LEGOLAND New York Review and Tips-Planning Guide to help you plan your first and likely many visits to LEGOLAND New York. It’s a great day trip from New York City or Upstate New York. After a much anticipated year of delay, LEGOLAND NY is finally open. Tickets and reservations can be made through the LEGOLAND New York website.
LEGOLAND is now open with all 7 “lands” at LEGOLAND New York available to enjoy. The first-to-play passes available last year provided us with a special first-to-play preview experience. As season pass holders we will continue to update this post as information becomes available.
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First Impressions (and more) LEGOLAND New York Review
LEGOLAND is a wonderful LEGO experience and LEGOLAND New York really encompasses the LEGO experience with wonderful LEGO displays throughout the park and especially in Miniland. LEGOLAND New York only has 1 roller coaster the Dragon and the Dragon’s apprentice for younger kids. Noticeably missing was the Great LEGO Race Virtual Reality rollercoaster the BEST ride at LEGOLAND Florida, but hopefully, it will be added eventually.
Our First to play and preview visits were a bit rougher than we had expected with fewer things fully operational than expected and several rides consistently breaking down. I warned people to wait unless they had a season pass. The Park is now fully open and I would say 95% of the park is fully operational and we did not experience any breakdowns. I’m very impressed with the improvements they have made over the past couple of months.
The main thing not operating is the Coast Guard Academy Boat ride where kids get to drive actual floating boats and many of the interactive features in the mini-land. As well as a few play structures: One near the Coast Guard Academy and the Ninjago Box. There is still plenty to do so if you’ve been waiting to go I would say Legoland is now ready for you. Weekdays are the best time to go to avoid the crowds. With about half the crowd levels wait times are mostly 5 minutes with a few of the popular rides at 10minutes wait and I believe Ninjago may have gone up to 20 minutes but the app wait time was off. the line inside the building was completely full and sometimes a few people were outside. Going during the week will allow you to enjoy some of the play structures that are now open as well.
LEGOLAND New York Tips
- Check out these Things to do at Legoland New York to see what bucket list activities you can do during your visit.
- If you can visit during the week to enjoy reduced crowds and very short wait times.
- currently, there are no parking lot indicators so make a mental note or take a photo of the location of your car.
- Download the LEGOLAND New York app to have access to the park map, wait times, dining locations, and more. Bring a battery brick for your phone so you assure continued access.
- The park is a loop with the LEGO Castle land the furthest point. We went all the way back first and worked our way back and we seemed to avoid a large portion of the crowd. The Dragon is one of the most popular rides as is the Ninjago ride. However, Fire Academy is the slowest turn around so the line for that is often very long. Driving school can also get long lines. So heading to these attractions first will help you cut some wait time.
- The Brick Ride wasn’t open immediately when we arrived both visits and then continued to break down. We were able to take a ride near the end of our first trip but it was closed at the end of our second visit. That is one of the rides to keep an eye out for an opportunity to ride it.
- Ninjago is a popular ride and also broke down several times on our first visit. However, it’s designed to move a larger number of people so the lines never seemed to get too long during the first preview event. the second preview even the line was much longer in the afternoon.
- The DJ spin ride can go FAST so be prepared.
- Food lines get very long at lunchtime. Pack or plan to eat outside of mealtimes. The Cafe in the front is essentially a snack shop with packaged items you can grab if the lines at the other restaurants are too long.
- Sign up for the builds as soon as you enter the park because they were all filled up when we tried later in the afternoon.
- Be prepared to walk. things are pretty spread out between the lands and it’s a rather hilly park. Good shoes are a must.
LEGOLAND New York Hotel
The LEGOLAND New York Hotel is expected to open this summer but an official date has not been announced. We loved LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Florida Hotel so much the kids couldn’t decide which they enjoyed more. Find out why we love LEGOLAND Florida Hotel so much, so you can plan ahead for when reservations for the LEGOLAND New York Hotel become available.
7 Themed Lands
- Brick Street
- Bricktopia
- LEGO Ninjago World
- LEGO Castle
- LEGO City
- LEGO Pirates- coming soon
- MINILAND
Brick Street at LEGOLAND New York
Brick Street is the main street when you enter the park. It hosts the Brick party (Carousel), The Big Shop, Brick Street Cafe, and most of the park services.
Brick Street Cafe sells basic packaged snacks, soda, and ice cream as well as uncrustables and a few other food items. The Big Shop has a large assortment of LEGO merchandise. The Brick Party carousel is a fun carousel with lego built animals. It also has a spinning cup which is a big hit for kids who may have outgrown carousels.
Brick Street Rides and Attractions:
- Brick Party (Carousel)
Bricktopia
Bricktopia includes the Brick Factory Adventure ride. The ride itself was a little disappointing but considering one room was not finished (completely white) hopefully it will be improved before the park opens. The displays in the line while waiting to board the ride may have actually been better than the ride itself and the kids still left the ride feeling it was a good experience overall.
