LEGOland CA 10-22-2015

[Andy D]

My wife and I went to LEGOland CA yesterday (the day after BTTF day) to see what they did for Halloween. We usually go at least four times per year, October to see what they did for Halloween, December to see what they did for Christmas and a couple of times in the Winter and Spring (avoiding the hottest of Summer)

I took a few photos and videos (with my GoPro, which I will publish after editing). Anyway, here are the photos and some things we liked.

First we went to Miniland (a favorite of ours). First we noticed that they removed the farm area and replaced it with a campground and a “Build a Boat” area.

In the campground they had a couple of Halloween themed scenes, the first I noticed was a troupe of Boy Scouts whose campground is being attacked by a giant spider.

Boy Scouts by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

The next, not Halloween themed but just a nice family outing with an RV and a Turkey on the grill. It seems to me that folks who “camp” with an RV take a lot more of home with them, such as the baby stroller (in the rough), the grill, and the golf cart for getting around... Wow, that’s really roughing it!

RV Camping by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Next to the RV area is a group of Porta Potties (outhouses) which a mischievous bear is trying to overturn and a guy inside screaming “OCCUPIED” as if the bear understands.

Porta Potty by MyPlasticBricks, on Flick

Towards the end of the campground is an area for rock climbing. It seems that this guy has found some friendly mountain goats to help him out.

Rock Climbing by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Across the river as part of the view for the Coast Cruise ride is a scientist trying to bring his creation to life using jumper cables, maybe to be attached to the solar light fixture on the ground.

Frankenstein by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Something I think was a good use of some of the MiniLand space is the “Build a Boat” and boat race area. There they loan kids a boat hull and LEGO pieces to build a boat then have it race down the flue.

Build a Boat by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Something I always look for in the Halloween decorations is the Alien ship crash landed just outside Las Vegas. I don’t remember 2 shops last year (maybe there was) but they have 2 flying saucers, one crashed, one just landed, supposedly to help their crashed friends.

Alien Invasion by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Over at the New Orleans area, they have a “Jazz Funeral”. This year there is a zombie procession. Not sure why a zombie procession at a cemetery. Why would the “undead” be in a funeral procession? I included a couple of photos just in case someone want to see how to build a MiniLand Zombie.

Zombies Jazz Funeral by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Zombies

More Zombies by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Time for lunch! We decided to try the “Knights Smokehouse”. It was great! The food compares favorably with the smokehouse down town here (Lucilles BBQ), and the brisket was more tender and flavorful. The restaurant appear to be guarded by a friendly dragon.

One thing I found odd... A smokehouse in the Castle area for Knights playing Country and Western music (I notice the oddest things, my wife hadn’t noticed the disconnect). Just little off theme for a Knights dining area, but the music was at a good volume and there was a good choice for songs.

Knights Smokehouse by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Then back to Miniland to finish Washington DC and VA area.

In Georgetown there were kids (Miniland figures) Trick-or-Treating.I always enjoy seeing the Trick-or-Treat area in Georgetown. Bonus points if you can identify the big green Trick-or-Treater. I think the guy (prisoner) with his leg stretched from the Ball-and Chain is quite humorous.

Trick-or-Treating in Georgetown by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Then there is the party next to the Georgetown locks.

Party by Georgetown Locks by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Something I always look for is the witch on the Washington Mounment. It appears that she is walking along a ledge, but I think she went **Splat** and is trying to recover.

Witch on Washington Monument close-up by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Overview of Washington Monument

Witch on Washington Monument by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

Next it was time to go to “Fun Town” to see what was in the PaB area. They did some nice theming here. Two that I noticed was the big spider above the Laundrette (next to the Clubhouse (where the PaB area is) and a church a little ways down.

The PaB area was nice (for me) today, they had green plant stems, white door and window frames, and some white 2x3 slopes, perfect for my Christmas layout, and a few other pieces I could not live without. I got out of there only spending $45.

Spider above the Laundrette by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

And the Church in Fun town

Spider on the Church by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

It was now about 1:30 PM, time for us to leave to “try” to avoid the traffic for our 2 hour drive home.

On our way out I noticed a great spider web with a spider hanging down.

Upside-Down spider by MyPlasticBricks, on Flickr

I know I missed some things here, I didn’t see it all, I just did not have the time. We had a great day! But our normally less than 2 hour trip home wound up being close to 3.5 hours... Wow the traffic! But it was our only chance to get to LEGOland for Halloween this year.

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Andy D

[paul_delahaye]

I stayed in the Grand Pacific Palisades hotel next to the park back in 2001 with work, but unfortunately, I never made it into the park, I did get up early on my last day and walked over to the enterance at 6am in the morning, took a couple of pictures, but always gutted I've not made it back since.

Thanks for the pictures

One day

Paul

Edited October 24, 2015 by paul_delahaye

[Alpinemaps]

Thanks for posting! We're annual passholders, but it's been a few weeks since we've been there (first week of October). The Build-a-Boat area wasn't done yet. The Build-a-Boat is always a hit with my kids when we are in the water park - so I can see this being a big draw for them, too.

I don't know why I've never noticed all the fun decorating for Halloween. Most of that wasn't there during the first Brick or Treat at the beginning of the month. At least, I don't remember seeing any of that. I think we're headed back for the last Brick or Treat this coming Friday, so we will be on the look out for all of these things.

PS - I can tell you're from SoCal when you try to avoid Carlsbad in the hotter summer months. :) We are spoiled here, aren't we?

[Andy D]

Thanks for posting! We're annual passholders, but it's been a few weeks since we've been there (first week of October). The Build-a-Boat area wasn't done yet. The Build-a-Boat is always a hit with my kids when we are in the water park - so I can see this being a big draw for them, too.

I don't know why I've never noticed all the fun decorating for Halloween. Most of that wasn't there during the first Brick or Treat at the beginning of the month. At least, I don't remember seeing any of that. I think we're headed back for the last Brick or Treat this coming Friday, so we will be on the look out for all of these things.

PS - I can tell you're from SoCal when you try to avoid Carlsbad in the hotter summer months. :) We are spoiled here, aren't we?

Actually there are fewer Halloween decorations this year, but I imagine it could be due to finishing several permenant projects.

It's not Just Carlsbad that I avoid in the summer, it is all SoCal parks (during the day). I don't go to the SD Zoo or Safari Park (member of 25 years) during the day in the Sumer. I frequent Disneyland resort, but only early AM or evening time. So yes, we SoCal's are spoiled.

Enjoy Brick or Treat!

Andy D

I stayed in the Grand Pacific Palisades hotel next to the park back in 2001 with work, but unfortunately, I never made it into the park, I did get up early on my last day and walked over to the enterance at 6am in the morning, took a couple of pictures, but always gutted I've not made it back since.

Thanks for the pictures

One day

Paul

I am glad you enjoyed the pictures, I hope you can make it to LEGOland someday, it is a wonderful outing.

Andy ad