Chessington or Legoland with a 2 year old?

[shininglight16]

It's my daughter's birthday soon and I'd like to take her to either Chessington or Legoland to celebrate.

I'm just not sure which one she'd enjoy more, I understand she won't be able to get on most rides as she's under 0.9m but what would be the most exciting experience for her?

How's the Chessington Zoo? I guess if we end up going there we'll expose her to the different kinds of animals...whereas Legoland will be more about building things.

Can't do Peppa World as it's a bit too far.

I'm just confused between the two and need to make a decision soon.

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It depends how tall your 2 year old is. Under 0.9m I don’t think there’s much to go on in Legoland? When my son was 2 he was tall for his age (around 105cm) and was a little daredevil so places like that were amazing for us.

I’d be more inclined to chose chessington for a 2 year old though as there’s the animals / sealife too.

The splash area is only open at weekends and during the school holidays.
The discounted tickets for toddler/preschooler plus parent are weekdays, term times only.
https://www.legoland.co.uk/plan-your-day/useful-guides/ride-availability/

I took my kids to LEGOLAND recently and I think it's best for age 3+, the child should be 90cm tall as a minimum because they won't be able to do many rides at all otherwise.

https://www.legoland.co.uk/plan-your-day/useful-guides/height-restrictions/

Either, both are good but Legoland is bigger so lots of walking. Chessington has the added bonous of little zoo and aquarium.

I started taking my 7yo son to Chessington and Legoland at 2yo and he loves it, we have Merlin passes now and go several times a year.

Also, Chessington has a small soft play area

Definitely neither at that age, you’ll massively waste your money. I know peppas a bit far but that is a fantastic day out or Thomas land. Lego land from 5 and chessington from 7 I’d say.

We took DC1 aged 3 to Legoland and it was a success.
DC2 came with us when nearly 3 and loved it.

We've been as a couple without the DC, and enjoyed it.

If you are going with pre-school age DC, weekday during term time is good.

Take snacks and drinks, and pac-a-macs.

I've never been to Chessington. I've taken little ones to legoland but really wouldn't recommend it.

We took ours to chessington at that age and stayed one night in the gruffalo room- it was magical! I cannot recommend it enough and they have a really lovely kids pool in the hotel, prefect for little ones. We also booked to feed the giraffes.

A farm/zoo with rides (Old MacDonald or Drusillas for example) or even a little seaside funfair would be more enjoyable at that age. Took my pre schooler to Chessington and wouldn't rush back, the queues were long. Haven't been to Legoland

We have been to both with our two.

Chessington is now a favourite - great rides for little ones, Gruffolo meet and greet, aquarium and zoo animals!

Our boy is a huge Lego fan, that’s why we have been 2 times with him (now 11), last time he eas about 8/9. Not much for little ones there.

ive been to Legoland recently with an under 2 (and an older one) and there was very little for those under 90cm. Fairytale brook, the submarine, the duplo play area. The little train was closed, as was the splash pad/water area. The big train had a half
hour queue even in a quiet day. The Ferrari bit (which from memory had duo duplo blocks) was closed. (None of these closures was publicised online in advance.) Oh and they’ve stopped doing any live entertainment shows (like the puppet show and the pirate show) -only the 4d cinema which I don’t think a 2 year old would necessarily like. I was quite disappointed from this point of view to be honest but the 6 year old had a blast! I wouldnt recommend if under 90cm. From memory chessington might be a bit better but still not much. As above, there will be many more suitable things at farm parks etc and it will be cheaper (unless it’s wellington, which is probably actually more expensive.)

I wouldn’t have taken mine to either at that age.
if you live in London Battersea Park children’s zoo is much better

We went to legoland when DS was that age/height for an older siblings birthday and I think he went on 1 tiny train and that was is. There was a few other things he could do but he either wasn’t interested or wouldn’t have managed the queue. I’d have been mighty pissed off with the money wasted if we’d gone just for him. We went again when he was 1m and 4 years old and he loved it, we did almost everything. So I’d advise waiting and visiting a local petting zoo or something instead!

Chessington.

we live near Paultons park and we’re season ticket holders when ds was that age. We went every week nearly. There’s plenty to do and some weeks we’d do a few small rides and then spend it at the splash park. Or just do peppa pig world.

We changed to legoland when he was about 8 and went for a few years.

We go to both regularly (Merlin pass holders).

Under 90cm at Legoland they can do; fairytale brook, duplo express, Lego city deep sea adventure, balloon school, aero nomad, desert Chase, laser raiders, Legoland express, and coastguard HQ. See miniland, build duplo in a couple of places. If it’s July/August they also have a splash park so take swimming bits. There is also a nice play area in duplo bit.

At Chessington they can do; Carousel, sea dragons, Gruffalo, room on a broom, Elmer’s flying jumbos, tiny truckers, and jungle rangers. There is also a soft play bit and a couple of other outdoor play bits but an adult would need to take her up those. They have a few animal displays (owl is one my son likes) and also the animal bits.

Whipsnade zoo is very good, very large and has a soft play and outdoor play area too.

Oh also - make sure they are wearing shoes! I’m sure you would with a 2 year old anyway but my non walking baby was denied entry to a ride because I didn’t own shoes for him.

Save it for when she's 4 or 5.

Waste of time for a 2 year old.

Paw Patrol and The Gruffalo are at Chessington - one of my neighbour's sons is one of the characters!

Legoland isn't really building things. It's rides and looking round mini-land if she likes that.

Both would be a total waste for a 2 year old.

I used to take my son to Chessington when he was that age - we love nearby and have passes. He loved it. I agree
with pp - go on a week day in term time in September and you can get an adult and toddler entry which is really good value.

Both are amazing but I’d go for Chessington as they have animals and more shows. My son loved them both when he was that age.

Chessington will be full of school trips and marauding hoards of teens. I don’t know Legoland.

The zoo and Sealife centre at Chessington might work with a toddler but I’d expect Hobbledown/Bocketts/Godstone Farms to be bigger hits at that age tbh.