The first LEGOLAND opened its doors in Billund, Denmark, home of the celebrated plastic brick in 1986. Fifty years later, there are nine LEGOLAND themeparks dotted across the world.
Here’s our LEGOLAND highlights.
The original LEGOLAND
Built next to the original LEGO factory in 1968, the 18-hectare LEGOLAND Billund has recently been upgraded with new LEGO models and new rides to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Master builders will love the nine themed areas, including DUPLO Land, Knights’ Kingdom and Polar Land.
LEGOLAND Billund is the original themepark. Picture: Shutterstock
Nearby is LEGO House, a building that is filled with 25 million LEGO bricks for the most incredible LEGO play experience. Before you reach the land of LEGO, register online for the Inside Tour. If you’re lucky enough to be granted a ticket, you can expect to meet LEGO designers, watch LEGO being made and take home a limited-edition set. You’ll also view an exhibition of retro and rare
LEGO sets from 1934 onwards.
And because ‘everything is awesome’ when it comes to LEGO, you can even dream about the colourful bricks when you rest your head at the LEGO-themed rooms of Hotel LEGOLAND, just a stone’s – or should we say brick’s? – throw away from LEGOLAND itself.
The only downside? LEGOLAND Billund is closed from November to March, so plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.
LEGOLAND around the world
Not limited to Denmark, LEGOLAND theme parks are connecting fans the world over in the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Japan, Germany, USA and UK, and could be the inspiration for your
next family holiday destination.
LEGOLAND Malaysia is the closest to Australia. It’s incredibly easy to reach from Singapore. A direct bus runs from the Singapore flyer to LEGOLAND in Jahor Baru Malaysia. Or you can hire a private car for not too much money.
LEGOLAND Malaysia is easy to reach from Singapore. Picture: Alison Godfrey
We highly recommend a stay at the LEGOLAND hotel. The lifts here are a disco party, the rooms come with LEGO puzzles for the kids to solve and the carpet is all custom-made LEGO designs. Kids even get free LEGO once they can crack the code to the safe.
The hotel lobby has two giant pits of LEGO that will keep the kids amused while you check in. You will never experience an easier hotel check-in in your life.
The pits of Lego at LEGOLAND Malaysia. Picture: Alison Godfrey
Another top tip is to go in July during Ramadan. The buffet dinner is still one of the best buffets our family has ever been too. Fresh delicious Malaysian food is made to break the daily fast. Don’t worry, plenty of food is available for non-Muslims during the day.
Malaysia is hot and this LEGOLAND has loads of air conditioned rooms where you can sit and build with LEGO. What’s really incredible is the age range – from tiny toddlers through to grandmas – everyone loves building LEGO.
If you have booked into the hotel you can also cool down at the rooftop pool. But the kids will really love LEGOLAND Malaysia’s waterpark. Buy tickets to both the themepark and the waterpark. You can easily walk back and forth between the two. The waterpark has a tipping bucket, a wave pool and some great slides for kids of all ages. It won’t take long to dry off either.
The LEGOLAND Malaysia waterpark. Picture: Shutterstock
All LEGOLANDS feature a 4D cinema to experience the latest LEGOLAND films, colourful LEGO play areas, towering LEGO models and themed rides that are best suited to children between the ages of two and 12. Some LEGOLANDS also have LEGO-themed water parks and hotels, to extend the LEGO experience.
Legoland’s 4D cinema is a hit with the Godfrey kids. Picture: Alison Godfrey
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne
It may not be a full-blown LEGOLAND, but LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Melbourne is a lot closer to home and a helluva lot of fun.
LEGO fans will love the 12 attractions, including MINILAND (a LEGO township constructed from more than 1.5 million bricks), a 4D cinema, a LEGO factory tour and two rides (Kingdom Quest
and Merlin’s Apprentice Ride), while the parents will appreciate the play areas, cafe and shop.
Congratulations, LEGO – here’s to the next 50 years. President Business would so proud.
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