Legoland

[spectrum-turbo]

We are headed to Legoland in June. My nephew has been recently diagnosed with among other things high functioning autism and has a very hard time wating in lines. Is there something similar to the Guest Assistance Card at Legoland?

Also, other than being at the park first thing to get a jump on some of the crowds does anyone have any other hints for us?

Thanks

 

[brergnat]

I don't know about a GAC at Legoland, but I just went there last week with my son who has high functioning autism. He is almost 3. I honestly don't see a need for a GAC at Legoland. The park is very small and quaint, and the lines are not anything like what you will find at a Disney park.

How old is your nephew? Legoland has a lot of rides with minimum height requirements, so depending on his age/height, he may or may not get to go on most of the rides. A lot of the rides that have longer lines are minimum 42-48" to ride.

The "anyone can ride" rides rarely have lines over 15-20 minutes. Some of the rides have a play area with legos where the kids can play while the adults wait in line. This is a GREAT feature! The park map shows which rides have this feature. The kids are in an enclosed area with lego tables and they can just play within very close reach of the rest of the line. The lines sort of snake around in a small area, so you can see your kid the whole time. In addition, one parent can play with the kid while the other waits in the line (esp. useful for autistic kids who may not "stay put").

Most of Legoland is interactive. There is a LOT to do that does not require waiting in a line. There are many open play areas and places to explore. In addition, there are lots of little "lego/duplo" play stops located throughout the park, so your nephew can have some time in a relatively quiet indoor area to unwind.

Keep in mind that lots of locals visit Legoland on the weekdays. They bring their toddlers and come in the mornings, but usually are gone by 1pm or so. This means that, upon park opening, there will be HUGE lines in all the rides in the front area of the park (the storybook boat, the safari jeeps, the coast cruise, the dinosaur coaster, etc.). If you return to these attractions around 1pm, they will mostly be walk ons. I would say skip over any attraction that has a line longer than 15 min and come back later in the day.

My son LOVED looking at the Miniland models. Some of them are interactive as well, pushing buttons to make stuff happen. This is a free roam area, no lines at all, you just walk through and explore. He also spent a lot of time in the Explore Village. There are fountains galore here (interactive as well) and a huge playground with slides, houses, tunnels, and a train ride. No lines here either, except for the train, which was a very short line.

I don't think you'll find you need much assistance, as this park is not nearly as overwhelming (sensory wise) as Disneyland. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[cymomtx]

When I took my too ASPIE kids to LEGOLAND we went in mid July and the lines were not bad at all. I would not recommend the park for any child over the age of 10. Also, bring jackets as once the sun goes down it gets quite cold.

 

[spectrum-turbo]

Thanks for the info.

I just came up with one more question about the Driving School:

My nephew just turned 6 last month and my son is not going to turn 6 until the end of the summer (we are going at the beginning of June). Both are about the same height and tall for their age(s). Would it be better to send them on the Jr version or is the 'Big Kids' version easy enough for freshly minted 6 year olds. Either way I am planning on doing it the first thing one morning.

Thanks

 

[MBW]

When I did research for our upcoming Legoland trip, I read that there is direct access for special needs kids. There's also a admission discount (I think half-price, or care-givers are free.) I remember when the Disneyland GAC was eliminated, a number of SoCal parents on an autism list I'm on recommended Legoland due to its ride access policies.

 

[cindy17]

We went to Legoland in July of 2001. My autistic son was 7 then. He really wanted to do the Driving School, but just didn't understand the concept that he had to actually do the driving himself. He didn't get it at all, parents weren't allowed on the "street". We had to be watching at a nearby observation area. Anyway, this was really heartbreaking to watch, but then the ride attendant quickly came to his rescue, realizing his difficulities. She hopped into his car and helped him with the driving. He was thrilled!

It really is a very nice park, not as overwhelming as Disney can be. And we were there on the 4th of July! Have a great time!

 

[cymomtx]

If you are members of Costco it is cheapter to buy your tickets there. I think you can even buy them online, if I remember correctly. For more information, you might go to the California board.

 

[cmwade77]

When I did research for our upcoming Legoland trip, I read that there is direct access for special needs kids. There's also a admission discount (I think half-price, or care-givers are free.) I remember when the Disneyland GAC was eliminated, a number of SoCal parents on an autism list I'm on recommended Legoland due to its ride access policies.

Disneyland never eliminated the GAC, just made it very difficult to get, now they seem to have come to a decent balance, they even now offer return time passes for attractions without FP if you can't wait for that long of a period of time in DCA, basically the easiest one to get is for them them to treat you like you are in a wheelchair, but I digress, as for Legoland last I saw there was indeed a discount for those with special needs as well as very good access, but a doctor's note is required.

 

[mcmom]

When I did research for our upcoming Legoland trip, I read that there is direct access for special needs kids. There's also a admission discount (I think half-price, or care-givers are free.) I remember when the Disneyland GAC was eliminated, a number of SoCal parents on an autism list I'm on recommended Legoland due to its ride access policies.

Legoland does have a time card that you get at the guest servies center. It is only for up to 6 people. You do have to have a doctor's note for the discounts but not the handicap access card. With the access card you have one member of your party go through the exit and try to flag down an attendent which can take up to 10 minutes. They will give you a time to return---it can be anywhere from 15 mintues to 3 hours later. (longest we have ever had) Then you wait. You can have up to 3 rides scheduled at a time only. Yes, some days the park is easy going and you can ride all the rides by noon and other days especially right after the local schools get out it will be packed (mid June) Just a warning some of the exits that you have to go trough to use the handicap entrace are very small and with my son in a wheelchair we take up the majority of the exit so it is very tight and some people can get rude with you are "blocking" their exit.

As far as the discounts---get an md note stating that the disabled person must have an attendent with him or her in order to use the park. This enables the disabled person to get one free attendent in free with them. The note must be dated within 90 days. Just having a wheelchair, feeding pumps, and other other visable equipment does not cut it.

We live about 15 minutes from the park and I have one Asperger son age 12 and a 7 year old son who has CP and uses a chair. Legoland is great on slow days but on others due to the fact that it is a small park it can get very congested in some areas. A few of the rides are a min. height of 40" but most are 42" or 46" to ride the rides. Also just a heads up the spinner ride (think tea cups but robot looking) an adult has to ride with anyone under 46" (majority of the time but there are a few workers that don't require it)

Hope this helps.

 

[brergnat]

If you are members of Costco it is cheapter to buy your tickets there. I think you can even buy them online, if I remember correctly. For more information, you might go to the California board.

Not anymore.