Legoland questions

[StickyWicket]

We are planning on visiting Legoland the beginning of April, staying at a hotel in Mission Valley San Diego. It's me and my 7 year old son who is a total Lego maniac. The employees at the Lego store up here all know him by name.

First question is whether we should plan on one day or two. We are planning on being in San Diego for about three and a half days. The other things I want to do are to visit Coronado Island (especially the beach), spend some time in the Seaport Village or Gaslamp areas, and maybe take a boat tour around the bay. I'd like to spend two days at Legoland but that would only leave a day and a half for everything else.

Second question is how long should I budget to get there from San Diego? We'd be going on a Monday and maybe Tuesday as well. If we are trying to get there at opening at 10 am, do you think we'll hit a lot of traffic?

I'm also wondering what type of crowds we should expect. Since that is our spring break I'm thinking it's probably spring break for many others as well. This will probably factor into my decision on whether to plan one day or two. Is the park spread out enough that it can handle crowds well?

Also just wondering what the key not to be missed attractions are. We'll definately hit all the coasters.

Thanks for any advice!

Karen

[vfire]

Since your son is a Lego maniac, I would think he'll want two days at Legoland. There's also a Lego-themed aquarium there now so there's enough to keep him occupied over two days. He can probably spend two hours alone at Build-and-Test making Lego cars and racing them against the other kids.

[ni_teach]

I have always thought of it as a one day park. You can do everything easily in a day. However, I have not been there since they have built the aquarium.

[SusieP.]

Originally Posted by vfire

He can probably spend two hours alone at Build-and-Test making Lego cars and racing them against the other kids.

I could probably drop my 11 year old off at that "lab" and he'd be happy all day, just building stuff! Legoland has so many cool little details, that if you have 2 days, your son will be totally occupied.

Could you do a day at Legoland, a full day of touring, and then decide how to spend you last day? Are you driving back home? Is Legoland on the way back for you, where you could do a half day and then keep driving?

[nursemelis374]

I just went to Legoland a few weeks ago. Here are my thoughts:

1. First, get there right at opening! This is important for any theme park but was critical here. We arrived right at 10 am and did a lot of the rides in the morning with no wait. This allowed the entire afternoon for roaming around and doing more of the exhibits while the rest of the public waited in 30-60 minute lines for everything. When you get there, I say head to the right first and do the coasters on that side.

2. I think the aquarium was neat, but kind of a waste of time and it was an extra charge. We spoke to a family with little kids and they said their kids lasted less than 2 hours before being bored. We were there about an hour and then were over it. It is pretty small and I think many other local aquariums are better.

3. I think it is a one day park but who knows.

4. The coasters are all fun, the boat rides are cool and so is the Fire Academy thing. Honestly, I liked everything we did.

Have fun!

[LLCMC]

Originally Posted by StickyWicket

We are planning on visiting Legoland the beginning of April, staying at a hotel in Mission Valley San Diego. It's me and my 7 year old son who is a total Lego maniac. The employees at the Lego store up here all know him by name.

First question is whether we should plan on one day or two. We are planning on being in San Diego for about three and a half days. The other things I want to do are to visit Coronado Island (especially the beach), spend some time in the Seaport Village or Gaslamp areas, and maybe take a boat tour around the bay. I'd like to spend two days at Legoland but that would only leave a day and a half for everything else.

Second question is how long should I budget to get there from San Diego? We'd be going on a Monday and maybe Tuesday as well. If we are trying to get there at opening at 10 am, do you think we'll hit a lot of traffic?

I'm also wondering what type of crowds we should expect. Since that is our spring break I'm thinking it's probably spring break for many others as well. This will probably factor into my decision on whether to plan one day or two. Is the park spread out enough that it can handle crowds well?

Also just wondering what the key not to be missed attractions are. We'll definately hit all the coasters.

Thanks for any advice!

Karen

I agree with what others said regarding staying two days. If your son is a LEGO maniac, I would go with two days. Especially with Spring Break crowds. And a two-day "Hopper" admission (SEA LIFE Aquarium and LEGOLAND) is only $10 more for adults and $5 more for children than a one-day hopper. It might be worth it for you. Also, if you use Print @ Home via LEGOLAND.com you get a free kid's meal and 20% an adult meal at one of the restaurants, with the purchase of any hopper ticket! Pretty good deal, and will more than make up for the upgrade to two-day tickets.

As far as drive time, I would give yourself at least 45 minutes from Mission Valley.

