To think Legoland was a load of shite

[Tireddotcom4]

Have NC'd as I've been complaining to anyone who will listen.

We went to Legoland for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Really looking forward to it, DDs really looking forward to it, loads of recommendations from friends and acquaintances. I was so disappointed. It was overpriced (vastly! £15 for four ‘99’ ice creams), dirty and tired looking, completely disinterested staff. Six of the rides were out of service and one broke while we were on it – not even an apology for that. The train up and down the hill was out of service so smallest DD really struggled with getting back up the hill after 6 hours of walking around the park. Staff in the shop were really rude and completely unhelpful.

Even DDs have said they don’t want to go back again.

I’m probably in the minority as I’ve always seen really positive things said about it on MN but I can’t justify the cost and the experience we did have to ever go back and give it another chance.

I expect it to be overpriced because it’s a theme park!! For god sake!

Why? Why is this your expectation?

We went a few years ago and I thought it was very run down and tired

Both times we've been we really enjoyed it, but I hate the Q Bots. You shouldn't be able to pay not to queue.

We went to the one in Florida and were majorly disappointed for what sound like many of the same reasons.

It was horribly dirty and tired. The rides were mediocre at best and the prices were totally shocking.

I have Lego-obsessed DC but I'd never go back.

We went a couple of years ago and it was awful. IMO they are greedy and let too many people in. If families are paying £100+ for a day out they shouldn't have to queue for hours. I'd happily have paid a bit more if they capped numbers. Plus when went they had a wasp infestation and people standing in queues were like sitting ducks that couldn't get away.

Luckily our closest theme park is Paultons which is wonderful.

That review was spectacular

My ds loves Lego and wants to go but he hates rides so hanging back from it

Loved it. Not without its faults obviously, but I followed all the advice on here (didn’t buy food for instance, brought a picnic and used the lockers).
I think being able to go out of the English school holidays does make a big difference though.

Frankly, I thought it was utter shte. I went about four years ago and took my (then) DS aged nine, with my (then) utterly unsuitable boyfriend. Said UUB came out saying 'what a waste of fcking money' to which my DS replied 'at least you didn't pay, as usual, Mummy did, so please shut up.' Kind of made my day....! Filthy everywhere, rude staff, hours of queues, and I'd second the hilarious Trip Advisor review about the wasps (clearly a tricky one to handle, but it made the day even worse). DS and I queued all bloody day and ended up queuing for something we thought was something else - ironically it was one of the better rides of the day! Won't be ever going again, and I hope someone sends them a link to all the negative reviews on here, too.

That's so sad. We used to go when my children were smaller. Probably about 8 years ago now.

It was always busy but immaculately clean, friendly staff and a really special feel about the place.

We would go every year.

It sounds like it's getting tired and a bit old.

What is it with the wasps? We went about 8 years ago and were plagued with them. I assumed that was some sort of freak year until I read this thread.

LEGOLAND is shocking. And we go to a lot of theme parks so we're fine with crowds and queuing etc (Disneyland Paris every couple of years, and Disneyworld most years and Disneyland California a few times.) We've not tried the florida LEGOLAND yet, and DH wants to try the Billund one.

We have Merlin passes but now avoid LL, it always seems so busy, even when we've been on inset days. You can go to Chessington at term time and everything's a walk on! Even in the summer holidays at chessington you can get on a few things in the morning before it's too busy and then you've got the animals and shows to entertain you.

I'm happy to never got to LL again, and thankfully have daughters who aren't too fussed with Lego.

We must just have chosen good days. Last time we went was October half term and it was nowhere near as busy as DLP, Chessington or Thorpe Park. And obviously no wasps either!

We went in October half term and it was pure hell. Unbelievably busy, queues for everything were ridiculously long (queued for 2 hours for one ride) and everywhere was packed I dread to think what it’s like in the summer. Two rides plus the train were closed and one ride broke down while we were there. I was so stressed by the end of the day and the kids had barely been on anything. What a waste of money.

Went to Paultons Park on the other hand and it was fantastic, no queues for anything except Peppa Pig world and even then the queues were less than 5 minutes. Some rides we just stayed on for multiple goes. The kids loved it! Haven’t been to Chessington or Thorpe Park for years - imagine they are similar to Legoland though?

My ds aged 6 went last week and gave it six out of ten.

Chessington is more tolerable in holidays than legoland.

We tend to do rides the first hour or two and then head to the zoo/sealife as the queues do build up but at least there are still nice things to see and do.

The fast tracks aren’t awful money at Chessington either.

Just thought I'd report back on our day at LL on Fri 13th. After reading this thread I went with fairly low expectations but we had a brilliant day and will definitely be going back in the future.

I do agree that the ticket prices are ridiculous but can't see why anyone would pay full price as there are always so many offers around. We bought our 4 tickets for £39 worth of Tesco Clubcard vouchers earnt by doing our normal weekly shop, so effectively free. There are also BOGOF offers on Kellogg's cereals and Cadbury's chocolate bars at the moment. Because we didn't have to pay for tickets we bought the basic level Q-bots for £20 each - well worth it to avoid queuing with a 4 and 7 yr old.

It was the end of the school hols so felt quite busy but the longest queue time was 1hr for the Dragon so not the 2 hr queues other people have experienced.

We arrived at 11.15 and left at 5.30 and went on everything we wanted and even did some rides twice. We took a picnic which we ate by the lake and the only money we spent onsite was £5.50 for 2 coffees and pocket money which the kids spent in the shop.

We loved the Lego models - totally blown away by Miniland and thought the theming on the rides (Dragon, Log Flume) was wonderful. Yes, some of the older models do look a bit dirty, but they have been there for years and must be near impossible to clean. The toilets were clean and there were lots of staff picking up litter.

We found the staff universally cheery and helpful.

For us, the highlight was the new Atlantis submarine ride which takes you underwater through an aquarium full of sharks, rays etc which swim right alongside your window. My kids said they felt like Octonauts! When you come off this one there is a small aquarium of tropical & marine fish which is just lovely.

I can understand that if you had paid £200 plus and spent the day queuing you could be disappointed with your trip but if you plan in advance you don't need to do either. We had a brilliant family day out for about £100 all in and will definitely be hoping back next year.

It's not value for money.

Chessington was pants too - really can't be bothered queuing for 30mins+ (and that's with fast track and not bang in school hols). Run down, tired and grimy. And a third of the rides weren't working.

Any theme park which has only one member of staff per ride covering entry, safety check, ride operation and exit - clearly couldn't care less about its staff or customers.

Even dd who loves rides isn't bothered about going again.

Glad I saw this before going to LL - won't bother now!

It’s pricey yes, but we’ve been a few times, and have always enjoyed it.