Legoland Florida Resort becomes a Certified Autism Center

Legoland Florida in Winter Haven is the first theme park resort to have been given the designation of Certified Autism Center.

The new certification has been granted to the Legoland Florida theme park, Legoland water park, and the resort’s three hotels – Legoland Hotel, Legoland Pirate Island Hotel, and Legoland Beach Retreat, plus the new Peppa Pig Theme Park.

Organizations that complete guest-facing staff training, offer accommodation for guests with cognitive differences, understand what autism is, learn effective methods of communication, and more can be awarded the Certified Autism Center (CAC) title by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

“We are proud that Legoland Florida Resort has partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards to earn our designation as a Certified Autism Center,” said Kelly Hornick, head of marketing & communications for Legoland Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park.

“We are passionate about being the resort for families to build awesome vacation memories, and we are thankful to our partners at IBCCES for helping us be more welcoming and more inclusive to more families, including those with sensory needs,” Hornick added.

Potential sensory overload, lack of staff training, and the need for flexible options and accommodations are challenges guests with sensory sensitivities face, and IBCCES has created certification programs designed especially for attractions, hotels, zoos, aquariums and other recreational facilities to ensure every individual and family can make happy memories during their visits.

Among the services Legoland Florida Resort will provide are:

• Trained, helpful front-line teams who can assist autistic and sensory-sensitive guests.
• A sensory guide to aid in choosing the right attractions for each guest, detailing insights into how the ride or attraction may affect each of the five senses.
• Low sensory, low stimulation areas guests with sensory sensitivities and their families can enjoy for a break and time to relax.

“IBCCES is thrilled to partner with Legoland Florida Resort to help them enhance the guest experience in this unique setting that provides a comprehensive experience for families to stay and play together,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman. “Their commitment to ongoing training and accessibility enhancements helps ensure there are more options for families to make memories together that we all cherish.”

Parents and caregivers can visit IBCCES’s free online resource with a list of certified destinations and more on AutismTravel.com.