LEGOLAND California Hotel Review – Is It Worth It?
Photo Credit: Mickey Visit.
LEGOLAND Hotel is one of two LEGO themed hotels steps away from LEGOLAND California theme park. LEGOLAND Hotel focuses on traditional LEGO themes like Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO NINJAGO and LEGO Friends.
LEGOLAND Castle Hotel is the second LEGOLAND hotel located at the entrance of the theme park. The Castle Hotel has themed rooms with your choice of Knights and Dragons, Royal Princess or Magic Wizard.
My family recently stayed at the LEGOLAND Hotel for a two day visit at the LEGOLAND California Resort and had an incredible time. Keep reading for my honest LEGOLAND Hotel review!
Overview of LEGOLAND California Hotel
LEGOLAND Hotel is an impeccably themed hotel with interactive Lego features throughout and will wow any Lego fan. Located an easy 40 minute drive north from San Diego airport, or one hour drive south from Disneyland, LEGOLAND is built in the darling town of Carlsbad on the coast of California.
LEGOLAND Hotel has a variety of themed rooms including Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO NINJAGO and LEGO Friends. Best of all LEGOLAND Hotel literally has the LEGOLAND California theme park in its backyard – we could see it directly outside our hotel room window!
The view from our hotel room.
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LEGOLAND California Hotel Amenities
The amenities you can expect at this hotel include:
- Complimentary Wi-Fi included
- Luggage service
- Parking ($25 a day)
- Valet parking ($30 a day)
- Six electric car-charging stations
- Free breakfast daily
- Online check-in
- Separate kid's sleeping area in every room
- 2 high-definition flat panel TVs with complimentary On-Demand content
- Mini-fridge
- Coffee maker
- Iron and ironing board
- Vanity/work station
- Hairdryer
- Complimentary toiletries
- Complimentary in-room refreshments (bottled water, juice, coffee and hot cocoa)
- In-room safe
- Room service available 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Laundry service
- In-room LEGO bricks for play
- Cribs available upon request
- ADA accessible available
One guest services option includes the ability to text questions to the front desk. This introvert was very excited about that, however, the downside was that they never responded to my questions via text. So this service isn't always available.
LEGOLAND California Resort Pool and Recreation
Our family thoroughly enjoyed the LEGOLAND Hotel pool. With a wade-in shallow end and a separate “deep” end of 5 feet, this is a perfect kid-friendly pool. There were signs on the pool deck that stated “No Lifeguard On Duty” but we saw multiple lifeguards on duty during our time at the LEGOLAND Hotel pool. So perhaps during peak times there are lifeguards available, but not a service to expect at all times.
Something to note about the LEGOLAND Hotel pool is that there is no hot tub, which was a bit of a bummer, as we love a good hot tub. But thankfully my boys barely noticed because of the floating Lego block pool toys they played with the entire time. These were such a fun and creative feature that we have not seen at any hotel pool ever!
The LEGOLAND Hotel pool closes at 8PM which is a bit earlier than other hotel pools we noticed. However, this was actually a perk for us, as we prefer the shorter hours to force us to go back to our room and get to bed. It helps move the night along with kids who would rather stay at the pool all night.
We could have spent way more time at this pool than we did but there was just so much more to see and do during our short two night stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel!
We noticed right away that the LEGOLAND Hotel has a Great Wolf Lodge vibe with the unbelievable amount of amenities and resort recreation. The LEGOLAND Hotel is superior, mostly for the top-notch theming.
The LEGOLAND Hotel also includes recreation options such as:
- Awesome Arcade
- Nightly children's entertainment, including Brick Boogie Dance Party
- LEGO Shop
- Fitness Center
- Character meet and greets
- Treasure hunt with LEGO surprises
The police officer was the only LEGO character we saw in the hotel, but we did see him several times!
Early Access into LEGOLAND Theme Park
A major perk of staying at LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Castle Hotel is the early access into LEGOLAND theme park. Hotel guests were allowed to enter the theme park one hour early before regular guests. There was little to no lines when we arrived for our LEGOLAND Hotel early access! There is no need to get to the gates any earlier than 9AM unless you want to take pictures at the big “welcome” sign without a lot of people around.
Something to note is that only the front area of the park is open for that first hour of early access. We experienced Coastersaurus, Fairy Tale Brook Boats, Safari Trek, LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, and Coast Cruise multiple times within that first early access hour with no lines.
You will need to show your hotel credentials in certain areas of LEGOLAND during early access so have your hotel key at the ready!
LEGOLAND Hotel Review: Dining Options
LEGOLAND Hotel Review: Bricks Family Restaurant
One of the best resort amenities that comes with staying at the LEGOLAND Hotel is the complimentary all you can eat breakfast at Bricks Family Restaurant each morning of your stay at the hotel. We dined at this on site restaurant for breakfast every morning and it was ideal.
