LEGOLAND California is just 30 minutes north of our house. Even though, we drive by it every time we go to Disneyland we had never been. I can’t tell you how many “When can we go to LEGOLAND” has come out of my son’s mouth. Finally for his 9th birthday we took him to LEGOLAND California and Boy, did we have a blast!

LEGOLAND California Resort

There are three (3) separate parks within the LEGOLAND California Resort. LEGOLAND theme park, LEGOLAND Waterpark and SEALIFE Aquarium are all connected and can be easily accessed by Guests with resort hoppers.

Located right at the main entrance is the LEGOLAND Hotel and allows Guests to fully immerse themselves in the LEGO experience.

LEGOLAND California Theme Park

Broken up into nine (9) different areas LEGOLAND CA has something for every age. Each area has incredibly built LEGO structures that complement each theme.

• The Beginning – Right at the entrance you’ll find everything to meet your Guest Service needs including ticket booths, first aid, stroller/wheel chair rentals plus much more.
• LEGO NINJAGO World – This newly opened area is THE hot spot! LEGO NINJAGO THE RIDE is the star of the show allowing kids of all ages to use the elements to defeat the Great Devourer.
• Imagination Zone – Home of the The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure and LEGO MINDSTORMS presented by Intel. The Imagination Zone inspires kids to do the impossible!
• Land of Adventure – Take on an adventure battling mummies and skeletons on the LOST KINGDOM ADVENTURE.
• Castle Hill – Land of Kings, Queens and Knights! Brave the DRAGON, wonder the Kings Market and fest at the Knights’ Smokehouse BBQ while visiting Castle Hill.
• Pirates Shores – Ahoy Landlubbers! Are you ready to take on the Captain Cranky’s Challenge or brave the high seas on the Pirate Reef? This is the place to test your sea legs!
• Miniland USA – Hop on the Coast Cruise and see sights like the Taj Mahal and Mount Rushmore and travel through space to LEGO Star Wars.
• Fun Town – Fun Town is where kids rule! Attend the LEGOLAND Drivers School and get your Driver’s License or pilot a plane on Flight Squadron. DUPLO Playtown is the perfect place for the youngest LEGOLAND visitors.
• LEGO Friends Heartlake City – Girl Power! Learn how to ride at Mia’s Riding Camp, visit the Heartlake Stables and meet your favorite LEGO Friends at the Friends Forever Stage.
• Explorer Island – Travel through the story books on the Fairy Tale Brook and dig for dinosaur bones at the Dig those Dinos.

Explorer Island

We probably started off in the wrong direction, but we enjoyed zig zagging through the park. Traveling on the bubbling Fairy Tale Brook took us on an escapade through the stories of our childhood reenacted by LEGO displays.

 Imagination Land and Eats

And this is why I feel we started off in the wrong direction- The LEGO Movie 4D A New Adventure sets the tone for the adventures awaiting you at LEGOLAND. Watch Emmet and the stars of The LEGO Movie visit a new theme park where they have to battle to save each other.

Each land has their own dining options, but we traveled back to Imagination Land for lunch. My son saw that there was a Pizza and Pasta buffet and he was sold. For $16.95 per adult and $9.95 per child you can dine on all you can eat pasta and pizza which if you are hungry it’s not a bad deal. Unfortunately, we weren’t starving, so I don’t feel that we ate enough to justify the $17. I will say that for theme park food it was good and I honestly don’t feel it was overly priced.

Our take on NINJAGO World

My son isn’t a big ride guy, so we mainly explored each land. The one ride he had to try was the New NINJAGO ride. Using cutting edge technology, guests use hand movements to throw fire balls, shockwaves and ice to defeat the villains. My husband KILLED it on this ride, but my son and I just didn’t have the ninja skills to win.

 Castle Hill

First of all, I’m a sucker for anything Medievalish, so I was destined to love this place. But what surprised me was that my son was just as drawn to it as I was. He spent a good hour running, jumping and climbing at the Hidaways. And he wasn’t alone! There were tons of kids playing while adults got to take a load off in the shade of the big trees.

Castle Hill is also home to the famous Granny’s Apple Fries! Oh em gee Guys! You have to try the apple fries. Served hot with vanilla cream dipping sauce these cinnamon and sugar coated Granny Smith apples are to die for.

 

 Miniland USA

There are LEGO statues throughout the park, but Miniland USA is where its at! I have always been amazed when seeing what can be made with LEGOS and this land didn’t disappoint.

The Coast Cruise is a boat ride through the sights around the world including the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House. Our guide was entertaining and loved to joke with the guests. Seeing Las Vegas brought to life through blocks is pretty mind boggling. How do these LEGO Builders do it?!? I just can’t even imagine the work that goes into each display.

Now, as a self-proclaimed Star Wars Nerd I can’t describe how awesome it was walking through the LEGO Star Wars area. Seeing the scenes of my favorite movies come to life through LEGOS made me giddy and um, did I mention there’s a life size Darth Vader display!

LEGOLAND surprised me. It was fun and not babyish at all, which left me looking forward to our next visit. I feel there is so much more for us to see and experience. If you have kids you NEED to book a trip to LEGOLAND! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.