Where is LEGOLAND California?
Legoland California is located in Carlsbad, one hour south of Anaheim/Disneyland, or half an hour north of San Diego.
Legoland California is the only LEGO theme park in the US. The original is in Denmark, the birthplace of the famous toy building blocks. (The word "Lego" was invented in 1932, and blends two Danish words meaning "play well"; in Latin, it translates as "I assemble".) Other Lands of LEGO are located in Windsor England, not far from London (-- see pix), and in Germany.
What's special about LEGOLAND California for families?
• LEGO! For starters, much of this 128-acre theme park is constructed with Lego blocks. Kids love that!
• Young at heart: The theme park is designed as a "country just for kids" aged two to twelve, with rides including a Dragon roller coaster, attractions and mini-lands such as Ancient Egypt, made from some of the 30 million Lego blocks at LEGOLAND.
• Live shows: in addition to having fun on attractions, kids and parents get some sitting-down time while watching entertaining performances. The show we saw (at LEGOLAND Windsor) had plenty of action including stunts from a high tower into a swimming pool.
• Seasonal Celebrations: Halloween is a great time to visit LEGOLAND California: in October, the theme park has Brick-or-Treat festivities on several weekends. Holiday Season brings festive decorations and special activities and events, as well.
• SEA LIFE Aquarium: Adjacent to LEGOLAND is the (new in 2008) SEA LIFE Aquarium, with Lost City of Atlantis theme, and with LEGO models in it such as a 7-foot long LEGO submarine. SEA LIFE Aquarium has separate admission, but a "Hopper Ticket" gives admission to the Aquarium and the LEGOLAND theme park. A visit to SEA LIFE might take from 45 minutes up to three hours; part of the tour is inside an acrylic tunnel. This SEA LIFE Center is one of dozens, in twelve countries around the world.
LEGOLAND California is adding new attractions: 2008, for example, brought a new Land of Adventure, with first-ever "dark ride" Lost Kingdom Adventure, Cargo Ace airplane ride, Beetle Bounce, and more; two years earlier, the major Pirate Shores expansion brought four new water-play attractions, such as Splash Battle (riders sail ships with water cannons through pirate-infested waters) and Treasure Falls flume ride. Check the LEGOLAND California site for details.
Beyond LEGOLAND California-- other fun stuff to visit in Carlsbad:
North Carlsbad Beach, and South Carlsbad State Beach which has campsites on a cliff; Carlsbad Children's Museum; side trip to 600,000 acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; many attractions in nearby San Diego.
*photos courtesy of LEGOLAND California
