HAINES CITY - Merchants in east Polk County hope they can cash in on the rebirth of Cypress Gardens, the aging theme park that's being reborn as Legoland Florida.

The area may not be known as a top tourist destination, but the Haines City Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce is aiming to change that.

With Legoland Florida set to open in nearby Winter Haven in October 2011, Haines City officials are working to position their community to become a destination on the way to the theme park.

"Do you want to go sit on the beach at the local park? Do you want to go fishing, bird-watching, go on an airboat ride, do something different, explore a natural Florida? Those are the kinds of things Haines City can offer," said Jane Patton, head of the Haines City Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce.
Haines City isn't trying to provide competing attractions. Instead, officials want the community to become the ultimate kick back and do nothing kind of destination.

"It's a day to relax; it's a day to enjoy what Florida used to be," Patton said.

Mark Jackson, director of Central Florida Tourism and Sports Marketing, says Haines City and other small eastern Polk communities stand to gain a lot of traffic from Legoland visitors. He said the theme park, based on the children's toy, is geared to the 2- to 12-year-old crowd, and they don't exactly travel alone.

"They bring moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas that are always looking for other things to do, so on their way in to Legoland the opportunity to experience many of the towns and downtowns we have here in Central Florida and in Polk County is a great opportunity for all of us," Jackson said.

Haines City, off U.S. 27 near Interstate 4, is sending representatives to Europe next month as part of a larger Polk County group of business and community leaders. The entourage will tour Legoland's parent company operation, United Kingdom-based Merlin Entertainment, and meet with executives who will bring the theme park to Winter Haven.

Legoland Florida will be the largest Legoland. Four are in operation: one in Carlsbad, Calif., and one each in Denmark, Great Britain and Germany. Another is under development in Malaysia, with the opening set for 2012.