There are people who love the LEGO® brand and then there are people who LOVE the LEGO brand. If you or your kids fall into that category of “major LEGO enthusiast,” then there are a few attractions at LEGOLAND® California that you must see.
1) LEGO Factory Tour – Inside this attraction located in Fun Town, you can learn all about the history of the LEGO brick and how they are made. Automated machines simulate the making of the brick from the little beads of ABS plastic and will fascinate even the youngest of enthusiasts.
2) Model Shop – After learning how the bricks are made at the Factory Tour, get a first hand look at how professional model builders make masterpieces from the bricks. Depending on what time of day you stop by, you will get to see any number of model builders hard at work, either creating, fixing, or rehabbing various models for the Park (Side note: Don’t they have a cool job? Click here to read a Q & A with one of the Park’s top builder’s Gary McIntire).
3) Build & Test – The third step after learning all about the LEGO product is to put that knowledge to the test, literally. At Build and Test in the Imagination Zone, kids can build a variety of LEGO contraptions with cars and then race them around tracks. The competition is stiff so be sure to bring you’re A game!
4) LEGO Club House – This venue is currently under renovation but will soon open to the public as a place where families can use computer techonology to build anything imaginable. If can think it, you can create it. You will also be to display your LEGO work of art on the wall for other Park guests to admire. This is also an awesome place to shop for any size, shape, or color LEGO brick that your heart desires. Stay tuned for a special blog post describing all the fun features of the all new LEGO Clubhouse.
Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary
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The LEGO® company is hitting it out of the ballpark this January.
Not only did they launch the new LEGO Friends line for girls, on January 1st (which I have since purchased and is a HUGE hit with my girls), but also, this past Wednesday night, The Cartoon Network™ launched the first ever fully animated cartoon series of LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu!
To celebrate the launch of the toy company’s action/comedy animated TV series, LEGOLAND® California will be playing the first three episodes in rotation in the LEGO Showplace on Saturdays and Sundays in January (January 14-15, January 21-22, January 28-29).
Here are show times and details:
2:30pm Episode 1 – Rise of the Snakes
3:30pm Episode 2 - Home
4:30pm Episode 3 - Snakebit
Each episode is twenty-two minutes long. Schedule is subject to change without notice so please check the signage outside the theatre on the day of your visit. Also, please note that the MPAA Rating system rated the film PG for some Fantasy Violence, Crude Humor and some scary and disturbing images.
Enjoy the show!
Model Mom Mary
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Happy New Year, friends of LEGOLAND® California! I hope everyone had a joyous holiday season!
One of the things I am most excited for this new year is the introduction of the new LEGO® friend line geared for girls, that is now available for sale at LEGOLAND® California. Though my daughters are already big fans of building with LEGO bricks, I know that they are going to go crazy for these new pastel-colored, girl-centric minifigures.
For years, LEGO has been one of the most successful and trusted brands by parents around the world, however, a majority of their toy products have been predominantly aimed at little boys. Now, with pink and purple hued toy sets like Andrea’s Stage and Emma’s Splash Pool, little girls will have relatable play sets more fitting of their interests (generally speaking of course).
Though our credit cards took a beating over the holidays, l cannot wait to purchase a few of these sets for my girls. Check out the new website at http://friends.LEGO.com!
Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary
If you’re headed to LEGOLAND® California with a baby in a sling or car seat then this is the post for you. There are several things that little ones under two years old can do (and/or under 34”) that are all listed on the “What To Do When You’re Two Page” but for your quick reference I wanted to list my top six favorite activities that the entire family can do together with a little one in tow.
1) Fairy Tale Brook – My kids adore this ride, even now that they are older and can ride some of the faster rides. This fanciful boat ride will take you down memory lane with animate LEGO® brick versions of the classic fairy tales like The Three Little Pigs, Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood.
2) DUPLO® Village – This area of the Park is all about the little ones. It’s made up of musical jumping pads and spray guns at DUPLO Water Works, a LEGO playground called DUPLO Playtown, and a little train called LEGOLAND Express that my kids’ still insist on riding at every visit.
