LEGOLAND Part 3 ~ The Park

This is part three of a three part blog series on our family trip to LEGOLAND.  Make sure you read Part 1 ~ Tips/Reviews and Part 2 ~ The LEGOLAND Hotel of this blog series!

WIN A TRIP:
Click here to enter to win a trip for four to LEGOLAND!

CHECK THE HOURS:
LEGOLAND is not open 7 days a week.  Make sure to check the days of operation before planning your trip.

WORK A CIRCLE:
You can easily go in a circle around the park to make sure you don't miss anything.  When you walk in, go right or left and just keep going.  To the right is the Star Wars display.  ;-)  To the left are most of the rides.

PREPARE THE KIDS:
LEGOLAND is a lot of walking around and taking your time to look at the cool LEGO models and displays.  They are everywhere and are so impressive.  It's not about thrill rides at LEGOLAND, although the little kids will LOVE the rides and not be afraid on 90% of them.

BUILD YOUR OWN MINI FIGURES:

Make sure you stop by and build your own mini figures.  This store was right inside the park on your left.  Mini figures are a key part to any LEGO collection.  The ability to create and package your own is pretty cool.  This store was really the only place we found to purchase anything cool.

Gabriel's Mini Figures

RIDE PHOTOS/PARK PHOTOS:

Similar to Disneyland's Attraction Plus Card, you can buy a flash drive at LEGOLAND that you can load all of your ride photos on to.  I can't remember the price, but as we didn't find anything else to buy, we went for this.  Also at the end of the day I was able to pick photos that their park photographers had taken and also load them onto the flash drive.  For an additional fee of course, but it was nice to go home with the photos and not to worry about having to download them like you have to at Disneyland.

OTHER PARKS:
LEGOLAND also offers a Water Park and an Aquarium.  We did not go to either.  The water park was closed as it was November, and we're not that far from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, so we decided to spend all of our time in LEGOLAND.  You have to buy park hopper tickets to get into the other parks, but I would say the combination of the three parks could take up a few days on a family vacation.  And it would be so nice and convenient to stay at The LEGOLAND Hotel.  I just read that there will be a new Chima themed water park opening Summer 2014.  Our family might have to make it back this summer for that!

WAITING IN LINE:
The coolest thing that LEGOLAND has done, is to create play areas in the middle of the lines.  One parent with the children can go inside and play while the other holds their place in line.  It's genius. You could even just send your children in there.  The line loops around the play area so you can always see them.

LARGEST LEGO MODEL:

The largest LEGO model ever built is a Star Wars X-Wing at LEGOLAND.  I really never expected to see something this grand made out of LEGOS. My boys were so stoked as this combined their two loves of Star Wars and LEGOS.  The X-Wing is a 1:1 replica made of five million LEGO bricks that took a team of 32 Master Model Builders more than 17,000 hours to construct.  It was built in Russia and then shipped to the USA.  The model weighs more than 45,000 pounds, stands 11 feet tall and 43 feet long, with a wingspan of 44 feet. I believe this is only on display through January 2014.

Here is another HUGE LEGO model.  I believe this is a Volvo.

MINILAND USA:

Make sure to save plenty of time for MINILAND USA.  This is a huge area of different model cities from around the USA.

The Capitol Building

Los Angeles

A wedding!

Las Vegas

New Orleans ~ Mardi Gras

INTERACTION:

LEGOLAND is very interactive.  There are lots of places to take pictures and get "in" the models.  Careful as you walk down the street, a LEGO lady watering her LEGO plants might get some water on you.  A polar bear will jump out and roar and LEGO instruments will come to life to play music.  You can even sail LEGO boats around MINILAND Harbor.

WHAT WE MISSED:

There was an entire Star Wars MINILAND that we missed.  I know, I can't believe it!  We knew it was there, but well, this photo explains it all.  ;-)  We were just beat, and it was pretty cold and a little rainy the day we went.  So that will have to be for next time.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE:

Better shopping!!  I swear, we were trying to spend money at LEGOLAND.  There just wasn't anything to spend it on.  I would love to see some sort of LEGO hat - LEGOLAND's answer to Disneyland's ears.  Maybe a yellow beanie with a LEGO face or something.  Or a hat in the shape of a LEGO head.  Give me some cool sweatshirts with mini figures or LEGOS on them.  A mini figure hanging off the zipper would be awesome!  A better selection of LEGO sets and sets that are exclusive to the park would be a nice incentive to get the LEGO enthusiast to visit.  Christmas Ornaments!  We visited in November and I would have loved to see some cool LEGO ornaments.  The only ones were mini figure sets in a plastic ornament ball.  Lame.

