Legoland unveils Merlin Magic Making Hub in Lake Wales

LAKE WALES, Fla. - Legoland's expansion in Polk County continues with a new facility 10 miles from the Winter Haven theme park.

It's called the Merlin Magic Making Hub.

"It's a brand new production facility to make Lego models for Merlin attractions all around the world," explains Ryan Wood, the model shop supervisor. "The kind of models we make here are typically for mini-land attractions within the Legoland and Legoland Discovery Center parks."

Wood says his team also makes larger models displayed in the theme parks, like people and animals.

The new facility had its grand opening last week and has nearly 50 model designers and builders on its growing staff.

Merlin Entertainment, Legoland's parent company, looks to hire an addition 20 model builders.

"This is definitely very much a dream job," says Max Petrosky, a Legoland model builder. "When you're a kid you play with Lego, you know? To actually make a living, actually working with Lego, it's just really incredible."

Wood says, like Petrosky, most model builders started playing with Lego as a kid.