A time-honored tradition has returned to the site of Central Florida’s oldest themed attraction with the recent debut of Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show at LEGOLAND Florida, and the Unofficial Guide has your in-depth look and this latest incarnation of the Winter Haven park’s waterskiing spectacular.
Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show had its public premiere at LEGOLAND Florida on February 12, kicking off the start of Pirate Fest Weekends 2021, which runs through February 28. We were invited to a press preview the day before, where we enjoyed a complete performance to capture the following photos and videos.
The show is performed three times each day in the lakeside amphitheater at the far end of the park. Due to construction on a large shade structure that will cover the park’s MINILAND model cities, the center of LEGOLAND Florida is currently off-limits, which can make navigating the park challenging.
Look for these blue triangles on the ground marking the pathway to the venue, which is called Pirates’ Cove.
Once you find the theater, be careful in selecting your seat because the first few rows are subject to splashing and spraying from the onstage water cannons.
Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show starts with a pair of scallywags who serve as narrators introducing a pack of potential pirates, who are facing their final audition before joining Brickbeard’s fearsome crew.
They are joined onstage by Captain Brickbeard himself, along with his saucy second-in-command Calico Jade, a newly created character. Both are portrayed by performers wearing bulky LEGO Minifigures costumes, with some humor coming from their useless C-shaped hands.
Although the bare-bones plot is really just there to provide a framework for the stunts, the show features a surprising amount of talking for a family show, with a script stuffed with piratey puns and pop-culture references poking at competing parks.
Fortunately, the stunt performers themselves aren’t dressed as LEGOs, which allows them to pull off some impressive athletic feats as they speed across the surface of Lake Eloise.
The portions of the show dedicated to the stunts are fast-paced and thrilling. In addition to traditional waterskis, Brickbeard’s team shows off their skills using wakeboards, Sky Skis, Jet Skis, and even their bare feet.
The most impressive segment shows off a Flyboard, which shoots jets of water from beneath the rider’s feet, propelling him over 70 feet in the air.
Of course, the show’s finale involves a classic three-level pyramid, which harkens back to the waterskiing spectacles that made Cypress Gardens (the original attraction at this location) world-famous.
Here’s a video from the press preview of Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show, so you can check out the complete show:
For comparison’s sake, here is a recording of Battle for Brickbeard’s Bounty, the park’s previous water stunt show, which closed last year.
After the show, if seeing the waterskiing made you feeling nostalgic for the old Cypress Gardens, be sure to stroll by the nearby botanical gardens, which were preserved from the former attraction.
Here’s a complete walk-through of Cypress Gardens that we recorded last year:
During PirateFest Weekends, you can supplement your viewing of Brickbeard’s stunt show with additional pirate-themed performances and activities all around the park, included with regular admission.
Not far from the Pirates’ Cove amphitheater, you’ll also find special character meet-and-greets during the event.
If that’s still not enough pirate’s life for you, consider booking a night in the new Pirate Island Hotel, conveniently located at the park’s entrance.
Finally, before visiting LEGOLAND Florida, be aware that many of the same health, safety, and social-distancing policies found at other theme parks are being observed here as well.
However, face coverings are only mandatory while on attractions or inside buildings; guests are not required to wear masks when outdoors.
To plan your family’s trip to Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