OVERALL REVIEW:

Overall, I would say my family had a great time at LEGOLAND.  The LEGOLAND Hotel was a huge part of our enjoyment.  Gabriel says he would like to go again this year, and I think we might try to add on a day to do that on one of our Disneyland trips.  A warm day so that we can take full advantage of the water parks.

I hope this helps plan your family's trip to LEGOLAND!  Do you have something you want me to blog about, leave me a comment.  

Don't forget to click here to enter to win a trip for four to LEGOLAND! 

LEGOLAND Part 2 ~ The LEGOLAND Hotel

This is part two in a three part series on our family trip to LEGOLAND.
Make sure to read Part 1 ~ Tips/Reviews and Part 3 ~ The Park.

WIN A TRIP!:
Click here to enter to win a trip for four to LEGOLAND!

On our recent trip to Disneyland, we decided to add a day at LEGOLAND and a night at The LEGOLAND Hotel.  I must say, The LEGOLAND Hotel was the highlight of our LEGOLAND trip.  It is so cool!  They should open up these LEGO Hotels everywhere families travel.

CHECK IN:
Over the front desk are thousands of mini figures.  A LEGO man on a bike rides back and forth and his wheels magnify the figures as he goes over them.  Really, really cool.  Upon check in Gabriel received a VIP Card and Lanyard with mini figures on it.  It was actually one of the coolest souvenirs!  We didn't even see them to buy in the park.  This hotel is all about the kids, and this is just one of the ways they make them feel special.

Don't worry if you get to the hotel and there is a line for check in.  Your kids will have plenty to do!  Here is Gabriel creating a LEGO masterpiece.  The kids can then put them on display and they have nightly building contests in the lobby.

GETTING TO YOUR ROOM:

After checking in, someone will help you to your room.  They will take a staff elevator with your luggage while your family heads to the guest elevator.  This has to be one of the coolest things in the hotel.  Check it out in Gabriel's video below!

YOUR ROOM:
LEGOLAND Hotel offers three different room designs.  Kingdom, Pirate and Adventure.  They then offer two different price levels of each room, regular and premium.  The main difference being how many LEGO and theme decorations are in your room.  I let Gabriel choose and he chose Pirate, which looked the coolest. (We did the regular priced pirate room.)

Our room in mid November was $160 a night.  It had a queen bed for the parents and bunk beds with a trundle in a separate bedroom for the kids.  So our room would have slept 5.  There were two TVs with Video On Demand. This was so cool!  Usually at a hotel you have to look and look for something to watch on unfamiliar channels at odd times.  Not at The LEGOLAND Hotel.  When we were settled for bed, Gabriel quickly found a children's movie, I found a trashy reality show to watch and Jason passed out.  ;-)

The ice bucket!  These are available to buy in the hotel gift shop

THE TREASURE HUNT:
Each room has a prize locked in a treasure chest along with clues that take you on a treasure hunt throughout the hotel.  When we got to the hotel, it was after 10:00, so everyone with little kids was in bed.  We had the entire hotel to ourselves to roam around and explore.  We grabbed a pencil and headed out to do the treasure hunt.  Gabriel loved the freedom of being encouraged to run around the hotel looking for clues.  His full treasure hunt is below as part of his tour video of the hotel.

Here is Gabriel with some of the LEGO people in the hotel

BREAKFAST:
Our room came with breakfast at Bricks Family Restaurant.  I will admit, Jason and I were not impressed with the prepared food, but there was a ton that they couldn't mess up.  Dry cereal, fruit, pastries, bagels, you will get full.  There are also two separate buffets for children and adults.  The child's is lower and offers more child friendly selections.  We waited until after the morning rush with the little kids was over.  The restaurant alone is fun to be in, LEGO creations are everywhere. You can see the full restaurant in Gabriel's video below.  There was a LEGOLAND photographer taking family pictures in front of this sign.  She was happy to also take a picture for us with my camera.

NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT:
There is a ton of stuff going on each night for kids.  Parents can relax in the bar while their kids go crazy.  We missed everything because we were at Disneyland that day, and got to the hotel around 10:00pm.  Make sure to check into the schedule of events, they looked really cool.

