WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — The iconic water ski show at Legoland Florida, will conclude come the new year, marking the end of an era in Florida's tourism industry.
After decades of wowing audiences with world-class water-skiing performances, the beloved skiers will have their last show at Legoland on Dec. 30.
“I’ve been to the show many times. I know a lot of the skiers, and they’ve been around that area for quite a while,” said Winter Haven resident D.N.
The thrilling ski show has captivated visitors since the 1950s when it was held at the state’s first theme park, known as Cypress Gardens. The theme park closed in 2009 and later became Legoland, which continued the tradition of the water sport's stunt show.
“A lot of families go there for tradition, and that will be missed. For them to go for years and then they just take it away, it’s going to be sad. It's going to be sad for them,” said Nicole Pinzon.
The year-round professional ski show at Legoland is one of only two worldwide.
“I think it’s a travesty. That water ski show has made this town what it is. It’s been here as long as we have and many years before that,” said D.N.
A spokesperson for Legoland told ABC Action News that while ending the ski show wasn’t easy, they are excited to open a new Sea Life Aquarium in the spring.
For those who want to see breathtaking stunts, the Cypress Gardens water ski team, established in 2012, is another option. They perform a free show at Lake Silver on the third Saturday of each month.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.
