WINTER HAVEN, Fla.— Captain Bridger Webb is navigating a well-traveled canal along Lake Eloise in Winter Haven.

It’s part of Florida’s first ever tourist attraction.

Since 1936, people have enjoyed the beauty of Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida on a Tankful: Cypress Gardens lives on at Legoland Florida

  • From land, see their massive banyan tree and visit their marriage gazebo

  • From the water, travel their canals on Pirate River Quest

  • The park maintains the botanical gardens of the first Florida tourist attraction

Now visitors on the water encounter a minor calamity of an unnatural nature.

LEGO Pirate Captain Redbeard is in peril.

In front of Captain Webb’s shipshape vessel is a half-sunk LEGO pirate ship. Farther down the canal, a creepy LEGO Kraken awaits, emerging from the water like a demented cypress knee. There are also very cheeky monkeys hanging around.

Cypress Gardens lives on inside the Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven.

It’s preserved and part of the park’s Pirate River Quest.

“My favorite part of this ride for me is introducing kids to just such natural beauty that we have here within the Cypress Gardens,” said Webb.

From land, the garden paths lead to a massive, nearly century old banyan tree.

Banks Lee is our terrestrial tour guide, showing off spots like the gazebo, once a spot for outdoor marriages, that remains on the property.

“You think of this gazebo — all the old postcards, brochures, advertisements — this was front and center right on them,” said Lee.

It’s part of Legoland’s mission here to honor and maintain Cypress Gardens.

Visitors also have to survive the attack of the canal kraken and the cheeky monkeys — in addition to appreciating Florida’s natural world.

“Being able to point out all the cool wildlife and all the cool plant life that’s our here,” Webb said. “(It) just adds that little extra bit to it all.”