We have lists of places we still wanted to go, but Legoland Discovery Center was fresh in our minds. Our friend, LeShel, just posted about taking her boys there. I didn't even know we had one in Chicago. I quickly looked it up, learned that it has been there since 2008, looked for coupons, read all the reviews, scoured their website and decided it needed to go on my list.
There were lots of reviews about the price being too high, the attractions not being big enough, and so on...but I really wanted to take Alex. He loves to build. I have stayed away from legos so far, because they are so small and expensive. I don't want to pay $50 for a small bucket of legos that will be eaten, vacuumed or thrown away within two weeks. He is getting bigger though, and "building toys" really are his passion. Plus, he is surrounded by girls everywhere we go. He gets suckered into Barbie movies, and dress-up games and all kinds of girly stuff. It was time we went somewhere that screamed Alex.
He could barely sleep when he found out we were going. And for us, Legoland did not disappoint. I read all kinds of reviews. Most people said there wasn't much to see and that we would be in and out in an hour. My kids, however, wanted to stay forever. We got there when it opened at 10:00. We went across the street to Chipotle for lunch at 1:00 and none of the kids wanted to leave yet. After lunch, the Hawley kids had to get back on the road for Minnesota, but we went back for another dip.
I had to pry my kids away at 3:15 because I was supposed to bring dinner to someone at 5:30. Luckily we avoided traffic on the way home and walked in the door at 4:25. I cooked at Rachael Ray speeds and flew off to deliver dinner. My kids have told me several times what a great day they had. I will say that Legoland is geared towards younger kids, like a children's museum almost. It was a bit pricey, but no one was paying full price. There are lots of coupons and online deals, so the price ended up being comparable to a children's museum as well.
This place was also a dream for photo happy moms, like me. I was snapping away at every turn. Here's a look.
One display is a mini-Chicago (8 foot skyscrapers). So cool. They even had double deckers lego buses rolling around on the streets.
Mini Navy Pier
Sometimes Alyssa thinks she's 15...
And sometimes she remembers that she is only 8.
I got suckered into the souvenir photo of the Dragon ride. It was $8 for two tiny magnets, so we split the cost and each kept a magnet.
Here's Chloe! Did you wonder where she was? I had to carry her through the exhibits, and I also dragged her screaming on to the ride. Apparently giant legos frighten her. So did the 3D movie, but she warmed up to it quickly.
It turns out that watching kids watch 3D movies is good entertainment. They just can't resist trying to touch everything.
In the Lego Factory, they learned how Legos are made and got their very own brick to take home. Alex insisted that I put his name on his very first Lego when we got home. He has advised me that he is starting a Lego collection now. For all the grandparents who are wondering what to get him for his birthday/Christmas...there you go.
Since Chloe had no love for the first ride, she sat out for the second one. She built castles in the Princess room, which was really just a table with a pink partition around it. We did have to laugh at that one. It turns out that she likes legos, just not giant lego displays.
The kids had a blast on this ride and we were the crazy moms running in circles trying to get pictures in bad lighting, of a moving ride. I have 2 dozen blurry pictures to show for my efforts.
Chloe found a playplace.
This next one is probably my favorite picture of the day. I went to see what the big girls were building and found Alyssa and Mimi laying in a trough of Legos.
I loved these giant foam legos. I was so hoping to find them in the gift store. No luck.
I never got a picture of Alex's final creation. Right as he was finishing, Chloe came and sabotaged the whole operation.
We signed up for a workshop with a Master Builder (maybe that is what Alex will be when he grows up?). They made lego lizards. We took a picture, because you don't get to keep them, unless you pay $5 a piece. Nope, just a picture will do.
I accidentally broke Alex's, right before the last piece was added. He had to make repairs. He was starting to tear up because he was frustrated about being the last one done. Sorry Al, but you fixed it! Good job!
When we told the kids to say goodbye, they responded with a group hug.
When we went back in, we built cars and raced them down giant ramps.
And rode the rides lots more times, especially this one.
Strangely enough, the last time they rode I felt a bit of a knot in my throat. I don't know how many more summers I will be their Primary source of entertainment, or how long they will like to play with each other. I even saw some Alex and Alyssa hand holding throughout the day. I am so glad that we have spent their little years here, where we have made so many memories and grown so close.
