For those mad on Lego, this is the place to visit for interactive fun for children up to age of about the age of 12. Create your own mega machines and test them out on the racing ramps, enjoy a 4D experience in the studios or use the laser guns to battle through the Kingdom Quest. For the low down on all the discounts, deals and top tips to make the most of your day at Legoland Discovery Centre, use this insider guide.
Deals
Book online. if you do nothing else, then purchasing your ticket online will secure you a 15% discount on gate prices.
Vouchers & discounts: as a Merlin Attraction, Legoland Discovery Centre is included in all the 2 for 1 or 50% off entrance prices vouchers that run through retailers, discount websites and newspapers. To keep abreast of these offers, why not sign up to topdogdays. We will then do the the hard work for you and let you know where all the current deals are.
Loyalty cards. use your Tesco Clubcard Reward Vouchers to pay in full for your entrance to this attraction. For only £3.50 in reward vouchers per person this can be an ideal way to have a cheap day out.
Late Entrance Deals: visit after 4pm and tickets are substantially reduced, (be aware that this offer is only available online). This is ideal for a less busy experience giving you ample time as the attraction remains open until 7pm each day.
Combi-Tickets: these tickets give you discounted entrance to Legoland Discovery Centre with either or both of the following attractions – Sealife Blackpool & York Dungeon. There are restrictions on use, so worth checking out the small print on these.
Group Discounts: if you have more than 10 in your party, (friends, neighbours etc welcome) then you can apply for a group discount if you book two weeks in advance. For details on the discount group rates, go to group deals at Legoland Discovery Centre
Cornation Street at Legoland Discovery Centre
Annual cards
If you intend to visit Legoland Discovery Centre regularly, an annual pass offers value for money, (depending upon your choice of pass). Further to unlimited access, there are many other additional benefits that tend to be forgotten that can substantially reduce your spend on each visit.
There are three options available: a LDC Unlimited Pass, a Merlin Annual Pass or a Merlin Premium Pass. When choosing between the Annual Passes, it would be wise to consider your families future plans as well as price. Listed below are some of the main benefits attached to each Annual Pass.
LDC Unlimited Pass;
- Access to Legoland Discovery Centre throughout the year
- 20% reduction at The Lego Cafe
- Valid for a full twelve months, (if purchased wisely, this can last you two seasons!)
- 10% discount in the Lego store
- Bonus card with various ‘treats’ for the first five subsequent visits
- 1 free entrance to Legoland,Windsor, (only available on off peak times)
Added benefits for a Merlin Annual Pass;
- Access to all UK Merlin Attractions; Alton Towers, Chessington, Legoland Windsor, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, SeaLife Centres & many more, (some restrictions on use)
- 20% off refreshments & shopping at Alton Towers, Chessington, London Eye, Warwick Castle, Sea Life & the Dungeons
- Early Ride Time at Alton Towers
- Prices start from £150 although look out for half price deals for this pass
Added benefits for a Merlin Premium Pass;
- Access to all UK Merlin attractions without any restrictions during the season
- 50% discount at Merlin attractions abroad
- Priced at £200 per person
Oblivion at Legoland Discovery Centre
When to go to beat the queues
As ever with popular attractions, weekends and school holidays are the busiest times! If can visit on a teacher training day or in term time make use of the 4pm discounted entry offer, it could be worth it to avoid the queues!
If you are planning a trip during peak time, the best advice is to get there 30/40 minutes before the attraction opens to be at the front of the queue as the doors open. Ensure you are in the correct queue prior to entrance, (the advance tickets/pass holders queue is significantly quicker than those purchasing tickets on the day).
The biggest bottle neck is as you arrive – queuing for tickets, accessing the lift to the attraction and making your way through the uninspiring factory tour, (you have no option but to grin and bear your way through this!) However the best tip to avoid the queues is to avoid being shepparded through to the Kingdom Quest ride from the the factory tour. Instead, as you exit the factory tour, turn left into the main arena. This gives you free range to the busiest areas of the attraction before the queues arrive – the best areas to undertake first are the Lego Racers & The Model Builder’s Workshops, (times of workshops are posted right outside the entrance to the workshops).
You can return to the Kingdom Quest ride later on in the day as the queues for this subside or forego altogether if the queues persist for the much more imaginative attractions within the main arena. Again the Lego Studio’s 4D experience can be left for later as queue capacity for this experince is good and with films running throughout the day, this can be stored up for later.
Have a break
Take a Picnic: although not actively encouraged, you won’t be the only one packing a sandwich to keep the costs down. Sit by the cafe if you can manage to bag a table or try the waiting area outside the Lego Studios if you don’t mind the floor. Unfortunately, no lockers are available and we found it easier just to carry it around with us.
Places to Eat: there is only one place on site, The Lego Cafe. Pretty basic selection of sandwiches, fruit, snacks & drinks. Remember that annual pass holders can secure a 20% discount off all items at the cafe.
Trafford Centre: get a pass-out and make use of the full range of cafes & restaurants available at The Trafford Centre. Just ask a member of staff to stamp your hand as you leave Legoland Discovery Centre. Please be aware that on busy days, this facility may not be available, so worth checking on the day of your visit.
Host your child’s birthday party at Legoland Discovery Centre for £15 per child, (9 children minimum requirement) and add on your a private Master Builders Session for an additional £50, (off peak times only).
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. Although the queues in the gift shop can put you off making any purchases on busy days!
Brought the kids but not interested yourself?
Although this is very much a children’s attraction, it is worth having a leisurely walk around Mini-land. Look out for Coronation Street, Blackpool Illuminations, The Beatles at The Cavern & Oblivion from Alton Towers – all made from Lego of course!
Children under 3 are free of charge.
There is a Duplo Village for younger children but it’s a pretty small area and can get overriden by older kids on busy days. Absolutely no room to navigate around with a pushchair.
There is a bottle warming service in the cafe.
Free of charge.
There are 3 Premier Inns and a Travelodge adjacent to The Trafford Centre. For real bargain hunters, wait for the Travelodge sales that run frequently throughout the year to secure a cheap stay over!
Try out the 4D film experiences in Lego Studios that uses 3D glasses and special effects to bring in that fourth dimension. Whilst younger children may not like this, older kids most definitely will with snow, wind & rain special effects combined with 3D images to keep you on your toes. If you are looking for a soaking the best place to be is down the front of the theatre!
