Universal Imagination & Plastic Bricks: California Legoland & The Legoland Hotel - Feature

Jul 15

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Everybody can agree that no matter what age you are, the idea of "Legos" speaks volumes to you. Whether you were a child of the 80’s and built with the generic blocks or whether you are a child now and can build magnificent "Lord of the Rings sets", one thing is universal… Legos builds your imagination beyond any other toy. My eight-year-old son is an avid Lego collector and builder. He collects mini-figures and loves to build, build and build with these colorful plastic bricks. So, when we told him we would be going to Legoland, he was beyond excited. When we told him we were staying at the Legoland Hotel, that just changed the game. His eyes lit up right out of his sockets! I could see the cogs in his bright, colorful brain turning enthusiastically. I knew this was a trip that will be cherished forever in his mind and also in ours. Yes...it would be epic.The Legoland Hotel has three exciting themes: Kingdom, Adventureland, and Pirates. Each room is decorated in the Lego theme. The premium rooms even have Lego sculptures scattered throughout in unusual spots like the ceiling and bathroom. We stayed in the Adventureland premium room, which was like a page out of Indiana Jones. A Lego scorpion crouched in the bathroom. A Lego parakeet swung in the kid’s bunk bed area. And a curious Lego monkey sitting atop a treasure chest with a combination lock. We later found that if you put in the right combination, there would be a treasure of two mini-figures, a Lego club magazine and a pouch full of chocolate coins! Throughout the hotel, there are interactive displays and life-sized Lego figures galore. If you follow the Lego brick road, it leads to a giant castle with pirates, knights and ogres. Children can play in the castle with a moat of loose Legos for them to build with. Adults can enjoy the swanky lounge while watching over as their children seize the castle. There is even a nightly Lego building contest. We dined at the hotel’s "Brick" buffet restaurant several times. It was delicious, fast, friendly...and most of all, healthy.Being a guest at the hotel guarantees you with a full hour before the park opens to the public. This way you don’t have to wait in line to enjoy the rides. That is one perk that is well worth your stay. On most evenings there is movie night near the hotel pool and on the patio (with a fire pit) of the Skyline Restaurant. Children seem to love the novelty of watching a movie in the pool.Legoland has over 60 rides and attractions so there is something for everyone. Head on over to Castle Hill for a medieval experience that is sure to reign supreme for years to come. Or take a roller-coaster ride on "The Dragon", gallop on a Lego horse for a Royal Joust, or take in some tee-time at the Wild Woods mini-golf. The older knights can also battle the robotic Lego dragon at the Knightʼs Tournament. SWars1 There is also "Star Wars Miniland" which contains a fascinating collection of replicas of Star Wars scenes on display made entirely of Legos. Don’t miss the Star Wars X-Wing made of over five million legos. It weighs 23 tons and it is the largest Lego structure in the world!From there, be sure to cool off at Legoland’s Water Park, which happens to be the worldʼs first Lego water park. Giant Legos make up a 45-foot tower that serves as a base for two humungous water slides that empty into a three-foot deep pool. This park is probably the most child-friendly park I have ever been to. It caters to children who may still be timid about swimming, with shallow waters and foam Lego blocks.Not to be missed, on your way out, make sure to swing by the Sea Life Aquarium — an underwater exploration experience that is both interactive and educational. With beautiful, exotic sea creatures, the aquarium gives you a glimpse into our planet’s other half — the ocean. The Lost City of Atlantis is the incredible centerpiece of this aquarium where underwater divers made out of Legos mingle with sharks and exotic fish in this massive tank. It makes you realize how nature is amazing when it comes to the growth of a precious, living creature. To see all of Legoland thoroughly, I would recommend at least two days. So many attractions have been added throughout the years that, to see everything, one day is not enough. So be sure to stay and build memories one brick at a time. Your children (including your inner child) will thank you forever!