Surf Dance Chris
2021-06-27 01:08:08 UTC
My Legoland New York review:
I visited Legoland New York this past week. The park is open for “previews” for a reduced rate, since the park does not have all the rides and attractions open yet. We were able to get tickets online on Wednesday for this past Friday, which kept showing as unavailable all week, I’d guess capacity was increased as more rides opened up. Preview tickets are $49 and regular admission once the park opens fully will be $79.
We arrived at the park around 9:15am, and Apple Maps directed us to the employee lot. The regular entrance is just a little further down at the traffic light. There aren’t really any signs to direct you to the guest lot. I’d guess once the park has fully opened, that will change. Legoland New York charges for parking upon exiting, so we were directed immediately to park (more on this later). Going through security opened at 9:30 and the turnstiles opened at 10. Just before 10, some employees perform a dance which encourages guest participation.
We entered the park and immediately went to the park’s two major rides, both relatively close to the front of the park - Lego Factory Adventure Ride, and Ninjago, both of which were temporarily down. After the entrance area called “Brick Street”, the park is divided into 5 themed areas in a big circle. All the areas have large Lego figures and decoration around the areas. The first section is Bricktopia, and is home to the Lego Factory Adventure, DJ Dizzy Disco Spin (a tea cup type ride), Brick Party (a carousel), and Duplo Express (a kids train ride).
We first rode the Jay’s Gravity Force Trainer, which is a junior size himilaya ride in the Ninjago World section. We then moved on to the Lego Castle section, home of the two coasters. The first we rode was the Dragon’s Apprentice, a Zamperla Family Coaster. Each cycle gives 2 circuits. Waited about 3 cycles. Note- adults must ride in separate rows, only 1 adult allowed per row. Next was the Dragon. This appears similar to other Dragon coasters at the other Legoland parks, but this one is significantly better. The outside track is longer, faster, and smoother, and also made by Zierer, rather than Vekoma! It’s no more scary or intimidating for kids, the park’s target audience than the other locations’ Dragons. This ride seemed to not have any more than a one train wait all day, it can run 3 trains, but only used two all day. The area also has two other rides- the Tower Climb Tournament, where guests pull themselves up a tower and Merlin’s Flying Machines, where you cycle to go up and down. Both have counterparts at other Legoland parks.
The Lego City area is home to the driving school rides for kids found in other Legoland parks. It’s also home to a 4D theater, which was showing “Officer In Pursuit”. They were asking all guests to leave 2 open seats between groups. The film was very entertaining, and it runs every hour on the hour. The area also has a ride that I’m guessing with be similar to Boat School at Legoland Florida, this one called Coast Guard Academy, which is still under construction. The park also has a Fire Academy ride.
Next is the Lego Pirate themed area. Almost all of the area is still under construction, but one ride - a rock n tug (or similar?) called Anchor’s Away is open, as well as some kids play areas. A Wild Water Rondell called Rogue Riders (similar to AquaZone Wave Racers at the other LL parks) is not yet open, as well as a Splash Battle ride, which was cycling boats when we were there.
Next was the park’s Miniland, similar to other Legoland parks, it’s miniature versions of real life areas of the world. This one, of course, has a large New York area. These are always very cool.
At this point, you’re back at the Bricktopia section. I should note that the park is built on 2 levels, the Lego City and Lego Pirate sections are on a “lower level” of the park, and Miniland and Lego Castle are “on the way”/on a hill on opposite sides, with Bricktopia and Ninjago World, on the top. So have your walking shoes on in this park!
We then went to eat at the Royal Feast in the Lego Castle section. Unfortunately, we waited about 45 minutes on line to get food. No fault of the workers, they were very friendly and fast! Not many food locations are open yet, and we ate at the lunch time rush. The food was nothing special. It was then time for the show, which wasn’t even listed on the app, as the show is very much in “preview” mode. The show is “The Big Test”, a comedy firefighting show, similar to the one they had at Legoland Florida years ago (apparently the fire truck used in the show is the old one from the Florida show). The show and the actors are still working the show out, but it’s a fun show and was very good in Florida. It’s located toward the top of the Lego Castle section. We then went back to ride Ninjago, which is similar to the one in Florida. Waited about 50 minutes, which is surprising since its Florida counterpart’s never has a wait. Like never ever.
Finally, we rode the Lego Factory Adventure Ride, which is the park’s major attraction unique to this location. It’s a trackless ride similar to Empire Of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando. We got to ride 3 times, no wait. It’s pretty “awesome”. The park was just about to close, so we rode the park’s carousel “Brick Party”. The carousel is full of lego inspired figures, and is much larger than the one at Legoland Florida (also only one level). The carousel’s floor is flush with the ground. It’s also the slowest carousel I’ve ever ridden.
We then exited the park, and the exit out the parking lot was the worst part of the experience. As stated earlier, you pay upon exiting, the backup to pay was very long, took about 30 minutes to exit due to the backup. You can prepay online or at guest relations while leaving, or pay by credit card upon exiting. Why they have decided to charge for parking upon exiting and not entering is strange. Neither other Legoland park in the US does this.
Had a fun day at the park, understanding it’s a preview, and not everything is ready yet. I just hope they work the parking situation out. The park also needs more shade, but I’m sure that will happen as trees grow in, and I suspect more structural shade will be added as well.
The park also has an on site hotel which will open soon.
We stopped for dinner at Roy Rogers in Matamoras, Pa “on the way” back (okay, it was 30 minutes past where we were, but worth it).
