Winter Haven, FL

Winter Haven, FL is a city in Polk County.  It's population is 32,577 with a median income of $31, 900 and a median age of 44.  Originally established in 1884 is was named Harris Corners but a year later the name was changed to Winter Haven because of the area's pleasant climate.  The city was incorporated in 1911 and was the home to the first Publix Supermarket in 1930.  In 1936 Cypress Gardens was opened.  Cypress Gardens was the first commerical tourist theme park to open on January 2, 1936.  Over the years it became one of the biggest attractions in Florida and was known for its Water Ski Shows, lush gardens and Southern Belles.  It was known at the "Waterskiing Capital of the World" mostly because many of the sport's landmark firsts happened at Cypress Gardens along with 50 world records being broken there.  Several movies were also filmed at Cypress Gardens especially in the 1950s and 1960s.  Cypress Gardens closed there doors a couple of years ago but the Lego Corporation bought the property and build Legoland Florida.  Legoland Florida is the second Legoland in the U.S. ( the other one is located in Carlsbad, CA) and it is the largest Legoland in the world.  It opened up on October 15, 2011.  It has 145 acres and features more than 50 rides, shows and attractions.  Four attractions originally from Cypress Garden are featured in Legoland.
Winter Haven is also surrounded by several lakes and is home to numberous water skiing schools.  It is a nice town that lives up to it's name.  We had lunch while we were in Winter Haven and did a little shopping.
We did not go to Legoland this time but we will be visiting it in the future.  While we were in the Cypress Gardens Walmart there was a  huge Lego figure of Captain Jack Sparrow from "Pirates of the Caribbean". It was very well done and the details are amazing. I would imagine that this Walmart will be receiving sereval Lego sculptures through the years.