It’s finally here! Legoland New York Resort is open! We were lucky enough to be able to visit the new theme park in Goshen, NY during previews. We got a glimpse of what’s available now and what will be coming later this year. Whether you’re planning a trip to go visit the resort or just curious to see what it’s all about, here’s the inside scoop on some of the “bricktastic” things waiting for you.
There are seven lands to explore: Lego® City, Lego® Castle, Lego® Ninjago® World, Miniland, Bricktopia, Brick Street and Lego® Pirates. Each land is extremely well themed (from the design and sculptures to the music) and has its own attractions, shops and eateries. Each land is special in its own way so take your time to explore. While the flow of the park seems to want to go through Brick Street and into Bricktopia first, we recommend going the other way (especially if it’s very hot or you have little kids with you). The park is built on hilly terrain which means it is not all on one flat level. The hill to work your way through Miniland might be easier on the decline and/or with a stroller.
Miniland – Full of Lego® replicas of major cities and landmarks, this land is really awe-inspiring. When you stop to think about how much time and effort went into each individual section, it’s really remarkable. Observers can catch a bird’s eye view of recognizable destinations like San Francisco, Las Vegas, Washington DC and New York City. It’s highly impressive. Don’t just breeze through this land, the details are so intricate that if you look too quickly, you’ll miss what makes it so amazing. As an adult, this is probably the highlight.
Lego® Pirates – Unfortunately, the day we went, this land was still under construction, so we were not able to get the full experience, however it is expected that by the official open all seven lands will be up and running. Still, we could tell that this was a very exciting place to be. With a life-size pirate ship and future feature attraction Splash Battle, it’s totally sea-worthy. We can’t wait to go back and check it out once completed.
Lego® City – There’s lots to do here. Kids can ride their own vehicles at Driving School and Junior Driving School. Fire Academy is both fun and challenging as guests get the chance to “put out fires” and save lives! We will give you the heads up…it is not easy (just like the real thing). Our favorite part of this land by far was Palace Cinema! We got to see a 4D movie about the Police in pursuit. It was HILARIOUS and the 3D and 4D effects were spot on. The whole audience was laughing the entire time and it was a nice break to get out of the heat and sit down. We definitely recommend making time to catch a film.
Lego® Castle – Well, if you’re a castle park person, this is the p(a)lace for you. Here, you can quench your medieval thirst and the theming is magical. This land’s major attraction is The Dragon, a rollercoaster which starts with a ride through the castle. For the “Little Builders” (ages 3-5), there is an easier version called The Dragon’s Apprentice. There are multiple places in this royal kingdom to satisfy your palate and there is even the opportunity for Lego® enthusiasts to help fortify the castle in Builder’s Guild. We felt right at home at Lego® Castle.
Lego® Ninjago® World – This was actually the first place we stopped on our tour. Lego® Ninjago® The Ride is a 3D attraction, similar to Disney’s Toy Story Mania, where guests help Master Wu fight to save the world of Ninjago. This ride is fit for all ages and is super fun. It’s also quite the upper body workout to fight evil! The land also has a Ninja Training Camp which is meant for the “Little Builders”.
Bricktopia – Okay Lego® enthusiasts, this is a great place for you to pull off and spend a chunk of time. Bricktopia is home to Build & Test where you can do things like build a car and race it. If you’re ready to learn master building techniques, close by is the Lego® Creative Workshop. And of course, don’t forget about the feature attraction, Lego® Factory Adventure Ride. The first of its kind for Legoland, this dark ride is meant to “shrink you down” to the size of a miniature and be right in the center of Lego® production! The cue was just as cool as the ride itself, with tons of Lego® sculptures to keep you entertained on your way in. We also got a chance to eat at Smokey’s Brick-B-Q. The food was yummy, especially the pulled pork and brisket!
Brick Street – Okay, what’s a trip to a theme park without ending your day at the main gift shop? There are lots of operationally important things on Brick Street, like Locker and Stroller Rentals and Guest Services, but there is also The BIG Shop. This store is quite impressive and has a lot of exclusive Legoland New York Resort merchandise, perfect to get your souvenir fix. We do want to point out though that there is great shopping throughout the park, including themed merchandise in each land.
Some key things to note:
- Legoland is targeted at kids ages 2-12. If you’re a serious thrill rides person, this isn’t the park for you. But if you are bringing your kids, you’re still in for a good time. If you’re a Lego® fan, you’ll be in heaven.
- The park is immaculate and they are very environmentally conscious. There are lots of garbage and recycling vessels. Even the benches are made from recycled jugs.
- There are plenty of bathrooms throughout the park. They are nice, spacious and clean. They incorporate touch free fixtures and they also have changing tables for the youngest “builders”.
- Souvenirs are very reasonably priced.
- Stores have necessities available for purchase like sunblock, sunglasses, ponchos, bandages and charging ports. Again, these are very reasonably priced.
- There are character meet and greets available, including Professor Brick.
- Food allergies are not always explicitly labeled on restaurant menus. If there are any in your party, make them known so staff can accommodate.
- The park, at least this year, is set to be closed during the winter as we are in the Northeast and weather is cold and unpredictable.
There was so much awesomeness at Legoland New York Resort! We didn’t get to experience everything in one day, but we are very excited to go back to explore, especially once the Legoland Hotel opens in August. Stay tuned for more information about the property and available vacation packages. And don’t forget… AAA members save on admission tickets.
