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Florida Theme Park Makes Historic Cut, Guests Pay Full Price With 25% of Staff Remaining

Legoland Florida is making significant changes to its operations, announcing the permanent layoff of 234 employees, primarily from its entertainment department. This reduction, affecting roughly 75% of the park’s performers, is set to take place between March 25 and April 7. The cuts mark a drastic shift for the Winter Haven park, which has long been known for its lively and interactive performances.

Legoland Florida entrance
Credit: LEGOLAND

In a statement, Legoland spokesperson Julie Estrada explained the decision as part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and enhance guest experiences.

“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,” Estrada said.

This announcement follows the recent retirement of the park’s water skiing show, a holdover from its days as Cypress Gardens, Florida’s first theme park. The show ended in late 2024, signaling the park’s growing focus on other forms of entertainment, such as seasonal events and new attractions.

While the layoffs signal a major shift, Legoland insists it is not abandoning live entertainment entirely. The park plans to work with a third-party entertainment provider to scale performances during special events like Halloween and Christmas.

However, for many fans, the move represents a loss of what made Legoland special. Social media has been flooded with comments from disappointed passholders lamenting the end of the park’s unique entertainment offerings.

“Performances like these brought the park to life,” one user shared. “It feels like something magical is being taken away.”

Entertainment Cuts Reflect Industry Trends

Legoland Florida isn’t the only theme park scaling back on live entertainment. Across Central Florida, live shows and performances have become increasingly scarce, with parks prioritizing attractions and technological innovations over traditional entertainment.

Even Walt Disney World, often seen as the gold standard for immersive experiences, has yet to fully restore its pre-pandemic entertainment offerings. Fans continue to voice their frustrations over beloved acts and performers who haven’t returned.

Among the most notable losses at Disney are:

  • The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra: This iconic group delighted guests at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort for decades but was permanently let go in 2020.
  • Polynesian Resort Performers: These cultural entertainers created an authentic South Pacific experience at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, but their performances have been discontinued without replacement.
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid: This live stage show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has remained closed since 2020. Disney announced plans to retheme it to “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” but no reopening date has been provided.
  • Citizens of Hollywood: These improvisational actors were once a staple of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but they were quietly cut during the pandemic and haven’t returned.

These cuts have left many Disney fans disappointed, noting that the parks feel less vibrant without the energy and charm of live performers.

The Cost of Cutting Entertainment

The reductions at Legoland Florida and Walt Disney World reflect a larger shift within the theme park industry. Live entertainment is often one of the first areas to face budget cuts, as companies aim to reduce costs while investing in new attractions and experiences.

At Legoland, these layoffs come alongside expansions, including a new SEA LIFE Aquarium set to open soon and the recent debut of a car-building Lego attraction. Merlin Entertainments, the park’s parent company, has been focusing on broadening its offerings, including the addition of Peppa Pig Theme Park and the acquisition of major attractions at Orlando’s ICON Park.

However, some guests question whether these investments can replace the personal touch that live performers bring to the theme park experience. For many families, live shows, character interactions, and cultural performances are the heart of their visits.

The End of an Era?

legoland crowds
Credit: Flickr/Jennifer Marx

Live entertainment has been a defining element of Florida’s theme parks for decades, creating memorable moments that rides alone cannot replicate. Yet, as companies prioritize profit margins and operational efficiency, live performers are becoming an endangered species.

Legoland’s recent cuts and Disney’s reluctance to restore some of its most beloved shows leave fans wondering: Is the golden age of live entertainment in theme parks coming to an end?

For now, the performers who once brought these parks to life are stepping off the stage, leaving a quieter, less vibrant landscape in their wake. Only time will tell if this trend will reverse—or if live entertainment will become a cherished memory of the past.

Alessia Dunn

Orlando theme park lover who loves thrills and theming, with a side of entertainment. You can often catch me at Disney or Universal sipping a cocktail, or crying during Happily Ever After or Fantasmic.

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