Legoland California is in Carlsbad, California, lower than an hour from San Diego Worldwide Airport (SAN). Whether or not you’re planning to spend your trip in Carlsbad or close by San Diego, Legoland California is a must-do for households visiting Southern California.
I not too long ago visited with my husband and three sons (ages 4, 6 and 10), and we left with a lot of completely satisfied recollections — in addition to a number of new Lego units from the large present store. Listed here are 10 methods to maximise your time at Legoland California and have essentially the most “bricktastic” trip ever.
Purchase your tickets earlier than you go
Whether or not you buy one-day or multi-day Legoland California tickets, you’ll pay considerably much less by buying them on-line forward of time reasonably than on the entrance gate on the day of your go to.
For instance, a one-day ticket to Legoland California begins at $89 (plus taxes and charges) on-line and $119 (plus taxes and charges) on the gate. You can even save on multi-park tickets that additionally embrace admission to the Legoland Waterpark and Sea Life Aquarium.
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You really want greater than at some point to expertise all of Legoland California, and multi-day tickets should not that rather more costly than a one-day ticket. Should you wished to go to Legoland at some point and the water park the next day, you’ll pay solely $154 (plus taxes and charges) versus $119 (plus taxes and charges) for a one-day multi-park ticket. That is a second day of brick-building enjoyable for less than $35 greater than a one-day ticket.
You can even buy ticket add-ons like VIP excursions, water park cabanas, pay as you go parking, Reserve ‘N’ Trip skip-the-line entry, picture downloads and extra earlier than your go to. You should buy most of those throughout your go to, however you will lower your expenses by getting them forward of time. For instance, it can save you greater than 30% on the one-day limitless digital picture obtain bundle whenever you purchase it on-line earlier than your go to.
The rides are designed for younger youngsters and households
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TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The entire rides at Legoland California are designed with youngsters ages 2 to 12 in thoughts, and none are too intimidating for younger youngsters. There have been rides my entire household liked, some that appealed extra to my 10-year-old and a few that had been good for my 3-year-old.
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Of the park’s greater than 50 rides and sights, 24 haven’t any minimal peak or age requirement. The tallest peak requirement for any trip is 42 inches on the Lego Technic Coaster (which my 4-year-old rode and liked). That is a lot decrease than what you’d see at different main theme parks. Legoland’s rides really are designed for visitors of all heights and ages to take pleasure in.
Some rides, just like the Lego Ninjago Trip and the Legoland Categorical Prepare, require visitors below a sure peak to trip with a “accountable rider” of a sure age and peak, like a father or mother, sibling or different member of the family.
There’s much more to do than simply rides
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TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Whereas my youngsters liked the rides at Legoland, there’s a lot extra to do than hop from trip to trip all day.
Children have loads of vitality — particularly after a serving of scrumptious apple fries with whipped cream, a signature deal with at Legoland parks — they usually want locations to burn that vitality off. Fortunately, Legoland is designed for these energetic youngsters and households.
There are a number of Lego-themed play areas across the park, together with a sand pit for digging up dinosaur bones, a Duplo play city for preschoolers and a Ninjago-themed “coaching camp” play space with slides and obstacles.
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Along with the play areas, there are spots all through the park the place you’ll be able to construct your personal Lego creations. You may construct your personal Lego boat on the Coast Guard Construct-A-Boat space or check your personal Lego moon rover on the Lego Moon Base. You aren’t getting to maintain your creations (don’t be concerned, there are many present outlets for that), however I appreciated the numerous alternatives for my youngsters to make use of their imaginations and get inventive throughout our go to.
After all, you’ll be able to meet your favourite Lego characters throughout your go to, too.
Legoland California is accessible and autism-friendly
In case you are visiting Legoland California with somebody with particular wants, know that the park is well-equipped and accommodating for all visitors. As a Licensed Autism Middle, every attraction at Legoland California has a sensory information that offers you detailed info on stimuli you might expertise. All sights are wheelchair accessible, although some require you to switch out of your wheelchair into the trip automobile.
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Should you want any lodging throughout your go to, communicate with visitor providers on the entrance to the park. They will help you with renting electrical comfort autos, wheelchairs and strollers. They will additionally assist you receive an Assisted Entry Go that enables visitors with bodily and cognitive disabilities to order trip instances all through the day to restrict the time spent ready in line.
