Legoland Florida to Lay Off 234 Entertainment Workers by April: Impact on Winter Haven’s Theme Park Experience

Recently, Legoland Florida announced it would lay off 234 entertainment workers, just weeks after ending its popular water skiing show. Kristen Pita, a performer at Legoland for five years, expressed her sadness over the news. With the Ninjago Days event starting soon, most guests remain unaware of the layoffs happening behind the scenes.

Pita shared, “First, the water skiing show was canceled. Now, 234 people are losing their jobs. It seems strange since new attractions, like the Sea Life Aquarium and Peppa Pig, have opened up in the park.”

She reflected on the negative impact of the layoffs: many performers supported families, managed mortgages, and relocated for these jobs. Some even switched from other theme parks to join Legoland. “This blindsided a lot of us,” Pita said. “But we will always treasure the moments we shared with guests.”

During recent meetings, employees learned that an outside company will now provide performers for the park’s characters. Not much information was given about this new company, and many current performers are left uncertain about their futures. Only 46 employees will remain in the entertainment department after the layoffs.

Legoland issued a WARN notice outlining the layoff process, citing business restructuring. They provided a 60-day advance notice, with the layoffs effective from March 25. Health insurance benefits are set to end by April 1.

Julia Estrada, a public relations director for Legoland, stated that these changes aim to improve guest experiences in the coming years. The decision, although tough, is intended to enhance flexibility and responsiveness within their operations. Estrada noted they will keep a core in-house entertainment team and will work with a global leader to provide employment opportunities during special events.

This isn’t the first time Legoland has made significant changes. In December, they ended their iconic water ski show, which had roots dating back to the 1940s. Additionally, last November, 519 food and beverage workers began transitioning to a new company, but their roles and benefits remained unchanged during that process.

The situation at Legoland reflects broader trends in the entertainment sector, where companies adapt to stay competitive. As performers face job loss, many are left to navigate this challenging period, hoping for new opportunities ahead.

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Legoland Florida, Legoland, Kristen Pita, entertainment, employees