LEGOLAND, Florida Planning & Tips

The Art of Smart Timing
The best seasons to visit are fall and spring when it's pleasantly warm, but not rainy. The rain appears in force May through August along with the heat, making the region hot and steamy. Hurricanes also arrive summer into fall. The summer months see rain every afternoon appearing for about thirty minutes and then stopping. Florida winters are unpredictable ranging from mild to very cold. If you're planning a visit during winter, check the national forecast on a daily basis before you travel. Good to know: light rainy days drive the crowds indoors so guess what that means for your family at LEGOLAND Florida? No lines! Enjoy having the park to yourself.

Getting There and Around
Guests headed for LEGOLAND Florida will likely fly into the behemoth airport better known as Orlando International. With a whopping 197-direct destinations, it's relatively easy to get into Orlando and get home easily. Added bonus: many of the Orlando hotels offer shuttles -- huge, comfy buses -- that deliver you straight to the resort.

Orlando International is about an hour from LEGOLAND Florida. A much smaller airport that might work depending on your home-airport is the Orlando Sanford International Airport offering 43-direct destinations and located about an hour and a half from LEGOLAND Florida. The Tampa International Airport offers 60-direct destinations and is about an hour from LEGOLAND Florida.

Consider Amtrak
If you're up for adventure consider taking Amtrak to LEGOLAND Florida. Can you sleep on the train? In privacy? And comfort? Yes, yes and yes! And three course meals are included. Simply reserve a roomette -- which is a private space that sleeps two -- and enjoy an old-fashioned pleasure. My family and I boarded in Virginia, ate wonderful meals in the dining car, slept to the cozy rocking motion of the train and debarked in Winter Haven. (In hindsight, I wish we'd debarked in Orlando, the Winter Haven stop was quite isolated and made it complicated getting to our rental car.) Overall I give Amtrak 5 stars -- my husband, kids and I had a blast.

Rental Cars and Tip
Rental cars are a must in Orlando. Transportation for America recently rated Orlando the Number 1 worst city for walking. Few sidewalks and nighttime drinking appear to be the two culprits. But to save big -- consider taking a hotel shuttle from Orlando International to your resort and using the hotel's shuttle system to get to activities near your resort. You might consider renting a car just for the day you visit LEGOLAND Florida and save on the daily rental car fee and the hotel's parking costs. Many resorts have rental car offices in their lobbies making it a breeze to rent a car.

The Outlets
Good to know: LEGOLAND Florida offers a shuttle from the Orlando Premium Outlets (8200 Vineland Avenue Orlando, FL 32821). Make reservations on the LEGOLAND Florida website. The shuttle leaves the outlets at 9 a.m. and returns when the park closes. It's a little pricey, but it might work for your situation. By using the shuttle, you'll save on renting a car and paying LEGOLAND Florida parking.

Travel Tips
The beautiful Florida sunshine requires several items for a successful day: sunblock, hats, bug spray and no-itch cream (bugs are big business in this state). Small misting bottles to cool down cranky kids waiting in line might lighten a bad mood. Dress lightly -- the park has minimal shade in some areas and even on mild days the park is blazing. And, lastly, do your feet a huge favor and wear great walking shoes.

Plan Your Day
Even if you've been to many amusement parks, it's easy to forget the time-tested method for getting the most out of your day. The night before your visit STUDY the LEGOLAND Florida map. Arrive at the 10 a.m. opening and trek immediately to the far end of the park to the fun Flying School ride (unless you have a toddler then head for the DUPLO Village). Voila! You've avoided the crowds since you'll meander the rest of the day from the back of the park to the front. Also, when you first arrive, get the times for the Pirates' Cove water ski shows and the 4D Wells Fargo Fun Town theater movies and incorporate them into your day.

LEGOLAND Florida is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. -- and on weekends and really busy afternoons the park stays open until 6 p.m. In the summer and on certain holidays, the park stays open until 8 or even 9 p.m. Check the LEGOLAND Florida website for specific information on their hours.

Packing Tips
When you pack, include t-shirts, shorts, bathing suits, and if you're visiting in the summer, ponchos and a pocket umbrella. (Purchase your ponchos at home for better prices.) Again, winter can swing wildly from wonderful warmth to freezing cold (on some strange years) so pack accordingly.

Birthday Parties
Make your child's birthday one to remember by having a birthday party at LEGOLAND Florida. With a group of ten or more, you can choose the Birthday Express and receive a discounted ticket price, a birthday cake and more. Or you might go all out and choose the Ultimate Birthday Party and receive an even deeper discounted ticket price, a private party room, a cake and more. A worthwhile plan if you're traveling with ten or more people.

Don't Miss the LEGOLAND App
Lastly, if you have an Apple or Android smartphone, be sure to download the official LEGOLAND Florida app to make the most of your visit. The app allows you to quickly check show times, map the closest ride or restaurant, and find your car at the end of the day!

Visitors Information
LEGOLAND web site; 877-350-5346