1st time to legoland - any tips (touring or other) with a 3 and 7 yr old?
- Thread starter urquie
- Start date
Just got back from Legoland last weekend from our first trip. Somehow we've never made it past Disneyland before, but many parents kept telling me that my daughter (4) was the perfect age to enjoy legoland. They were right--she loved it! Some tips I jotted down for our future trips (may be obvious to you if you've already done some research):
1. Check for coupons. I picked up some buy one get one free coupons from ebay. I only have the one kid that needed a ticket (the other is a toddler), but figured it would be easy to find another family to split the coupon with, i.e. a family without a coupon with a kid under 10. I must have asked about a dozen families to split the coupon with me before finding someone as everyone had a coupon! So they must be abundant. Most people had the buy one adult get a child free.
2. We always arrive early at Disneyland, so we arrived early at Legoland, which was fairly easy since it opened at 10am (we were there on a Friday). Early arrival at Legoland is important since the rides are mostly slow loaders and/or low capacity. We headed straight for Safari Trek and then Coastersaurus. With older kids, I'd probably get to Knights' Tournament ASAP. Some rides open half an hour after the rest of the park. Have a park worker point out you which ones open late and then you can make sure you're in the right area for when that part opens. I have in my notes that it's also important to sign up early if you want to participate in the MindStorms workshop (robotics), but we didn't do that since it seemed like it was for older kids. When the lines started to get longer, that's when we took a look at Miniland, did the Bob the Builder movie, built some lego racers, and played on the Hideaway ropes area (all essentially no lines).
3. We only did the theme park, and we skipped the Pirate Shores area since it was a bit chilly and didn't do the aquarium as we also did SeaWorld on this trip. The water park is closed until Memorial Day. We had plenty of time to do almost everything we wanted to do in the park, and we also went out of the park for lunch. It was fairly small and compact geographically. I think you might need a 2 day ticket if you're going to the water park and the aquarium.
4. Went to the Sheraton for lunch as none of the lunch options really excited us and husband wanted a martini. It's about a 5-10 minute hike out the exit by the Hideaway ropes area in the Castle Hill area. We got a hand stamp to make sure we could get back in. Food at the Sheraton was good (but not great), it had a fantastic view, and the service was a bit slower than I'd like.
5. People driving Volvos get special parking spots in the first row of the parking lot near the entrance. There are only about 5-10 spots, but I would do a drive by if I was in a Volvo. When we left, more than half of the Volvo spots were empty.
6. We stayed at the Residence Inn which was okay, which was a 5-10 minute drive to LL. It was clean and had a decent breakfast, but we're kind of spoiled by the GCH villas, which is where we usually stay if we overnight at Disneyland.
7. There is a Costco across the road from LL that has the deli and a gas station if you are a member.
Overall, I definitely think it was worth going, though if your kid is under 34" there are surprisingly few rides they can do. You guys are probably okay - my little guy is not quite two and could make it onto a fair number of rides. He's especially into boats and there are a couple of boat rides, one where you steer your own and one Jungle Cruise/skipper telling cheesy jokes that he enjoyed. There were even more boats in the Pirate Shores area. We'll probably have to take another trip down on a warmer day when he's a bit taller.
1. Check for coupons. I picked up some buy one get one free coupons from ebay. I only have the one kid that needed a ticket (the other is a toddler), but figured it would be easy to find another family to split the coupon with, i.e. a family without a coupon with a kid under 10. I must have asked about a dozen families to split the coupon with me before finding someone as everyone had a coupon! So they must be abundant. Most people had the buy one adult get a child free.
2. We always arrive early at Disneyland, so we arrived early at Legoland, which was fairly easy since it opened at 10am (we were there on a Friday). Early arrival at Legoland is important since the rides are mostly slow loaders and/or low capacity. We headed straight for Safari Trek and then Coastersaurus. With older kids, I'd probably get to Knights' Tournament ASAP. Some rides open half an hour after the rest of the park. Have a park worker point out you which ones open late and then you can make sure you're in the right area for when that part opens. I have in my notes that it's also important to sign up early if you want to participate in the MindStorms workshop (robotics), but we didn't do that since it seemed like it was for older kids. When the lines started to get longer, that's when we took a look at Miniland, did the Bob the Builder movie, built some lego racers, and played on the Hideaway ropes area (all essentially no lines).
