Legoland Discovery Centre is offering 1 free ticket to this attraction with £30 spent in store.  The free LDC ticket must be used between November & January & can only be redeemed when a valid till receipt is shown at the ticket kiosk.  Only one free ticket per transaction and only whilst stocks last.

Legoland, Windsor are also running a Free Legoland Annual Pass Deal on Christmas purchases.

Legoland Discovery Centre is currently running a deal for current passholders that offers up to two friends entrance to this popular attraction for just £5 per person.

Legoland Discovery Centre Deals

This offer is available to Merlin Passholders and Unlimited Passholders until 14 October 2011.  Each passholder can take up to two guests for just £5 per person when accompanied by the passholder.  Simply print off the voucher and enjoy.  Check out our review of Legoland Discovery Centre plus Tips to Beat the Queues and download a voucher at Legoland Discovery Centre £5 Guest Ticket Voucher.

Liz

Simply sign up for our email subscription list on the right hand side of the page and the winner will be notified from 3pm on Monday 11 July 2011.

Why not check out our Tips to Beat the Queues at Legoland Discovery Centre for the inside track on this popular attraction.

We’ve teamed up with LEGOLAND Discovery Centre to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a family pass to this popular visitor attraction.

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Competition

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is based at the Trafford Centre and offers an ideal location for things to do in Manchester.  All you need to do is sign up to our email subscription list on the right hand side of the page.  The winner will be notified from 3pm on Monday 11 July 2011.  The winner will receive free entry for up to 2 adults and 2 children at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

Why not check out our Tips to Beat the Queues at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre as there is plenty to keep you busy for a good few hours and you may even end up booking a LEGOLAND Birthday Party for a return trip!

Good luck!

Liz

Legoland Discovery Centre is a popular Manchester visitor attraction ideally located within the Trafford Centre.  We recently took up the invitation to test out their new ride, Merlin’s Apprentice, and discovered a few nifty tips to beat the queues & save money at the same time.

Legoland Discovery Centre

Our two 8 year old testers had a fine old time exploring this attraction with plenty to keep them occupied for 3/4 hours.  Whilst neither of our testers admitted a passion for lego at home, they eagerly threw themselves into each area.

The key to Legoland Discovery Centre’s success is it’s focus upon child interactivity; even the rides require the children to get involved.  The new ride, Merlin’s Apprentice, works off the children peddling to gain height and our testers loved it!  Prepare to be shattered if you want to try this one yourself a few times though.

Lego Racers at LDC

Lego Racers were a firm favourite with our testers where you build and race your lego creations. As you can see above you don’t need to create a Formula 1 vehicle when four tyres will do the trick..and won on this occasion.

To get the best out of your day you will want to avoid the queues so we’ve put together a few tips to help you out.

Beat the Queues at Legoland Discovery Centre; Get There Early.

Nothing works better than an early start to beat the queues and this is one to try at Legoland Discovery Centre. In fact I discovered they open the doors about 15 minutes before the official opening time to start moving people through.

The biggest bottle neck is as you arrive; queuing for tickets, accessing the lift to the attraction and making your way through the factory tour. To keep these queues to a minimum you would be wise to either avoid peak times or ensure you arrive early!

Lego Workshops at LDC

Beat the Queues at Legoland Discovery Centre; turn left and keep going!

If the queue is already building for the Kingdom Quest ride as you leave the factory tour, give it a skip until later. Instead, as you exit the factory tour, turn left into the main arena, signposted Miniland. This gives you free range to the busiest areas of the attraction before the queues arrive!

As Miniland never becomes too busy, save it for later and make your way directly to the most popular areas; Lego Racers, Merlin’s Apprentice & The Model Builder’s Workshops.

Beat the Queues at Legoland Discovery Centre; save until later

Good capacity areas include the 4D Theatre, Miniland & Fire Academy so you can save these areas up for the busier times.  Even the Master Model Builder Workshop, whilst it only has a capacity for 15 at any one time, it does run every half an hour during peak times so you shouldn’t have to wait too long for a go.

Oblivion in Lego at LDC

Money Saving Tips for Legoland Discovery Centre; Refreshments

Picnics may not be actively encouraged but you’ll find you are not the only one packing a sandwich to keep the costs down. There are tables by the cafe or try the waiting area outside the Lego Studios if you don’t mind the floor.

