Lego Movie World

LEGO. For many of us that simple word unlocks a flood of memories. Those colorful little bricks, for many, started our love of building and creating. LEGO allowed us to test the limits of our imagination, create wondrous worlds, and build amazing cities. For the Williams Company, these are not just memories of the past.
 
THE LEGO^®MOVIE™ WORLDmarks the fifth project completed in partnership with Merlin Entertainments at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and was opened to the public on March 27, 2019. THE LEGO^®MOVIE™ WORLDis an immersive, highly themed movie-to-theme park project. The project leadership was filled with Rinker School alumni: Preconstruction Managers Mark Dunn (’13) and Lee McNeil (’93), Director of Preconstruction Justin Bray (’07) and Project Executive Matt Zabik (‘05).
 
Working within a theme park presented unique challenges for these Rinker Alumni. Coordinating with vendors and sub-contractors to ensure reduced impact on the day-to-day operations of the park and adjacent hotels was very important, resulting in night work and tight working quarters. The biggest challenge came from the THE LEGO^®MOVIE™Master’s of Flight. The one of a kind ride was being shipped in three pieces. The trick was trying to fit the pieces within an already completed building, late within the construction schedule. Our alumni stepped up to the challenge and successfully installed the new ride technology, proving Rinker Alumni truly are the best of the best.
 
The Williams Company is already looking ahead to the next project in partnership with Merlin Entertainments, LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel. The new hotel is set to open in Spring 2020, with the Williams Company already hard at work. LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel marks the sixth project in partnership with LEGOLAND Florida Resort.
 
The Williams Company began in 1920 and was founded by JJ Williams. Throughout the years the business has thrived. What began as a small family business in Orlando is now successful in multiple sectors all across the Southeast.
 
In 2016, the Williams Company became 100 percent employee-owned. There are currently 107 employee-owners at the $200 million a year company. Leading the Williams company into their bright future are two of the Rinker School’s own: CEO Bob Lipscomb (’81) and President Taylor Huddleston (’92).