Itβs been a few years since we have had the chance to visit Legoland Windsor but we finally made it back at the end of the Easter holidays to celebrate Hubbyβs birthday.
When we arrived the sun was shining brightly and the Beans were understandably excited at the day ahead of them. The park was much busier than we had anticipated for an early April day out, many schools had already started back so we thought it would have been a little quieter.
We did look to book Q-Bot tickets to enable us to skip the queues but with prices starting at Β£25 per person that was going to add a huge chunk of money to our day out as a family of 5.
The first ride we embarked upon was the Viking Rafts, unfortunately Jelly Bean was too small for this ride so Daddy had to take Little Bean and Beanie Boy on alone whilst JB and I watched from the sidelines. Despite the size of the queue they actually managed to get on pretty quickly, I think they were on and off within 20 minutes. Whilst they were queuing Jelly Bean and I popped down to the Pirates area to see if there were any rides that he would like to go on but I think he was feeling a little delicate as he didnβt fancy any of them but loved standing to watch the log flume soaking all of itβs riders. After 10-15 minutes we made our back to the Viking rafts to see if we could spot Daddy but we were too late, he had already gone past as was heading back disembark his raft. The Beans had loved their ride with Daddy and were now ready to explore the park some more.
Jelly Bean spotted the βAir Shipβ ride and decided he wanted to go on that. As a family of 5 we were too big to ride in one carriage so Daddy and Little Bean went in on, whilst the boys and I went in another. This was a really gentle ride and JB loved it, he was able to pull on the rope gently to make our carriage move up and then let go of the rope to let it descend again.
Little Bean had spotted Heartlake City and was desperate to explore it so we made our way over there. She loved it and would happily have spent a few hours there if it hadnβt been for the boys moaning that it was βtoo girlyβ.
The day before we left we saw a tweet from fellow blogger Alice Hassall to say that anyone could eat at the Legoland Hotel restaurant for their all-you-can-eat buffet, you didnβt have to be staying at the hotel. This seemed like a good deal so we decided that we would do the same. We arrived at the Hotel gates and were disappointed to be told that the Hotel Buffet wasnβt open but that there were other eateries available to us in the park. The Beans chose to eat at Pizza Pasta which is also an βall-you-can-eatβ style. You pay for each person eating when you arrive and are then seated at a table with a plate and cup for each person. Then you can choose from pizza, pasta and salad and unlimited drinks. The food is constantly being replenished and it tastes great too. If you have a family with a big appetite then this is a great way to eat.
To our disappointment when we exited the restaurant we were greeted by rain which pretty much stayed with us for the remainder of the day. Whilst it wasnβt the ideal weather it did provide the added benefit that some people left early so the queues became shorter.
During the afternoon we learned about the βparent swapβ on rides which meant that if a parent had to ride with a child but you didnβt have enough adults to children you could ride with one child whilst the other(s) waited at the front of the queue in a secure area until the ride was over and then you swapped children. This saved on having to waste time queuing over and over again however we didnβt feel comfortable leaving Jelly Bean standing at the side of the ride so Little Bean did miss out on a couple of rides.
One request the Beans had made was to watch the show in Heartlake City and it didnβt disappoint. It was a fun show with lots of see, it made the Beans laugh out loud and βoohβ and βahhβ in the all the right places.
We all really enjoyed our day at Legoland and made the most of our day there together but we made the decision that we would return again with Little Bean and Beanie Boy during the school holidays and that I would return to Legoland alone with Jelly Bean so that they could all get to enjoy the full Legoland experience for their age group. Our two school-age children were able to go on most of the same rides and with two parents we would be able to split up for part of the day to allow them both the time to choose the rides they really wanted to go on. For instance, Little Bean really wanted to do lots of the Heartlake City rides but Beanie Boy wasnβt having a bar of it. We would be able to get so much more out of our day if we visited again on a 1:1 parent to child ratio. It isnβt the cheapest day out for a family but there are lots of great offers around on cereal and snack packets. Iβve heard lots of people have made great savings using their Tesco Clubcard vouchers so I shall be looking into that too. One thing is for sure, we will definitely be looking to return again before the year is out. We also quite fancy the Legoland Hotel and shall be checking out their offers β how magical would that be?!
Have you visited Legoland recently? What are your recommendations for the perfect family day out there?
I am such a big kid I really want to visit with my hubby – is there much for adults to do?
Most of the rides are aimed at children but there is so much to see there that I think it’s a must-visit place for all Lego fans π
Ah all of mine are totally lego mad, even Elsie! They’d love it here and I’m thinking now we’re not going away in the summer we might have to plan a little visit xx
Oh definitely do it Susanne, you won’t be disappointed xx
Sounds like you made the most of Legoland despite the rain. We haven’t been to the Windsor one for ages.
Haha yes we aren’t about to let a bit of rain spoil our day π
Legoland looks such fun definitely want to take Blake when he is a little older.
It’s such a fun place to visit, you will love it x
We haven’t been to Legoland but we all want to go and see it. I think Daddy is the most interested in going so I think it’s bound to happen one day
Haha some of us kids never fully grow up do we π
This looks like a great day out, hopefully we will take Lucas when hes older x
Put it on your to-do list and I promise you’ll have a great time π x
Sometimes a wet day is better as its quieter, we went once and it was snowing – that was too cold. Looks like you had a lot of fun despite the weather
Exactly, as long as you are dressed appropriately then it doesn’t matter what it’s doing x
We haven’t been for years. Hoping to go at some point this year. Looks like you had a great time x
We did, we can’t wait to go back x
Looks like you had a fab time, my kids are desperate to go!!
Don’t forget you can get cheap tickets through Tesco Clubcard and on selected cereal packets, it’s definitely worth the savings x
I have never been to Legoland before but I would love to go with my girls. They would love it. I’ll wait until they are older though.
They will love it, I think age 3-4 upwards is perfect for it π
Its many years ago when we visited legoland when my girls were younger. it has changed alot.It looks like your family had agreat time.
We had a lovely fun-filled day thank you. They are still talking about it weeks later π
I went years ago with my older children – we loved it and I hope to go back this year with Pickle who is 3. It looks so fab π Kaz x
I bet your 3 year old will love it π x
Wow looks like they had a fantastic time – we are hoping to go later in the year and I don’t think the rain would stop us either
Laura x
You’ve just got to dress appropriately haven’t you. And if you don’t, you can always buy the ponchos from the gift shop π x