Meet the man behind Legoland Florida

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Adrian Jones talks about a typical day at Legoland Florida in Winter Haven: The calls, the meetings, the community events.  But he always tries to make time for a walk in the park.

"I usually try to walk around on my own with a book, a dustpan, and a brush," he explained.  "Everybody has a dustpan and a brush.  That's our culture.  If it's time to lean, it's time to clean. Knocked into me at a very early, early age."

That's because Jones started working in theme parks when he was a kid in England.  You could call him the general manager, but he prefers chief model builder.

He loves to interact with the customers, even if it's just trading Lego minifigures.

"You have to think like a child and like a parent.  You have to or you will miss an opportunity, or miss something the child sees," he continued.  "We are built for kids.  We don't want teenagers.  Teens will want bigger coasters.  But if you want a family that wants their first theme park experience, in a safe environment, Legoland is what you pick."

That theme continues in the newest addition, the Legoland hotel.  It's child-friendly and parent-friendly, from the dragon out front to the characters in the rooms. 

It's now turned the former Cypress Gardens property into a resort destination -- a big accomplishment for Jones after only six years.  He came to Winter Haven to open Legoland, and he's seen it succeed where others have failed.

"I think we've got our strategy right: embrace the local community," he added.  "We really did take care of the Cypress Gardens heritage.  We really value that.  It's what makes Legoland Florida different."