3) Coast Cruise – Some of the best LEGO models in the entire Park are viewable on this slow-movin’ cruise through the LEGOLAND lagoon, including the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower and Mt. Rushmore. You’ll also get some laughs via the clever narration of your cruise director.
4) Big Test Fire Show – I’m a little partial to this show since my job at LEGOLAND used to be supervising all the entertainment, but being as unbiased as I can be, I will tell you that the Big Test, playing at the Fun Town Stage, is great fun for the whole family. With fun comedy, upbeat music and “oooh-and-aaah” worthy stunts, even a little baby in a Bjorn will be giggling.
5) Miniland USA – Miniland is made up of miniature versions of all the big USA cities made entirely of LEGO bricks. The detail is incredible and not to be missed. Adults, this will be the highlight of your trip to LEGOLAND, for sure.
And from now until January 2, don’t miss the Holiday Snow Days up in Fun Town which includes rockin’ holiday entertainment and a real snow play area that is fun for the whole family!
Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary
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Just got word of the line-up for the annual Kids’ New Years Eve concert at LEGOLAND® California and I am beyond excited. If you have never been to this epic event, take a minute to read my post about the unique time zone just for kids, then, come back here to see the awesomeness they have in store for this year.
Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Okay, so here is the amazing line-up for this year’s KNYE celebration:
• Lyndsey Cannon: In a time when young, age-appropriate role models for our little girls are hard to find, this rising star is a gem. She’s a singer, model and actress who claims her music to be a cross between Katy Perry and Disney. She’s darling.
• Secret Agent 23 Skidoo – With their Hip Hop for kids, or as they call it, “Kid Hop,” they are sure to rock the Park with such kid-friendly jams as Gotta Be Me and Family Tree. If you’re like me, and can sing every word to Parents Just Don’t Understand by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, then you’ll love this band, maybe even more than your kids! Word.
• Aaron Nigel Smith—This children’s entertainer is on a mission to “get kids movin’” and that is exactly what he’s gonna do on New Years Eve. With songs like Animal Song and Everybody’s Jumping your kids will get enough exercise for all of 2012. Aaron performs around the country with the PBS Kids Between the Lions Live tour and is always a big hit.
• Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band—Not only do I love the name of this band, but they were also named “Best New Kids Artist 2011” by USA Today. Lucky is what your kids will be feeling when they are jamming out to this band.
• Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players—Oh my, how I love Justin Roberts! I have a been a HUGE fan of JR (that’s what I like to call him) since a friend gave me his CD on the occasion of my little girl’s first birthday. I even had the opportunity to interview him last year about his Emmy nomination. They are by far my favorite children’s band and I can’t think of a better way to ring in 2012 than with them at LEGOLAND California.
CLICK HERE to read my interview with Justin Roberts.
Not only are all these bands going to play on the concert stage in Miniland, but they will also all play mini-sets up in Fun Town earlier in the day, so you’ll have more than one opportunity to check them out. LEGOLAND California is the place to be on December 31st this year.
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Ever dreamed of following in the footsteps of professional skateboarder, Tony Hawk? Well now, thanks to LEGOLAND California, you can. Not on the skateboard however, but rather by way of the World’s Largest LEGO Christmas Tree. On November 28th, Ambassador pass member Tony Hawk and his two sons, Spencer and Keegan, had the honor of lighting the LEGO tree and from now until Christmas Eve, park guests will be chosen via a Facebook contest to flip the switch on the world’s largest LEGO tree. Check out the Facebook page for details on the contest and your child just might be chosen to join the LEGOLAND Snow Patrol of Elves to flip that switch at 4:30pm one night between now and Christmas Eve. Selected guests will also receive a souvenir hat and T-shirt to commemorate the special occasion.
Visit our Facebook page to enter!
