If you are a fan of LEGO then you may have heard of LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, which are not to be confused with LEGOLAND parks. The first LEGOLAND Discovery Center to open its doors was in Berlin, Germany in 2007. The first Discovery Center to be opened in America was the Chicago Discovery Center in 2008. So what exactly is a LEGOLAND Discovery Center?
LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are exciting and immersive LEGO play centers that combine interactive experiences with hands-on building opportunities. They offer a variety of themed areas for children to explore, including pirate adventures, medieval kingdoms, and space voyages.
The best part? There’s something for everyone! There are more LEGOLAND Discovery Centers than there are LEGOLAND Parks so chances are if you don’t live close to a LEGOLAND, then you might live close to a LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are the perfect place for kids to explore their creativity and have fun while learning. They offer a variety of different attractions that will thrill young children, including rides, building areas, interactive play areas, and more. This post will give you the inside scoop on what Legoland Discovery Centers are all about! If you’re interested in learning more about these discovery centers then keep reading!
Table of Contents
What Can You Do At A LEGOLAND Discovery Center?
There’s so much to do at a Legoland Discovery Center! You can explore the LEGO Ninjago Training Camp, visit the Model Shop and plenty of other activites and attractions. Kids of all ages will enjoy watching The LEGOLAND Movie Theatre and playing in DUPLO Village. Plus, there are always new exhibits and activities to check out.
Legoland Discovery Centers are great places to bring the whole family. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from interactive experiences to hands-on building opportunities. Each location has a variety of themed areas, so there’s always something new to explore! Whether you’re looking for an action-packed day or want somewhere your kids can have fun while getting creative, Legoland Discovery Centers are the perfect option.
Legoland Discovery Centers provide hours of LEGO play time entertainment for everyone in the family. There is no shortage of things to do at these centers with attractions and exhibits that appeal to people from all walks of life – young and old alike. With several different locations around North America, it’s easy enough to find one near you. What will be your first stop when planning a trip?
Do LEGOLAND Discovery Centers Have Rides?
LEGOLAND Discovery Centers have rides that are designed for kids ages three to twelve and do not feature any rides or attractions that require height restrictions. These rides may not be too interesting for older children.
LEGOLAND Discover Center doesn’t offer many activities besides building with LEGO bricks in a kid-oriented setting. They don’t typically include paid entry into specific themed areas like at theme parks but instead focus on providing interactive experiences through playtime in open spaces throughout the center. This makes them perfect for families interested in more creative entertainment options without an age restriction as long as they’re okay with missing out on some of the iconic attractions that come with a LEGOLAND park ticket.
Most LEGOLAND Discovery Center locations have the main attractions listed below with some exceptions;
- Miniland
- LEGO 4D Cinema
- Kingdom Quest
- Merlin’s Apprentice Ride
- Meet Your Favorite LEGO Characters
- LEGO Racers: Build & Test
- The Great LEGO Race VR Experience
- LEGO Friends Heart Lake City
- Duplo Village
- Master Model Builder Workshop
Some LEGOLAND Discovery Centers have additional attractions that are part of other Discovery Centers;
| ATTRACTION | LOCATION |
|---|---|
| Build Challenge Circle | Bay Area, New Jersey, Philadelphia |
| LEGO City Play Zone | Arizona, Boston, San Antonio |
| LEGO Factory Tour | Boston, Columbus, Dallas |
| LEGO Ninjago City Adventure | Dallas |
| Ultimate LEGO Ninjago Experience | Kansas |
| Imagination Express | Bay Area, New Jersey, Philadelphia |
Miniland
Every LEGOLAND Discovery Center in the U.S. except for the New Jersey location, has a Miniland, which is a recreation of the city that the Discovery Center is located in.
Miniland has lights on a timer, that come on when the city changes from day into night. You will see all the landmarks for each city recreated in bricks, including a fireworks display.LEGO 4D Cinema
LEGO Ninjago Training Cam
LEGO 4D Cinema
This is where you can see your favorite LEGO characters in 4D! Enjoy the realistic wind, rain and snow effects. Different movies run every 15 minutes.
Kingdom Quest
In the Kingdom West ride, you are riding a “chariot” to rescue the princess. Along the way you encounter various LEGO characters such as trolls, knights and skeletons that you shoot witch laser guns. The animated LEGO characters are on large screens an dyou shoot them with laser guns. this ride is similar tot he Toystory ride at Disneyland, if you are familiar witht that ride.
