February 3, 2015 - On the Go in MCO

LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort Opening Date & Details Announced

A super huge thank you to Jeremiah Good for attending the LEGOLAND Hotel Florida Announcement and getting these great photos for us!

Jeremiah Good writes for www.laughingplace.com as well as does the Walt Disney World side of the Window to the Magic podcast, he has been a life long fan of Disney “and a heck of a paleontologist” recently moving to Florida to be around all things that is the Mouse. He is also single has baby blue eyes and enjoys long walks on the beach….at the Polynesian Village Resort!

The five story, 152 room LEGOLAND Hotel will be opening on May 15, 2015, and Jeremiah was able to take a hard hat tour of the construction and we’ll be sharing some similar photos of how it is going to look once completed.

The LEGOLAND Hotel is really starting to take shape, and it is going to be chocked full of great details and amenities that I can’t wait to experience!

And what would a LEGOLAND Hotel be without the LEGO? More than 2,000 LEGO models in the entire Hotel created out of more than two million LEGO bricks! These LEGO models will be found all over the Hotel!

So let’s take a look at just the beginning of what the LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort will be offering!

LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Amenities

The LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort is located just steps away from the entrance to LEGOLAND Florida, and its guests will have exclusive early morning access to the park.

This will be the first LEGOLAND Hotel to have its own Model Shop where guests can find some of their favorite LEGO sets and souveniers.

Guests will also be able to build alongside of Model Builders at the Master Model Builder Workshop daily.

The family pool will be an inviting area for families that will be overlooking the historic Lake Eloise.

LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Reception and Lobby

In the LEGOLAND 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.

The reception desk in the lobby will feature an entire wall created out of more than 5,000 LEGO Minifigures. I know that Zoe is going to go bananas over this, since we love Minifigure Trading at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort!

The lobby is going to be home to the Castle Play area, which is based on the LEGO Kingdom and Pirates line, that is filled with elements of adventure!

Inside the Castle Play area there is a pirate ship complete with a blimp, docked along a moat filled with LEGO which surrounds an interactive castle. As they enter the castle, young guests can pull on a handle to disturb the LEGO ogre above them.

Guests of the LEGOLAND Hotel will be able to travel to the different floors via Disco Elevator. Yes…Disco Elevator!

As guests enter the elevator, lights pulsate in the ceiling to music, the floor will be made of ‘lava’ tiles, and as a mirror ball rotates different sound effects announce arrival on each floor. I never knew that I needed to ride in an elevator like this, but I DO!

LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Rooms

LEGOLAND Hotel rooms all include two separate areas, with a king-size bed for grown-ups and a separate area for up to three little ones. To help accommodate larger families, the separate children’s sleeping areas include a bunk bed with a trundle bed.

All LEGOLAND Hotel Rooms include:
King bed in the adult sleeping area Welcome Treasure Hunt with LEGO prize LEGO brick to build with during your stay	2 high-definition flat panel TVs Mini-fridge and coffee maker Wi-fi access Early Entry Access to LEGOLAND Florida

At the LEGOLAND Hotel guests will be able to choose which type of elaborately themed room they would like to have!

The themes of the rooms are Pirate, Adventure or Kingdom, and will feature at least eight LEGO figures.

There are also Themed and Premium Themed rooms with additional LEGO models and décor, and a never-before-seen room type will be announced at a later date.

I know that Zoe will be especially excited about the treasure chest that younger guests can unlock to find some special ‘loot’ once they complete a special treasure hunt activity!

The rooms are full of Special kid-focused features like a peep holes at a lower level and LEGO bricks in each room for children to create their own masterpieces.

Some of the LEGOLAND Hotel rooms have spectacular views of Lake Eloise and LEGOLAND theme park.

LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort Lake Eloise View — Lake Eloise View Room

LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort Theme Park View Room — Theme Park Room View

LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Restaurants

The LEGOLAND Hotel will feature two restaurants, and they both look pretty awesome.

Bricks Family Restaurant includes a buffet station designed specifically for kids with healthy options available at a height they can reach.

Sky Line Lounge features a LEGO skyline with humorous scenes designed by the Park’s Master Model Builders.

The LEGOLAND Hotel Restaurants and lounges are all going to be open to the public based on availability.

Sorry...this one HAD to be put in the post!!! — Sorry…this one HAD to be put in the post!!!

I’m really excited about keeping you up to date on all the LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort happenings!

The LEGOLAND Hotel is going to be an amazing addition to the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, and with the addition of over 150 jobs a great addition to the Winter Haven area.

You can make reservations now, and are available at www.LEGOLANDHotel.com or by calling 877-LEGOLAND (534-6526)

Busch Gardens Tampa Announces Food & Wine Festival Menu

Inaugural Event Tempts Taste Buds with More

Than 50 Wines, 50 Craft Brews and Variety of Culinary Delights

Guests can now explore the Busch Gardens^® Food & Wine Festival menu online and prep their palettes for the inaugural spring event debuting on March 7. From comfort classics like bacon mac & cheese to decedent desserts like passion fruit flan, the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival feeds guests’ appetite for adventure with wild flavors for every taste:

Gourmet Lodge:

Explore the exotic flavors of Gourmet Lodge, featuring duck confit, venison chili and other exciting dishes.

Savory Tavern:

Tempt taste buds with the rich flavors of Savory Tavern, including coconut shrimp cigars, braised lamb shank and passion fruit flan.

Chef’s Plantation:

Pan-seared salmon cakes, a griddled cheese cake sandwich and more await your palette at Chef’s Plantation.

Coast to Coast Cookery:

Flavors of the land and sea come together at Coast to Coast Cookery, featuring hangar steak, bacon-wrapped prawns and more.

Field House Eatery:

The Field House Eatery is the Festival’s biggest location, offering pan-seared scallops, roasted pork belly and mango éclairs right on Gwazi Field.

Southern Station:

Southern Station tantalizes taste buds with shrimp & grits, pan-fried cod and beef short rib.

Comfort Kitchen:

The Comfort Kitchen fuses classics like bacon mac & cheese with contemporary eats like habanero shrimp salad.

Light Fare Canteen:

Freshen up your palette at the Light Fare Canteen with scallop ceviche and an heirloom tomato & goat cheese salad.

Blazin’ Bistro:

Blazin’ Bistro breaks out the grill for fire-braised pork chops and jerk chicken sliders.

The Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival runs from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, March 7 through April 26. Plus, raise your glass to live concerts at 6 p.m. on Gwazi Field. The Festival is included with any pass, Fun Card or daily admission. Food and beverages are available for purchase at an additional fee.

For more event information, including detailed menus and a full list of wine, craft brews and cocktails, visit buschgardens.com. Stay connected and join the conversation by using #corksandcoasters on Busch Gardens’ Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram.