Archives for January 2017

Top 10 Reasons to Love LEGOLAND Hotel

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LEGOLAND theme park is quite the place to visit & is nestled in a beautiful location in Winter Haven, Florida, about a thirty minute drive from Disney and an hour from downtown Orlando. It was once called Cypress Gardens, on this property and was a very popular attraction for many years. They still have some of the gardens and features there now.

Right next door to LEGOLAND itself is the hotel, which is literally a short little walk between both entrances. This makes it so easy to do the park and the hotel and you will not be sorry at all when you decide to make it a little vacation for your family.

Here are the top 10 reasons you are going to love the hotel:

1. The LEGO Bricks

If you visited the theme park and booked this place, you already have some form of fondness for LEGO bricks. I can assure you, your family will thoroughly enjoy the displays and hand on play in the hotel.  When you walk in, there are incredible displays built in the lobby. Be ready to be mesmerized. The coolest part is that right in the lobby’s center, there is a huge “pond” of bricks inviting you to play. They have large columns in them where you can build right on the pole, or just create whatever you like with the rest of the folks staying there.

You too can get in the action and feel like a LEGO creator too. There are shelves close by where the hotel will display some of the things created that day, and at night they do a building contest for the kids to take part in, where people cheer and vote for the winners. Sometimes it has a specific theme, like a pirate build and other times, it is just whatever they want.

2. The Elevator

This may seem like the strangest thing to be on this list, especially if you’re not fond of elevators, as I am, but, this one is the best one ever. It has wallpaper all over it of LEGO minifigures in disco outfits and lights, and then on the ceiling are literal spinning disco lights – when the doors close and it starts to move, music plays and the lights go and it becomes a dance party on the way to your destination. It is never a long enough ride and that says something! The kids (and likely yourself, too) will be dancing every time. If you don’t tell your kids ahead of time, have your phone ready and video them on the ride. It makes for great fun later. It also is a chance for them to see mom and dad let loose and be silly.

3. The Staff

My family has stayed in this hotel more than once and I can honestly say that we have felt more welcomed there than any hotel anyplace else, hands down. You feel like they want you there. Do not plan to quietly check in and stay hidden. Plan to be engaged in lobby and at the play area. The interaction is warm, friendly and nice. The staff takes the time to ask you questions and get to know you, and nine times out of ten, they genuinely are funny and enjoying the conversation – it’s not fake.

Periodically throughout the day and night, there will be people in costume. Some costumes are from the nightly show, some in minifigure costumes, LEGO friends costumes, etc. The characters will walk around and hang out with the guests, taking photos and chatting. These connections make it a disappointment when it is time to check out, you might even find yourself waving at the staff and telling them good-bye by first name!

4. The Bricks Family Restaurant

There are two places to eat in the hotel – The Skyline Lounge and The Bricks Family Restaurant. Both are great, but our family really loved Bricks.  They have buffet and they truly know how to do it. The breakfast comes with the hotel stay and it has anything and everything you could ask for, including a custom omelet station. Choose your own ingredients and find yourself full and prepared for the day!

All the meals are incredible. In fact, we have not eaten anything there that wasn’t very good in flavor and quality. It is not your run-of-the-mill buffet. These area meals you would find a top star restaurant. Additionally,  if you have food allergies, Celiac disease, etc, let them know and they will have a chef walk you around the entire buffet to tell you what is safe for you to eat. It is really a wonderful treat if you are a family that always feels like you are making special dietary requests.

5. The Castle

In the back area of the lobby, across from the brick pond, is a large castle that looks like a LEGO set. This area is a huge play place for the kids. It is the cutest thing, complete with a pirate ship and brick pond. The kids can go inside the castle and around the back. On the side is the stage area where the night time show occurs.

A nice perk to this for the adults is that the Skyline Lounge is right beside the castle. There are little table and chair sets so you can order a drink or food and relax comfortably while your kids run and have a ball. This goes on all day and late at night, so let them play and have fun – and you will appreciate the drink! Two birds, one stone!

6. The Rooms

The rooms are the coolest. You have a choice of a few different themes that you can choose when you book. We have stayed in both the kingdom and the pirate themed ones. Others include friends and adventure. They are equally as fun, each with special touches.  The creators do not miss a detail. You will find LEGO builds that are everywhere… a hat hanging in the bathroom to a lady bug on the wall.  There are fun bunk beds for the kids and a large, nice one for the adults. If you are worried about the luxury, the beds are comfy and the pillows are awesome. No trouble falling quickly asleep after a fun day.  Once you enter the room, the real struggle will be whether to stay in the adorable room and relax or to go down to the lobby and party!

7. Master Builder Classes

Several times a day they hold builder classes that you can sign up for. They are held in another room, out of the noise and lobby area and they are so much fun. The teacher guides you through the build process brick by brick and the room is set up just for this reason. Complete with a camera above the educators head, you will have no troubling following the steps. The camera is displayed to a screen so you can see exactly what they are doing. Also, they don’t overbook the class, so any seat is really a good seat. We love that you can keep the build and take it home afterwards! They do not charge extra for this, so be sure to take advantage of it. It’s a souvenir to keep forever.

8. Night Time Show

The show they do each night is a lot of fun for the kids, but for the parents too. The actors stay in character and are hilarious. They play games with the kids like limbo, there is a build contest and they recognize any birthdays that are being celebrated. It is very interactive. I am full of dry humor and creativity and some of the show is improv and truly funny to watch. My suggestion is to be sure to get a spot at one of the tables early so you can have prime watching space!

9. The Pool

The LEGO-themed pool is so much fun.  Filled with plenty of cool floating bricks that are stackable. Build, float, toss, enjoy. There is plenty of  wide open space so you do not feel as though you are on top of your neighbor.  Orlando can be hot. Swim at the end of a day at the park or enjoy an entire day laying in the sun and getting cooled off by the water. Plan to have your swimsuits ready!  The pool is located very close to the lobby, making it convenient and not secluded from the fun.

10. All the Little Bonuses

As I mentioned before, the LEGO creators don’t miss a detail in this hotel and they truly make everything fun. There are lots of neat little bonuses you will enjoy. The rooms have a treasure box with free goodies for the kids, including build sets. That is a huge bonus when mom and dad just need a few more minutes of sleeping in her perhaps an afternoon cat nap. In the morning, you will find a LEGOLAND newspaper at your door, and it is adorable and funny to read – so don’t toss it aside. From the free bricks to the little touches, take your time to take it all in!

Want something fun, take a look at our LEGO Hacks, Ideas, and Activities. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out these 10 Things Not to Miss at LEGOLAND. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.