Children under 51″ must be accompanied by a 14 years old or older responsible adult.
Merlin’s Apprentice Ride
This ride is where you are sitting in an “enchanted cart” and you are going around in a circle and pedaling like a bicycle which controls how high you go. The faster you pedal, the higher you go. This ride would be enjoyable for younger children.
Children must be 36 inches tall to ride with an adult or at least 48″ to ride alone.
Meet LEGO Characters
Meet LEGO Characters is just like it sounds. This is where you can meet and interact with Emmet, Bertie and other larger-than-life LEGO characters.
LEGO Racers: Build & Test
This is where you build a vehicle of your own design and see if it will go across the finish line first.
The Great LEGO Race VR Experience
Go on a VR ride with chairs that actually move with the action you are experiencing. You will feel like you are actually there experiencing all the twists and turns of the race.
LEGO Friends Heart Lake City
This is an interactive play area around the LEGO Friends theme. Children can build their own models to add to the existing Heartlake City display.
Duplo Village
This attraction is aimed at younger visitors 2-5 years old. Children can build their creations with the supplied Duplo bricks in this animal-themed Duplo Village.
LEGO Factory Tour
Take a look behind the scenes and see how LEGO bricks are made. A very fun and informative tour of how bricks are made.
Earthquake Tables
The Earthquake Tables are specially designed tables that test children’s building skills. When a structure is built, the table suddenly shakes to recreate an earthquake and to test the strength of the building.
Master Model Builder Academy
At the Master Model Builder Academy, children get to learn building secrets and tips with expert Model Builders. These workshops are offered every day.
Some LEGOLAND Discovery Centers have a separate Sea Life attraction. At these attractions you can see and interact with all kinds of sea creatures. There are also daily educational talks and feeding demonstrations happening.
The following LEGOLAND Discovery Center locations have a Sea Life attraction;
- Arizona
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Kansas City
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- San Antonio
Do LEGOLAND Discovery Centers Have Any Special Events?
Yes! LEGOLAND Discovery Centers often have special events that take place throughout the year. These events can include exclusive LEGO building contests, movie screenings, and character meet-and-greets.
Check the event calendar on the LEGOLAND Discovery Center website for the location you are visiting before you visit to see what’s happening during your stay.
There is always something new and exciting happening at a LEGOLAND Discovery Center. From special events to new exhibits, these centers are constantly evolving to provide hours of fun for everyone in the family.
Adult Night
Most LEGOLAND Discovery Centers have an adult night. These nights are only for ages 18 and over. if you are an Adult Fan of LEGO (AFOL), these nights are for you! Adults get to experience all the rides and attractions that children do. Adults also receive complimentary finger foods and a beverage with their admission. Adult night times differ for each LEGOLAND Discovery Center so check your local location.
Holiday Bricktacular
Some locations also have a holiday special event called a Holiday Bricktacular. This is a holiday-themed building event for the whole family. Activities include having a family photo on a LEGO sleigh and an Elves Workshop holiday built by a Master Model Builder.
Brick-Or-Treat
Another event that some LEGOLAND Discovery Center locations have, is the Brick-Or-Treat event. And as you may have guessed from its name, this is a Halloween-inspired event. You can build your own LEGO pumpkin at this event and display it in the pumpkin patch. Discover all the scary scenes in the Miniland display and many more fun and spooky activities.
Sensory Days
Some LEGOLAND Discovery Centers have sensory days which are designed to accommodate sensory sensitive children. Locations that offer sensory days collaborate with the Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS) to makingspecific changes to attractions to accommodate sensory sensitive children. Such changes to attractions include:
- Reduced attraction music volume
- Kingdom Quest ride lights turned on fully
- 4D Movie theater doors open during the movie
- DUPLO bricks instead of LEGO bricks in building areas
- MINILAND sound effects turned off
The event usually runs for several hours on particular days. Check the LEGOLAND Discovery Center website to see if your closest location has these events.
What Is The Difference Between LEGOLAND And LEGOLAND Discovery Centers?
There are two LEGOLAND venues – LEGOLAND theme parks and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers. While both offer a variety of LEGO attractions, experiences, and hands-on building opportunities, some key differences exist.
The biggest and most obvious difference is that LEGOLAND parks are outside and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are smaller complexes, usually located in malls, focusing exclusively on interactive play experiences for kids aged three to twelve. They often have fewer rides and attractions than theme parks but offer more creative building opportunities. Plus, they’re located all around North America so it’s easy to find one near you no matter where you’re vacationing. Also, LEGOLAND Parks are much bigger, covering up to three times that of LEGOLAND Discovery Centers.
