Legoland and Chessington Tips wanted

Rosedavid

Hi Guys

I know this will have been covered loads but just looking for tips for Legoland this coming Sunday and Chessington on Monday, how to get the best out of the day, we have an 8 and 6 year both love all kinds of rides!!

Thanks

susancs

My tips would be to arrive at Legoland before opening time to get thrrough the metal barriers and then wait by the internal barrier for the opening, do not use the hill train down as they wait for everyone to get on. Run down as fast as you can to the rear of the park, not stopping at other smaller rides to the tented area and go on the laser shooting (as will be 2 hrs queue later), then run around to the boating and car school beside each other and do these. Then run to the dragon rides etc. If the weather is good bring swim wear with you to use in the afternoon in the waterworks area and the fairytale brook beside there rarely has queues. Plan to eat a packed lunch at the lack area when the show is on not to waste time. I would buy one of the unlimited daily refillable bottles and bring some disposbale cups with you to decant the drink into as saves carrying around heavy luke warm drinks. If you plan to go on the water rides buy some plastic ponchos from the £1 shops in advance to save getting wet.

Chessington I have similar advice in that you get there for opening time and run to the pyramid shooting ride and activities around there as people start using rides at the front of the park. Get as many of the rides out of the way first and then visit the sealife and animal bit later on.

Also stay in both parks until closing time as people will start to leave at about 4.30pm to get home and those left can do more rides with shorter queues at that time onwards.

tashee26

same as previous get there early - LEGOLAND - head to the new submarine ride asap as its the new one and very very popular. if you don't wanna spend a fortune on food etc take drinks and snacks etc or you'll end up spending a fortune! again same as before stay in the park till it closes, we got there at 9am and left at 8.30pm! some of the restaurants are doing kids eat free after 5pm so worked out just as cheap for us to stay and eat then carry on with the rides. don't queue for car park ticket as soon as you get there as you can purchase it at any point during the day

CHESSINGTON - same really get there early, if you want to do the big roller coasters head to those first before the queue's get big.

hope you have fun we went a couple of weeks ago and it was fab!

vikingaero

I would agree with the others. Just check what time the bigger rides at the back of Legoland open. Some of them open later so it's not worth rushing to them.

We always lunch early at 11.30am to avoid the queues. You can leave food and stuff in the car and get an exit stamp to collect things.

HiTo

At Legoland, Atlantis first (submarine) followed by Laser raiders, as the others have said, get there a bit early and wait at the Barriers, don't take the train

Rosedavid

Hi Guys, thanks for all the tips, we got everything done and more than we wanted!! 2 trips on Atlantis at Legoland and 2 on Tomb Blaster at Chessington!!

mrsgreenwood_2

soory to crash on your thread but, were goin to legoland oct 29th for 2 days with 4 kids under 4. any tips for us would be really greatful as weve never been before. were going when the fireworks display is on and staying at holiday inn, thanks in advance

greysqrl

Hi mrsgreenwood, please be aware that for the fireworks days, Merlin are suggesting that you book in advance. The place gets packed out on those days and if you are unable to get there for opening time then you may not enjoy the day as much. Additionally, this will allow you to get parking nearing to the park.

Aside from this, as someone previously said, get there early. They normally let people through the turnstiles into 'The Beginning' between 9:25 and 9:40. Within this area you can buy food and souvenirs and can also see some lego models or experience Rocket Racers (arcade racing game). If you are planning to not bring your own food and you don't already have an annual pass drinks cannister, then buy a one-day unlimited drink container for £6. That will allow you to refill with coke, lemonade, orange or water throughout the park for no additional cost. For lunch, there is a pizza/pasta place that do an unlimited buffet (including soft drinks) for around £24 for a family of 4. Most of the other food items do not include a drink in the meal so the container then proves to be useful The picnic booking is very good value and cheaper if you book online. For eating, if you want to avoid queust best to eat at 11:30 or after 2!

In terms of rides, assuming you're not getting a QBot go to the main rides first, i.e. walk all the way to Atlantis as this is the newest and thus most popular ride. After this the next most popular rides are boating school, tomb blaster (or whatever they call it at Legoland) and the dragon coaster, wave surfer and finally driving school (one for 3 to 5 year olds and one for 6-11). Consider that rides such as boating school only allow 2 - 3 people on one boat and they are effectively slow rides so thus get busier. Oddly enough, the monorail also tends to get busy but I've never noticed the excellent viking river splash to be packed (kids must be at least 1m to go on this).

Rides for the youngest kids don't tend to be that busy due to the large amount of riders, i.e. carousel, chairoplane or train rides. It's very likely also that they will again open after the fireworks to allow for night rides, this will ease the exit queues and it's worth doing rather than rushing out and sitting in traffic. They'll probably have the restaurants open as well if you want to have dinner there.