Children’s lunch boxes are reasonably priced at £4.30 & remember your 20% off if you have annual pass.  The great thing is the cafe is central to the attraction so you can catch a coffee and keep an eye on the kids at the same time!

Money Saving Tips at Legoland Discovery Centre; Photos

You can use your USB wristband from other Merlin attractions to upload a photo for just £4, (standard price; £10).  We were told by the photo counter, you could even try your own USB at no extra charge if it worked on their systems!

Legoland Discovery Centre

Something Querky at Legoland Discovery Centre

Try the pick ‘n’ mix with a difference at the gift shop. Select your own lego pieces from an impressive array of lego in all shapes, sizes & colours. Priced at £5 for 100grams although remember your 10% discount off all shop prices for pass holders.

For more deals for days out, why not subscribe to Topdogdays and sign up for our email newsletter.

Liz

Welcome Break service stations are currently issuing 2 for 1 Vouchers for Merlin Attraction with purchases of £5 or more.  2 for 1 Vouchers are valid at:

• Alton Towers
• Thorpe Park
• Chessington World of Adventures
• Legoland Discovery Centre
• Sea Life Centres
• Warwick Castle
• Madame Tussauds

Each voucher gives 1 person free entry when accompanied by a full paying adult.  The voucher is valid until 31 July 2011 with some exclusion on dates, (as set out in the small print on the voucher).  Only one voucher can be used per transaction so split into small groups at the ticket kiosks to get value for money!

For more deals for Alton Towers, go to Alton Towers 2 for 1 Vouchers 2011.

For more deals for Thorpe Park, go to Thorpe Park 2 for 1 Vouchers 2011.

Liz

Half Price Merlin Passes, (April 2011 – this deal has now expired). are currently available from Birmingham Sea Life Centre.  This deal is running until 28 February 2011 with an individual half price Merlin Pass setting you back £72.

Worth noting that this standard Merlin Pass has lost some of it’s benefits as set out below;

• there is no free parking with this pass
• no entry to London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon, Sea Life London during August
• no entry to Legoland, Windsor before 2pm in August
• additional fee for Fright Nights at Thorpe Park

However with access to wide range of Merlin attractions, such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventure, Legoland, Sea Life Centre & plenty more, this is still a pretty good deal for the year!

Liz

Tesco clubcard 2 for 1 voucher; is on it’s way with your clubcard statement and can be used at Warwick Castle, Legoland Discovery Centre, Madame Tussauds, SeaLife Centres & The Dungeons during February half term.  Only one voucher per transaction, so split into smaller groups at the kiosks!

Trentham Estate Deals; there’s plenty of deals around for Trentham Estate including a 2 for 1 and free entry for Brownies & Guides!  More information available at Trentham Estate Deals.

Unlimited travel with London Midland Trains for £10; fancy a day out to London, Liverpool or Birmingham..then check out this off peak unlimited travel of just £10 an adult & £5 a child.  More details at London Midland £10 train deal for February half term.

Stay, Play, Explore Ticket; this a great way to pick up a bargain on midland attractions throughout the year.  This tickets gives you the flex to choose from 3 of the 5 attractions, (Conkers, Twycross Zoo, National Space Centre, Snibston & Bosworth) at a discounted price.  More details available at Stay, Play, Explore midland attraction discount ticket.

Liz

Tips for a budget day out

Should I use my Tesco Clubcard Vouchers in store?

If you spend clubcard vouchers in store, you only manage to save the value of the voucher.  Even when Tesco run their clubcard voucher exchange, (allowing you to double the value of your clubcard vouchers), it’s still financially beneficial to exchange for partner benefits, (where you receive up to three or four times their value) rather than in store.

How Can I Find the Most Cost Effective Tesco Clubcard Deal?

Whilst reward vouchers can be redeemed for either three or four  times their value, some deals effectively offer you less than this.

Annual memberships from Tesco Clubcard deals can potentially offer the best value for money in days out.  Not only do annual memberships give you access to your favourite top attractions throughout the year, they often come with plenty of additional benefits to maximize your savings.

Alton Towers Deals

Retrieve lost or forgotten tesco clubcard vouchers

Here’s a great tip  to retrieve old tesco clubcard vouchers you’d forgotten all about. This relatively new service from Tesco allows you to  check out your current voucher balance and highlights any issued clubcard vouchers that have yet to be redeemed.