On the website it states that reservations are required so I made reservations on Open Table in advance. I don't think the arrival time mattered that much as we showed up 30 minutes early both mornings and it was fine.
Hours for the breakfast buffet are 7am-10:30am. Seating is available indoors and outdoors.
If you aren't staying at the LEGOLAND Hotel, you are still welcome to dine at Bricks Family Restaurant but the cost is $14.95 for adults and $10.95 for children 3-12. It's a great option to get some breakfast before heading into the park, as it's a one minute walk from Bricks Family Restaurant to the entrance of LEGOLAND theme park. And definitely something to take advantage of as you will likely have time to kill before arriving to the LEGOLAND park gates.
The breakfast buffet had every imaginable food and drink option you could possibly think of. Scrambled eggs, waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, cereal, bacon, sausage, tater tots and seasonal fruit which included pineapple, melon, grapes and cantelope. I really loved the fruit options. And because LEGOLAND is especially kid-friendly, the Kid's Station buffet was the perfect height for kids to fill up their own plates!
There was also whole fruit available so we put fruit in our pack and saved it for a mid-morning snack. You can also fill up your water bottles here before heading into the park.
We did not eat at Bricks Family Restaurant for the dinner buffet but it is available from 5pm-8pm nightly. Reservations are also required for dinner on the very easy to use Open Table.
Dinner Pricing: $28.95 for adults and $15.95 for children 3-12. Children under three are free!
The Kid's Station is the perfect height for kids!
The drink station had every option imaginable. Although, it was a little annoying having to explain to our children that they couldn't have Diet Coke for breakfast.
LEGOLAND Hotel Review: In Room Delivery and Pick Up
For one of the meals during our stay we utilized LEGOLAND Hotel food pick up. This is a great option if you want less time sitting in a restaurant and more time at the pool.
You order by phone, which I would love to see a mobile order type situation instead, but it was quick.
We picked up our food on a table outside of Bricks Family Restaurant.
We ordered the pepperoni flatbread, house salad with ranch, and a kids mac and cheese meal with fruit. It was more than enough for the four of us.
This was a quick and easy meal that was perfect to eat pool side. I especially loved the salad.
The next day we called the same phone number to order some chicken strips for a pick up lunch and the number was not in service. So make sure to double check the delivery and pick up hours with a staff person if you want to count on a certain meal time, because there were no hours listed on the sign.
LEGOLAND Hotel Review: Skyline Cafe
The other onsite option at the LEGOLAND Hotel is the Skyline Cafe. Choose from a variety of made-to-order appetizers, lunch and dinner menu options, as well as a wide variety of tap beers, wines and spirits. We did not eat here during our visit, but the menu at Skyline Cafe was very similar to the in room delivery and pick up menu.
All Day Grab & Go
11:00am – 9:00pm
Available for preorder & in person at Skyline Service Window
Dinner Service
4:00pm – 9:00pm
For patio dining, reservations are required. Make a reservation at Open Table.
Take a look at the Skyline Cafe Dinner Menu and more details about this dining option at LEGOLAND Hotel.
LEGOLAND Location Overview and Review
The view from park security to the LEGOLAND Hotel and Bricks Family Restaurant outdoor seating.
One of the greatest advantages about staying at the LEGOLAND Hotel is the proximity to the LEGOLAND park. There are no shuttles or other transportation options to the park from the hotel since they are unnecessary. The theme park is too close to need a shuttle!
The walk from our room to park security took less than three and a half minutes. And that's with an elevator wait, as well as having a room on the top floor at the very end of the hall – the literal farthest room from security! We were blown away by the convenience of it all.
LEGOLAND Hotel Review and Photo Tour
After researching many hotels within the area surrounding LEGOLAND, we found the rates at LEGOLAND Hotel were pretty comparable to other hotels in the area. So with a location that couldn't be beat and amenities galore, the decision was easy to go with the LEGOLAND Hotel.
Though very close to the California coast, LEGOLAND Hotel is not an oceanfront hotel and does not have ocean views.
Each floor of the LEGOLAND Hotel has its own unique theme, and guests make their theme requests at the time of reservation. Themes include Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO NINJAGO and LEGO Friends. We chose the Adventure theme and it was located on the third floor, which is the top floor.
The theming is beyond anything we could have ever expected.
Watch out for snake pits as you walk down the hall to your room!
The Pirate theme is located on the second floor.
The LEGO Friends theme is on the first floor.