When you've finished with everything you wish to ride on, go to miniland. You can take a look at this whilst waiting for the fireworks to start as this is the general location for it. Don't be worried about getting to the front for fireworks as they shoot them high enough to be able to be seen from anywhere but miniland is generally the best location. If you're worried about exiting, go to a higher point near the beggining to watch as you can then quickly leave.

The Imagination theatre shows a variety of movies and I'd recommend Clutch Powers since it uses all the 4D items they have, i.e. fire, smoke, snow and water. It's the best show there and suitable (and safe) for all kids. Well worth seeing. Bob the Builder is the next best show.

Legoland normally sell light related toys for the fireworks, i.e. light up wands, badges etc... and most kids have them so, if you don't want to purchase one.. take something that flashes with lights along!

Hope that helps, enjoy your day.

mrsgreenwood_2

greysqrl wrote: »

Hi mrsgreenwood, please be aware that for the fireworks days, Merlin are suggesting that you book in advance. The place gets packed out on those days and if you are unable to get there for opening time then you may not enjoy the day as much. Additionally, this will allow you to get parking nearing to the park.

Aside from this, as someone previously said, get there early. They normally let people through the turnstiles into 'The Beginning' between 9:25 and 9:40. Within this area you can buy food and souvenirs and can also see some lego models or experience Rocket Racers (arcade racing game). If you are planning to not bring your own food and you don't already have an annual pass drinks cannister, then buy a one-day unlimited drink container for £6. That will allow you to refill with coke, lemonade, orange or water throughout the park for no additional cost. For lunch, there is a pizza/pasta place that do an unlimited buffet (including soft drinks) for around £24 for a family of 4. Most of the other food items do not include a drink in the meal so the container then proves to be useful The picnic booking is very good value and cheaper if you book online. For eating, if you want to avoid queust best to eat at 11:30 or after 2!

In terms of rides, assuming you're not getting a QBot go to the main rides first, i.e. walk all the way to Atlantis as this is the newest and thus most popular ride. After this the next most popular rides are boating school, tomb blaster (or whatever they call it at Legoland) and the dragon coaster, wave surfer and finally driving school (one for 3 to 5 year olds and one for 6-11). Consider that rides such as boating school only allow 2 - 3 people on one boat and they are effectively slow rides so thus get busier. Oddly enough, the monorail also tends to get busy but I've never noticed the excellent viking river splash to be packed (kids must be at least 1m to go on this).

Rides for the youngest kids don't tend to be that busy due to the large amount of riders, i.e. carousel, chairoplane or train rides. It's very likely also that they will again open after the fireworks to allow for night rides, this will ease the exit queues and it's worth doing rather than rushing out and sitting in traffic. They'll probably have the restaurants open as well if you want to have dinner there.

When you've finished with everything you wish to ride on, go to miniland. You can take a look at this whilst waiting for the fireworks to start as this is the general location for it. Don't be worried about getting to the front for fireworks as they shoot them high enough to be able to be seen from anywhere but miniland is generally the best location. If you're worried about exiting, go to a higher point near the beggining to watch as you can then quickly leave.

The Imagination theatre shows a variety of movies and I'd recommend Clutch Powers since it uses all the 4D items they have, i.e. fire, smoke, snow and water. It's the best show there and suitable (and safe) for all kids. Well worth seeing. Bob the Builder is the next best show.

Legoland normally sell light related toys for the fireworks, i.e. light up wands, badges etc... and most kids have them so, if you don't want to purchase one.. take something that flashes with lights along!

Hope that helps, enjoy your day.

thank you so much for this!!

i have already bought the tickets (buy 1 day, get 1 free) and the price included hotel stay with breakfast, so dont have to worry about being booked up. also kids eat free at the hotel buffet so will probably be eating there when legoland closes.

its going to take us 2 hours to get there, so will set off early to get there before opening time.

thanks so much for all the info, especially wheres best to see fireworks, and where to eat. much appreciated!!! :j

mum26

We went for the fireworks last year and it was brilliant! (I enjoyed them more than Alton Towers ones actually) we stood right outside the JUNIOR driving school with our back to the railing to lean on and had an excellent view.

It was very very cold so wrap up warm and maybe take some blankets to wrap round the children as you do end up standing about a bit before the display, maybe a flask of hot chocolate or something too to keep the chill off during the day or budget for hot drinks. We love the pizza/pasta buffet places at Merlin parks, as drinks are unlimited and included it really helps. Also last year they did reopen some rides after the fireworks so if you can hang on and do some of those as it takes a while to get out of the car park anyway. Maybe take some anti bac hand gel as we found there was no hot water when washing hands so little fingers were getting absolutely chilled through. Take plenty of snacks as kids get very hungry with the excitement and cold,lol. The pirate playground is very good and if it is a cold day when you go make the most of the 4d theatre and the imagination station. Have a fantatastic time, we love Legoland.

mrsgreenwood_2

thank you mum26 for your tips, really looking forward to it now. its going to be sooo cold.