Merlin Entertainments, the UK-based owner of attractions such as Legoland Florida and The Orlando Eye at Icon Park, has announced a series of layoffs affecting its operations in Central Florida.
On April 1, 2025, Merlin’s creative division, Merlin Magic Making, issued a notice to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity detailing the permanent layoff of 31 employees at its Lake Wales facility, located at 1501 Longleaf Blvd. The layoffs are scheduled to commence on May 31, 2025, and may continue through June 13, 2025. The affected positions include Brick Stockers, Lego Model Designers, Model Builders, Model Builder Team Leads, Model Designers, Model Shop Managers, Model Shop Supervisors, and Model Technical Builders. Employees do not have bumping rights, and none are represented by a union.
This decision follows a previous announcement in January 2025, when Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven revealed plans to lay off 234 employees, primarily from its entertainment department. These layoffs, which began on March 25 and concluded by April 7, were part of operational changes aimed at enhancing the guest experience and allowing the resort to operate more flexibly in a competitive market.
The layoffs at Merlin Magic Making coincide with a broader restructuring within Merlin Entertainments. In February, Fiona Eastwood was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer, and in March, the company announced plans to merge three operating divisions into a single unit to streamline operations and better leverage the company’s scale.
These workforce reductions come amid financial challenges for Merlin Entertainments. In 2024, the company reported a 3.2% decline in total revenues, amounting to approximately $2.6 billion, and a 15.1% drop in profits to about $721 million. The company attributed these declines to unfavorable weather conditions and a weaker market for weekend visits, particularly in Europe and the U.S.
Despite these challenges, Merlin Entertainments is continuing to invest in its attractions. The company has announced plans to invest approximately $90 million in new indoor roller coasters for Legoland Florida and Legoland California, set to open in 2026.
The recent layoffs highlight the ongoing adjustments within Merlin Entertainments as it seeks to navigate a competitive theme park industry and address financial pressures.
Here is a link to the official filing to the Florida Commerce Department: WARN Notice Merlin Entertainment
