Tips for a great first trip to LEGOLAND Florida

If you are considering a trip to LEGOLAND Florida and want all the essential information, tips, and a mom’s perspective you are in the right place! Whether you’re a LEGO enthusiast or just looking for a fun-filled family adventure, LEGOLAND Florida promises an unforgettable experience. In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of your visit including our personal LEGOLAND Florida tips, planning suggestions, and essential information about the park.

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What Is LEGOLAND Florida?

LEGOLAND Florida is a 150-acre LEGO-themed Theme Park with rides, attractions, dining, and resort hotels. The entire park from hotel rooms to rides is LEGO themed. The Park is suitable for children and adults however the rides and attractions are most suited for children ages 2-12.

LEGOLAND Florida: Planning Basics to know before you go!

Location and Address:

LEGOLAND Florida is located at One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884.(Please note, it is NOT in Orlando!) Situated in the heart of Central Florida, it’s easily accessible from major cities like Orlando and Tampa (around an hour drive to both).It a convenient destination for locals and tourists alike.

Closest Airports:

The closest major airports to LEGOLAND Florida are Orlando (MCO) (38.6 miles), Tampa (TPA) (51.8 miles), Orlando Sanford (SFB) (61.1 miles) and Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ) (67.6 miles). There is a closer very small airport  Lakeland (LAL) Airport which is 17.2 miles away.

Airport Shuttle Services

While there is no official shuttle through the LEGOLAND, there are some private companies that offer shuttle services. Orlando Shuttle Service can provides estimates for a private shuttle/ transfer.

Hours of Operation:

The park typically operates from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekends. However, it’s always a good idea to check the official LEGOLAND Florida website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on operating hours, especially during holidays or special events.

Ticket Prices:

Ticket prices vary depending on factors such as age, time of visit, and whether you purchase tickets online in advance or at the gate. Generally, prices range from $80 to $120 for a single-day admission ticket. LEGOLAND Florida also offers annual passes and combo tickets that include access to other nearby attractions, including the Peppa Pig Theme park that shares the property.

There are discounts available for active duty military families as well as veterans. There are also discounted passes for Florida Teachers. Some special groups including home school groups and scout troops can qualify for a special rate.

Booking and Staying at a LEGOLAND Florida Resort Hotel:

There are three hotels that are part of the LEGOLAND Florida resort and theme park.

The LEGOLAND website has the most up to date information about ticket and hotel packages and pricing. Staying at the one of the resort hotels was one of my kids’ favorite parts of the trip! There is a scavenger hunt in the room and there are LEGOs to build and play with in every corner! Despite the bright colors and noise in the lobby and restaurants, one of my biggest LEGOLAND Florida Tips is to stay at a LEGOLAND hotel! It is an experience in and of itself and in combination with the free breakfast and reduced cost of the park tickets, we found it to be a good value.

The Beach Retreat Hotel

The Beach Retreat Hotel is the most budget friendly option of the official resort hotels. It is a quick, free shuttle ride from the park. It offers themed bungalow rooms with a separate sleep space for children (bunk beds and a pull or trundle bed or pack- and-play available upon request), and a patio. It also has an outdoor playground, LEGO themed pool, and free hot breakfast daily with stay.

The Pirate Island Hotel at LEGOLAND

The Pirate Island Hotel is one of the two hotels on park property with easy access to the park. The rooms are ideal for families with a king bed in the main sleeping area and separate sleep alcove for children with bunk beds and a pull out trundle bed (pack-and-plays and cribs available on request). There are also larger 2 bedroom suites available for larger families.

As you can imagine, the entire hotel is LEGO Pirate themed. The rooms reflect this with bold colors and lots of treasure maps! The pool, like most of the resort, is tailored to younger children. The pool offers life jackets, floating foam lego blocks, and has zero entry access. There is nightly entertainment for kids outside the restaurant and bar area.

There is one restaurant in the Pirate Island Hotel at LEGOLAND called The Shipwreck. Our meal at The Shipwreck was served family style and priced per person. The meal started with a green salad and rolls for the first course. The main course was an assortment of barbecue meats (ribs, brisket, pulled chicken) with sides of green beans and macaroni and cheese. A delicious skillet cookie for dessert! In addition to the the barbecue option, you could also choose from a seafood platter or vegetarian/vegan option. We made a reservation through OpenTable. Reservations were not required but did ensure we ate at the time we wanted.

