Now known as larger-than-life celebrations of the famous toy, all eight of the Legoland theme parks have pretty humble origins that can be traced back to a single carpenter in Billund, Denmark.
Ole Kirk Christiansen began producing wooden toys and blocks under the Lego name as early as 1934. It wasn’t until 1949, however, that he created the iconic, interlocking plastic bricks. By late 1950s, Christiansen’s son, Godtfred, had taken over the project, and Lego began bricks and model sets out of the factory, also in Billund.
It was here that the idea for the first Legoland park was born, as travelers from across the globe began visiting the factory to see the Lego sculptures that decorated the factory’s exterior. Godtfred had the idea to transform the manufacturing center into a proper attraction, by opening a 125,000-square-foot park to exhibit Lego creations.
In 1968, Legoland Billund officially invited enthusiasts to marvel at the immense collection of miniature houses and famous landmarks. Of course, Legoland has grown a bit since then. The park at Billund has doubled in size, and introduced rides, entertainment, and themed worlds.
The second Legoland, in Windsor, opened in 1996, followed shortly by the first Legoland in the United States — Legoland California. Today, there are also Legoland parks in Florida, Germany, Malaysia, Japan, and Dubai (home to the largest Lego replica of the Burj Khalifa).
Like the original Legoland Billund, in Denmark, the Legoland California Resort also has a Miniland — this one filled with distinctly American sights and attractions, including plenty of California’s most famous points of interest: the Golden Gate Bridge, Griffith Park Observatory, and the Hollywood Bowl.
While any Lego enthusiast will certainly find something to love about a trip to Legoland, the park is specifically geared toward children between the ages of 2 and 12. For the tiniest tots, there are rides without height requirements. Older kids might have their first rollercoaster experience on what a park representative calls “pink knuckle” rides — thrilling, but not too scary.
Legoland California is busy all year long, but prices rise and crowds tend to swell during school vacation weeks and the summer months. Be sure to cross-reference your travel dates with any on-site events, like the July 4 Red, White, and Boom fireworks and the Halloween-themed Brick-or-Treat.
For expert tips and tricks to planning a perfect trip to Legoland California — including park hours, the best rides and restaurants, how to use a pass, and the can’t-miss attractions — check out our definitive guide. We promise, all your Legoland California Resort questions will be answered.
Getting to Legoland California
Purchasing Legoland Tickets
Legoland Hours
Legoland Reserve ‘N’ Ride
The Best Legoland California Rides
The Best Legoland Attractions
Special Events at Legoland
The Best Legoland Restaurants
Drinking Alcohol at Legoland
The Best Legoland Hotels
Legoland California Insider Tricks
Be one of the first to cross the turnstiles in the morning, and you’ll avoid some of the worst crowds. But if you’re not an early riser, head directly to the back of the park upon arrival, or wait until after lunch to make your appearance.
According to Jake Gonzales, a representative from Legoland California Resort, kids can trade with any Legoland California employee wearing a Minifigure on their uniform. “Some guests try to see how many times they can trade in one day,” Gonzales told Travel + Leisure. “Or they search for certain Lego Minifigures that they can add to their personal collection.”
If you’re traveling during your kids’ school break, a Legoland insider suggests visiting the park on either a Tuesday or a Wednesday.
Legoland Resorts and Parks Around the World
LEGO fans on the East Coast of the United States might want to consider the newer Legoland Florida park, which has almost 50 rides and attractions, and is larger than California’s Legoland
Of all the Legoland parks, the Legoland Windsor Resort, in England, is the largest, spanning more than 150 acres. The newest Legoland, in Dubai, has the world’s tallest Lego replica of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