The Build & Test building is a great place to get a break from the heat and rest our adult feet while kids have fun building with LEGOs. They can build race cars then test and race them. They can build onto a bridge and also build whatever they can imagine with large buckets of LEGOS available. Right next door is where the build events take place.
The BBQ joint is located here which seems to be the more expensive restaurant in the park. The DJ Dizzy’s Disco Spin could be one of the best teacups my kids and husband have ever road because they spin so far. The Duplo Train is great for younger kids.
Bricktopia Rides and Attractions:
Photo credit: LEGOLAND New York
- Build & Test
- Doctor Dizzy’s Disco Spin
- Robotics Play Center & Creative Workshop
- Duplo Express
- Stepping Tones
- LEGO Factory Adventure Ride
LEGO Ninjago World
LEGO Ninjago land has some really great play structures for kids to play on while training to be Ninjas. The LEGO Ninjago Ride is one of the top rides in the park. using your ninja moves (with your hands) to shoot and earn points. Jay’s Gravity Force Training is a circular ride that has some good pull to it. Unfortunately, my kids say the seats are very hard and uncomfortable especially when the force forces them against the seats.
LEGO Ninjago World Rides and Attractions:
- Jay’s Gravity Force Training
- LEGO Ninjago the Ride
- Ninjago Training Camp
LEGO Castle
LEGO Castle is in the back of the park and is home to the Dragon, the park’s only roller coaster. The Dragon’s Apprentice is a miniature version for younger children. The LEGO Friend’s Nature Trail takes you from Ninjago land to the LEGO Castle land through a winding paved walkway. There are steps that allow you to cut through quicker. I think it would be nice for some trees to be planted in this area as it would be more fitting for the nature trail theme and provide shade for everyone.
Tower Climb Tournament allows kids to sit on a chair pully system and they pull themselves up the top of the tower. there’s a tension rope so that they don’t fall too quickly but also helps make it a little easier to pull up. Merlyn’s Flying Machines is a flying ride that you peddle to go up higher and is the same attraction that is offered in LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Westchester.
LEGO Castle Rides and Attractions
- LEGO Friends Nature Trail
- Meryln’s Flying Machines
- Dragon’s Apprentice
- Tower Climb Tournament
- The Dragon
- Builder’s Guild
Shows
- LEGOLAND Theater
MINILAND
Miniland is a huge LEGO Display that includes some interactive buttons that create noise or movement within the display. We were told you will be able to chat with some past presidents at Mount Rushmore. The area of the mainland include:
- West Coast (under construction)
- Las Vegas (under construction)
- Middle America(under construction)
- East Coast
- New York City
- Midtown
- The Bronx
- Goshen
LEGO City
LEGO City was not open for the first-to-play event but was open for the preview days which opened by reservation only starting May 29th. We LOVE LEGO city at LEGOLAND Florida. This is one of the highlights of the park. The driving school allows kids to drive through a LEGO City. Take a look at photo package options that often include a driver’s license which make great souvenirs for the kids.
Fire Academy kids get to put out a fire which the kids love. However, most parents would say it’s their least favorite because it’s a lot of work on the parents for a short time spraying a fire. During the Preview, the Coast Guard Academy and The Wharf were not open. The Coast Guard Academy allows guests to drive boats through a waterway. The boats are not on tracks and guests get to control the boat as they cruise through the channel. The Wharf looks like a play structure that may or may not be water-based.
LEGO City Rides & Attractions
- City Police Building Experience
- The Wharf (coming soon)
- Coast Guard Academy (coming soon)
- Junior Driving School
- Fire Academy
Shows
- Palace Cinema
The Palace Cinema is the 4D theater. Shows start at 11 am and are shown every hour. Usually, there are several different movie shorts that play throughout the day and last 20-30 minutes. The 4D movie is much better than the previous seating at Legoland Florida and the Discovery Centers but you will get sprayed with water a fair amount be prepared.
LEGO Pirates
The LEGO Pirates’ land in LEGOLAND New York is a new area that is not included in the LEGOLAND Florida Resort. This is a great land to visit on a hot day as you will get wet on several of the attractions. Splash battle allows you to spray targets but it seemed like the targets weren’t actually active yet. If you sit on the port side you will face the outside when you pass by where spectators can spay the boats. This gives you a chance to “defend” yourself as they spray you which I think is the best position.
Rogue Riders is the other wet ride. You ride what I believe is supposed to be jet skis around while spectators set of huge splashes around you. Turn the wheel to move you out and back in. We like to be tucked in until a giant splash is set off on us, then pull out to race through the splash so you don’t get as wet. The splashes can continue even during loading and unloading so if you want to stay dryer try to load away from the spectators as that is probably when you get wet the most.
LEGO Pirates Rides and Attractions
- Anchor’s Away
- Splash Battle
- Shiver Me Bricks
- Rogue Riders
LEGOLAND New York Food
Brick Street Cafe
The Brick Street Café is more like a snack shop but they do offer uncrustables and yogurt parfait. I think once the park is up and running it may offer more meal options maybe some premade sandwiches.
