Artifex Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I live in London. 'Been thinking about visiting Legoland Windsor, but I'm not sure it's really worth it. I've never been to a Legoland before, and this may sound sacrilegious, but I'm not sure it's worth it. I'm not going to buy any set there that I wouldn't have already bought or that won't buy in my regular Lego Store or toy store, so what I'm asking is if it's worth the trip. Sightseeing-wise, that is. I've been to Windsor to see Windsor Castle, and I loved it, and I do like to go around being a tourist and visiting places. In the 6 months I've been leaving in London, I've been to places that most Londoners haven't been to themselves: churches, statues, cemiteries, monuments, parks, all sorts of historical places, famous or not. I just go around walking or jogging with no real objective but exercising for a couple of hours and when I find a "new" place, so to say, I just go for it. Legoland is not technically what I'd call a "historical place", and it may not work for me as a Lego Store as I usually go to a Lego Store in London or to John Lewis or or whatever (even ebay), so I'm not really sure it's for me. I do love Lego, that's for sure, but I feel I really need some cheering up about visiting a Legoland. Is it worth? PS: Sorry if I sound grumpy. I'm really trying to like the idea of visiting a Legoland. Quote
Krikkit Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I have been wondering this myself... Additional, I am 32... no children, IS it worth a visit? Quote
Robianco Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I've been on the fence for a while too... while a trip down south for work can happen regularly making the trip to head to Windsor is something I've held off doing. I'm actually closer to booking a trip to Harry Potter's Wizarding World! Quote
Tom Jurassic Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I've been on the fence for a while too... while a trip down south for work can happen regularly making the trip to head to Windsor is something I've held off doing. I'm actually closer to booking a trip to Harry Potter's Wizarding World! I'm hoping to go there with friends over the Summer! I'm fifteen, so bare in mind that when listening to what I have to say, but I personally would say it is worth the visit if you enjoy a good themepark. The rides are all pretty spectacular and feature some very cool elements to them indeed - many of the builds are centered around large brick-built themed elements which really set the mood for the rides, and that is something which I feel is very unique in itself to any Legoland. The stores are generally very good, and even have some rare gems which you may not be expecting - Summer last year I went on a School trip to Windsor's Legoland, and found the Indiana Jones Magnets with Removable Figures! The recreation of London is very nice too (At least I think it's London ) and allows the opportunity to take some incredible photographs - could easily loose yourself in that alone for an hour. It's definitely something fun to do as a Lego fan - everything feels upscaled and it almost makes you feel as if you are immersed in the worlds which you spend so long building. Like I say, I'm fifteen, so it may be different for you guys, but that's my two cents anyway. Quote
TheOneVeyronian Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) Well, since I live only 10 miles away from LEGOLAND Windsor and have taken several of my friends there (including a fellow AFOL a similar age to me who I've become good friends with), and have had an Annual Pass to there for the past, what, 6 years, and have been a somewhat regular visitor for the last 14 years, suppose I better chime in. If this matters, I'm 21 with no kids. The main draw for an AFOL is obviously Miniland, from what I've heard anyway. There is more than plenty there to look at and marvel in just that section, with representations of many towns and cities in Europe (but surprise surprise, many of them are scenes from England, Wales and Scotland). But you will notice the difference between models that have been there since the park's opening 19 years ago and models put there last year (and not just in the retired colours!). They also have a Star Wars Miniland if Star Wars is more your thing, with 7 dioramas. It's one of my favourite areas of the park, so it's well worth a look when you're there. But there is more to it than just the Miniland of course. The rest of the park is absolutely full of LEGO models both big and small, so it makes sense to go on all the rides just to see them. And the rides themselves can be fun even for adults, and in terms of a theme park, apart from the fact that it is LEGO-themed, it does have some unique rides also which are worth checking out, such as Atlantis Submarine Voyage. The shops are decent enough as well, the Big Shop is more than twice as big than all the LEGO brand stores I've been to, and also sells LEGOLAND exclusive merchandise (please note I'm not sure if all the things I link to are still sold, I think they are but they might not be...) on top of everything that a normal LEGO Brand Store sells (with one big exception: Pick a Brick. Well, there is a PaB wall, but it's located in the small shop at the exit of Laser Raiders, and it's really kind of overpriced at £20 a bag comparable to a large PaB cup and mostly basic bricks anyway). Also, there's a Last Chance shop, which sells recently discontinued sets at a discount, usually 10% but some can see up to 25% off. Sometimes there's some real gems in there (once it had the MF Zombies set at a time where it was the only place in the UK to still hold stock of them at the time). One word of advice if you do go though: Don't visit during British school holidays (the 2 weeks surrounding Easter, early May and July and August) unless you don't mind insane crowds. A couple of years back I went in July, and I am not kidding, it was crammed so full it was a struggle to walk through certain areas. Weekends are probably best avoided also. Also... the price is almost £50 per person at the gates (but I haven't checked latest prices), and another £4 if you bring a car into the car park. Of course, that is extremely expensive (I don't know how entry prices to other LEGOLAND parks compare), but it's about the standard price to many large UK theme parks. It's quite a bit cheaper to buy a ticket in advance. To say "to book in advance is a necessity" is perhaps an understatement But, all things considered, I think it's worth making at least one visit there as an AFOL, even if only for the Miniland, as I think there's enough there for an AFOL to enjoy looking around. For UK residents especially, if the entry price puts you off, there are things out there that can reduce the cost of entry. But I may be slightly biased since I use a Merlin Annual Pass (excellent value for money, but that's off topic ) Hopefully that helps anybody trying to make up their mind on whether to visit. Edited March 22, 2015 by TheOneVeyronian Quote
