Visitor attractions operator Merlin Entertainments will rebrand the Cypress Gardens theme park in Florida, US, which it acquired earlier this month, as a Legoland attraction.

The theme park in Winter Haven, Florida, US, will undergo a complete redevelopment and will reopen as Legoland Florida in 2011.

The park will become Merlin's second Legoland site in North America and, according to chief executive Nick Varney, will play an important role in the group's continued growth in the US.

"Legoland Florida will be one of the most exciting and important projects Merlin has ever developed," he said.

"It is a unique opportunity for us as Florida is the biggest family tourist centre in the world. We have been looking for the right site there for some time and in Winter Haven we plan to create one of the best and certainly most beautiful, theme parks in the world.

Although exact details will be revealed at a later date, Varney revealed that the 145-acre Florida site will be the biggest Legoland park ever opened, offering more than 50 rides, shows and attractions.

Charlie Crist, Florida governor, said: "We are delighted at this news. We are extremely happy that the future of Cypress Gardens is secure. Legoland is one of the most exciting names in family attractions and a welcome new addition to Florida."

Having been opened in 1936 by Dick Pope, the 73-year-old Cypress Gardens theme park closed in October 2009 after its then owners - Land South Adventures, who paid US$16.8m for it in 2007 - said dwindling visitor numbers had made it financially unviable.

This was despite a temporary closure for renovations between November 2008 and March 2009.