The LEGOLAND Hotel

The LEGOLAND Hotel is the flagship hotel of the resort. There is a LEGO building area and castle play area in the lobby of the hotel. The restaurant (Bricks) and the Skyline bar are located off the lobby. We ate at Bricks one evening and had their buffet dinner. The food is kid focused (chicken fingers, pizza, pasta, fruit). There was a small salad bar and one line with a hot entrée. We also ate the included family style breakfast at Bricks both mornings of our stay. It consisted of pancakes (or French toast sticks), scrambled eggs, and bacon or sausage. Cereal and fruit were available. Self serve coffee was available in the lobby prior to breakfast opening.

The LEGOLAND Hotel has several different themes to choose from. You can choose from Ninjago, The LEGO Movie, LEGO Friends, LEGO Kingdom, and Adventure themed rooms. The suite style room set up is the same family friendly set up as the other two hotels with one king bed, full bathroom, and then an alcove with bunk beds for kids.

My kids really enjoyed the pool at the LEGOLAND Hotel. It is the largest pool on property, has a zero entry area, foam LEGO blocks to play with, and a water slide. There is also the Florida’s Wild Side mini golf course overlooking the lake with a fire pit for s’mores. This offered a great place to get outside and enjoy a quiet moment as a family. One LEGOLAND Hotel tip is to book your Creative Workshop (a LEGO building opportunity for kids)which is included with a resort stay up to 2 weeks in advance through the hotel.

Planning A Great Day in The Park

The LEGOLAND Theme park has 150 acres of rides and attractions. The Park features 14 different themed zones to explore and enjoy.

The Beginning:

The entrance is amazing and a key Photo Op for the Trip! There is one service center for guest passes and guest services and another for photo and package pickup and the Rental Center for stroller, wheelchairs and lockers. You’ll want to visit the Big Shop which is also located just inside the park and has the most extensive selection of LEGO sets and paraphernalia imaginable. The LEGOLAND Story rounds out the entrance area which is an interactive tour and building area about the past, present and future of LEGO.

Funtown:

If you need a pick me up on the way into the park, stop in the Market Coffee Shop for coffee and breakfast options. There is one other dining option in this area which is Pepper and Roni’s Pizza Stop. The Famous Apple Fries can also be found in Funtown. Funtown 4D Theater is a great way to cool off or rest your legs for a few minutes during your day at the Park while enjoying a fun and interactive short movie. A complete list of show times during your visits can be accessed on the LEGOLAND Florida App. We loved the Police Chase 3D show. Warning: you may get a little sprinkle before you’re out of there! During our visit, we got lunch at the FunTown Pizza and Pasta Buffet. It is an all inclusive, sit down restaurant with flat rates for children or adults. The buffet included variety of pizza and pasta options as well as a salad bar and a cinnamon dessert pizza.

Heartlake City:

This was at the top of the list for out family and should be for anyone who loves LEGO FRIENDS! The area is not huge, but has some great attractions including the Heartlake Mall store, Mia’s riding adventure (which is actually one of the more adventurous rides we did), and an Ice Cream Parlor.

Miniland USA:

Dad will love this! Miniland USA is under a large shaded pavilion and encompasses millions of bricks that construct LEGO versions of some of the world’s most popular destinations. You will see a LEGO Sized version of Washington D.C. including the White House and National Mall. Other Favorite were the Vegas Strip, Kennedy Space Center, and the Daytona International Speedway.

The Lego Movie World:

This area has something everyone in the family will enjoy. My daughter loved the Benny’s Play Ship Play Structure. Older kids will love the Unikitty Disco Drop. Two other rides (The Battle of Bricksburg water ride and the Lego Move Masters of Flight theater attraction ) are both popular and perfect on a hot day! Taco Everyday is a great dining option in this area of the park.

DUPLO Valley:

This is a sweet and easily accessible area for the youngest LEGOLAND guests. This is the perfect place to take the younger kids for some age appropriate play. There is an adorable train ride they will love as well as play structures and a splash area for hot days. You could also take them to cool off in the DUPLO Valley Schoolhouse which has educational programming scheduled throughout the day. Baby care and private nursing areas are available in the Schoolhouse.

