I’d love to say this day out was just for the kids… but actually, I love LEGO myself and there’s nothing like a day out to Legoland Windsor for a Lego fan…
LEGOLAND Windsor turns 30 this year and I actually remember going myself when it first opened. Though how can that be when I’m only 25? LEGOLAND is one of the top attractions in the UK and it’s a place that you really need to make the most of. So here are my 10 tips for visiting LEGOLAND Windsor Resort.
For reference I’ve been twice; once during the school holidays when Noah was 20 months and Oscar was 5 and then outside the school holidays with just Noah aged nearly 3.
1. Take the Train
Do you know that you can get to Windsor in under an hour? Noah and I went the official unveiling of the South Western Railway LEGO Locomotive, a brand-new Arterio trains named in honour of the 30th Birthday of LEGOLAND Windsor. We went from platform 19 at London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside in just 55 minutes and then it’s a short taxi or bus directly to LEGOLAND Windsor. It’s a really simple and hassle-free way to get there from London.
2. Choose the Best Ticket option
LEGO sells tickets based on height rather than age which I think is quite in the interest of fairness! You have a ticket if you are over 90 cm as there are quite a lot of rides smaller children can’t go on. When we went last year Noah was around 22 months old and there was quite still quite a lot of rides he couldn’t go on. This time it was much better and Noah could go on most of the rides intended for small children. This is fine by me as I’m scared of roller coasters and I wouldn’t go on them anyway! If you prebook tickets online you save significantly to if you buy on the day.
There is also the other option of buying the LEGO annual pass so that you can visit all year round. And then even better value is the Merlin Annual Pass which allows not only access to LEGOLAND but over 20 other UK attractions run by Merlin.
3. Arrive Early
Hours vary but typically LEGOLAND is open 10am until 5pm (6pm most Saturdays) which honestly is quite a narrow window of time as it’s a sizeable theme park. I’ve been twice and barely scratched the surface both times. Plus everything begins winding down and you need to give yourself to time to get to the exit and plan time for the shop. That said I’d advise getting there early to make the most of it. Even better stay the night (I’ve not done this but I plan to one day) and you can be at the door the next day when it opens.
4. Download the App
I love an app. If a hotel or attraction has an app… I will be downloading it! The app is invaluable for checking the map, queue waiting times, show times. I was continually checking it through the day, it’s so useful.
5. Toddlers Can Still Fun
Hello DUPLO Valley! Basically toddler heaven! Noah had an absolute blast and now that he’s over 90cm he was able to go on DUPLO coaster, which he loved, the helicopters, the DUPLO Express plus he got his driving license at L-Drivers! There’s also a playground for everyone and a splash safari. Other things we loved were Miniland, the submarine (LEGO City Deep Sea adventure), Fairy Tale Brook and Coast Guard HQ. If you have a little one that’s not of school age yet, absolutely avoid school holidays and weekends. It was really quiet when we were there and we didn’t have to queue at all.
Another thing to note with a toddler is that LEGOLAND is quite hilly so be prepared to burn some calories pushing a buggy or make use of the LEGOLAND Express train at the entrance. If you don’t bring your buggy you can also hire one there for tired legs.
6. Consider bringing your own food
I always think part of the fun of going to a theme park is trying the food there but everything is so expensive nowadays. I bought a hotdog each for Noah and I, an ice cream for Noah and then drinks. I spent around £50 on just that! Also there wasn’t much choice as a few of the restaurants were closed (I guess because it wasn’t peak time?).
Picnics are allowed so I would suggest bringing food as your main meal and then having a few treats at the park to get into the spirit of things!
Note if you have a Merlin Annual Pass you can get a discount on food.
7. Focus on the Rides you Really Want
Opening hours are limited and queues are long at peak time so head to the rides that you prioritise first. Oscar loved LEGO Ninjago, the ride, The Dragon and Pirate Falls. We also did Haunted House Monster Party which terrified both Oscar and I! If queues are a problem there’s the option to purchase the fastrack. The GOLD Fastrack is valid all day as many times as you want but it’s £75. There are Silver and Bronze fastracks too but personally if I was doing Fastrack I’d do the ‘One-Shot’ which is more of a pay as you go option.
8. Keep an Eye on Seasonal Events
We recently visited for LEGOLAND Windsor’s 30th Birthday and there several activations taking place to celebrate such as a giant LEGO cake, a cake guy and a birthday party! Last time we were there it was Easter and we saw the Easter bunny and lots of Easter displays. I hear Halloween is a good time to go too!
9. Bring a Change of Clothes
Not only might you get wet on some of the rides but Noah had a run in with a very large ice cream which honestly went everywhere. I was very glad to have spare clothing!
10. Approach the Shop with Caution
There’s a huge LEGO shop at the entrance / exit and as a big LEGO lover I could spend hours in there and hundreds of pounds. But as an adult… I can exercise some self restraint even when it comes to LEGO… but children may be another matter. If you don’t fancy being begged to spend £300 on LEGO than avoid at all costs! If you are however, keen to spend a small fortune on colourful bricks at LEGOLAND Windsor... step right in!
I hope those tips for LEGOLAND Windsor were helpful, have the best time!
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We were guests of LEGOLAND Windsor and Merlin Entertainment.
