Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hi folks, We just got back from the closing weekend/halloween/guy fawkes party at Legoland Windsor, and while still not quite Disney, it sure gave them a run for their money. It pointed out to me how long Disney have been resting on their laurals. Of course there were still some major things where Disney is better (parking management, some maintenance etc.). But today really did show me the gap is not as great as it once was. We set off for Legoland early this morning, but hit a traffic jam in Windsor trying to get to the park. It told us it was going to be a BUSY day. We finally got to the park for 10:20, 20 min after rope drop. Having waited in such an enormous queue of traffic, we decided to pay for priority parking (only 6 slots left when we got there). as we have APs, this was £2 ($4), instead of £5 ($10). Then a very short walk to the turn styles. LL 1 - Disney 0 Upon arrival at the gate, there were witches and warlocks directing the crowds - very cute. We took our obligatory pictures of the kids with the Lego kids, into the toilets before going through the gates. Now, I've not spoken much about the Legoland Toilets before, but they beat Disney's in design. In addition to the changing areas in Men's as well as lady's (just like Disney), they have kid size urinals, split toilet seats (toddler and adult size in one), a baby seat in the cubical to allow the parents to use the facilities in peace, and a kid sized sink, soap dispenser, and hand dryer. Very good - LL 2, Disney 0. We could smell the fresh baking of the Cinnamon rolls at Cinnebon and couldn't resist having left without any breakfast. They looked great and I ordered 9 mini rolls for the 4 of us to share - £8.50 ($17) - ouch. I won't complain about Disney prices again LL 2, Disney 1
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well, onto the park. We go to enter the AP entrance when a cast member opens a new gate for us and greats us with a smile. When we present our AP's he welcomes us back and advises that we should do the Halloween scavenger hunt. Well we grab the special event plan and there is a fair amount on today. Witches Dance Classes (the kids loved this, learning a routine to Ghost Busters), Meet and Greets with Wizards and Warlocks, Special Halloween decorations throughout the park, a scavenger hunt to find letters hidden throughout the park which make up a word (GHOST) to win free lego gear. Really great stuff, on par with Disney in Paris. The park was heaving. Waits for attractions were an hour on average, so we decided to concentrate on the displays, playgrounds, live entertainment and so on. It was difficult to find seating areas, and I really missed Priority Seating in Disney parks as it was challenging to find anywhere to sit and eat. LL 2, Disney 2 The food was excellent however. Great footlong hotdogs £3 ($6), Wonderful BBQ Steak Sandwiches with caramelised onions £4.50 ($9), and then later in the Castle for Dinner 1/2 a spitroast chicken with a baked potato and salad £6.50 ($13). All very good quality, and for themeparks, very good prices.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo During the day, we did not ride too many attractions because of the crowds, just the Dinosaur safari, the Spider Spinner (like the Tea Cups), and enjoying the displays and shows. We do go to the building centre and got some great kits - Buy one ghost get one free, as well as a lego skull kit. Very cool. 3 lego kits for £8 ($16). Nice souvenirs. Now up until 6pm, a fun busy day, but nothing out of this world, that is until the sun went down.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo After dinner in the Castle, we headed to Miniland (the minature village area), for the Witches and Warlock Ball. We danced to fun pop tunes (including some High School Musical 2 action) as we waited. And at 6:40, the park went dark. Merlin the wizard came over the tannoy and started to narrate the ball with a few small pyro of the DLP caliber. But then the ball began properly, and what followed was stunning. A 35 min nonstop pyro extravaganza combining the pyro might of Wishes, Illuminations and Remember into one show. Jaw dropping and amazing pyro set to Harry Potter, the Beetlejuice theme, the Munsters, In the Hall of the Mountain King [from "Peer Gynt Suite" No. 1 Opus) and many more. It was astounding, Sarah thought it was the best pyro show she had ever seen. And unlike WDW, there was no extra charge to enjoy the celebrations. LL 3, Disney 2. And after the show, they announced that although the park had been advertised as closing at 6pm (it was 7:30 at the time of the announcement), the park would remain open for people's enjoyment. The attractions were open until 9pm (shops later still). Such a great surprise (which Disney occassionally does). We went to the dragon coasters, but the queues were still mammoth. But the queues for the Spinning Spiders (Teacup clone) was managable and fun. They made it a competition to see who could spin fastest. Or there were sing alongs while spinning in the dark. Mikey loved it (Jess had flaked out in her pushchair). So Mamma and I took it in turns to take Mikey on (he got 7 trips in the end). And we had a blast, as well as flirting with the cast members and interacting with a real friendly crowd of park goers. Then on to the Hill Train. While we waited the cast members entertained the crowds with jokes, as well as mexican waves in the queue and the train. As well as high hiving us as we left the station. So much fun!!