Smokey’s Brick B-Que
Location: LEGO Bricktopia
This place is rather expensive but the combo meat dishes are rather large. It can easily be split by 2 or even 3 family members. If you have smaller kids it could even be split by your family of 4 especially if you brought snacks with you.
Food Cart
located between BBQ and Brick Factory Ride
Ninja Kitchen
Location: LEGO Ninjago Land
Ninja Kitchen is located at the entrance to Ninjago Land on the left-hand side. I don’t believe it was open during the preview but the prices seem to be more reasonable than some of the other options.
Showtime Snacks
Location: just after LEGO Ninjago Land
Showtime Snacks is located just past Ninjago land on the left-hand side on your way to LEGO Castle land. I believe this is likely the best value in the park because you can get a hotdog for $7 (with outsides). At other locations, hot dogs are $11 with fries. But you can order chili cheese fries for $8 and split them among your family. I did not see this booth open during the preview.
Wizard’s Frozen Wonders
Location: LEGO Castle Land
Wizard’s Frozen Wonders is located in the LEGO Castle land across from Merlin’s Ride. This was open during the preview unfortunately I didn’t see the serving sizes. This seems like typical theme park prices but I would expect they are on the smaller size as were the ice cream treats we picked up at the front of the park.
Royal Feast
Location: LEGO Castle Land
I was a little disappointed in the overall menu here. When you think of a Royal Feast what do you think of? I was thinking giant turkey drum sticks or 1/2 rotisserie chickens. Needless to say, this place was packed during the visit especially since it was one of 2 eateries open. $16 for a park burger seems a bit steep to me even for amusement park food.
Granny’s Apples
Location: in Lego City on the way to Lego Castle Land
Granny’s Applies are Fried apple slices almost like an apple fritter. They are really good if you like that sort of thing. I enjoyed them in LEGOLAND Florida but the kids were indifferent so we haven’t tried them at this park yet.
Brickolini’s Pizza & Pasta Buffet at LEGOLAND New York
Located in Lego City across from Fire Academy
Brickolini’s Pizza and Pasta buffet at LEGOLAND New York is an all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, and dessert. Soda is included as well.
Food Cart
Located next to Fire Academy
Ice Cream Cart
Located past fire academy before lego pirate land
Brickbeard’s Market
Located in Pirates land
When is Legoland New York Open?
When is Legoland New York open? Legoland New York hours can vary but at the time of this posting the hours are 10 am – 7 pm, 7 days a week. Starting in September the Park will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Then in November, the schedule changes to Weekends and daily the second and fourth week in November. After that the calendar is empty. It will be interesting to see if they plan to be open over winter.
LEGOLAND New York Review and Tips: Planning Guide Summary
This LEGOLAND New York Review and Tips: Planning Guide has everything you need to plan the best LEGOLAND New York visit. Planning ahead can assure that you can enjoy your favorite rides several times and not miss some of the best experiences at the park.
Make sure you save this article as I will be updating it frequently as new information becomes available.
Season Passes are a Good Value
If you are thinking of getting season passes, the preview will not affect the start date of the season passes, so you will still get a full year from when the park officially opens and you first use your passes. So if you are considering the preview event I recommend purchasing season passes as they will provide a much better value overall than a $50 preview ticket. Right now Gold is being sold for $250 which is pretty steep but it allows you admission to 30 Merlin Entertainment attractions.
We were told on our recent visit that we can use our passes at the attractions now and they don’t count against our 12months which starts when we first use our passes when the park officially opens. Also once the park officially opens you have 3 months to use your pass to start the clock. If you do not use the passes in the first 3 months, the clock starts from the grand opening date.
There are several Merlin Entertainment attractions that would make great Day Trips from NYC. These include LEGOLAND New York, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, Sea Life Aquarium New Jersey located in American Dream, and Madame Tussaud’s New York.
Merlin Entertainment Attractions included in the LEGOLAND Gold PASS
LEGOLAND Theme Parks
• LEGOLAND New York Resort
• LEGOLAND California Resort
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort
LEGOLAND Discovery Centers
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center New Jersey
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Toronto
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio
SEA LIFE Aquariums
• SEA LIFE New Jersey
• SEA LIFE Orlando
• SEA LIFE Michigan
• SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord
• SEA LIFE Kansas City
• SEA LIFE Minnesota
• SEA LIFE Grapevine (Texas)
• SEA LIFE San Antonio
• SEA LIFE Arizona
• SEA LIFE Carlsbad (California)
Madame Tussaud’s
• Madame Tussaud’s New York
• Madame Tussaud’s Washington, DC
• Madame Tussaud’s Orlando
• Madame Tussaud’s Nashville
• Madame Tussaud’s Las Vegas
• Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood
• Madame Tussaud’s San Francisco
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