Just one of the impressive Lego buildings in Legoland – it's a shame kids pee through the railings elswhere on the park…
LEGOLAND is the stuff of children's dreams but is there enough to entertain families of all ages, asks Camilla Chafer.
THIS is a theme park firmly aimed at families and all those with a fixation on the little colourful bricks seen everywhere throughout many a childhood. What we wanted to know though, would it be a theme park to cater for a I'll-give-it-a-whirl Mum, thrill seeking Dad, enthusiastic 10 and four year olds plus a ready-for-anything two year old not to mention Grandma.
Having been here before, we avoided opening time and arrived closer to lunch time ready with picnic (note payable lockers near the entrance/exit if you want to stash your bags) though being a warm, sunny day, it was an effort to find some free green space on which to throw our rug – we felt the space was more geared towards sit down meals in the numerous restaurants than an al fresco bring your own.
Of course we were here for the rides. There was very little our two-year-old, Gabriel, could go on (he is already a rollercoaster lover thanks to Tivoli Gardens), but he enjoyed hurtling around the Duplo playground (older kids should check out the Rat Trap playground instead), took a very short trip on the Duplo train, was more than ready to jump in the green leaf boat for a trip around the Fairytale Brook with leo-built figures from favourite tales at every corner and we zipped through Loki's Labyrinth to find our way to the centre of the maze. There were a small number of other desperately tame rides (Chopper Squadron, Balloons, Dino Safari) for littlies plus a water fountain park for hot days (bring your own swimsuit, towels and you may want jelly shoes).
We had limited success with other rides. We queued for nearly 30 minutes for The Dragon which was great fun but felt the Viking Splash was literally a wash out. I don't mind getting damp on a log flume but I don't appreciate others firing water cannons at us or being sent through sheets of water without a heart stopping dip to give us a thrill plus though my daughter is a metre tall they wouldn't let her ride. However she did thoroughly enjoy the Driving School though we weren't too charmed by the mums in front of us who let their little boys pee through the fence (more loos needed perhaps). Both older kids enjoyed the Dragon's Apprentice, a dragon themed rollercoaster.
The Lego models were, of course, breathtaking. The breadth of the builder's skill from creating London with Big Ben and the Gherkin, to Nasa (replete with the climbing frame my son had clambered all over in our 2003 visit) and its rockets and lots of iconic European buildings and areas from the Montmatre to Le Sacre Coeur. Frankly, it's genius and we all loved such splendid creations.
If you're looking for thrill seeking, big rides this isn't the theme park for you – the Jungle Coaster, Pirater Falls, Viking Splash and The Dragon aren't enough to justify the £37 adult price. With rides mostly aimed at those over 0.9/1m tall, we felt this theme park best suited for families with children aged five-10 who would be able to ride most rides accompanied. If you've got very little children who will enjoy the water park and climbing frames and you don't mind splitting up to take rides alone or can go as a big family/friends group to swap childcare duties, that would also make a good bet to ensure you get the maximum enjoyment out of your visit.
Fact Box:
How much? Adults £37, Children/ Seniors £28, Under 3s free. Buy online for savings, also note the 'buy and visit again for free' offer on throughout August.
Opening times:10am-7pm throughout August, check website for other seasonal times.
Pushchair accessibility: Excellent
Facilities: Good, clean and accessible toilets. Could do with more as we're talking kids'n'drinks here.
Cafe: Plenty of fast food stalls and restaurants serving usual 'chips and' fare.
SatNav postcode:SL4 4AY – the website suggest following the signs when you are near.
Web: Legoland
Camilla and family were invited to Legoland by the Danish Tourist Board.
Images: Camilla Chafer
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