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Last stops now. In the store, there was an end of season sale. And a good one too! We bought a few things, then off to the loo before hitting the road. The loos were filthy due to overuse. Kind of like the MK and DLP these days. But overall, Disney handle the toilet cleaning on busy days better. LL 3, Disney 3. Off to the car, put the kids in their PJs and off home.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo So besides my trip report, what is my point? Well we had a fantastic time, almost as good as any day in a Disney park. And no toons in sight! My point is that once upon a time, no one could touch Disney. Now ok, Disney is still cleaner, the theming is more thorough, and the table service PS options let you avoid the crowds. But Legoland rocked hard with great Halloween theming, an AMAZING fireworks display, great cast members, fantastic quality food at counter service/ODV facilities. To me Disney has been going down hill over the last 5 years, and the others are climbing higher. How long will Disney keep their lead? Well with the toonisation of DCA, the proposed tooning of DLP and the track record for entertainment recently, I fear my favorite entertainment company may be losing their lead. So when people were paying extra to get into the MK this evening for their entertainment, people over in Windsor were enjoying a special event (one of 7 nights this month) for no mor cost than their admission, or as a complementary bonus for annual pass holders. I hope my trip to Disneyland restores my faith in Disney once again next year. Let's see. For those that want to see pictures, watch this space.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer Dave, you're killing me!!! Do you know just how much I would love to be one of your kids? This play by play action of yours is making me drool. Please tell me there were Roller Coasters!!! I admit it, I'm a theme park junkie. I read something about pictures...I'll be back when they've been posted. Right now I feel the need for a cold shower.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks for the comments folks, I hope I wasn't writing this just for the sake of it (seems some of my posts these days fall on deaf ears). Now do not get me wrong, Legoland does not have anything on the scale of Pirates of the Caribbean or a mega coaster. It is a park made primarily for younger kids, but I have always enjoyed it. As for coasters, there are three, but they are all rather small. The one in Adventureland is a Mad Mouse, but quite a bit bigger than Mulholland Madness. There is a kiddy coaster - the Dragon's apprentice, very small 2 helixes essentially, but a real blast, especially with our 4 year old Mikey. And my favorite, the Dragon. It is in a Lego Castle with the start being a Lego dark ride, with an enormous dragon made out of lego. Then you shoot outside into the coaster part. It is quite small, but in terms of intensity it is like a cross between Big Thunder and Space Mountain at Disneyland, so very family friendly (though a little too much for our two at the moment). When I wrote my review last night, I was so blown away by the evening celebrations, this is where I felt Legoland got it right. But in terms of theming and blow yourself away attractions - Disney wins every time. In terms of Ops - cleanliness (mixed bag, toilets were disgusting towards the end of the day, but I saw loads of sweepers (even at 9pm, there was very little litter, and when ever I saw some, the Cast cleaned it up in front of my eyes), cast members - so fun and friendly), quality of fast food - my god it was good, fireworks - awesome, and charging policies (no additional charge for the events) - Legoland were really giving Disney a run for their money. It's sad, because they were behaving the way I remember Disneyland in the 70's and 80's. So, if Disney is all about the rides to you - then Legoland will not impress unless you are a lego fan (which I also am). If it is about the quality of experience you crave, then Legoland will push the right buttons. In short, Legoland is THE BEST theme park in Great Britain (not amusement park), and deserved the best family experience award of 2007.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Here are the pictures as promised, I hope you enjoy! <a href="http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=56a8td25.39j1ztf8t&Uy=-rf8da0&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB" target="_blank">http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=56a8td25.39j1ztf8t&Uy=-rf8da0&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB</a>
Originally Posted By u k fan Dave, your experiences sounds exactly like what the Alton Towers celebrations used to be like. Sadly, they went downhill fast!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed, I found Legoland even more enjoyable than the old Alton Towers celebrations (and that's saying something as I used to love AT's). There is one more next Saturday if the UKFAN posse is able to make it.
Originally Posted By smeeeko hey there.. I did thouroughly enjoy your BalooFamily photos!! =) your kids are so cute!! I *heart* the CSI looking Stonehenge photo. =)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks smeeeko. Glad to know people enjoy them. I'll keep putting them on if people do.
Originally Posted By beamerdog Great report and pictures!! I was just talking to my son about Legoland yesterday - what a coincidence I just found your report
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer dwb, as always, you've captivated me with your latest pics. The park shots are always great but the best parts are seeing the great times that you and your family share. Thanks again for sharing!!
