post. If you have
> any photo samples of your work, that would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Carolyn
Hi the pro builders are a good lot, Nathan does custom work (called the brick
artist), you can also check with the clubs, some of them do amazing work as
well.
www.brickmuseum.net
Dan
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Hello,
I work for an event planning company in Philadelphia and we are in need of an
expert Lego artist for an event in Orlando on February 25-28. We are looking for
someone to construct either a 6'x4'x2' bridge or a giant seashell (approximately
the same size) for an exhibit booth. Ideally, the individual would build the
structure in front of exhibit attendees during the afternoons of these days. If
necessary, we are open to some pieces being built ahead of time to allow for
construction time.
This is a compensated job. We can discuss further details off-line.
If you are interested and available, please email me a reply post. If you have
any photo samples of your work, that would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Carolyn
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Felix Greco wrote:
> Hello!
>
> I just wanted to drop a note that I'm now living in the Tampa/St Pete
> area. I'm working in St Petersburg but living in Apollo Beach. Once
> I'm set up with everything I'd love to start getting involved with
> the local lugs.
>
> <http://www.lugnet.com/~94/ Felix>
I didn't manage to arrange to hook up with Tampa Bay/GFLTC folks this year
at the holidays, but my fiance and I did run into Felix at the Dali museum.
It was great to see you Felix.
Frank
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Train Fans,
The members of the Greater Florida LEGO Train Club had a display the Great Train
Expo in Tampa Florida over the New Year’s weekend (December 30-31, 2006). The 18
x 18 ft layout featuring the downtown Tampa skyline with three running train
loops and models constructed by Aaron C, KK Quah, Scott M, Michael Huffman,
Felix Greco and Myself.
Here are pictures of the Show... Check them out on BrickShelf:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=224549
Build on...
Robin
Werner
GFLTC and GFLUG
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In lugnet.loc.us.fl.orl, Brian Kendig wrote:
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The Orlando Lego Imagination Center is selling its supply of opening day
“misprint” bricks.
These are the yellow 2x2x2 Duplo bricks with the red Lego dinosaur on one side
and the Lego logo on the other side. Under the dinosaur they’re supposed to
have text representing the store, but on these misprints, the letters only
show up as black dots. These bricks have been used in displays at the store
from time to time. Now, there’s one in each $8 ‘grab bag’ sold at the store,
and you can get another for free by signing up at the store for the Lego
mailing list.
The corrected bricks were given out on the store’s Grand Reopening day, and
were gone within hours.
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Brian -
Thanks for the info and the heads up! I have updated PromoBricks.com with this new info.
I will be in Orlando at the end of October, maybe they will still have a few
left for my visit :)
Mark P
www.PromoBricks.com
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The Orlando Lego Imagination Center is selling its supply of opening day
"misprint" bricks.
These are the yellow 2x2x2 Duplo bricks with the red Lego dinosaur on one side
and the Lego logo on the other side. Under the dinosaur they're supposed to have
text representing the store, but on these misprints, the letters only show up as
black dots. These bricks have been used in displays at the store from time to
time. Now, there's one in each $8 'grab bag' sold at the store, and you can get
another for free by signing up at the store for the Lego mailing list.
The corrected bricks were given out on the store's Grand Reopening day, and were
gone within hours.
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Hello!
I just wanted to drop a note that I’m now living in the Tampa/St Pete area. I’m
working in St Petersburg but living in Apollo Beach. Once I’m set up with
everything I’d love to start getting involved with the local lugs.
Felix
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"Brian Davis" <brdavis@iusb.edu> wrote in message
news:Iv3u6K.vu0@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.loc.us.fl.orl, Mike Walsh wrote:
>
> > > I spend about an hour or two packing a single large cup,
> >
> > I really don't understand doing this.
[ ... snipped ... ]
>
> In short, it's *fun*. Just like browing in the store, carefully
> examining the
> boxes to see if there's any neat parts in there.
[ ... snipped ... ]
I think is where the disconnect for me is. I find the "cup" aspect of P-a-B
annoying. I have purchased quite a few pick-a-brick cups (at least 30-40,
maybe more but not all for me) and find the process of filling them
annoying. I would much rather put the parts I want in a bag and weigh it
and pay by weight than spend a bunch of time trying to pack parts in a cup.
I don't live near a LEGO store, I get to visit one occasionally when my
travel schedule allows me to do so. I can sometimes grab 10-15 minutes when
I am in Schaumburg to run into the Woodfield Mall and see what they have.
There have been several occassions where I would have (a) bought something
or (b) bought more than I did if I didn't have to deal with the cup.
>
> > you have a really low value of your time.
>
> If that was all that mattered, yes. But consider if just the value of my
> time
> was the major criterion, spending it a Disney (where there is no tangible
> return
> for the time) is silly to begin with. I spend the time because it's fun -
> which
> is another reason I *don't* do it with my family (when I'm with them,
> there are
> *far* better ways to spend my time).
Can't argue with that.
Mike
--
Mike Walsh - mike_walsh at mindspring.com
http://www.ncltc.cc - North Carolina LEGO Train Club
http://www.carolinatrainbuilders.com - Carolina Train Builders
http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=mpw - CTB/Brick Depot
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In lugnet.loc.us.fl.orl, Mike Walsh wrote:
> > I spend about an hour or two packing a single large cup,
>
> I really don't understand doing this.
I have to admit, it's not time-efficient or really very cost effective (yes,
with careful packing you can fit more... but with the way many of us buy LEGO,
would buying another cup really kill you?). It is, in some ways, an experiential
or social thing. I spent a good deal of my time watching a kids face light up
when I showed them the pieces for a trap door, or a parent relax when I could
show them how to get wheels for their kid, or the occassional AFoL who's
searching for original grey in all the bley.
