Legoland Discovery

It's okay...I suppose. It wasn't too busy when we went, but the whole place is quite cramped and not a whole lot to do, so when busy I can imagine it would be a nightmare. Dc enjoyed it, but I wouldn't be paying for it again.

It doesn't take much to please me and I don't think I've *ever* regretted a day out with my family until now. No matter how bad the weather/place, we always end up just enjoying our time together.. but legoland has just marked an exception to this rule. Firstly, we had booked online but there was a 30 minutes wait outside in the freezing cold in a somewhat chaotic queue. Rude, unhelpful staff who give one word answers and looks like they really hate their jobs. Then the factory tour consisted of another 10 minute weight before being confined in two small rooms for a 'tour' led by robotic, uninspiring guide who couldn't engage the kids. Then another 30 minute wait in another long chaotic noisy queue in an ill lit tight corridor (god knows what would have happened in the event of a fire they had let that many people in!), for a pathetic 2 minute ride where you are supposed to shoot the baddies BUT THEY DONT DIE! Then another 20 minute wait for the rubbish 4D cinema where the volume was so low I couldn't keep up with the story and we were randomly sprayed with ice cold water and icy wind that didn't match the story was unleashed on us . Very random movie felt great relief when it was over. Then essentially a big chaotic dirty noisy soft play area awaits. You can build lego vehicles and let them down a ramp but my dds didn't get to do it as it was hogged by one family and another 50 families waiting. Lego and friends my girls were dying to visit, there was just a cardboard cutout of the characters plus pink lego. The whole thing was a disaster and I feel i've been robbed in broad daylight, just couldn't wait to get out. Food is expensive and rubbish like everything else.

Its good as a one off and probably to take your toddler off peak. Please park near Barton Square - we had no clue having never been to the Trafford Centre and parked the opposite end of the mall - took us half a hour to walk there!

I got the cheap tickets from Tesco clubcard, even though we were advised to book them online to get priority entry. We got there about 11am on a Saturday morning in March and it wasn' busy at all (hardly any queueing) Even the woman in the 'lego factory' said 'oh, is that all of you? as there were only about 4 families' The little ones (2 & just 5) really enjoyed that first bit, as they get to turn handles and watch lego come out of chutes.
You then get to go on one of the rides - suitable for littlies - its a shooty ride-on basically. The eldest loved it, the 2 year old was a bit freaked out. I enjoyed it though! Again, there was no queue we just climbed straight on.

Once you get in the main area, its a bit cramped to be honest, so I found my 2 year old quite hard work as he was darting about all over the place. The older one was interested in the mini models, the little one wasn't, so I took him to the 'lego pit' which is a small area (pool) full of lego to play with. He started chucking it, so I thought I'd better get him out of there.
He then had a go of the soft play area. More suited to under 5's than anyone older, (and there is a height limit) and its not that big, but its fine if not busy. I'd probably not want him in there if it was because the visiblity is a bit poor for parents.
There was a another ride, more suitable for slightly older children, but neither of mine were interested.
I took the little one to the 4D 'cinema'. I thought that was fab, things really do jump out at you and the wind effects are ace, but he lost interest and we had to leave about 7 minutes in. They both loved the 'test' area, where you build a vehicle and then there are a series of test ramps to test it on.
Areas we didnt really try were the 'lego friends' area - a karaoke setup for the girls and more 'girly' lego.
Theres a duplo brick area, and an area for building towers. Theres also a masterclass area (dont think mine were up to this). I can't comment on the food as we didnt try it.

To be honest, they've crammed it into an area which is too small and its a shame. When you have many people with toddlers, buggies etc all milling about it can get a bit awkward - it wasnt that busy when we were there but for the adults it was too much hard work to be 'fun'. The kids enjoyed it although not so much that they minded leaving. The lego shop is a bit of a parent trap on the way out too!

All in all, worth a day out, but it could have been done better. The staff were very good, and the facilities were at clean. I would not pay the 'at the door' prices, however the online discounts seem reasonable.