Luckily I still have two more weeks to squish them to pieces.
11 comments:
That looks like a lot of fun! We have never been to Lego Land, but my kids LOVE them. I was laughing when I read your post because they had just played with their tiny Legos for over an hour today. :)
I had no idea that was there either. When Le Shel mentioned it I thought it was just a store. I had no idea it had rides. Looks like something I'm going to have to add to my list too. Abi loves playing legos with Doug!
I want to take Luke to the one here, but it's a full amusement park and it costs $70 bucks! Now he's all fired up after looking at your pictures. I do want to get him some of the tiny legos though, they are cool for building.
I like the pic of Al with Patrick the starfish. I imagine him thinking..."hey, I'm not the only one who likes to create Sponge Bob characters!"
I'm glad that you had such a wonderful time. We just finished our trip with a delivery of Lego's. I couldn't bring myself to purchase any on location so I brought the kids home and we watched for some ebay deals. We got 4lbs. of lego's for less than what we'd pay for them from Lego. I think Alex needs to get together with some Lego builders at my house and enjoy our ridiculous collection. I still love stepping on those pieces though.
I feel your last paragraph. I feel it SO much. It kills me thinking that time is passing. I'm going to hold onto my kids with both hands and both legs and not let them go. Summer is about OUR FAMILY!! I'm sure I can keep them here.... i hope.
Val, A lot of people complained in the reviews that this place was no Legoland, and compared it to the one in CA. I looked up the CA one and was shocked that they charge $70. These reviewers should have known the Discovery Center was totally different than the theme park with such a huge price difference. It was great for the ages that my kids are. Only two rides, but no lines at all and plenty of hands on things to do. And...a Chipotle across the street! We will have to add it to the list of places to visit when you come out. Does Luke have Lego Duplo blocks? We never even bought those because Lego charges so much. We have lots of blocks and fake legos (the big ones) and Trios as well. I thought American Girl was pricey, but Lego has them beat. To even get enough to be able to play you have to invest a few hundred bucks.
LeShel, Such a good idea to look on e-bay. I had to laugh when I realized the only way out of the store was through the gift shop. I let the kids look but did not spend a penny in there. I would have considered the foam legos if they'd had them, but the rest of it is cheaper at Walmart...or ebay. I will have to take a look. I do feel guilty for not getting legos sooner, but the prices and tiny pieces have had me afraid to commit.
Luke has one set of duplos, but they are boring. He builds with his magna tiles, but he used to like the tiny legos at school...maybe I will check ebay too!
Yeah, Legoland here is a full on amusement park and water park. I never want to go because we have all these other parks that you get annual passes for. Kristen and I decided we will suck it up and get the Disney passes again in January. That place is such a rip off, but I just can't resist it!
By the way...I am still pregnant (obviously) and it's been like 100 degrees out here all week, so brutal!
Julie, You can never have too many Legos. Michael had the Air Force ship crates filled with tens of thousands of Legos to Germany. The Greek word for master builder is 'Arkhitekton' so maybe I can dissuade Alex from that path in life.
Take care,
Dad
Legos are just awesome. We still have the red ones my guys grew up with plus the pink ones the girls got. One of the best helps I got was a big denim circle rug with a drawstring that pulled it all up into a bag. It would be easy to sew one because my guess is they don't make them anymore. But the kids would open it up on the floor, play with the pieces, construct, and then draw it all up and put it away. (And if you really believe that ... theoretically, at least, that's the way it's supposed to work. And when it did work that way it was terrific. Then there were all the other times. But at least I had a place to gather the little blocks to!)
You beat me again. You got some great pics from the day, and I'm glad we made it our last hoorah of summer. I'm sad, too, that it's probably our last field trip and that the girls are getting kind of "bored" with me as a mom. I know they will always love me, but I sense that time approaching when the girls will be embarrassed to be related to me. It won't happen, will it?
Loved that group hug. I wanted in on it, too.
I don't think you should feel guilty I just suggested Alex hang out in here in hopes you'd come with him and we could figure out how to be friends in person, not just online :)
That certainly puts the Legoland in Orlando to shame!! It has a store, the a covered outdoor place with tables and racing ramps. No rides. The kids had fun there, but this sure beats that. Looks like you guys had a great time. Love the pics!
Post a Comment