Legoland Florida opens Star Wars Miniland

Legoland Florida officially opened its Star Wars Miniland on Friday morning, introducing guests to built-from-Lego-brick scenes from the six "Star Wars" films.
General manager Adrian Jones ceremoniously cut the ribbon with a lightsaber, assisted by dozens of children in Darth Vader costumes.

The models of Darth Vader, Millennium Falcon, tiny stormtroopers and other elements of the Star Wars universe are up a hill from the New York section of the theme park's Miniland USA and near the Coastersaurus roller coaster. Planets represented include Hoth, Tatooine, Geonosis, Naboo and others.

The displays have interactive elements. Push a button and figures spring into action.

The centerpiece of the new area is a scene from the animated TV series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," including an 8-foot-tall building from Crystal City. More than 2 million bricks were used for the Star Wars displays.

Jones said he doesn't believe the sale of Lucasfilm — including its Star Wars properties — to Walt Disney Co. to disrupt operations at Legoland Florida.

"I think for us, it doesn't really affect us in the short-to-medium term, actually," Jones said. "At the end of the day, let's be honest, they will benefit also by the extension of the Star Wars brand. Lego Star Wars is still a very popular toy, and it extends the life span of the brand."

It's the major second expansion of the attraction since it opened in October 2011. A water park was added this spring. Look for more growth in 2013, Jones said.

"We will continue a number of smaller and possibly one or two very large ones [expansions] next year," said Jones, who would not be more specific.

"The plan here is to continuously add new, new, new, new," he said.

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