Winter Haven – A new underwater habitat takes shape at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Work continues at Sea Life Florida Aquarium, the latest in its expansion plan for the attraction.
At the moment, there isn’t enough water to see the sea life either. The curved rebar shows how faux rockwork frames a view into a massive tank that houses over 3,000 animals representing 150 species.
Sealife, Florida, is sandwiched between two theme parks, Legoland and Peppa’s pig park, but it has its own submerged park as an ornament for a large sea tank. Blakevoiter, senior project manager at Merlin Magic Making, the creative arm of Legoland’s parent company, said the concept was something he wanted to do when he came to Florida.
“Of course, they’re the world’s capital of theme parks, and they want to come to the theme park,” Beeter said on a recent hard hat tour of the aquarium building.
“We have a castle that has a variety of roller coaster features around it,” he said. “There’s a Ferris wheel at the corner of the clam.”
There are also underwater carousels, food and drink outlets, and coral reefs fall nearby. On the other side of the aisle is a section of the haunted house.
“Hopefully some of our creepy fish will stay in the area,” Boiter said.
These props have been expanded to a size that allows the fish to spin, he said. The top of the tank is open and there is a 3-foot unthemed space there, allowing Black Tip Reef sharks to swim and roam naturally.
Legoland’s theme parks and Sealife Aquariums are run by Merlin Entertainment Group, based in aquariums around the world. Orlando’s Icon Park is home to sea life. There, the company also runs Orlando Madame and Orlando Eye observation wheels.
Like the Orlando Aquarium, the path through Polk County attractions runs through several environments, building up to the Walks Lutunnel, featuring 180-degree views of the sea inhabitants and a theme park for the grand finale beneath the sea scene.
The aquarium attractions include 10 zones, including 25 exhibits, including a hands-on invertebrate touch pool. Visitors will be able to see seahorses tanks from freshwater swamps, Stingray Bay, Key West Harbor and Big Berry.
But for now, the exterior is unfinished, with sealed windows, wiring work, incomplete paint jobs and no-stock gift shops. Once the chemistry and salt settle, the water becomes vague. The opening day is scheduled for May 23rd, an anniversary weekend Friday.
“It’s brand new, the most technically sophisticated marine life in all of Merlin’s portfolio,” said France Gonzalez, president of Legoland Florida Resort. It will become the 11th sea attraction in the US
“We were a bit worried about being built in 2025, but it’s exciting to learn that Merlin has invested in Legoland Florida like this,” she said.
The tour included systems of climate control, filtration, lighting, life support and backup generators.
Sea Life Florida will be a separate ticket gate from Florida’s Legoland theme park, but combo tickets will be available between two Peppa Pig theme parks and Legoland water parks. The current entrance to Legoland Park will eventually be repositioned.
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Original issue: March 21, 2025 8am Edt
