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Merlin Entertainments has announced it will lay off 31 staffers at Merlin Magic Making, its Florida-based creative facility
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 07 Apr 2025
Merlin Magic Making oversees the design and build of Lego displays used at Legoland resorts worldwide Credit: Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments has announced permanent staffing cuts at Merlin Magic Making, its Florida-based creative facility, with 31 staffers set to lose their jobs.
The plans were revealed in a letter, dated April 1, 2025, sent by Merlin to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. According to the letter, the layoffs are set to begin on May 31 and conclude on June 13.
The staffing cuts are likely to lead to the facility’s permanent closure. Opened in 2016, the Merlin Magic Making facility, located in Lake Wales, Florida, oversees the design and build of elaborate Lego displays used at Legoland resorts worldwide.
It currently employs a team of 31, the same number as the planned layoffs, including designers and model builders.
The news comes following the appointment of Fiona Eastwood as CEO of Merlin Entertainments after more than a decade with the company.
As CEO, Eastwood is responsible for leading the implementation of the business’s transformational strategy, and to ensure it is well placed to grow at scale and deliver a sustainable, thriving future.
Eastwood shared with The Times her plans to streamline Merlin’s operations by restructuring three of the company’s divisions, likely including Merlin Magic Making, into a single unit.
This marks Merlin’s second round of layoffs in recent months. In January, the operator announced 234 job cuts at Legoland Florida Resort, mostly affecting its entertainment team.
“At Legoland Florida Resort, we are making operational changes to help us elevate the guest experience in 2025 and beyond. This includes changes in how we deliver entertainment,” said a statement from the resort.
“The decision to reduce the size of some of our teams was undoubtedly difficult, but these changes will allow the resort to operate more flexibly and responsively in a competitive market.”
Merlin Entertainments operates more than 140 attractions in 20 countries including a number of Florida attractions, such as Legoland Resort Florida and the Orlando Eye at Icon Park. Its portfolio also includes major UK theme parks Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures.
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