3. We only did the theme park, and we skipped the Pirate Shores area since it was a bit chilly and didn't do the aquarium as we also did SeaWorld on this trip. The water park is closed until Memorial Day. We had plenty of time to do almost everything we wanted to do in the park, and we also went out of the park for lunch. It was fairly small and compact geographically. I think you might need a 2 day ticket if you're going to the water park and the aquarium.
4. Went to the Sheraton for lunch as none of the lunch options really excited us and husband wanted a martini. It's about a 5-10 minute hike out the exit by the Hideaway ropes area in the Castle Hill area. We got a hand stamp to make sure we could get back in. Food at the Sheraton was good (but not great), it had a fantastic view, and the service was a bit slower than I'd like.
5. People driving Volvos get special parking spots in the first row of the parking lot near the entrance. There are only about 5-10 spots, but I would do a drive by if I was in a Volvo. When we left, more than half of the Volvo spots were empty.
6. We stayed at the Residence Inn which was okay, which was a 5-10 minute drive to LL. It was clean and had a decent breakfast, but we're kind of spoiled by the GCH villas, which is where we usually stay if we overnight at Disneyland.
7. There is a Costco across the road from LL that has the deli and a gas station if you are a member.
Overall, I definitely think it was worth going, though if your kid is under 34" there are surprisingly few rides they can do. You guys are probably okay - my little guy is not quite two and could make it onto a fair number of rides. He's especially into boats and there are a couple of boat rides, one where you steer your own and one Jungle Cruise/skipper telling cheesy jokes that he enjoyed. There were even more boats in the Pirate Shores area. We'll probably have to take another trip down on a warmer day when he's a bit taller.
PHXscuba
Mouseketeer since birth!
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2008
- Messages
- 3,497
I would add to the height requirements that they are REALLY strict on height. When we were there a couple years ago DS3 was half an inch under 40 inches and he didn't get to ride several things. So know what you're in for before you go. The height requirements in general are pretty low for a lot of rides but pretty high for riding alone, so I hope your 7-year-old is tall enough to ride by themself or you have another adult along.
I would echo starting with the back near the Land of Adventure. We worked our way around clockwise.
PHXscuba
I would echo starting with the back near the Land of Adventure. We worked our way around clockwise.
PHXscuba
Dizneydaz
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2005
- Messages
- 10,973
Great tips!
We've done LL twice now. Once when DD was about 5-6 (and fairly short) and last year she went with her Girl Scout Troop. The girls were 10-11. Both times we had a good time. Last time we were there in mid-April, on a Sunday. Not Spring break.
Yes, there is definitely a lack of rides for the short kids. And they are slow loading.
I haven't been there during the summer but I hear it can get really crowded. If it's hot skip the Sky Cruiser ride. The line gets incredibly long. You have to pedal up high in the sky, where it's really hot and sunny.
Also, personally, I would skip Lost Kingdom Adventure. Supposed to be like Indy but it was pretty lame. Nearby is Pharoahs's Revenge where the kid's shot foam balls at everyone. Kids love doing this.
The Dragon (coaster) is pretty cool. The first time we went it was the first coaster DD ever rode. She loved it!
Loved the Safari Trek, both times. The Coasterasaurus is pretty good. It's fairly short but you get to go around twice. They have a dino dig area similar to the one at AK but you have to pay to use their tools.
.
The Royal Joist is pretty cool. DD liked it both times.
The Fairy Tale Brook is a nice place to take a break during the heat of the day. A slow moving boat that takes you past many of your favorite fairy tale characters. Nicely shaded.
When it's hot the Pirate area is a great place to go. Watch where you stand though. You can get wet from those on the rides. The dragon swing is pretty fun.
The girls enjoyed the Volvo Driving school. We went on pretty early in the day and the line was short. They did it several times and were proud of getting their "licenses"!
The Knight's Tournament is really cool! It's a virtual type coaster-you get to pick your intensity. Lines can get really long here.
There's an area where kids can get wet. Bring change of clothes if you don't want them walking around wet. I like water shoes.
Food-
While they say you can't bring food/drink in, and I believed them, you can. After we ate at Restorante Brickolini (we've eaten here both times and they have very good pizza) I took our leftovers to the car (and ice chest) I brought back in my Diet Coke and some snacks. They don't do a bag check (at least I've never had one).
Knight's Table BBQ-we checked this place out and it looked very good. We decided we weren't hungry for lunch yet so we kept moving (though I still took pix)
Snack-
We had Granny's Apple Fries last time and they were delish!
