LegoLand – what to know before you go

Planning a trip to LegoLand, Florida?

Here is what you need to put the pieces together (get it, get it, haha) including the best ticket prices before you go to make…

EVERYTHING AWESOME.

Where to stay – You have options.  The LEGOLAND Hotel or the LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.  The Hotel is right at the entrance to LegoLand and from the moment you enter the lobby it is Lego mania.  There are all day activities at the pool and in the lobby to keep little ones entertained.  You can just play in the piles of legos, or participate in building contests, scavenger hunts, pajama dance parties and more.  The standard rooms have a king bed and a nook with a bunk bed with a trundle separated by a curtain.  Request the theme of your choosing.  They have 1 bathroom, for the king bed, and an empty mini fridge if you choose to bring your own food items.  There are also 2 bedroom suites that sleep up to 9 people with a king bed, a double bunk room, and a pull out sofa.  The Beach Retreat is set up as individual duplex bungalows.  They are the same size and layout as a standard room at the Hotel (only the beach retreat rooms dont have a TV in the kids bunk bed nook).  It was nice to relax on the front patio with a bottle of wine we brought and watch the kiddos play.   Both offer free parking, and the beach retreat offers a free shuttle over or free standard parking at the Hotel/LegoLand park.  Request a room near parking and the pool!  Otherwise you will be shlepping – see layout below.  Both offer free breakfast, activities and heated great pool areas.  We suggest checking in early and enjoying lunch at Ovations, then pool time and on campus activities like smores and master builder competitions and classes that night.  Wake up the next day and have that free breakfast then head into the park, water park first if you’re up for it, then dry off and enjoy the park.  Next day wake up for that breakfast then head over to Bok Towers.

Park tickets:  Don’t pay full price for tickets!  This link will get you discounted tickets.  If you buy through The Lego site they start at $80, but there are more options.  If it rains for more than 90 minutes of your ticket day you can request a free ticket to return, nice since rain shuts down many of the activities.   The Lego Waterpark is a separate ticket and is super fun so if you are thinking about it – go for it!

What to bring into the park: Hat, sunglasses, stroller, sunblock, we put the kids in native shoes with socks, so they would stay on for roller coasters and work as water shoes as well, bathing suits, quick dry towels. The water park is a blast, and if you want to go make sure to bring bathing suits and towels.  We like small quick dry towels.  Water bottles (they have fill stations) and healthy snacks also came in handy.

Navigating the park:  The day we went – over spring break – there were no lines.  None.  I hope you have the same experience!  It was magical!  We moved quickly through all of the rides that shut down in case of rain and as it was predicted to rain that day.  We had a late lunch while it rained and headed for the indoor activities like the Ninjago ride and The Lost Kingdom Adventure.  The pirate waterski show is a must see, if you went to Cypress Gardens as a kid it will feel familiar in the best way.  Look for a little piece of Palm Beach history in MINILAND USA.  This exhibit recreates iconic places around our country that must be seen to be believed.  (I want to order every architecture series after seeing this.)

**March 27th the LegoLand Movie World opens in the park – we got a sneak peek and it looks awesome!**

If it does rain on your party for more than 90 minutes make sure to swing by customer service on your way out and grab your vouchers to return another day.

If you want to make more of your trip– visit Bok Tower Gardens on your way home.  Just 15 minutes from LegoLand it does not really break up the drive but is so worth it.  The gardens were awe inspiring, the kids gardens could be enjoyed for a whole day, the cafe is lovely, picnic ground abound, and the amazing almost 100 year old singing tower…  well it made me cry.  The man who had it built, Edward Bok,  came over to American as a young immigrant and after much success he decided to build this place of peace, beauty and music to give back to the American people as a thank you for his success.  He is known to have said “Wherever your lives may be cast, make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”  I know, right?  SO good.