The wonders of Legoland Windsor are bound to turn any adult into a big kid again
STOMPED feet and impatient cries of, “Hurry up! I reaaallly wanna go on this ride!” were familiar sounds on our son’s birthday weekend away at Legoland Windsor.
But I really couldn’t help it. Because after 38 years, I got to experience the brilliant brick resort for the first time.
OK, fine, our trip was meant to be about the birthday boy. But this big kid was just as excited.
On arrival, our lad gazed in wonder at the giant sleeping dragon looming over the entrance of the main hotel.
Inside, his eyes widened further at the numerous Lego “baths” dotted around the reception area for kids to dive into. (My wife was quick to hold me back as I tried to follow him in.)
We stayed the night in one of the colourful knight-themed rooms at the Legoland Castle Hotel – but there are wizard rooms if you prefer.
The brilliant bunk bed can sleep three, while adults have a spacious double next door. There is a game console to keep the kids entertained, as well as a bucket of Lego (naturally).
A tricky treasure hunt awaited the birthday boy, with clues dotted around the room leading to a code for the safe full of Lego riches.
The Tournament Tavern downstairs offers a range of tasty grub, inculding steaks, burgers to Lego-shaped chips. For breakfast, take your pick of cooked dishes, fruit and cereal – plenty of fuel to get us ready for a day of awesome rides in the park.
We started off at Duplo Valley for the new Duplo Dino Coaster, a fun introduction to coasters for little Lego fans. In fact, Duplo Valley is a pre-school paradise. The Valley airport sends you high in the sky, while Playtown can keep kids busy for hours.
After taking in a puppet show, Dad impatiently dragged the nipper round the rest of the park.
The Legoland app made it child’s play. Use the day planner to plot your route – and checking live queue times to avoid hold-ups is a life-saver.
Lego City was a big hit, with the Fire Academy extinguisher race leaving me utterly exhausted as I pumped our truck to the “burning building”. Other memorable moments included Destiny’s Bounty in Ninjago World. “Cool,” I buzzed. “I love the green one”. My son rolled his eyes.
“Actually, Daddy,” the boy said, “he’s called Lloyd.” Sooooo embarrassing.
My faux pas was soon forgotten, however, on the dizzying Dragon’s Apprentice at Knights’ Kingdom, where we squealed in delight. Brilliantly, most of the rides here require your child to be only 0.9m tall, so are accessible to most pre-schoolers.
I would recommend getting a fast-track pass but even if you are stuck in a queue, the kids can be distracted with, you guessed it, tubs full of Lego.
Miniland really is a sight to behold, with beautiful recreations of world-famous landmarks and buildings lovingly reconstructed in Lego.
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Deep Sea Adventure is another fantastic ride for all the family, as you hop on a yellow submarine to explore a lost underwater city. Tired and all Legoed out, we head for the exit.
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Passing back under the sleepy giant dragon, there comes yet another impatient cry, this time to go back on the Duplo Dino Coaster.
“Hurry up!” I whine, stomping my feet. “I reaaallly want to go back on it!”
Go: Legoland
Legoland Windsor Resort Hotel is from £273 for a family of four on a B&B basis.
Price includes two-day park tickets. See
PLAYING THERE: Day tickets are from £26pp (children under 90cm go free). See
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