With our turkey-stuffed bellies, my family rolled over to LEGOLAND® California this past weekend to work off the apple pie and extra helpings of stuffing. We were overjoyed to find the Holiday Season in full swing. Not only is the Park pumping with holiday music through it’s ambient speakers in the Beginning and in Fun Town, but the entire Fun Town area has been taken over by carolers, candy canes and SNOW!
Here are only a few of the reasons to experience the fun at the LEGOLAND California Holiday Snow Days . . .
1) HOLIDAY PHOTO OPS:
Not only is there a perfect photo op LEGO® brick Santa, complete with LEGO reindeer in the Beginning, but this year there is also a roaming LEGO Santa costume character who actually got both my kids to smile in a photo. In the center of Fun Town stands the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree that takes my breath away year after year.
2) HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT:
The Park is full of holiday entertainment this year, but the two standouts for me are The Jingle Jammers, a quartet of contemporary carolers who reminded me of the GLEE cast; and The Brickettes, a trio of talented tween performers who will wow you (be sure to catch them during your visit so you can say you “saw them when” before they become pop stars or X Factor contestants).
3) HOLIDAY TREATS:
There are a ton of seasonal treats being sold at The Market and in the Fun Town restaurants like warm apple cider and marshmallow skewers, but my favorite is the warm bread pudding in Fun Town Market. In three words: Don’t. Miss. It.
4) HOLIDAY SNOW MAGIC:
Thanks to magic of modern technology, there is an entire area in Fun Town covered in SNOW! What a wonderful treat, especially for SoCal natives who don’t otherwise get to experience snow. Thanks to LEGOLAND, my kids are becoming experts at throwing snowballs, whereas I didn’t throw my first ball of snow until I was eighteen years old.
5) HOLIDAY FIREWORKS:
For the last week of December, Holiday Snow Days will be lighting up the night with nightly fireworks set to holiday music. December 26-31 at Park close.
Also, as a gift to Park goers, you can turn in your one-day Park ticket in for a second day return ticket for FREE. Score!
Happy Holidays!
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Being a So Cal native, I have not had the joy of frolicking in the snow during the holidays very often, however, thanks to the elves at LEGOLAND® California, my kids will get to experience a winter wonderland complete with snow.
Beginning on November 19th, families will be able to enjoy holiday magic at the Park, via holiday décor, a darling musical called “Let it Snow,” and an entire area filled with REAL SNOW, where kids can make snowmen, throw snow balls and ride in sleds (if they’re under 32” - something special for the littlest tots!).
Most of the holiday magic will take place in Fun Town, giving even more meaning to the name Fun Town. In addition to the snow, Holiday Snow Days will feature roaming entertainment, a LEGO® holiday tree lighting, and a nightly display of fireworks at the end of December.
I am also getting excited for Kids New Years Eve, so stay tuned next week when I will provide a run down on all the awesome acts that will be performing that night.
Let It Snow at Play Town Theater: November 19 - January 2
Holiday Snow Days: November 19 – January 2
Official Tree Lighting: November 28
Nightly Tree Lighting: December 1 – 24
Holiday Fireworks: December 26 - 30
Kids' New Year’s Eve: December 31
For a full overview of Holiday Snow Days and information on a complimentary second-day return ticket to the Park, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/holidaysnowdays
Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary
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The best thing about the fact that this October has five weeks is that there is one more weekend left of LEGOLAND® California’s Brick-or-Treat Party Nights. If you haven’t yet been but live in the SoCal region, I highly suggest you find time to hightail it over there. Your kids will be forever grateful.
I’ve written several posts highlighting various aspects of Brick-or-Treat so check the past few posts for details on the costume contest and all of the spooktacular entertainment. Today I’m going to break down my Suggested Brick or Treat Party Nights Timeline:
5:00 pm Go through one of the two Brick-or-Treat trails early on in the night (though the line may look long, it goes really quickly. There are two identical trails, and you can only go through one)
5:30 pm Pumpkin Building in the Imagination Zone and/or check out the bonus treat station in SEA LIFE™
6:30 pm Dinner at Knight’s Table (grab a table with a view of the Castle Hill Stage in case the magic show starts while you’re eating)
7:00 pm Anthony the Magic at the Castle Hill Stage
7:15 pm Enjoy some rides in Land of Adventure
8:00 pm Paint in Motion at the stage in Miniland USA. You don’t want to miss this!
