Merlin Entertainments has appointed Franceen Gonzales as park president for Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven.
Gonzales has more than 30 years of experience in amusement parks, water parks, hotels, and family entertainment, Legoland said in a news release.
Gonzales will oversee all park operations for Legoland Florida Resort, Legoland Water Park, Legoland Hotel, Legoland Pirate Island Hotel, Legoland Beach Retreat, and Peppa Pig Theme Park.
Gonzales has held positions as park director at Six Flags Great Adventure and vice president of risk management at Great Wolf Resorts. Most recently, she served as chief experience officer at WhiteWater West, a manufacturing company based in British Columbia, Canada, handling initiatives across five business units and five global offices, the release said.
Notable projects Gonzales has overseen include Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Island, AquaNick Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico, and two major expansions of the highest-attended water park in Brazil, the release said.
“I’m excited to return to my roots in park operations and thrilled to continue the legacy of success at the world-class Legoland Florida Resort, alongside a dedicated team committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences,” Gonzales said in the release. “Stepping through the Park, I rediscovered the sense of wonderment that both children and adults experience here. It’s truly special, and I feel deeply honored to be joining this incredible team.”
Gonzales is the first female chair of ASTM International, a standards organization.