In short, it's *fun*. Just like browing in the store, carefully examining the
boxes to see if there's any neat parts in there.
> you have a really low value of your time.
If that was all that mattered, yes. But consider if just the value of my time
was the major criterion, spending it a Disney (where there is no tangible return
for the time) is silly to begin with. I spend the time because it's fun - which
is another reason I *don't* do it with my family (when I'm with them, there are
*far* better ways to spend my time).
--
Brian Davis
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"Brian Davis" <brdavis@iusb.edu> wrote in message
news:Iv2034.JDp@lugnet.com...
[ ... snipped ... ]
> Seeing as how I spend about an hour or two packing a single large cup,
> my
> wife is happier when I go at night when our kids are asleep :)
[ .. snipped ... ]
I really don't understand doing this. Don't get me wrong, I am all for
getting as much as you can in a cup. However, if you really spend more than
an hour packing a single cup, you have a really low value of your time. The
only time I would do this is if I had lots of time and nothing to do and it
was a social thing. Otherwise I just load them, shake them to take advantage
of settling, and load what ever little pieces I can in the cup to fill the
air. 5-10 minutes max.
Maybe I missed your point though - is it the challenge of getting the most
in the cup (compared to some record or something) or maximizing what you can
get for $13?
Mike
--
Mike Walsh - mike_walsh at mindspring.com
http://www.ncltc.cc - North Carolina LEGO Train Club
http://www.carolinatrainbuilders.com - Carolina Train Builders
http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=mpw - CTB/Brick Depot
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In lugnet.market.shopping, Brian Davis wrote:
> In lugnet.loc.us.fl.orl, Michael Huffman wrote:
>
> > Cool, grab bags!
>
> Literally hundreds of them - I've never seen that many. But they were almost
> all identical, with a very similar parts mix. I suspect they were filled from
> leftover PaB bins ("a handful from A, a handful from B", etc.). You'll have to
> dig... but that's where the fun is.
I've wondered if they filled the grab bags from stuff swept up off the floor
from the PAB area and partly with parts from damaged boxes. I bought a grab bag
last trip... it had Bionicle parts in it. :P
--Mike.
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In lugnet.loc.us.fl.orl, Michael Huffman wrote:
> my wife enjoyed watching me...
Seeing as how I spend about an hour or two packing a single large cup, my
wife is happier when I go at night when our kids are asleep :)
> trying to figure out the maximum amount of candy I can buy
> with limited funds...
This time I had a cup packed so nicely the lady checking me out commented on
it, and went and showed it to two other employees... and then forgot to tape the
lid on, spilling half the contents behind the counter. She was mortified, I was
just ammused. Heck, I got all the pieces anyway, as well as probably anything
else that was already on the floor back there.
> I ended up talking with a store manager for about 15-30
> minutes early one morning.
The best time I ever had there was around 9 AM one morning. An employee
noticed me carefully examining every grab bag, as if looking for something. When
questioned, I explained that I built mostly robotics, so I was trying to find a
bag "rich in gears and technic". She brought out a huge scrap bin from the back
that they pack the grab bags from, and let me go wild. One large PaB cup with
three or four Technic turntables, tens of gears, and probably a hundred assorted
Technic pins bursting from under the lid. My son packed a cup as well. Talk
about a kid(s) in the candy store!
> Cool, grab bags!
Literally hundreds of them - I've never seen that many. But they were almost
all identical, with a very similar parts mix. I suspect they were filled from
leftover PaB bins ("a handful from A, a handful from B", etc.). You'll have to
dig... but that's where the fun is.
--
Brian Davis
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In lugnet.loc.us.fl.orl, Brian Davis wrote:
> In lugnet.loc.us.fl.orl, Michael Huffman wrote:
>
> > Next time I'm down, (which is later this week, btw), I'll chat up
> > one of the sales people & see how many cases they go through in a
> > day/week. I'm interested to know what their turn over is...
>
> That would be very interesting. I saw some turnover in the four days I was
> there. I suspect they would sell even better if they (the store) would link
> certain part together somehow. They had two kinds of wheels (larger ones that
> mount to standard Technic pins, and the smaller smooth ones that snap onto small
> thin axles molded as part of certain plates). But both of these needed three
> parts (tire, hub, and axle mount), and while all the parts where there, they
> were not spatially close to each other, and there was no way for 95% of the
> folks running through there to know it (heck, I had to look for a while until I
> discovered the small wheel hubs).
I found it a little disconcerting as well. I'd look up/down a few bins at a
time, figuring out what I wanted to buy... then I'd jump to the next section &
had to refigure what I wanted to stuff into a cup... then I'd jump to the next
section & go... oh, those pieces would go nicely with some of the elements from
the first section of bins & so on... But my wife enjoyed watching me... like a
kid in a candy store, trying to figure out the maximum amount of candy I can buy
with limited funds...
> But by all means, ask in the early morning - after noon, that place is a zoo.
> I've never walked on so much LEGO in my life.
Same experience here... I ended up talking with a store manager for about 15-30
minutes early one morning. We chatted about the up-coming (then) 'Festival of
the Masters' & the display that would go on outside the store...
Talked about our Ohio Lego club... etc. Try that any time afternoon, or towards
the evening, forget it... kept tripping over little people.
> Oh, they also have 1x4 brown "log" bricks (old brown, I think), floresent
> trans-green 2x2 "domes", and, well... lots of other goodies. There was even a
> Brick Grab Bag with some 16x32 green baseplates in it.
Cool, grab bags!
--Mike.
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