GABRIEL'S TOUR: 
My son is the most awesome tour guide.  He researched the hotel before we went, so he knew all of the things he wanted to look for.  (I wasn't planning on posting an official video when we were filming this, so there are actually a few places we left out, including the outside, the lobby, the pool and patio.)  Here is his exclusive tour of the hotel.  Enjoy! (If you would like to see the hotel's official tour video, you can click here.  But I think G's is better.)  ;-)

LEGO "MINI" FIGURES:
A perk of staying at The LEGOLAND Hotel is being able to meet and interact with LEGO "Mini" Figures.  For whatever reason, these figures do not roam the park, so if you want to meet them, you have to stay in the hotel.  They are also a part of the nightly entertainment.  I believe there are three different mini figures, representing the three different room types.

THE POOL:
Our visit was in November, so we did not use the pool, but there was a lovely pool and patio.  The patio of course has a ton of LEGO creations decorating it.

THE PARK:
LEGOLAND is literally steps from the hotel.  It was so awesome to walk out of the hotel and be at the park!  You are allowed to leave your car in the hotel parking lot.  After the day in LEGOLAND, it was awesome to have a place to go, grab some coffee, use the restroom away from the park crowds and get the car.  This is also when we met the Mini Figure Pirate.  We had gotten there too late the night before and missed him.  So that was cool!

WHAT WE MISSED:
We missed the pool, due to time of year, but it was beautiful.  The Skyline Lounge is a full bar with the LEGO theme continuing.  It was even still opened when we got there, but we were too busy checking in for me to go hang out.  It would be an awesome place to relax after getting the kids to sleep upstairs.  There is also Mini's Lounge.  They also serve food, mostly snacks I believe.  This lounge is facing the stage where the nightly entertainment takes place.  I have a feeling the parents hang out there and watch while the kids sit on the floor up front.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE:
The soaps, shampoos and conditioners were standard like in any hotel.  I really wish that there had been some sort of cool mini figure mini shampoo bottles or something.  The soaps could even be in the shape of LEGOS.  This would have super made my day.  Not bad if my only complaint is about the lack of theme in their soap.  ;-)

Stay tuned for my next posting, LEGOLAND Part 3 ~ The Park.

Don't forget to click here to enter to win a trip for four to LEGOLAND! 

LEGOLAND Part 1 ~ Tips/Review

This is part one of a three part series on LEGOLAND.  Our family LOVES Legos!  Seriously, we love them.  We have an entire room in our home filled with LEGO sets.  We have so many LEGOS, I have them listed on our insurance.  I. Am. Not. Kidding.

These blog posts will tell you the good, the bad and the ugly of traveling to LEGOLAND California.  Part 1 - Tips/Review, Part 2 - The Hotel, Part 3 - The Park.

Here are my tips and reviews of LEGOLAND Park.

CHECK THE HOURS:
LEGOLAND is not open 7 days a week.  Make sure to check the days of operation before planning your trip.

STAY AT THE LEGOLAND HOTEL:
It was the highlight of our trip and so awesome!  It was probably only $40 more than other hotels in the area, well worth it.  I really wanted to stay another day and just enjoy the hotel.  It is brand new built in 2012.  Check out part two of my post for all of the cool details of the hotel.  Including video starring my son as the tour guide.

DO NOT PAY FOR CHILDREN:
There are a TON of promotions and coupons for a free child entry with an adult ticket.  Going before June 30, 2014?  Here's your deal:  Go to this link and enter Promo Code 13035.  This coupon code is good for one free 'One Day Child Hopper' ticket with the purchase of a full price 'One Day Adult Hopper' ticket to LEGOLAND California.  One free child per adult ticket.  We have one child.  What I ended up doing was buying a full price park hopper for Jason, got Gabriel's free ticket, and then I bought for myself a LEGOLAND only ticket, as I knew we weren't going to the other parks.  Other places to find these coupons are by joining The LEGO Club, sometimes in the LEGO Club Magazine and Shutterfly.  Just keep your eyes peeled, I see promotions all the time for free child's admission.  Ask your friends or post online, they really are everywhere.

WIN A TRIP!:
Click here to enter to win a trip for four to LEGOLAND.