LEGOLAND theme parks are larger complexes that include rides, shows, and restaurants in addition to the themed areas typically found at a Discovery Center. These parks are geared towards families with children ages 12 and up.
Are All LEGOLAND Discovery Centers The Same?
Most LEGOLAND Discovery Center locations have much of the same attractions, experiences, and exhibits. There are some differences such as the Miniland exhibit as it is a miniature version of the city that it is locate din. This will be different at each location. Some locations may not have some attractions to might have additional attractions compared to other locations.
For example, the Westchester location in New York offers sensory days to accommodate sensory sensitive children. There will be certain changes to attractions in order to accommodate these children. Soem location may not offer these events.
Some holiday events may differ from location to location as well. Check the website for your local center before you visit to see what’s available. There’s always something new to explore at a LEGOLAND Discovery Centers.
What Age Is LEGOLAND Discovery Center For?
Unlike the LEGOLAND theme parks, which are geared towards families with children ages 12 and up, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are designed for kids aged three to ten. This means that there’s something for everyone at these family-friendly destinations!
If you’re looking for a place where your little ones can play without having to worry about height restrictions or age limits, then a Discovery Center is the perfect option. You’ll find plenty of activities to keep them entertained all day long!
However, be aware that most centers do not include paid entry into specific themed areas like at theme parks. Instead, they focus on providing interactive experiences through playtime in open spaces throughout the center. This may not be ideal for older siblings who are looking for more excitement and adventure.
How Long Do You Need At LEGOLAND Discovery Center?
This really depends on what your family is interested in. Most centers have various areas to explore and interactive activities, so you can easily spend the whole day there if you want. However, if you’re just looking for a few hours of entertainment, that’s perfectly fine too!
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center website says that it usually takes 2-3 hours to experience everything, but you can stay longer.
Check the website for your local center to get an idea of what’s available so you can plan accordingly. In addition to providing a variety of themed areas with plenty of interactive activities and hands-on building opportunities, each location offers unique experiences that are sure to entertain people of all ages.
Can You Go To LEGOLAND Discovery Center Without A Child?
While the LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are geared towards children aged three to twelve, adults can still enjoy them without kids on special adult-only nights. Otherwise, Adults must be with a child aged 17 or under to enter a LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
How Much Are Tickets For LEGOLAND Discovery Center?
Tickets for LEGOLAND Discovery Centers vary depending on location, so be sure to check the website for your local center. Generally, tickets cost between $20 and $30 per person. This may seem like a lot, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re looking for a day of family fun! In addition to providing a variety of themed areas with plenty of interactive activities and hands-on building opportunities, each location offers unique experiences that are sure to entertain people of all ages.
Where Are LEGOLAND Discovery Centers Located?
There are a total of 27 LEGOLAND Discovery Centers scattered across 9 countries. The tables below show the different locations and the dates that they opened.
| NORTH AMERICAN LOCATIONS | YEAR OPENED |
|---|---|
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago, USA | 2008 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth, USA | 2011 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta, USA | 2012 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Kansas City, USA | 2012 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Toronto, Canada | 2013 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, USA | 2013 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston, USA | 2014 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan, USA | 2016 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona, USA | 2016 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia, USA | 2017 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus, USA | 2018 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio, USA | 2019 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area, USA | 2021 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center New Jersey, USA | 2021 |
| EUROPEAN LOCATIONS | DATE OPENED |
|---|---|
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Birmingham, UK | July 2018 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Manchester, UK | 2010 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Berlin, Germany | 2007 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Oberhausen, Germany | March 2013 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Istanbul, Turkey | 2015 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Scheveningen, Netherlands | July 01, 2021 |
| ASIAN LOCATIONS | DATE OPENED |
|---|---|
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Shanghai, China | April 02, 2016 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Shenyang, China | January 10, 2019 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka, Japan | April 23, 2015 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Tokyo, Japan | June 15, 2012 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Beijing, China | April 15, 2019 |
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Hongkong, China |
| AUSTRALIAN LOCATIONS | DATE OPENED |
|---|---|
| LEGOLAND Discovery Center Melbourne, Australia | April 18, 2017 |
Final Thoughts
LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are a great option for families with younger children. In contrast to their much bigger and outside counterparts, LEGOLAND Parks, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers are smaller and indoors with many interactive attractions for families to enjoy. Find a location near you and see what they have to offer.