LEGOLAND – Admission Options and Tips for the Park

Lego enthusiasts love this amusement park and flock to it every year. There are rides for all ages and it offers a great day of adventure for young children and the young-at-heart, alike.

Regular Admission - Purchase one or two-day admission. Prices vary: Children ages 3-12, Adults ages 13-59, Seniors 60 plus

LEGOLAND One Day or Two Day Hopper - Includes admission to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium, opening the Summer of 2008

SEA LIFE Aquarium One Day Admission – This excludes the Park (opening the Summer of 2008).

LEGOLAND Membership - This membership offers one year of admission, special discounts and invitations to Park events, free subscription to LEGOLAND newsletter and to LEGO Magazine (child members). One subscription per household for each.

LEGOLAND Membership PLUS - Includes the above, plus free parking, one complimentary one-day guest pass, 20% discount at all restaurants except snack carts, 10% discount on retail purchases, $5 discount for your invited guests, etc. If you decide to buy a yearly pass after you have already purchased a day admission just go to the membership booth and you will receive a credit for the day pass toward a yearly membership. If you purchase a Membership Plus Pass they will also give you credit for the $8.00 you spent on parking.

Model Mom Club Membership - a valuable one-year pass to LEGOLAND, valid on Thursdays only. Caregivers with children 4-years of age and under qualify to purchase a Model Mom Pass, which is limited to one per family. You will need proof of the child’s age in the form of a copy of an official birth certificate at the time of purchase. Their weekly activity group meets every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and includes Stroller Strides™ Fitness Walks (1st Thursday of the month), LEGO Explore Play Groups (2nd and 4th Thursday of the month), and Specialist Visits (3rd Thursday of the month). The Club’s activities, however, are open to all LEGOLAND guests with a child under 4-years of age. Children ages 3 and 4 or additional children older than 2 will need a Membership, Membership PLUS or Ambassador pass or one-day ticket for admission. Children 2 and under get in free. Model Mom Club Memberships must be purchased at the Park on Thursdays only. For more information on this program, call 760.438.LEGO.

The Entertainment Book contains a coupon for $7 off admission, valid through 11/1/08. Each coupon is good for up to 6 people.

AAA members can usually get admission discounts, and sometimes discounts on other things such as food or merchandise.

Try Costco or Costco.com - Non-members have been able to order tickets online, they just have a small additional fee.

Parking - Between $10 - $20. Perks of LEGOLAND memberships (except Standard Membership) entail free parking!

Military - Active military get a 10% discount for 1-day admission offered with valid military ID. Check on base for other offers.

Give some consideration to which family member would benefit most from having the additional savings if indeed you do not get the same upgraded pass for each family member. For example, it is better if another adult will be taking your kid to have your kid be the one with the upgraded pass, as s/he will get the other supervising adult in without his/her having to pay for parking, and will have the % off for food and suveniour purchases.
Twice a year Legoland has their Tent Sales where they discount their gift shop toys and suveniers providing savings at up to 50% off the regular price. The deals are worth the trip!
Before you have a caricature done on your kid, watch the artist with another family beofre you sit down to pose; you will be happier with your decision/investment. Artists’ talents range from average to superior, so get your money’s worth!
If you have a baby or toddler you have to check out the Model Mom’s Rest Center located in Kidstown. Be aware of the hight requirements of young children, and plan accordingly. Sometimes certain shoes qualify your kids for rides that they would not be tall enough for. Also, the ride attendants will watch over one of your children while you are accompanying the other on a ride (if you are comfortable with that).
When you visit LEGOLAND, take your AAA card. You will receive a substantial discount at the ticket booth. Legoland often runs promotions providing additional savings if you spend a certain amount at a gift shop and have a AAA card. These promotions are not always in effect, but it doesn't hurt to ask for them.
Most rides at Legoland are height-restricted. The minimum height is 34 inches. If your child happens to be on the short side, it helps to put them in thick-soled shoes to make the height clearance. C'mon, it pays to be creative. Otherwise you may find yourself looking at rides rather than riding them!
It might be helpful to take along a bathing suit or a change of clothing as there is an area where the kids can get a little wet by running through a fountain. There are large dryers for them to stand in front of and dry off, but from experience they are only minimally effective.
LEGOLAND differs quite a bit from Disneyland. It is much smaller and easier to navigate. Because it is geared towards a younger age group, you'll find that it is quieter and a more relaxing experience.
Just say "no". Throughout the park there are employees who roam around with cameras and will take your photograph. Sometimes they ask and sometimes they don't. Resist. Be aware of these camera-toting employees. They and those in the booth where you can review those often hijacked photos have a quota to meet. If you don't want to the photos, just say 'no'. Okay, we'll concede, "no, thank you" would be better.
During any time other than the summer and holidays, the park is not crowded and it isn't necessary to purchase VIP parking. Even during the summer the walk is short compared to a place the size of Disneyland.
If you drive a Volvo, you will have the privilege of preferred parking, which will get you a lot closest to the entrance.

Check out Miniland Indy Speedway, NASA, Mt. Rushmore, and the New York City skyline. Don't miss the Coast Cruise to soak in all the magic of Legoland from the water's perspective looking out. Also, kids LOVE The Big Test, a fire-safety education show with great music, acrobatics, and water!!!