Music, balloons, confetti, and lots of cheering kids – the new Legoland Florida Hotel has officially opened. It was 18 months in the making, and has 152 rooms.

Legoland Florida invited Bay News 9 for a sneak peek sleepover, and General Manager Adrian Jones shared exclusive information about the theme park's next project.

The new hotel turns the Legoland theme park into a resort. That means a one-day stay may stretch out to even two or three days.

That was the case for brothers Brendan and Vincent Sack. Their parents drove 18 hours from Ohio just for the opening of this hotel.

The 8- and 10-year-old boys were dressed from head to toe and Lego gear, and they even had satchels filled with many Lego figures. What was their take on the hotel? Awesome-- starting at the lobby.

"It has a pile of Legos-- it has a giant play area with a kingdom," said Vincent.

The theme park has continued to grow since opening in 2011.

In 2012, it opened its water park. And in 2013, it opened its World of Chima.

And in 2104, Legoland opened Duplo Valley.

This year sees the opening of the hotel plus Heartlake City: a newly themed area based on the girl-friendly Friends line.

Jones shared exclusive news with Bay News 9.

"We are gonna be opening Heartlake City on the 26th of June," said Jones.

Continued growth means added jobs for a Polk County.

"There were hundreds of hundreds of companies --never mind people-- who worked on it," said Jones. "We've hired 150 new MCs [Model Citizens, LEGO employees] to join our fabulous team here, but really it's the economic drive of this being most important for the area."

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Previous story with videos and a slide show: Inspired by Lego blocks, Legoland Florida Hotel now open

Fun Facts

Reception and Lobby

  • Hotel guests are greeted by a LEGO dragon and the spectacular entrance leads to themed play areas, a family pool, lounge, family restaurant, LEGO models and interactive features throughout
  • Behind the reception desk in the lobby is an entire wall created out of more than 5,000 LEGO Minifigures
  • The Castle Play area is based on the LEGO Kingdom and Pirates lines and features a pirate ship and an interactive castle surrounded by a LEGO filled moat.
  • Young guests can pull on a handle as they enter the castle, waking the interactive LEGO ogre.
  • The LEGO Club Room offers guests a Character Meet & Greet, building areas, LEGO Club Magazines, and videos

Rooms

  • Guests can choose between four themed rooms: Pirate, Adventure, Kingdom or Friends
  • Guests can choose between either Themed and Premium Themed rooms
  • Premium Themed rooms have additional LEGO models and themed wall décor
  • There are at least eight LEGO models in every room
  • All children’s sleeping areas include a bunk bed with a trundle bed
  • Every room includes a treasure chest that younger guests can unlock once they complete a special treasure hunt activity!
  • Special kid-focused features include peep holes at a lower level and LEGO bricks in each room for children to create their own masterpieces
  • Some rooms have spectacular views of Lake Eloise and LEGOLAND theme park
  • Room service is available
  • All rooms include free Wi-Fi

Restaurants

  • Bricks Family Restaurant includes a buffet station designed specifically at a height kids can reach featuring healthy food options
  • Skyline Lounge features a LEGO skyline with more than 20 humorous scenes designed by the Park’s Master Model Builders 
  • Restaurants and lounges are open to the public, based on availability