I visited Legoland New York this past week. The park is open for “previews” for a reduced rate, since the park does not have all the rides and attractions open yet. We were able to get tickets online on Wednesday for this past Friday, which kept showing as unavailable all week, I’d guess capacity was increased as more rides opened up. Preview tickets are $49 and regular admission once the park opens fully will be $79.
We arrived at the park around 9:15am, and Apple Maps directed us to the employee lot. The regular entrance is just a little further down at the traffic light. There aren’t really any signs to direct you to the guest lot. I’d guess once the park has fully opened, that will change. Legoland New York charges for parking upon exiting, so we were directed immediately to park (more on this later). Going through security opened at 9:30 and the turnstiles opened at 10. Just before 10, some employees perform a dance which encourages guest participation.
We entered the park and immediately went to the park’s two major rides, both relatively close to the front of the park - Lego Factory Adventure Ride, and Ninjago, both of which were temporarily down. After the entrance area called “Brick Street”, the park is divided into 5 themed areas in a big circle. All the areas have large Lego figures and decoration around the areas. The first section is Bricktopia, and is home to the Lego Factory Adventure, DJ Dizzy Disco Spin (a tea cup type ride), Brick Party (a carousel), and Duplo Express (a kids train ride).
We first rode the Jay’s Gravity Force Trainer, which is a junior size himilaya ride in the Ninjago World section. We then moved on to the Lego Castle section, home of the two coasters. The first we rode was the Dragon’s Apprentice, a Zamperla Family Coaster. Each cycle gives 2 circuits. Waited about 3 cycles. Note- adults must ride in separate rows, only 1 adult allowed per row. Next was the Dragon. This appears similar to other Dragon coasters at the other Legoland parks, but this one is significantly better. The outside track is longer, faster, and smoother, and also made by Zierer, rather than Vekoma! It’s no more scary or intimidating for kids, the park’s target audience than the other locations’ Dragons. This ride seemed to not have any more than a one train wait all day, it can run 3 trains, but only used two all day. The area also has two other rides- the Tower Climb Tournament, where guests pull themselves up a tower and Merlin’s Flying Machines, where you cycle to go up and down. Both have counterparts at other Legoland parks.
The Lego City area is home to the driving school rides for kids found in other Legoland parks. It’s also home to a 4D theater, which was showing “Officer In Pursuit”. They were asking all guests to leave 2 open seats between groups. The film was very entertaining, and it runs every hour on the hour. The area also has a ride that I’m guessing with be similar to Boat School at Legoland Florida, this one called Coast Guard Academy, which is still under construction. The park also has a Fire Academy ride.
Next is the Lego Pirate themed area. Almost all of the area is still under construction, but one ride - a rock n tug (or similar?) called Anchor’s Away is open, as well as some kids play areas. A Wild Water Rondell called Rogue Riders (similar to AquaZone Wave Racers at the other LL parks) is not yet open, as well as a Splash Battle ride, which was cycling boats when we were there.
Next was the park’s Miniland, similar to other Legoland parks, it’s miniature versions of real life areas of the world. This one, of course, has a large New York area. These are always very cool.
At this point, you’re back at the Bricktopia section. I should note that the park is built on 2 levels, the Lego City and Lego Pirate sections are on a “lower level” of the park, and Miniland and Lego Castle are “on the way”/on a hill on opposite sides, with Bricktopia and Ninjago World, on the top. So have your walking shoes on in this park!
We then went to eat at the Royal Feast in the Lego Castle section. Unfortunately, we waited about 45 minutes on line to get food. No fault of the workers, they were very friendly and fast! Not many food locations are open yet, and we ate at the lunch time rush. The food was nothing special. It was then time for the show, which wasn’t even listed on the app, as the show is very much in “preview” mode. The show is “The Big Test”, a comedy firefighting show, similar to the one they had at Legoland Florida years ago (apparently the fire truck used in the show is the old one from the Florida show). The show and the actors are still working the show out, but it’s a fun show and was very good in Florida. It’s located toward the top of the Lego Castle section. We then went back to ride Ninjago, which is similar to the one in Florida. Waited about 50 minutes, which is surprising since its Florida counterpart’s never has a wait. Like never ever.
Finally, we rode the Lego Factory Adventure Ride, which is the park’s major attraction unique to this location. It’s a trackless ride similar to Empire Of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando. We got to ride 3 times, no wait. It’s pretty “awesome”. The park was just about to close, so we rode the park’s carousel “Brick Party”. The carousel is full of lego inspired figures, and is much larger than the one at Legoland Florida (also only one level). The carousel’s floor is flush with the ground. It’s also the slowest carousel I’ve ever ridden.
We then exited the park, and the exit out the parking lot was the worst part of the experience. As stated earlier, you pay upon exiting, the backup to pay was very long, took about 30 minutes to exit due to the backup. You can prepay online or at guest relations while leaving, or pay by credit card upon exiting. Why they have decided to charge for parking upon exiting and not entering is strange. Neither other Legoland park in the US does this.
Had a fun day at the park, understanding it’s a preview, and not everything is ready yet. I just hope they work the parking situation out. The park also needs more shade, but I’m sure that will happen as trees grow in, and I suspect more structural shade will be added as well.
The park also has an on site hotel which will open soon.
We stopped for dinner at Roy Rogers in Matamoras, Pa “on the way” back (okay, it was 30 minutes past where we were, but worth it).