And crowds will be pretty busy. It's already busier than expected for Spring Break (I work at LEGOLAND) and the first half of April is expected to be the busiest. As another post stated though, arrive early and you will be able to do more rides with less wait times. Also, if you can, I recommend doing some of the rides toward the back first (Funtown, Pirate Shores and Castle Hill), if you get there at park opening or soon thereafter, as these areas are less crowded at the very beginning, and can get very crowded toward the middle of the day. Also, attractions near the beginning of the park tend to get swamped quickly when the park opens. With two-day admission, this may be less of a concern for you though. But it's always nice to wait in smaller lines, right?

As for key attractions, if you son is a thrill-seeker, obviously the coasters (Technic, and the Dragon). Knight's Tournament is a surprisingly very scary ride too. The smaller things like Kid Power Tower, Driving School and Funtown Fire Academy are great "kid-powered" attractions too though.

Have a blast! And let me know if you have any other questions!

[StickyWicket]

Thank you for all the responses!

So if I leave myself an hour to get from Mission Valley to Carlsbad that'd be about right? So we'll try to leave the hotel by around 9 am.

LLCMC, I do have another question for you. Yesterday when I was at the Lego store up here in NorCal, they had a special where we spent $75 and got a voucher for a free child's membership pass. The store employee made it sound like it's basically a child season pass but when I read the voucher I don't see where it says that. Do you know if the membership pass is like a season pass?

If it is a season pass, then we'll surely just go for both days. We already have a free ticket from my son's Brickmaster Club membership so then I'd only have to buy a one day ticket for me and we'd be covered for both days.

One other question, in general will I hit a lot of commute traffic going to Carlsbad in the morning and them back to San Diego in the evening? I would imagine it'd be the opposite of the main commute, right? I'd probably just try to leave the hotel around 9 am to get there by opening at 10.

Thank you!!

[nursemelis374]

I wanted to also comment on the food at Legoland, it was great! I was very surprised! We ate at the place in the medieval section of the park and it was yummy! My co-worker also said they did burgers and fries and they were fantastic!

[whitealexander]

i've been to legoland and its absolutely wonderful..

[LLCMC]

Originally Posted by StickyWicket

Thank you for all the responses!

So if I leave myself an hour to get from Mission Valley to Carlsbad that'd be about right? So we'll try to leave the hotel by around 9 am.

LLCMC, I do have another question for you. Yesterday when I was at the Lego store up here in NorCal, they had a special where we spent $75 and got a voucher for a free child's membership pass. The store employee made it sound like it's basically a child season pass but when I read the voucher I don't see where it says that. Do you know if the membership pass is like a season pass?

If it is a season pass, then we'll surely just go for both days. We already have a free ticket from my son's Brickmaster Club membership so then I'd only have to buy a one day ticket for me and we'd be covered for both days.

One other question, in general will I hit a lot of commute traffic going to Carlsbad in the morning and them back to San Diego in the evening? I would imagine it'd be the opposite of the main commute, right? I'd probably just try to leave the hotel around 9 am to get there by opening at 10.

Thank you!!

I think you'll be fine giving yourself one hour from Mission Valley. I actually make a similar commute from the San Diego area to get to work each day, and you're right... the traffic is mainly southbound in the morning. I'm not sure which freeways you'll be taking east or west from Mission Valley, but 5 north is pretty easy for me in the mornings.

From what I understand that free children's pass is indeed a full year pass. Now don't quote me on that, as I don't work in Admissions or Guest Services... but that's what I've gathered from the deal. Guest Services will be able to give you all the specifics when you get here. In the meantime, if I hear any further confirmation on that I'll let you know (I'll try to contact someone in the appropriate department if I get a chance).

[OldSchoolMickey]

We are lifetime membes of LegoLand and thoroughly enjoy it!

Since Lego's are very important to him, go for two days. You won't be disappointed! Plenty of stuff to do!

I would figure on a full day and a half at LL, then the balance (2 hours or so) at the aquarium. As mentioned, the aquarium is small as compared to others.

Check the site for operating hours. They closed last week at 5pm which was a bummer since it was 70 degree's and sunny at that time!!!

[StickyWicket]

Thank you all for the info! I'm starting to get really excited!

[k_peek_2000]

For the lego maniac i am, ive never been to legoland!!!!!

[Orcinus]

A friend and I we got through Legoland in 5 hours. We're both 21 and blasted through it, riding every ride we could and seeing every attraction. I suppose with a child you can stretch the visit to last the whole day, but I could never see spending two days in a row there. The aquarium is really cool but ridiculously small.