DON'T EXPECT GREAT SHOPPING:
We had just come from Disneyland where there is THE coolest LEGO store in Downtown Disney.  My husband wanted to shop there but I insisted he wait until we got to LEGOLAND, expecting to find the most awesome selection.  Well, here's some ugly for you.  The stores sucked, they really did.  There was nothing exclusive to the park, no hard to find sets, not even cool Christmas ornaments. (We went in November.)  The only cool thing was a build your own mini figure display where Gabriel got to create and even package his own mini figures.  (There is a cooler make your own mini figure display in Star Trader in Disneyland.)  The clothing was worse.  No cool LEGOLAND clothes with mini figures on them or anything.  The clothing selection reminded me of a sad California t-shirt stand in the mall. 

WHAT I GOT SCOLDED FOR:
Yeah, I'm a trouble maker, you all know that.  We had just come from three days at Disneyland where the answer is always "Yes!"  Well, LEGOLAND wasn't quite as friendly.  They have small "roller coasters."  Nothing too big or exciting by any means.  Yet they would make you remove hats on some rides, sunglasses on others, - never consistent, would yell at you in the microphone if you took your camera out on a ride, they made me feel like a bad child.  Don't even THINK about trying to take a picture of your ride photo with your phone.  That is a super no no.  Let's just say, Disneyland staff they are not.  They are like a step up from a mid state fair carnie.

DON'T EXPECT THRILL RIDES:
There are only a few roller coasters, and only children would consider them "roller coasters."  There was one that had a pretty good drop and Gabriel enjoyed all of the rides!  Many of the rides are to simply take you through LEGO displays.  It's all about the LEGOS.  LEGOLAND is for younger children and the LEGO enthusiast.  It is a nice, calm, uncrowded, small park.  We took Gabriel when he was 10 and he loved it.  I don't know if he will at 11 and probably for sure not at 12.  It's great for 10 and under!  It was also the perfect way to end our vacation.  It was more like going to your local zoo than a theme park.  At least when we went in November.  After the crowds and craziness of Disneyland, it was nice to just walk around and enjoy the scenery.  *Update, Gabriel was just polled and said he can't wait to go back to LEGOLAND.  ;-)

FOOD:
We did not try to bring too much food into LEGOLAND, as I couldn't find people online that had done the same.  Might not be a good idea, or just be ready to take it back to the car if they deny you.  They are much more sticklers than good ol' Disneyland.  We did bring water bottles.  The food in the park is lacking, very.  Not exciting at all. Although everyone was talking/raving about the Granny Apple Fries.  I guess they're deep fried apples you dip in a vanilla sauce.  Worth checking out.

STAFF:

Like I said above, they're a step up from a carnie.  We did stumble upon some staff that had great LEGO facts about the park and were very friendly.  But on the whole, I was not impressed.  Especially on one ride where the two ride operators kept asking each other safety questions on how to properly load people.  Seriously. They all just seemed tired, depressed and not happy to be at work.  They also staff rides alone.  You would never see a lone Cast Member operating a ride at Disneyland.  By our last ride of the day at LEGOLAND, it was very cold.  We walked up to no one in line and a lone, freezing ride operator.  The whole thing just seemed sad.  No one in line, doesn't have a warm uniform, no coworker around.  Even a little weird.

These displays could look all the more impressive with the leaves picked up.

CLEANLINESS OF THE PARK:
LEGOLAND is, well... dirty.  There is dust and cobwebs on all of the rides and LEGO models & displays.  Even the gardening seems a little unkempt.  Dead leaves scattered everywhere on walkways and LEGO displays, sad flowers gardens.  Paint on all of the line handrails is chipping, faded LEGOS in the displays.  It just wasn't that well cared for.  Which is a shame, because it could be really awesome.

SUMMER:
LEGOLAND has an entire wet ride and play area that was closed when we went in November.  Summer/warm months are clearly the months to visit this park.  The Water Park will also be open during those months, although it does require a park hopper ticket.  I also just learned that they will be opening a Chima themed water park this summer. 

LEGO VIP:
Before you go or make your first purchase at a LEGO store, become a LEGO VIP.  You can earn points for every dollar spent online or at a LEGO store and earn coupons.  I assume you can earn points at the stores in LEGOLAND, although I wouldn't count on it.  It's a good program to join regardless, if you buy a lot of LEGOS.

I hope this helps in the planning of your family trip to LEGOLAND.  Stay tuned for parts two and three of this series,  The Hotel and The Park. 

Don't forget to click here to enter to win a trip for four to LEGOLAND!