Beach/Legoland?

[merlinsgang]

We are going the week after Labor Day for 5 days. Have 2 boys who will be 7 and 9. We are considering taking one day to either go to the beach or to Legoland but don't know anything about how to get to either. Also, is Legoland worth the trip? We are goign to focus on the Disney experience, but it seems a shame to travel to the coast and not hit the beach.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I have heard mixed reviews on legoland. I think the best thing is to go to the site and look around, but also there is a really extensive website that goes into each ride in detail. It is http://www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews/legoland_california/ and really informative. After reading this I knew it wouldn't do anything for my DD and myself....not our thing, but for boys it might be different. Also younger kids.
We are going to be in LA in March for another event and were considering Disney, but since its probably going to be at capacity when we are there we opted out. We have decided to take the train to San Diego, as we have never been there. We are going to do one day at Sea World and spend the rest of the time at the beach and shopping,etc... Basically having downtime. So if upon reading about Legoland and if you don't like the looks of it, consider San Diego. Sea World looks awesome for a first time visit - my DD loves dolphins, and you can actually touch them. I am hoping to have enough to spring for the swim with the dolphins for her ($150).
Hope that helps!

 

[eduk8r26]

I think Legoland is great for kids your age. There are a couple of roller coaster rides for thrills, the rest are slower. The kids can build with Legos, play in the water, there are a couple of shows. The food is pretty good and there is a really awesome climbing structure. Plus Miniland is worth the admission.

 

[munchkinsmom]

We are going the week after Labor Day for 5 days. Have 2 boys who will be 7 and 9. We are considering taking one day to either go to the beach or to Legoland but don't know anything about how to get to either. Also, is Legoland worth the trip? We are goign to focus on the Disney experience, but it seems a shame to travel to the coast and not hit the beach.

We go to Legoland all the time with our two little ones (age 3 and 5) and they always have a wonderful time there. It's definitely geared towards children ages 3 to about 12. If your boys enjoy building Legos, they will enjoy themselves tremendously. There is an area which has beautiful reproductions of locations around the country (Miniland) and my DH and I enjoy walking around there.

You might be able to do Legoland and the beach in one day. Legoland is right on the coast and if you hit the park right when it opens, you can finish doing everything by about 5-6PM. Afterwards, head to Carlsbad State Beach on Carlsbad Boulevard near Tamarack Avenue (about 3-4 miles away from Legoland) and spend a couple of hours there until the sun sets.

 

[lntsmom]

714-978-8855

www.CoachUSA.us

www.AnaheimSightseeing.com

In the brochure I got last June they have an 11 hour tour to Legoland. Their price includes transportation and admission. Adults cost $71. Children ages 3 - 12 were $60. I don't know what the regular admission cost is, but considering it's quite a drive from Disney, it sounds like a good deal to me.

I posted above about how we got to the beach. Tony the Limo King will take you wherever you want to go. He charged me $100 round-trip to Laguna Beach. I set the departure and pick-up time. A hint...I think you can haggle with him fairly easily. Tell him you heard what he charged me (he tried to raise it $30, but I had his original quote printed out, lol!) and ask for other prices. It'll give you a good starting place.

 

[Michelle2]

We did both!
When our kids were younger, they LOVED Legoland. But mostly our son...but back when he was 5-9 years old. Since he is 13 now, he would probably only spend the whole time looking at the Lego Miniworld. Everything else is geared for much younger kids. Our DS3 would love it now. I think that your sons are the perfect age for it, and if they love legos, then it would be great!

We stayed at a Hilton at Carlsbad that was right by the beach. We not only went to Legoland, but also were right there on the beach, and went on an afternoon, or a free day, can't remember for sure...Since Legoland closes so early in the off season (about 5:00) you can always head right on over to the beach since there are longer days in September. They are not far away from each other at all!

 

[CALNEVA DISNEYFANS]

Leggo land and the beach! Do both, our 4 kids LOVED leggoland. It is a one day experience only. Actually, we did leggoland in less than one day... and you'll have enough time to do the beach too!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

So is it not worth the two day admission ticket to Legoland--it's much cheaper per day to get two days rather than one...but it sounds like 1 day is more than enough and 2 days would be a bore?

 

[mshrm]

My boys are 6 and 8 and even though they enjoyed their trip to Legoland it wasnt all that great and they loved the beach far more. We are planning our trip for this summer and I just asked them if they wanted to go to the beach or Legoland and they both said the beach. When at the beach they spend all day playing and just having a good time. At legoland their were about 4 rides they really liked but other than those they thought most of it was babyish.

They are both BIG lego fans and insist we have plenty of time for the big lego store at DTD. After our 3 week trip last time that store is still their HIGHLIGHT!LOL

Have a great time!

 

[Snow Brite]

Ive taken two 7 year old boys to Legoland now and they love it. I would reccomend going there before Disneyland though, as it suffers in comparison. It is a very different kind of park, much more geared towards smaller kids. But there is plenty there for older kids as well. What I like about Legoland is that is so much there is kid-powered, and depends on their input to go. The room where you build a lego car and race it against other kids, the firetruck ride, the Driving School. My boys love legos, so this was something they very much enjoyed, the rides, walking around and looking at the different exhibits and then Miniland.

I agree though, that if you get there when they open and work in a circular and organized pattern, you can be done by 3pm or so. Plenty of time to hit the beautiful beach there in Carlsbad for a few hours and relax, have some dinner and then head back north after rush hour is over.

Do NOT miss the apple fries with vanilla cream dipping sauce at Granny Apple Smith's (or something like that) in the castle area. These things are sooooooooooooo good! Also, if you have lego fans, the factory tour where they show you how they are made was a big hit and then dumps you in the shop where they have bins of every lego known to man to mix and match and purchase by the poound.

 

[SylviaL]

If you decide to go Legoland, there's a coupon in the Entertainment book. I think it's like $6 off each admission. After a few days at Disneyland, we're going to Legoland. There happens to be a Thomas the Tank Engine event the day we're there that my DS2 would love.