The poor park hasn’t even officially opened yet and already the buzzards are circling. At least that’s the story of one Orlando Sentinel columnist. Beth Kassab lists a number of reasons that Legoland Florida is doomed to failure, but they all add up to three words – Walt Disney World.
Disney is the primary destination of most Orlando tourists; the new attraction must tap into Disney’s market of out-of-state travelers who stay a week or more.
If Legoland doesn’t make it with this crowd, it won’t make it beyond a look-see for locals and Florida day-trippers.
While Kassab makes some great points, I think she over looks the fact that Legoland managers haven’t placed that big of emphasis on stealing from Disney. In fact, they’re only running one shuttle a day from Orlando. Not a sign they’re depending on huge crowds of tourists.
Instead, I think you need to look at the geographic advantage Legoland has. It’s right in the middle of Tampa and Orlando and will draw from both groups of locals. Obviously, Legoland needs to draw from Orlando area tourists, but they’re just the frosting on the cake. The draw for local families with kids 2-12 will enjoy having a park they can enjoy together as a family, away from the masses of tourists. That will become a draw of its own.