LEGO Kingdoms:

This is another great stop for younger kids. The castle courtyard area is so well done that it is an attraction in and of itself. There is face painting and shopping at the King’ s Market. Merlin’s Challenge and the Royal Joust are great intro rides for younger kids while The Dragon ride will keep older kids excited! After the rides, get a flavor bursted ice cream and enjoy a show on the Kingdom Stage.

Land of Adventure

We started out day in the Land of Adventure. I think this is a great example of LEGOLAND being thoughtfully planned. My older kids loved the Coastersaurus while our younger daughter could ride the safari trek. Lines at Coastersaurs were not particularly long on our day, but longer wait times are possible so head here early in the day! The Pharoah’s Revenge play area is great spot to have some shaded fun in Land of Adventure. While you’re there grab a sandwich at the Ultimate Sandwich Builder food truck.

Imagination Zone

This is the ultimate free LEGO building experience. It’s also a great place to cool off or rest for a bit while your little builder enjoys being immersed in a room with the most LEGOs they’ve ever seen!

Lego Technic Zone

This area of the park is great place for the whole family. Our big kids loved The Great Lego Race Rollercoaster while our younger daughter loved the Technicycle. There is also a Technic tot spot for any toddlers on the trip with you. Don’t miss a theme park classic at the Funnel Cake Factory located here.

Ninjago World

This must visit for anyone who loves the Ninjago characters. We all loved the LEGO Ninjago Ride (a 3D experience). No one will be bored waiting after visiting challenges from all the characters (Zane’s Temple Build, Cole’s Rock Climb, Jay’s Lightning Drill, Kai’s Spinners) on the way in! The Ninjago Kitchen food truck is a great stop if you’re looking for something other than pizza or chicken fingers, go for the smothered veggie dumplings!

Pirate’s Cove

Pirate’s Cove is the newer section of the park. This section of the park features the new Pirate River Quest ride. This ride is a 20 minute boat ride through Cypress Gardens that takes you on a quest to recover stolen treasure! More adventure awaits at the Pirate’s Cove Stadium where you can watch an amazing waterski and water adventure show.

LEGO City

LEGO city represents some of our favorite, classic LEGO builds. It’s a great place to dine, shop, and enjoy the LEGO city classics. The Jr. Driving School, NFPA Rescue Academy, and Coast Guard Academy are great for younger visitors. There are also several good food options in this area including the LEGO City Burger Kitchen, Kick’n’ Chicken Co. and Fire House Ice Cream.

LEGOLAND WATERPARK: We planned a one day trip during our vacation and wanted to spend that time in the main part of the park. If you want the full LEGOLAND experience consider adding a second day for the water park.

LEGOLAND Florida Tips for a great visit:

1. Plan Ahead: Check the park’s website for updates on hours, special events, and any closures or renovations that may affect your visit.
2. Get an Early Start: Beat the crowds by arriving when the park opens. You’ll have more time to enjoy the attractions without long lines. Head to the rides your family is most excited about first to get them in early in the day and minimize wait times.
3. Download the App: LEGOLAND Florida offers a mobile app that provides real-time information on wait times, show schedules, and interactive maps to help you navigate the park efficiently. This is a must have for a great day at the park!
4. Be mindful of the Sun: Florida can get hot, especially during the summer months. Protect yourself and your family from the sun by wearing a sun hat, sunscreen, and staying hydrated. You can bring reusable water bottles and take advantage of the park’s water stations.
5. Use FASTRACK Unlimited Passes : Consider purchasing FASTRACK Unlimited passes or express tickets to skip the lines for popular rides and maximize your time in the park. The FASTRACK Unlimited pass is especially helpful for families wanting to ride some of the more popular rollercoasters.
6. Explore Beyond the Rides: While the rides are a highlight, don’t forget to explore other attractions such as Miniland USA, LEGO-themed shows, interactive play areas, and character meet and greets.
7. Capture Memories: Bring a camera or smartphone to capture memories of your LEGOLAND adventure. Don’t forget to share your photos on social media with the hashtag #LEGOLANDFlorida for a chance to be featured!
8. Height Requirements for Rides: Park Heigh Requirements To ensure safety and a great experience for all guests, LEGOLAND Florida has height requirements for certain rides and attractions. These requirements typically range from around 36 inches to 48 inches for most rides, although there are also plenty of options for younger children and families to enjoy together. I think one of the great things about LEGOLAND is there are so many rides geared for toddlers, preschoolers and young elementary aged kids.