Go away your money at residence
Legoland California is a part of the rising pattern of cashless theme parks. The theme park, water park, aquarium and on-site motels solely settle for bank cards and debit playing cards. Should you do present up with money in your pockets, you’ll be able to convert it to a pre-paid Visa card at one in every of three cash-to-card kiosks on the park.
Go to throughout one in every of Legoland’s particular occasions for much more enjoyable
Legoland has themed seasonal occasions for main holidays like Independence Day, Halloween, Christmas and New Yr’s Eve. The occasions function themed characters, decor and leisure included within the common ticket value.
Our most up-to-date go to was through the Summer season Block Occasion, which is being held via Sept. 4, 2023. We danced alongside to the Legoland Summer season Jam dance social gathering, and there was additionally a stunt present, a DJ, a dance social gathering with Benny from “The Lego Film” and extra.
Take a look at Legoland’s seasonal occasions web page for dates and particulars. If attainable, I like to recommend visiting throughout one in every of these occasions for much more Lego-themed enjoyable.
You want greater than at some point to do all of it
We spent a whole day at Legoland California from open to shut, and left with a full checklist of issues we nonetheless wished to do. We rode most of our favourite rides, however we did not have sufficient time to sneak over to the Sea Life Aquarium or the Legoland Water Park.
Subsequent time we go to, I plan so as to add a second day so we’ve got time to do all of it. The aquarium and the water park are straightforward to entry as soon as contained in the park. Lockers can be found close to the park’s predominant entrance and contained in the water park, so you’ll be able to convey alongside your swim gear with out lugging it round all day
You may commerce minifigures with Legoland’s “Mannequin Residents”
One among my youngsters’ favourite issues about Legoland is buying and selling Minifigures with Legoland staff (referred to as Mannequin Residents). You may convey your personal Minifigures from residence or buy them on the park to commerce with Mannequin Residents.
You may ask any Mannequin Citizen for a commerce (most have minifigures on their identify badges), or you’ll be able to take a look at Minifigure buying and selling posts across the park for an even bigger choice. It is loads of enjoyable seeing which Minifigures you could find, and it makes for a cheap (or free should you convey your personal from residence) memento out of your journey.
You may skip the road with a Reserve ‘N’ Trip move
Reserve ‘N’ Trip is Legoland California’s method to skip the road on its hottest sights. There are three variations with three totally different value factors. Basically, the extra you pay, the much less time you spend ready in line. This is a breakdown of pricing and particulars for every model:
- Reserve ‘N’ Trip Final: $100 per individual, reduces wait time by as much as 90%
- Reserve ‘N’ Trip Deluxe: $55 per individual, reduces wait time by as much as 50%
- Reserve ‘N’ Trip Categorical: $35 per individual, reduces wait time by as much as 25%
After you buy Reserve ‘N’ Trip, you’ll be able to reserve trip instances all through the day utilizing the Legoland California cell app. The service can promote out, so it is best to buy Reserve ‘N’ Trip forward of time if you wish to put it to use throughout your go to.
Keep at a close-by lodge for Legoland perks
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Fortress Resort at LEGOLAND California Resort LOCK + LAND/CHIP LITERLAND/LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA
Legoland California has two on-site motels, the Legoland Resort and the Legoland Fortress Resort. Each motels have enjoyable Lego theming, nightly leisure, complimentary breakfast and out of doors swimming pools. Each visitor room has a separate sleeping space for teenagers and a youngsters’ scavenger hunt with prizes.
Each motels sit proper outdoors of Legoland’s predominant gates, and lodge visitors get early entry to pick out Legoland rides earlier than the park opens to the general public.
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Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Whereas not official Legoland motels, there are a handful of motels inside strolling distance (or a brief drive away) that supply their very own theme park perks. Choices embrace The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa and the Hilton Grand Holidays Membership MarBrisa Carlsbad.
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Company at every of those motels can make the most of a non-public entrance to Legoland (close to the again of the park) that permits you to skip the longer strains on the entrance entrance. You may both stroll to the doorway out of your lodge or drive and park within the offered lot.
Backside line
My household liked our time at Legoland California. As a result of our boys’ ages vary from 4 to 10, it may be tough to seek out trip actions that they will all get enthusiastic about. Our oldest is into thrill rides, and our youngest is, effectively, not fairly there but.
Legoland California has rides and actions that our entire household can take pleasure in collectively, which is the important thing to a profitable household trip in my eyes. Effectively, that, and having fun with a heaping serving of heat, crispy apple fries.
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