BLOCK PARTY
THIS LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE IS GREAT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS, AS BEN TURNER FINDS OUT
LIKE many parents I have a love-hate relationship with Lego. The throbbing soles of my misplaced feet will verify this.
Legoland Windsor Resort, however, proved to be a different story, serving up two magical days of technicolour escapism.
“Are we nearly there yet?” I asked excitedly, as we bombed down the motorway to the Berkshire theme park.
My wife, who was driving, threw me a scornful look. This was supposed to be a treat for my two-year-old daughter and five-year-old son!
But after months of home-schooling and working from the kitchen table, we were all so happy to be leaving our own four walls for a socially distanced but muchneeded change of scenery.
We broke up the near four-hour journey from Merseyside with a Friday night stay at the four-star Macdonald Ansty Hall near Coventry. After a good night’s sleep and walk around its landscaped gardens we were ready to complete the journey to Windsor. Checking in to our Knights’ Room at the Castle Hotel certainly ramped up the excitement.
Lego characters, wizards and dragons on everything from the walls to the bed covers and carpets brought the lovely lodgings to life. There was even a riddle to solve in the room which led to a Lego goody bag each for the children.
Out on the park, little
Lego lovers are spoilt
for choice with an array of rides and adventures.
One of the many highlights for us was Coastguard HQ, a self-drive boat ride around a river with divers and sea creatures to spot, which ends with getting sprayed with water by a smiling Lego go elephant!
This was one of the many rides not restricted to older children and made a great first sailing experience for my youngest. She also took full advantage of the interactive Duplo Playtown village playground. While she tackled imaginary blazes in the fire station, upheld the law in the mini police station and got a taste of royal life in the fairy-tale castle, my son and I jumped aboard the new
Duplo Dino Coaster and held on tight as we zoomed around on the back of this friendly “first” roller coaster for little ones.
There is so much to do here. My wife and I found it easier to split up and, armed with one child each, take them on the a attractions that suited t them. My daughter’s eyes lit up w when she took to the water w again for a gentl gentle boat ride around Fairy Tale Brook featuring fe scenes from c children’s fairy tal tales such as
The Three
Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hoo Hood and Cinderella. Meanwhile, M my son and wife braved Haunted House Hou Monster Party – a Le Lego-themed version of a haunted house as guests of Lord Vampyr Vampyre.
Staying overnight at Legoland meant we had two days on the park, so we never felt time-pressured and got the chance to do everything.
It’s not all rides, however... a stroll through the world’s most famous buildings and landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal and Sydney Opera House, in Miniland soon became another highlight.
The attention to detail here is mind-boggling!
Our visit was during the main summer season, which meant we
got the chance to explore Drench Towers, the largest water-play structure in the UK.
This had to be pre-booked due to social distancing and swimming gear is a must. From an oversized tipping brick which spills water to a host of slippery waterslides, there’s something for everyone.
Next door is the Duplo-themed Splash Safari where my daughter went water crazy in a menagerie of lions, giraffes and zebras.
Again pre-booking and swimming gear was required.
As you’d expect during a pandemic, social-distancing measures are in place including one-way systems. The use of face masks is encouraged and they are mandatory in the hotels.
Queues were at times lengthy but good-natured and well-marshalled. But if you want to maximise your ride time, purchase one of the three Reserve and Ride deals (formerly known as Q Bot), which cuts down queuing time.
Obviously Legoland has children at its heart but the bars and restaurants, including the Tournament Tavern, conjured a real holiday resort feel at night.
The outdoor tables meant we could keep an eye on the children making the most of climbing frames, adventure trails and game machines while we enjoyed a beer.
A truly magnificent two days – and this time definitely worth the aching feet.