Merlin Entertainments dove under the sea Friday to celebrate the grand opening of SEA LIFE Florida, an aquarium for children.
Located inside LEGOLAND Florida Resort, in Winter Haven, the event commemorated more than just a new attraction; it opened on World Ocean Day weekend, with the goal to inspire the next generation of ocean lovers, park leaders said.
“It (is) a great opportunity for kids to learn, and you can see it in just how they’re putting their hands up and looking, just mesmerized (by) these sea creatures that they’ll never get a chance to see other than here at SEA LIFE Florida,” said Franceen Gonzales, President of LEGOLAND Florida Resort.
“That I think is the joy.”
Inside: Patrons venture through the under-the-sea experience for about an hour, peering through the glass to admire 25 interactive exhibits, containing 150 species and 3,000 creatures, from Big-belly seahorses to Blacktip reef sharks and Bluespotted ribbontail rays.
One of the interactive exhibits allowed guests to touch Bat stars and feel their rough texture and the cold habitats they live in.
“At the heart of the experience is a 180-degree ocean tunnel,” according to a SEA LIFE news release. “The tunnel is specifically structured so even little ones can stand eye-to-eye with sharks and rays as they glide overhead.”
What’s SEA LIFE?: According to a news release, SEA LIFE is one of the world’s largest family of aquariums, with 50 facilities across the globe as well as six sanctuaries.
It owns another aquarium in Orlando.
SEA LIFE TRUST is its partner charity. Its focus is to protect the oceans and their marine life.
What’s Unique: The “Theme Park Under the Sea” design with coral castles and carousel hideaways is not found in any other SEA LIFE aquarium worldwide, according to the company.
It’s also educational, with touch screens next to every exhibit detailing the marine life.
There are murals on the walls with fun facts such as, “Jellyfish are some of the oldest animals on the planet and their fossils have been found in rocks more than 500 million years old.”
“We want to help children truly connect with animals, by bringing the animals to their level,” said SEA LIFE Florida Curator Sarah McMahon.
“When they see a stingray glide right past their face or lock eyes with a curious octopus, something amazing happens. That spark of curiosity turns into respect. And respect is the first step to protecting our ocean.”
Conservation: Merlin Entertainment, the owner of LEGOLAND Florida, partnered with SEA LIFE and SEA LIFE TRUST on the project.
According to a news release, throughout the month of June, a portion of LEGOLAND Florida ticket purchases can be rounded up at checkout to support SEA LIFE TRUST.
The resort is upping its conservation efforts by discontinuing the use of plastic bags; all parks across LEGOLAND Florida Resort, including SEA LIFE Florida, LEGOLAND Theme Park, Water Park, and Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida will now offer reusable shopping bags.
Know Before You Go: SEA LIFE Florida aquarium is located just a few steps inside LEGOLAND Florida. Also on the property is a water park and hotel. Next-door to LEGOLAND Florida, with a separate entrance, is Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida.
All properties on the resort cater to children ages 2 to 12 years old.
The aquarium is housed completely indoors, with a unidirectional walkway that winds through the building, which starts and ends in the gift shop.
Only wheelchairs were permitted inside the aquarium during the grand opening; strollers had to be parked outside. It’s unclear if that policy will change as the website states strollers are permitted inside.
How to get in: Guests can explore SEA LIFE Florida by bundling it with their ticket to LEGOLAND Florida Resort properties.
One-day admission prices fluctuate; according to the website, as of June 6, a bundled ticket this summer to visit LEGOLAND Florida and SEA LIFE Florida ranged from $89 to $134 per person.
The park requires tickets for children 2 years old and older.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is also offering a “Summer Resort Play Pass,” which gives guests unlimited admission to LEGOLAND Florida Resort and SEA LIFE Florida through Sept. 12 for $153 per person.
What’s Next: LEGOLAND Florida revealed that an indoor roller coaster is under construction and scheduled to open in early 2026.
Stephanie Claytor is a reporter for LkldNow, a nonprofit newsroom providing independent local news for Lakeland. Read at LkldNow.com.
