For the second part of this feature we head north and around the M25 then, just to add to the excitement, we pass Windsor Castle before arriving at Legoland. From the moment we turn into the resort, on our way to the car park, we notice that everything we see looks to be made of Lego and, by now, the little man in the back seat is so excited he’s just about ready to explode.
The members of staff at the entrance gate are really friendly and answered all our questions, offering plenty of advice as to how to get the most from our day trip to the park. Armed with our map, and following the advice we were given we head straight for the Driving School ride in the Traffic area of the park. We were told it gets very busy, so we wanted to make sure we didn’t have to queue for too long.
On the way we passed the Duplo Valley area and, as soon as he spotted the Duplo Valley Airport Helicopter ride, we had to make a slight detour. There was no queue and so, within a minute, I had my first photo of the day – my son going up, down and round and round as he controlled his helicopter.
At the Driving School the children are briefed about the rules of the road and the controls of the Lego cars before heading out onto the “road” to jump in the cars. The road layout is authentic, with official road signs to control the traffic. There are the occasional bumps, but most children are more than happy to show their adults how to drive properly!
With his “driving license” in his hand, we have a quick look around the Splash Safari, a huge water park area with flumes and slides, (although it’s too early in the season to be contemplating popping our trunks on and getting soaked) before heading off to the next area – Adventure Land.
Here we head straight for the Atlantis Submarine Voyage to get an “up close and personal” encounter with the underwater creatures who live there before boarding a jeep in the Dino Safari – which delivers exactly what it offers, huge Lego dinosaurs in a jungle setting.
Next we stop off at the fantastic Legoland Resort Hotel and, as soon as we see the inside, we can understand why you have to book so early to stay here – It’s Lego-tastic!
Despite the cool weather, my son decides that the S.Q.U.I.D. Surfer is the next ride that we should try. The queue takes 20 minutes and, during this time, we watch others boarding the jet-ski type craft which speed round and round while members of the public set off underwater explosions which drench the riders and, for the first time today, I question the wisdom of allowing a six year old to choose which rides we go on!
Standing in the sun, watching the Pirates of Skeleton Bay Stunt show, is a great chance to dry out before we head over to Knights Kingdom for lunch and a ride on The Dragon – Legoland’s main rollercoaster. The ride is fun, surprisingly fast and very addictive so, immediately after we all eat a massive, reasonably priced, rotisserie chicken lunch inside the Lego castle, my son insists that we ride the rollercoaster again – twice!
As if that’s not enough the next area we visit, Land of the Vikings, is home to the Spinning Spider ride and the rocking and spinning Longboat Invader before we head to Pirate Shores, home to the Jolly Rocker pirate ship! As we’re in danger of revisiting lunch, we decide to slow the pace down a bit next and we take a ride on the Orient Expedition train, a great chance to relax a bit, to see all the life-sized Lego wildlife around the park and to assess what’s left to see and do for the rest of the afternoon and we soon realise that there is way more to experience than time will allow.
As we leave the train we arrive in the Kingdom of the Pharaohs and we join the queue for the Laser Raiders ride. This is the longest queue of the day, but the ride gives us a wonderful opportunity to have tremendous fun shooting our laser guns, so it’s well worth the wait. Before we head off in search of the next adventure, we stop by the Scarab Bouncers, for another chance to shake up our, only recently settled, stomachs.
As time is beating us, we decide to leave the rides for a while and head to Mini Land, as series of world famous landmarks, in miniature, made from over 10 million Lego bricks. To be very honest, although it is quite amazing to see how well these landmarks can be made from Lego, the area itself is looking a bit tired and is in need of attention if it is to remain the centrepiece of the park.
For our final treats of the day, as our weary feet take us towards the park exit, we stop at the Imagination Centre to experience the Sky Rider, a gentle trip around the area in a monorail car about 5 metres off the ground and then, finally, into the Imagination Theatre to see, hear and feel a 4D cinematic special effects masterpiece.
Totally exhausted, we jump back in the car and, with fantastic memories, and a few souvenirs, of an amazing day we head for home while making plans for a return visit to see all the things we couldn’t fit in today – including the brand new pirate-themed play area, Castaway Camp.
Legoland Windsor Resort is open, until the end of October, every day from 10.00am until either 5.00pm, 6.00pm or 7.00pm (depending on the time of year) and the best value tickets are purchased online at http://www.legoland.co.uk/Plan/tickets.
