EVERYTHING IS AWESOME
Scaled-down cityscapes, theme park thrills and festive fun... Legoland Windsor keeps building on its reputation, says
THERE are times in the life of every parent that you know you’ll always remember. First word, first step, sure – but the ones you really cherish are often those fleeting milestones that others might take for granted.
That’s what happened to us – and it happened at Legoland, of all places.
We’d been before, six years ago when our oldest two children were half the size and, seemingly, half as expensive.
But we were keen to return with our youngest son, a toddler on our last visit. The years since then have quickly slipped by and now he’s seven – with a bundle of energy and an autism diagnosis validating our certainty that he was different, vulnerable, special.
He needs help with lots of things, and maybe he always will, but there were no prouder parents than my wife and I as we watched him navigate the popular Driving School attraction, operating the car all on his own.
OK, he went the wrong way some of the time – and was not the only young driver doing that – but watching him enjoying this brief moment of independence was the highlight of a busy day at this popular venue.
Having stayed overnight nearby, we arrived at around 11am on a mild, sunny day during the October school half-term.
We were not surprised to find people queuing for everything – to get in, for drinks, for snacks and, the longest of all the lines, for the rides themselves.
If you can afford it, one queue I would recommend joining is that for the Q-Bot system.
Located just past the main entrance points, the scheme allows you to hire a small pager-style device (for those who can remember the 1990s) allowing you to book dedicated time slots for most of the rides.
The idea is that you spend your time on the attractions or having lunch, rather than wasting hours in huge lines for things like the log flume and rapids.
There are three prices, £20, £35 and £80 per person, with each offering increasingly speedy access to the rides. After shelling out to park and then to get through the door – £60 was the on-day admission price when we visited – you might be inclined not to bother. You couldn’t call the Q-Bot cheap, particularly if you need to buy food and drink inside too.
But it will save you lots of time – and, honestly, who doesn’t love sailing past a massive queue in the fast lane?
Ultimately, going somewhere like Legoland is a rare treat, and no-one turns up expecting a cheap day out.
Unlike many other theme parks, I think it offers a genuine family experience, with plenty for kids of all ages to enjoy. I overheard several mums and dads saying they had spent two days there and we could have comfortably done the same.
The staff we dealt with were great, and very accommodating to kids with special needs.
Not being a huge fan of whiteknuckle rides, I mustered up the courage to go on the rapids – which the kids loved and I endured – and a couple of other attractions with the potential to leave you soaking wet.
But my favourite part of Legoland has always been the Lego constructions themselves, the minute detail leaves me in awe every time I see them.
I could have spent hours wandering around the faithful recreations of global city and countryside scenes, which reminded me of the model villages which used to be a staple part of seaside holidays in my childhood, not all that long ago.
Just now, there’s a Christmas theme to Legoland, which is open every day until Christmas Eve.
There’s a Christmas Kingdom, where the kids can meet Santa, and other events tailored to the season.
If you can afford it, it’s a place every family should visit at least once while your kids are still young enough – I think it’s a mini marvel.