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Merlin Entertainments will open its newest US$20m Sea Life aquarium attraction at the Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven in May 2025
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 31 Mar 2025
Sea Life Florida will offer 25 interactive exhibits including a main ocean display and a 180-degree viewing tunnel Credit: Merlin Entertainments
Sea Life Florida, Merlin Entertainment’s newest Sea Life aquarium, will open at the Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven, US, on May 23, 2025.
Representing a significant US$20m (€18.5m, £15.5m) investment for Merlin Entertainments, Sea Life Florida will be the operator’s eleventh such US attraction, joining a portfolio of more than 40 Sea Life aquariums around the world, with locations in the US, UK, Germany, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Designed to foster an understanding and appreciation of marine life by immersing guests in a ‘breathtaking ocean habitat’, the aquarium will contain approximately 150,000 gallons of water and will house 3,000 animals from more than 150 species from around the world, including blue-spotted stingrays, blacktip reef sharks and big-belly seahorses.
It will offer 25 interactive exhibits including 10 immersive galleries, a stingray bay, a hands-on invertebrate touch pool and a 180-degree viewing tunnel.
The main ocean display will serve as the aquarium’s star attraction and will feature a unique “theme park under the sea” design, not found at any other Sea Life aquarium. Described as a “blend of ocean exploration and theme park thrills”, the display will include coral castles, carousel hideaways and hotel-like spaces for the resident animals to safely explore.
“Just as Legoland Florida is designed to be a child’s first theme park experience, Sea Life Florida is designed to be a child’s first aquarium experience, educating them through immersive exploration while fostering an understanding and love for marine life,” said Legoland Florida Resort president Franceen Gonzales.
Once open, the new aquarium will operate as a stand-alone attraction within the Legoland Florida Resort, requiring a separate ticket. Admission prices for Sea Life Florida start at US$89 (€82, £69). Various ticket packages for Legoland Florida Resort and Sea Life Florida are also available.
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