Legoland Florida: Orlando area's newest theme park opens

WINTER HAVEN — Legoland Florida opened to the public Saturday morning, giving new life to the site that once was home to historic Cypress Gardens.

Legoland Florida general manager Adrian Jones gave a brief speech before throwing a big Lego switch to ceremoniously open the front gates.

"I believe this is the most beautiful theme park in the world," he said from the stage that also featured the Lego character Buddy.

Hundreds of guests who had not purchased advance tickets or annual passes lined up on the plaza in the shadow of the Island in the Sky, a rehabbed Cypress Gardens attraction.

But parkgoers reported few traffic problems outside the park or in the parking lot.