Is two too young for Legoland?

[EddieIzzardismyhero]

We live fairly close by and were planning to take our DS to Legoland for his 2nd birthday but just wondered if there's going to be enough to entertain him or if we'll spend the whole day wishing we'd waited until his 3rd birthday!

Other friends have just been to Paultons Park and we're wondering if we should do that instead?

Any thoughts?

It's a lot of money to spend (Legoland, I don't know about the other place) when he'd be just as happy going to a free local park.

I think it's free for under 3's, then it costs £££££. So he might still have fun and at least you won't have paid for him.

I was just there thursday. We had a 5 yr old, 2x3 year olds and a nearly 2 yr old. There is lots to see and do without going on rides - take swim wear and towels for the water play area. There are a few shows that are fun to watch (depending on concentration) - we tended to give them sandwiches etc at the same time so they say better.
It is fun, but tbh I don't think we'll be going back till they are all 4yrs - so they can go on the rides too.

I've found chessington to be much better for the very young ones - but in fairness the kids love both.

Even if under-3s are free, it will still cost £50 or thereabouts for two adults to accompany said small person.

Save your money. Go to the park and buy ice cream...

I wouldn't bother, unless 2yo is going with older children.

There was a good ticket deal on buyagift.com a couple of days ago, £20 for an adult, instead of £38. Still very expensive though, as you won't get your money's worth with a 2yo.

I take young children to Legoland fairly frequently... babies, toddlers.

2.5 year old I care for currently likes:

Duplo Train
Big Green Train
Fairytale Brook
Dino Safari (note: minimum height 0.9m)
Puppet Show
Boating School
Watching the Pirate stunt show
MiniLand
Chopper Squadron (note: minimum height 0.9m)
Hill Train
Sky Rider (note: minimum height 0.9m)
Bob the Builder film (though he doesn't like the 3D glasses - they don't fit)

He has just recently also started liking to play with duplo cogs to make a roundabout (Discovery center, near Papa Mole's Ice Cream).

Have you considered Chessington? The Zoo there adds to the things your DS will be able to do.

Chessington and Legoland I expect will be very busy at weekends between now and September/October. Weekdays during school term time may be ok.

Also other local things include Lookout Discovery Centre - which I find young children love, even though it is designed for older children. It's a lot cheaper!

To be fair, for those who've suggested the local park, we go there every day! Quite fancy doing something a bit special on his birthday - as much to make a change for me as for him .

Thanks for all your ideas though, think I might have a look at Chessington too and see what that's like as DS is obsessed with animals.

nannynick, you must live in our neck of the woods as Lookout is a big favourite in this household - we were there only yesterday!

His birthday is on a Tuesday so hopefully won't be too busy .

Thanks again.

I love both legoland and paultons park - live 15 mins from paultons so have annual pass. There is loads to do for 2 yr olds there, lots of excellent play areas, animals, a train, trampolines, a around 4/5 rides with no height restictions and a great water play area if sunny. If your ds is 90cms tall that is the min height for most rides and there are some fab ones. Under 1m is free and adults £18.50 each so a bit cheaper than legoland.

That said we Have been to legoland with dd a few times she is now 3 and just over 1m and this opens up a lot more rides. We love both but I have to say paultons is probably a better bet with a 2yr old.

Have a great day whatever you choose!

Thanks loolop!

EIismyhero - yes, I probably am... I live very near M3 Junction 3.

Lookout is often a very popular place... children I nanny like it a lot. Pity school trips also going there - oldest child I nanny is going there as a school trip next week... though he's fine about it as he says he will know all the answers

I got a discount voucher for Chessington recently, think I picked it up from the foyer at Woking Cinema (Ambassadors). It's a map called Lets Go With The Children (Surrey & South London, Mar-May 2010). Voucher is NOT on their website, though they do have one for Legoland (Free Child with Full Paying Adult). Letsgowiththechildren Vouchers

If you decide to go to Legoland, given you live close it's worth getting the annual pass. We go quite often, sometimes weekly.

Your DS would get in for another year for Free, so it's only you who needs the pass. If you get the Standard Legoland pass, then it also gets you a little discount off swimming at Coral Reef (in past years it has got discount off toddler sessions, think discount by about 40p so not major but every little helps).

Thanks nannynick, that's really useful . Will check out the website. Love Coral Reef too so that will be good to have.

Oh, and at your charge saying he will know all the answers!

If you're close and free to go during termtime weekdays then I'd definitely get the annual pass and go all the time - it's a nightmare in the holidays, but heaven with a two year old when all the other kids are at school.

Thanks dily. nannynick, what a brilliant website - have just emailed it to all my mum friends!

Lego land is wonderful but you will not be able to take your 2yr on a lot of rides. Queues are at times very long.

Try gullivers perhaps more suitable.

OOh geat thread

Lovely lovely Merlin n(owners of Legoland) have awarded ds3 (SN) and us as his family free tickets so can't wait!

Lookout is great. like lego but is expensive for 2 yr old. chessington might be better. never been paultons.