All your LEGOLAND Florida questions answered:

Questions about the Park:

What is the Bag Policy at LEGOLAND Florida?

There is a security station at the entrance of the park where backpacks and purses that are not clear are searched. I love to be hands free with a fanny pack when we are on vacation, and work a small fanny pack with essentials. We also brought a larger backpack with reusable water bottles, ponchos, and mini figures to trade.

Can we bring food/drinks into the park?

Outside food and snacks are permitted into the park. Depending on your budget and preferences, bringing at least some of your own food into the park is a good option. Any food needed for babies, special dietary restrictions, or medical reasons are always welcome. Other than that you can bring in foods, snacks, and a small insulted bag for your family. We at lunch at the Pasta and Pizza buffet and it was good option for our family. We also let the kids pick a treat while we in the park (we went with the Dole Whip and it was delicious). Between a long day and lots of walking we always get hungry at theme parks, and I wish we had brought along a few granola bars, pieces of fruit, or other snacks.

When is the best time to go to LEGOLAND Florida?

There is a lot to take into consideration when choosing a time to go to a park. There are obviously your personal scheduling priorities such as time off work or school. Then there are other factors such as weather and crowd predictions to take into consideration. For estimated weather in Winter Haven, FL please see this site and for estimated crowd predictions please see this Theme Park Crowd prediction calendar. We went during spring break (the end of March) and had great weather. The crowds were not bad at all. Our longest wait for a ride was 35 minutes.

What are the options for travelers with dietary restrictions?

LEGOLAND has an extensive Dietary Guide outlining food choices at dining locations throughout the park.

Is it worth it to buy souvenirs at LEGOLAND Florida?

There are a number of stores throughout the park and of course the THE BIG STORE located in the beginning of the park. As with most theme parks, you pay a premium for a lot of merchandise. There are themed clothing items, decor, candy, snacks, and plush toys. There is also an incredibly impressive stock of LEGO sets from across their lines of LEGOS. From LEGO creator sets to LEGO Friends sets, to Star Wars to Lord of the Rings. My husband and I really enjoyed seeing all the sets! There were several building sets that were exclusive to the park or rare sets that could be purchased at that park that would be worth buying.

I heard about mini figure trading, how does it work?

You can bring complete, intact LEGO brand mini figures to trade on site at trading posts and with “Model Citizens” aka employees of the park. This is a fun, secret experience that kids love!

Are there Fast Passes?

Although not called Fast Passes, there are special passes available for purchase that will allow visitors to move to the front of the line for certain rides. There is currently an option called the FASTRACK Unlimited pass that allow you to get to the front of the line more quickly on certain rides that have the FASTRACK Unlimited Access indicated. Please check the website at the time of your visit for updated details regarding FASTRACK Unlimited pass options.

Questions about the Hotel:

What are the breakfast hours?

Breakfast was served fro 8-10:30 while we were there. The times were posted outside the restaurant and on the LEGOLAND App.

What is the “nightly Entertainment of kids”?

There is nightly entertainment in the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel and the Pirate Island Hotel. During our stay they had a short play/magic show, a pajama dance party, and LEGO character meet and greets. There were several events between 5-8pm

How many days should we plan for our trip?

We stayed for two night and spent one day at the part and felt like we were able to do everything we wanted to do. If you wanted to do more character meet and greets or spend time at the water park an additional day would be helpful. Most families we have talked to about the trip said 1-2 days was a perfect length.

Are there any special seasonal events?

Holiday and Ninjago weekends Summer Brick Party, Red, White and Boom, Brick-or-Treat, Holidays at LEGOLAND.

Is there a gym or Fitness center at LEGOLAND Hotel in Florida?

Sorry parents, you’ll have to get your workout in by walking around the park and carrying your kids! There is no gym or Fittness center at LEGOLAND Florida.

Final Thoughts from a mom who has been there:

With these tips and essential information in mind, you’re ready to embark on a great trip to LEGOLAND Florida. I think the thing I loved the most about LEGOLAND was that it allowed and encouraged my kids to just be kids! There were a few rollercoasters that they felt a little nervous about but there wasn’t much that was scary to them. There are so many places for them to play, splash, explore and JUST BE KIDS! The attractions and rides are really suited to children 12 and under and they thrive in this playful, imaginative place made just for them!