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The Land of Summertime: A Day at LEGOLAND Water Park

Last Memorial Day was a pretty big deal in Carlsbad. It marked the grand opening of the world’s very first LEGO®-themed water park. “No matter what we design, there are two toys that LEGO can never improve upon: the ball and water”, LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen once said. Sorry, Ole – I'm pretty sure that LEGOLAND® Water Park has managed to combine LEGO and water in a pretty remarkable way.
So when my sister (Agent Sunflower!), our mom, and myself found out that our 4-year-old cousin was coming to stay with us in SoCal for a week, we knew exactly where we had to take her. We grabbed Varius Batty (and his video camera), headed south on the I-5 freeway, and found ourselves smack-dab in the middle of a beautiful summer day in San Diego County.

OUR LITTLE SEA TURTLE
Now, we've all got pseudonyms here in the VisitThePlace.com blog team, and our little squirt in-tow wanted to be part of the crowd. She dubbed herself "Turtle" (but wants you all to know she's just as much part mermaid). 

Insider's Tip: LEGOLAND Water Park is actually located inside of LEGOLAND California, though you do need a separate admission ticket to access all the H2O-powered fun.
We spent the morning and early afternoon exploring LEGOLAND's brand-new STAR WARSTM Miniland, LEGO-themed rides like The Dragon (our personal fave) and Safari Trek, and browsing shops... but let's save that for another blog. It was the Water Park that was calling our names -- or rather, it was Turtle who was literally calling out "water park, water park!" until we finally got the hint. You should have seen her bright blue eyes light up when she spotted those first flumes of water; decked out in her fluorescent swimsuit and matching hot-pink floaties, she was off! See for yourself (and if you dig that summertime tune, that's my totally rad dad on bass guitar):


FUN IN THE SUN
The centerpiece of LEGOLAND Water Park is a 45-foot-tall tower designed to immerse children in the creative world of LEGO. I, personally, loved all the bright primary colors. LEGOLAND really reminds me of being a kid again -- which probably has a heck of a lot to do with the fact that I was raised with LEGO bricks and trips to LEGOLAND Billund (thank you, Danish heritage!). But besides the nostalgia factor for me, there’s a lot more to keep (big and small) kids’ attention at LEGOLAND Water Park:

* Build-A-Raft River: This one-of-a-kind concept lets kids customize their own raft made of soft LEGO bricks before floating down a lazy river.

Insider's Tip: Little Turtle -- average height for a 4 year old -- just couldn't get down with this rafting attraction, or rather, she got TOO far down and plopped right through the inner tube's hole. So I had to sit her on my lap. Mind you, other kids were having an absolute blast designing their very own rides. But for the tinier ones, I recommend checking out Kid Creek (see below). 
* Orange Rush: For whole families looking to get in on the action, this tube slide allows up to four people to ride together down a 312-foot-long curving track on an 11-foot half pipe. It looked awesome! But it was a bit too daunting for our thrill-seeker-in-training.

* Splash Out: An open body slide, this one invites you to slide 240 feet and “splash out” into the water below. On a hot day in Carlsbad, you better believe that splash is a refreshing one. 

* Twin Chasers: These guys reminded me of red licorice, with their twists and turns. Two side-by-side enclosed red tube slides stretch nearly 130 feet and pour into a wading area. Again, these are definitely more big-kid slides, and they look like tons of fun.

* DUPLO® Splash Safari: This water play area has been designed especially for toddlers, complete with three small slides and interactive DUPLO characters. OH-EM-GEE. Now this was the place for Turtle. She couldn't get enough of the three just-her-size slides; and I'm pretty sure my mom went hoarse reminding her over and over again not to run... she was just so very excited. I think she could have easily spent all day here, and I'm sure that goes for most small tikes.

Insider's Tip: If you've got a little sea turtle of your own, Splash Safari really is the best spot to take them. It's easy to let the kids roam the area and still keep your eye on them. Plus, you've got Beach Front Grill right there, which serves up wraps, burritos, fruit, sandwiches, and salads. I'm a total health nut, and they definitely serve up the freshest eats in the park.
* Kid Creek: And this is what I was talking about earlier, a lazy river within DUPLO Splash Safari built with younger kids in mind. Same concept as Build-A-Raft, but instead of an inner tube, the little ones sit on top of an inflatable raft. Perfect!

* Joker Soaker: We caught a peek of this guy as we were entering the Water Park. The fun, interactive platform within the wade pool invites kids to aim water cannons at each other as a LEGO jester model “tells” jokes while 350 gallons of water pour down upon them. Totally looked like everyone was having the time of their lives. Turtle, on the other hand, was completely mesmerized with the Imagination Station...
 
* Imagination Station: How can you beat interactive, educational and imaginative fun? The Station features two interactive tables. On one, kids can build bridges, dams and cities out of DUPLO bricks and test them against the flow of water. On the other, they control the flow of water by creating patterns out of LEGO elements. In another area, a musical water stand with a series of holes on top that squirt water allows kids to become conductors of their own water symphony as they cover holes creating new music notes. How cool is that? Turtle and I spent almost 1/2 an hour making music and giggling under sprays of water.

Insider's Tip: The Imagination Station is shaded, so it's ideal for those hot summer days. But as a dripping wet 29-year-old wimp, I got a little chilly by the end and was dragging my cousin back into the sun. 
* NEW! Splash Zoo: This brand-new area for toddlers features giant DUPLO Zoo animals -- including a lion, giraffe and zebra -- plus interactive spray pads, fountains and a teeter totter, all geared specifically for the tiniest of guests (ages 1 – 3, but it got mountains of age-4 approval). DUPLO always makes me think of Agent Sunflower as a toddler, crawling around our house with her own zoo animals, so it almost got me a little misty-eyed seeing the life-sized versions in person. I say "almost" because at that point, Turtle had discovered how to create a torrential downpour right above my head. Clever girl. Right behind Splash Safari, this was her second favorite place to play. She even made a few friends on the teeter totter. 

Insider's Tip: Even on a crowded day at LEGOLAND Water Park, the beach chairs were plentiful in the lounging area behind Splash Zoo. Caught one daddy taking a nap, but other than that, the whole area was ours. It gave the adults in our party a much-needed rest. Seriously, 4 year olds are hard to keep up with. Who knew? ;)

All in all, our day in the land of summertime, LEGOLAND Water Park, could not have been better. It was a huge hit with the little one, it's just over an hour from Orange County, and it's a great way to beat the heat with the whole family. And, of course, I got to stroll down good ol' memory lane, thanks to Ole Kirk Christiansen and his incredible invention: LEGO. 
FAST FACTS
LEGOLAND Water Park is located at One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad.  For more information, visit LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-5346.  And while you’re at it, don’t forget to stop by LEGOLAND California Park and SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium, all at the LEGOLAND California Resort.

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Tags: Attractions, Carlsbad, Family Fun, LEGOLAND, Places to Go in San Diego, San Diego, Summer, Things to Do in San Diego, Water Park

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Comment by Lydia Sea on August 24, 2011 at 3:24pm
What is it about water that makes for the most awesome day? I bet little "Turtle" slept well that night. Looked like a blast! Thanks for the cool tips, Anja!
Comment by Hailey Hicks on August 22, 2011 at 9:44am
OH MY.... She is too cute! This looks so fun. My little sis would love this :)
Comment by Michael Maxsenti on August 19, 2011 at 10:23am

V

ery cool...my grandkids loved the Water Park also. Thank you for the great 'tips' and the video music was awesome!!! :) Please give credit to those sound making funsters!

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