Last year, we ditched the birthday party for my 8-year-old (we hate planning parties) and ventured out to the new LEGOLAND Resort and Theme Park in New York.
We had this planned for the launch in July 2020, but you know what happened. Thankfully, they were able to open doors again in 2021, becoming the perfect excuse to celebrate our not-so-little, LEGO-obsessed guy. In this post, I’ll share our experience and some information to help you if you are planning a visit, especially since they’ll open their doors full-time next month.
As a mom, one of my favorite things to do with my kids is to sit and spend hours making LEGO creations. I remember growing up in Colombia in the ’90s. LEGOs were so expensive (still are, and they’re even more so when you live in an economically developing country. We often bring some to gift when we visit). However, my dad once got us this little box with just enough blocks to play around with, and I loved those things. LEGOs gave me choices, and it all depended on how creative I was willing to be.
It’s fair to say, I was pretty excited about this trip.
We got there on a Wednesday (weekend Resort passes were impossible to get) checked in, and quickly headed for the Theme Park. There were only a few families there, so we had it all to ourselves (the best part about going while the weather’s chilly). The kids ran from one ride to the other and played with the LEGO stations spread throughout the park. We got a couple of hours of fun before it closed, and we were all hungry, but the next day we were there at the opening.
11 Things To Know About LEGOLAND Theme Park & Resort New York
1. Location: It’s located in Goshen, New York, only 60 miles northwest of New York City. We live in Westchester, so it was only a little over a one-hour drive, but for my sister-in-law, who lives in Nassau County, it took about double the time.
The Resort
2. Fun all day: While the park hours are 10-6, the lobby has a nice play area with an arcade open till 10 pm: perfect for check-in, before dinner, or if it’s raining and you can’t go to the park.
3. You can choose one theme out of 4: Kingdom, Pirates, Friends and Ninjago. We went for Ninjago. After seeing my sister and her husband’s room (Kingdom), I am happy with our choice. Their room was not as elaborate.
4. Separate area for kids in the rooms: The rooms are beautiful and have a designated area for the kids with a bunk bed, TV, LEGO play area and more.
Dining
5. We didn’t like the restaurant, but, to be fair, we only tried the breakfast. After checking reviews, we canceled our dinner reservation and headed to a nearby Mexican restaurant called “Hacienda.” They were celebrating their anniversary and “Dia de Los Muertos”. The music, food…everything was amazing. We had a blast. The next day we skipped food at the park and headed there for a second time. Breakfast was included, so we ate at the Resort, but, well…nothing special.
The Theme Park
6. Best for ages 2-12. All the rides are family-friendly. I was hoping there would be a few rides with more thrill as we like that, but they were fun for the whole family to enjoy.
7. There are 7 LEGO-themed lands guaranteed to keep you busy all hours.
8. When to visit: It’s fun to go in the colder months as there are fewer people, but some rides will be closed if it’s too cold. Some friends went for New Year’s, and they said a lot more were closed. This year, there will be a new water playground, which sounds fun if you go during the summer.
9. Do not miss the LEGO city exhibition: This is the area where the whole family, including abuelos, tios, kids and parents, LOVED.
10. Does it compare to LEGOLAND in Florida? We’ve never been to the one in Florida, but I’ve heard that the one in NY is smaller.
11. Is staying worth it? The Resort is fun and enjoyable but not something you want to pay for every time. Even when we went, my sister-in-law decided to stay in a nearby hotel with her younger kids and save the resort for when they are older and can enjoy it more. Check the vacation packages for deals.
All in all, it was a fun experience. My kids said, “it was the best day ever,” and asked when we were coming back.
What To Wear To LEGOLAND
If you’re an amazing mom who loves matching outfits, this is not for you. You already have a superpower that I don’t. Our motto is wear whatever we feel comfortable and good in, and that’s what we did. I went for jeans and sneakers for myself, and comfy sets for the kids.
Besos,
Julieta
For more ways to look casually put together, join me on IG (@julietatorresd). I’d love to see you there. And if you’re interested in discovering your best colors virtually from the comfort of your home, find more info here.
