Legoland Florida Loses Its Park President After About 10 Months as Brian Bacica Heads Back to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Legoland Florida is about to turn 15 without the executive who has led it for most of 2026. Brian Bacica, who became park president of the Winter Haven resort in December, is going back to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the park he left to take the Legoland job.

United Parks & Resorts, which owns Busch Gardens, announced on Thursday, October 8, that Bacica will lead Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island again, replacing Jon Vigue, according to the Business Observer. Its report on the announcement lists Legoland Florida among Bacica's "previous roles."

Brian Bacica. Image: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, via FOX 13

A short stay in Winter Haven

Both of his stints were short. Bacica ran Busch Gardens and Adventure Island from July to December 2025, then "left the company to take the role of president at Legoland Florida," as FOX 13 put it. The Business Observer counts about five months for that first Busch Gardens stint. Counting from December, his Legoland tenure lasted about ten.

When Legoland Florida Resort hired him, EAP Magazin reported that he succeeded Franceen Gonzales, with responsibility for the theme park, the water park, SEA LIFE Florida Aquarium and the Legoland hotels. In that announcement he said the resort was "entering an incredibly exciting period of expansion and innovation," and pointed to Galacticoaster, the indoor coaster that was then still to come.

This year, Bacica was quoted in the resort's announcements for Pig Family Travel Adventure at Peppa Pig Theme Park, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Experience and LEGO Pokémon at LEGO Festival, and Galacticoaster opened on his watch.

What we do not know yet

The announcement came from United Parks, not from Legoland. We found no statement from Legoland Florida or its parent company, Merlin Entertainments, and no report names a successor or an interim leader in Winter Haven. Nor has anyone reported Bacica's last day at Legoland.

The change lands days before a milestone. Legoland Florida opened on October 15, 2011, and it is marking its 15th birthday on Thursday, October 15 with a limited-edition Pop Badge, goody bags for the first 150 guests and extra Mr. Gold badges around the park.

The 15th Birthday Pop Badge Legoland is handing out on October 15. Image: LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Back to Busch Gardens

United Parks presented the move as a chance for Bacica to finish work he started. "Brian was there for the beginning of this transformation and he's the right person to finish it," United Parks' chief parks operating officer, Scott Maupin, said in the company's announcement. FOX 13 reports that the overhaul includes $200 million in spending on new attractions and experiences.

"Coming back was an easy decision," Bacica said in the same announcement.

The Business Observer notes that United Parks gave no reason for Vigue's departure, and counts five different presidents at Busch Gardens over roughly three years.

Who do you think Legoland should hand the keys to next, an insider or another big-park veteran?

Sources

• Business Observer, Busch Gardens brings back former president amid leadership turnover
• FOX 13, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay brings back former president amid leadership shakeup
• EAP Magazin, LEGOLAND Florida Resort Appoints Brian Bacica as Park President

Image credits: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, via FOX 13 (portrait); LEGOLAND Florida Resort (Pop Badge).