Parking.
When we went last April we get there fairly early and were able to park close the center of the parking lot. Only a short walk to the entrance.
Ambience.
They've done a great job with decor and landscaping in the park. The trees are all mature and the Lego Village is truly amazing!
Here's some pix from our last trip. Hope you have a good time.
Volvo driving school. Girls got their licenses!
We find this old guy everywhere! Last time DTD in Florida
Apple fries
Some of the decor.
Entrance to the Dragon
Funny restroom sign
Entrance to Knight's Tournament
Intensity sign
On Knight's Tournament
Pizzas at Ristorante Brickolini
Kid's meal sign-IMHO not a good deal. Just split an adult serving.
Pizza
Adult Fettucini, side of bread sticks. We shared pizza, pasta, and breadsticks between myself, DD11, and my DM. We had leftovers.
Safari zebra
Safari Ride
Coastersaurus entrance
Dino dig sign-extra charge
Pharaoh's Revenge
Inside Revenge
DD in front of Lego Village. I took a picture of her here 5 years before.
Dragon Swing
Royal Joust
Lego White House
We've done LL twice now. Once when DD was about 5-6 (and fairly short) and last year she went with her Girl Scout Troop. The girls were 10-11. Both times we had a good time. Last time we were there in mid-April, on a Sunday. Not Spring break.
Yes, there is definitely a lack of rides for the short kids. And they are slow loading.
I haven't been there during the summer but I hear it can get really crowded. If it's hot skip the Sky Cruiser ride. The line gets incredibly long. You have to pedal up high in the sky, where it's really hot and sunny.
Also, personally, I would skip Lost Kingdom Adventure. Supposed to be like Indy but it was pretty lame. Nearby is Pharoahs's Revenge where the kid's shot foam balls at everyone. Kids love doing this.
The Dragon (coaster) is pretty cool. The first time we went it was the first coaster DD ever rode. She loved it!
Loved the Safari Trek, both times. The Coasterasaurus is pretty good. It's fairly short but you get to go around twice. They have a dino dig area similar to the one at AK but you have to pay to use their tools.
.The Royal Joist is pretty cool. DD liked it both times.
The Fairy Tale Brook is a nice place to take a break during the heat of the day. A slow moving boat that takes you past many of your favorite fairy tale characters. Nicely shaded.
When it's hot the Pirate area is a great place to go. Watch where you stand though. You can get wet from those on the rides. The dragon swing is pretty fun.
The girls enjoyed the Volvo Driving school. We went on pretty early in the day and the line was short. They did it several times and were proud of getting their "licenses"!
The Knight's Tournament is really cool! It's a virtual type coaster-you get to pick your intensity. Lines can get really long here.
There's an area where kids can get wet. Bring change of clothes if you don't want them walking around wet. I like water shoes.
Food-
While they say you can't bring food/drink in, and I believed them, you can. After we ate at Restorante Brickolini (we've eaten here both times and they have very good pizza) I took our leftovers to the car (and ice chest) I brought back in my Diet Coke and some snacks. They don't do a bag check (at least I've never had one).
Knight's Table BBQ-we checked this place out and it looked very good. We decided we weren't hungry for lunch yet so we kept moving (though I still took pix)
Snack-
We had Granny's Apple Fries last time and they were delish!
Parking.
When we went last April we get there fairly early and were able to park close the center of the parking lot. Only a short walk to the entrance.
Ambience.
They've done a great job with decor and landscaping in the park. The trees are all mature and the Lego Village is truly amazing!
Here's some pix from our last trip. Hope you have a good time.
Volvo driving school. Girls got their licenses!
We find this old guy everywhere! Last time DTD in Florida
Apple fries
Some of the decor.
Entrance to the Dragon
Funny restroom sign
Entrance to Knight's Tournament
Intensity sign
On Knight's Tournament
Pizzas at Ristorante Brickolini
Kid's meal sign-IMHO not a good deal. Just split an adult serving.
Pizza
Adult Fettucini, side of bread sticks. We shared pizza, pasta, and breadsticks between myself, DD11, and my DM. We had leftovers.
Safari zebra
Safari Ride
Coastersaurus entrance
Dino dig sign-extra charge
Pharaoh's Revenge
Inside Revenge
DD in front of Lego Village. I took a picture of her here 5 years before.
Dragon Swing
Royal Joust
Lego White House
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