8:30 pm Ultimate Dance Off with the Boogie MonStars at the Castle Hill Stage
9:00 pm Watch the fireworks at Castle Hill. There you will have the best view and the best vibe for the fireworks as the Halloween themed soundtrack is pumped from the Castle Hill speakers. Talk about ending the night with a bang!
If your kid(s) have wicked crafty costumes, you’ll want to enter them in the costume contest!
Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary
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Not only did LEGOLAND® California kick it up a notch at their Brick-or-Treat Party Nights by adding a finale of fireworks, but they also added a slew of roaming performers to their already jam-packed entertainment line-up. No matter what your kiddos are interested in, or where you are in the Park, there is something to excite and entertain the whole family.
DANCERS: My kids love to dance so the Hubble Bubble Dance Party is their favorite part of the event. At 6:00pm and 7:00pm, the Boogie MonStars get their groove on in front of LEGO® Showplace and then at 8:30pm there is an Ultimate Dance Party show-off where kiddos can compete for the grand LEGO prize pack and a pair of Park Hopper tickets.
There are also Tap Dancing Skeletons who roam the Park, boo-gie-ing on portable gravestones. You won’t want to miss them!
BUILDERS: For the kids that can’t get enough of building with LEGO bricks, there is a Halloween Pumpkin Patch Building activity located in the Imagination Zone where the kids can build pumpkins and then display them in a miniature pumpkin patch. Last year this event was so popular with the kids that they’ve expanded the building area to be outside as well as inside.
ARTISTS: I have never seen anything like the “Paint in Motion” technique that Stephen Fishwick uses to create a work of art, while dancing to a remix of popular music and literally splashing paint onto a canvas. Check out the new Miniland Stage to see his masterpieces at 5:15pm, 6:30pm and 8:30pm.
MAGICIANS: Anthony the Magician will seriously wow your kids. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that live animals are involved, invoking many oohs & aahs from the audience. To check out the magic show, be front and center at the Castle Hill stage at 7:00pm and 8:00pm.
MUSICIANS: Mr. Hyde’s Percussion Cart and Professor Weasley the Theramin player, roam the Park waiting to entertain and impress your kids with their musical ability. Plus, they’ll teach your kids what a theramin is (I didn’t even know what it was before meeting Professor Weasley).
THESPIANS: The crowd favorite, Mail Order Monsters starring Jester Funny Bones, runs twice throughout the night on the Castle Hill stage. And don't miss the Costume Contest and the Brick-or-Treat Trail. CLICK HERE to read more details on the contest.
To help you plan your night, here is a timeline of all the acts, by venue, so you can be sure not to miss anything.
Timeline for Courtyard Theater
5:00pm Mail Order Monsters (play)
5:30pm STAR WARS Costume Contest
6:00pm Mail Order Monsters (play)
6:30pm LEGO Costume Contest
7:00pm Anthony the Magic
7:30pm CREATIVE Costume Contest
8:00pm Anthony the Magic
8:30pm Boogie Monstars
8:40pm Hubble Bubble witches Dance Off (6 finalists)
9:00pm Fireworks
Timeline for Dance Party Stage
5:00pm Dance Party with Hubble Bubble and Zany Zelda begins
6:00pm Boogie Monstars
6:30pm Dance Party Resumes
7:30pm Boogie Monstars
8:00pm Dance Party Resumes – head to Castle Hill
8:30pm ULTIMATE Dance Off at Castle Stage
9:00pm Fireworks
Timeline for Miniland Stage
5:15pm Paint in Motion
6:30pm Paint in Motion
8:00pm Paint in Motion
See you there! I’ll be the one trying to convince Hubble Bubble that I am under eighteen so I can compete in the dance competition.
Brick regards,
Model Mom Mary
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