LEGOLAND Hotel Review: Room Photo Tour
At the LEGOLAND Hotel the fully themed rooms sleep up to five in the junior suites and up to seven (four adults max) in the suites. We chose an Adventure junior suite which included a king size bed in one sleeping area and a separate alcove area with bunk beds. The no door alcove area sleeps up to three kids with the two bunk beds and a pull out trundle bed.
Comfortable King size bed with pillows that were hard as (Lego) bricks
The reading light on the top bunk was a nice touch, especially for one of our kids who gets up earlier than everyone else!
It was nice that the kids had their own TV. Would have loved little shelves or dressers to put their stuff in as well as a small night light to keep on all night. I would pack a plug in night light for next time!
The mini fridge was a perfect size to fit water bottles, juice and leftovers!
Shampoo, Body Wash and Conditioner were provided in the shower. And the water pressure was good.
The bathroom felt roomy and clean, with lots of towels.
The closet had a iron, ironing board and storage for shoes.
Basic set of Legos are provided in the room for play.
The cutest ice bucket you ever did see and complimentary juice boxes, water bottles and coffee.
The wireless charger on the bedside table was a nice touch.
Overall, the theme of the room is a big hit for families and makes staying at the LEGOLAND Hotel worth it for families with small children that love LEGOS!
LEGOLAND Hotel Review: Check In and Lobby Tour
The online check in process at LEGOLAND Hotel was the easiest and most convenient check in experience I have ever had at a hotel. An email was sent to me a few days before our arrival date to check in online. Then on the morning of our arrival date, I received an email alerting us that our room was ready and provided a QR code to scan at the self-service kiosks in the LEGOLAND reception area.
And the room was ready at 11am! This is a perk to definitely take advantage of.
The self-service check in kiosk at LEGOLAND Hotel reception.
The check in kiosk was convenient and quick. Key cards were printed out right then and there! We didn't even have to speak with anyone. (There was guest services with actual humans, as well, if needed.)
Immediately after checking in at the kiosks a text is sent to your phone so you remember your room number. This is so brilliant!
Play structure in the lobby
Interactive Lego play area in the lobby
An unexpected surprise in the elevator was a disco dance party on every ride!
LEGOLAND California Hotel Review- Is It Worth It?
Pros
- Location, location, location!
- Free all you can eat buffet breakfast
- Kid-friendly rooms
- Pool
- Immersive LEGOLAND experience
- Online check in process
- Early access into the theme park
- Comparable rates to surrounding hotels
Cons
- Pillows
- Unreliable in room delivery and pick up food availability
- No hot tub
So is LEGOLAND California Hotel worth it? If you are visiting the LEGOLAND theme park, we would say absolutely YES and raise both our Lego hook hands up! The hotel's theming is over the top awesome and kids will love staying in these LEGO themed hotels. The convenient access to LEGOLAND can't be beat with the close walking distance- no shuttles needed! Plus LEGOLAND is especially kid friendly and is a great choice for families with younger kids with plenty to experience and amenities that take into account kids of all ages.
Overall LEGOLAND California Experience
We had a 2-day pass to LEGOLAND and ended up spending one full day (9am – 6pm) plus a few hours on a second day in the LEGOLAND theme park.
We experienced everything, and some things multiple times, in the LEGOLAND theme park during our stay. We also spent time at the LEGOLAND Water Park which requires a separate ticket. We did not go to the SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND but felt like the amount of time we had at LEGOLAND California was perfect.
LEGOLAND Attractions
Highlights for us at LEGOLAND were the Water Park, Driving School, and LEGO Ferrari Build and Race.
LEGOLAND Water Park – the only lines we experienced the whole time we were at LEGOLAND was at the Water Park!
LEGOLAND Driving School – my kids went on this over and over and over! It is a very cute ride where they get to drive their own car.
We spent a lot of time at the LEGO Ferrari Build and Race. My kids love to build car inventions so this was a dream.
LEGOLAND Food
The food at LEGOLAND leaves a lot to be desired, especially if comparing to Disneyland, but still had some decent options. Our favorite place to eat was the Everything is Ramen and Burger Kitchen. My favorite food item was the Granny's Apple Fries – a LEGOLAND staple. This is the must to get food item at LEGOLAND!
Granny's Apple Fries
Distance of LEGOLAND to Disneyland
You can absolutely swing LEGOLAND and Disneyland in the same trip. The two theme parks are about 65 miles apart so just under an hour and a half driving distance depending on traffic. LEGOLAND has shorter operating hours which makes a day trip entirely possible to build into your Disneyland vacation.
You can also begin or end your trip at the LEGOLAND Hotel to enjoy the full experience of LEGOLAND like we enjoyed in this review! Many families often build a LEGOLAND stay into their existing Disneyland vacation since the Southern Californian theme parks are all located nearby.
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Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.