Simply click on ‘Your Vouchers’ on the clubcard site to see a table listing your unspent clubcard vouchers.  You can then redeem any remaining vouchers instantly using the online code given..I’ve done this and gained £40 in vouchers in the past!

Annual Memberships from Tesco Clubcard deals can potentially offer the best value for money in days out.

Not only do annual memberships give you unlimited access to your favourite top attractions, they often come with plenty of additional benefits to maximize your savings.

Saw, the Ride at Thorpe Park

Merlin Annual Pass & Tesco Clubcard Vouchers: this gains you entry to Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle and plenty more.  In addition you can secure Early Ride Time at Alton Tower, (great for queue busting),  20% off food, drink & souvenirs at many of these settings!  The standard Merlin Pass is priced at £42.50 in clubcard vouchers.  You can also upgrade to a Premium Merlin Pass by paying an additional £30 cash per person to enhance your Merlin benefits.

English Heritage Membership & Tesco Clubcard Vouchers; The advantage with this deal is that adult membership gives you free entry for up to six  accompanying children (under 19) within your family group!  So for every £10 in clubcard vouchers, you will receive £30 towards an English Heritage Annual Pass, (membership priced at £44 an adult or joint adult£77)….bargain!!

Blenheim Palace & Tesco Clubcard Vouchers; As with plenty of other days out deals, every £5 in Tesco clubcard vouchers will gain you £20 towards entrance charges.  The great deal with this one is that if you purchase a day ticket at Blenheim Palace you can then exchange this for a full annual pass for this visitor attraction!

Blenheim Palace & Tesco Clubcard

What about hotel vouchers & Tesco clubcard deals?

Redeeming your tesco vouchers for hotel rewards is another good way of making that mini-break affordable.  Currently every £10 in clubcard vouchers will secure you £30 worth of hotel vouchers.

Any new deals for Tesco clubcard vouchers?

Yes, Disnyeland Paris 2011 is on offer for just £29.50 per person in Tesco vouchers.  This is a pay in full deal and offers 1 child or 1 adult a ticket for Disneyland Paris, offering access to both Disneyland Parks during the one day.  This is particularly good as it’s very difficult to secure Disneyland ticket deals without booking up for a stay at the resort.

Another great option you can now purchase is a Family & Friends Railcard, (also available for the Young Person & Senior Railcards too), with your clubcard vouchers.  For £14 in vouchers you can pick up your discount railcard and take advantage of discounted rail travel all year long.

Additional clubcard points promotions.

Clearly this is what Tesco want you to do, but it is worth keeping an eye out for additional points promotions to build your rewards as long as you are buying necessary household items!

Try visiting somewhere for free

Free Swimming; many local authorities now offer for under 16’s and over 60’s.  This is a great way to stay active whilst amusing the children on the cheap. To find out your nearest pool that offers free swimming sessions, go to free swim sessions for under 16’s.

Free entry to many Museums & Art Galleries; there are plenty of museums and art galleries around the country that offer free access.  A core aim nowadays for a thriving museum is to reach out to younger visitors and you maybe surprised at the range of activities and interactive exhibits available to attract young families at minimal/free charge.  Check out the Science Museum in London,  Manchester Art Museum or Princess The Diana Memorial Playground at Kensington Gardens.

Vouchers against admission charges

There are plenty of vouchers out there to reduce the family spend on a top visitor attractions. How about kids go free at Cadbury World or 2 for 1 at Conkers or even free annual upgrades at The Eden Project & Magna Science Centre.

Why not check through our list of attractions and see what is currently available to bring the cost of admissions down.

Take a packed lunch

There is no need to purchase refreshments on site.  Plenty of attractions allow a picnic in; some even provide lockers.  For those that do not offer this option, a picnic in the car can be fun too!

Agree spending money before you go

Children can often enjoy the experience of spending to a budget so work out what you are prepared to spend beforehand with the kids…and then stick to it!

Visit off peak times

Plenty of attractions offer discounted entry to entice you in at quieter times.  Consider a mid morning movie for just 95p per person or after 4pm discounted entry to Legoland Discovery Centre.

Let us know if you have any other budgeting tips we can pass on for saving money on days out.

Liz