SomeAssemblyRequired Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I've been there 4 times now. Usually as a cheer-me-up from flying over from Australia to visit family. Very good place to be, great store, and miniland is among my favourite places to be Quote
kinggregus Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Being a big fan of Lego, my wife planned the trip there a year ago for my Bday. I was quite disappointed and decided that I will not return. Unfortunately, I went on a rainy day. I was disappointed to see that the few restaurants in the park were full and not allowing customers to enter to avoid the rain. I really wanted to go see Miniland but I felt it was not maintained properly. A lot of the buildings were missing pieces or not working properly. I did not feel there were many rides (even for my toddler) and found the tickers to be very expensive. Note however that it is quite easy to find discounts (on cereal boxes for instance). All that lead me to say that I will not return. If that can serve as a comparison, I went to Disneyland Paris last week and was astonished about how well the parks were maintained (there are two parks). You get a lot more rides and all that for a price similar to Lego Windsor. I will definitely return there. Quote
Robianco Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Like I say, I'm fifteen, so it may be different for you guys, but that's my two cents anyway. On a site that actually states a minimum age as 18 I've be wary of stating this too much! ;) Quote
Peppermint_M Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I have been to three different LEGOLands and each have their pros and cons. Windsor was my first one and the one I visited most. The miniland is good but suffers from disrepair, but there are some fun little things to spot hidden around the place and slightly more variety in locations depicted. Rides and attractions are for children, they are fun but if you want a ride experience then visit Alton Towers or Thorpe Park. The park is a nice day out for a family and a diversion at best for an AFOL unless you go as a group. Quote
Tom Jurassic Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 On a site that actually states a minimum age as 18 I've be wary of stating this too much! ;) Ummm......please....I'm mature enough to stay. Quote
Robianco Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Ummm......please....I'm mature enough to stay. I think you should be fine! ;) Especially as a mod commented straight after and you're still here! There are people who are older than you on here that act like they're in nursery at times! Quote
Tom Jurassic Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I think you should be fine! ;) Especially as a mod commented straight after and you're still here! There are people who are older than you on here that act like they're in nursery at times! Haha. In response to the topic, definitely a worthy trip for any LEGO fan. Quote
Artifex Posted March 23, 2015 Author Posted March 23, 2015 I'm actually closer to booking a trip to Harry Potter's Wizarding World! It. Is. Totally. Worth. It. Thanks for all the replies, people. I'm 35, by the way, and my wife was thinking about giving me this Legoland day as my b-day present. I don't care much about rides, never have, so it's all about miniland and the stores for the exclusives (thanks for playing that card, TheOneVeyronian!). Quote
Robianco Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 By the sound of it Kellogs cereals still have the 2 for 1 vouchers on the boxes. It'll save best part of £50 for entry! Quote
Krikkit Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Sounds like a plan. And the Harry Potter Studio in Watford is ACE. I Will be going back there again! Quote
TheOneVeyronian Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I don't care much about rides, never have, so it's all about miniland and the stores for the exclusives (thanks for playing that card, TheOneVeyronian!). Glad to help out! I do recommend grabbing the LEGOLAND Entrance with Family if you visit, plenty of bricks there for £12.99, and it's the most likely of the three I linked to to be in stock this year. Also, this thread has somehow made me realise that I must be the only person in the UK that hasn't gone or planning to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter yet Maybe one day when I'm not spending all my money on LEGO or travelling to geologically interesting places. Quote
suenkachun Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 I live in London. 'Been thinking about visiting Legoland Windsor, but I'm not sure it's really worth it. I've never been to a Legoland before, and this may sound sacrilegious, but I'm not sure it's worth it. I'm not going to buy any set there that I wouldn't have already bought or that won't buy in my regular Lego Store or toy store, so what I'm asking is if it's worth the trip. Sightseeing-wise, that is. I've been to Windsor to see Windsor Castle, and I loved it, and I do like to go around being a tourist and visiting places. In the 6 months I've been leaving in London, I've been to places that most Londoners haven't been to themselves: churches, statues, cemiteries, monuments, parks, all sorts of historical places, famous or not. I just go around walking or jogging with no real objective but exercising for a couple of hours and when I find a "new" place, so to say, I just go for it. Legoland is not technically what I'd call a "historical place", and it may not work for me as a Lego Store as I usually go to a Lego Store in London or to John Lewis or or whatever (even ebay), so I'm not really sure it's for me. I do love Lego, that's for sure, but I feel I really need some cheering up about visiting a Legoland. Is it worth? PS: Sorry if I sound grumpy. I'm really trying to like the idea of visiting a Legoland. I went there last summer and it was totally worth it! My mother fell in love with the "Star Wars" Themed Scenes while I found "Miniland" amazing, which had small LEGO versions of famous places around the world, and some of the scenes even had moving parts! These in my opinion already makes Legoland Windsor worth visiting! Quote
lilbrickster Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 Planning to go to Legoland Windsor this June. Where's the best place to stay? Any suggestions? I'd appreciate it. Thanks! Quote
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