Legoland

[Project LC]

Truly brilliant. I love the shambles that is Merlin and I love the over the top reactions of the public. Today is a good day.

 

Legoland seems to hit capacity quite often. Maybe Merlin should spend some more money on increasing capacity or (if the council forbids increasing capacity) develop a system so MAP holders can book.

[JoshC.]

Just for clarification - MAPs were accepted up until the park reached capacity.

 

May Day bank holiday weekend is always packed because of the Star Wars Event. That is well known, and Merlin Annual Passholders are never guaranteed entry, and as soon as the park hits capacity (which was at 1pm yesterday), they physically can't let more people in.

 

I do agree that the communication should have been better, but this is nothing new. If you're an Annual Passholder and you were planning to rock up to Legoland halfway through the day on one of their busiest weekends of the year, you're asking for disappointment in my eyes.

 

6 hours ago, Project LC said:

Legoland seems to hit capacity quite often. Maybe Merlin should spend some more money on increasing capacity or (if the council forbids increasing capacity) develop a system so MAP holders can book.

 

I imagine there's not much they can to increase capacity. Space will be a limiting factor (in case of an emergency), and they can't exactly expand much more in that sense. Would also imagine the council would be against it anyways.

 

A booking system would be interesting. Much like Thorpe at Fright Nights, you'd have to charge a booking fee to stop hundreds, or even thousands, of people booking and not going. But people would kick off about having to pay, especially since people would have to pre book a space for little ones who technically go 'free'. It's certainly not a bad idea, but it wouldn't be without its controversy.

[Stuntman707]

I think the main issue is around the fact that people who pre-booked a day ticket get preferential, reserved entry over a family who spent hundreds on annual passes.

[Hethetheth]

Of course they should get preferential treatment though, surely? I'd be naturally livid if I'd booked a ticket for a day and paid for that specific day, to be turned away because people who could visit any day of the year decided to rock up that day. If the AP holders are so determined to visit that day they should book with the tiny fee, and this is coming from an AP holder.

[JoshuaA]

I think honestly they should do a reservation type system for pass holders and just charge a few quid to stop people from taking the pi**.

 

A quid or two really shouldn't make people kick off, it would also stop MAP holders driving down to the park (especially if they are coming from far away) and getting turned away.

Obviously rocking up to the parks mid-day isn't ever that much of a good idea (especially on peak days), but with long journeys and traffic I think MAP holders should have a way to reserve.

If I did the 4 hour journey down to Staffordshire to be turned away (Alton never hits capacity but beside the point) then I would pissed too.

 

[Mark9]

9 hours ago, Stuntman707 said:

I think the main issue is around the fact that people who pre-booked a day ticket get preferential, reserved entry over a family who spent hundreds on annual passes.

 

I'd say its the complete opposite actually. 

[Stuntman707]

How is it possibly the opposite? All the complaints I saw were from MAP holders who can go anytime of year but wasted journeys with no way to guarantee their entry for specific dates.

[Mega-Lite]

Believe it or not with the stories of people getting 5 rides done in a day and the park saying that's the norm, the capacity is set far higher than it technically needs to be (evacs and such) for reasons of keeping the park from being massively unpleasant and overcrowded. So opening new areas and attractions for people to flock to is the only way to increase it really and be it the council or the park's lack of trying not much has really changed over the years at Legoland.

 

As for the prebooking system, I absolutely agree and surely those who who'd get annoyed by having to pay a small fee to prebook for busier days would rather that than be turned away on the door?

 

On 5/7/2018 at 6:31 AM, BaronC. said:

If you're an Annual Passholder and you were planning to rock up to Legoland halfway through the day on one of their busiest weekends of the year, you're asking for disappointment in my eyes.

You're asking for disappointment visiting at all these days.

[Whatever]

Saw some quite good marketing from Legoland yesterday at the royal wedding; they were handing out Union Jack flags for people to wave but they had a big fat advertisement for the park on the back.

 

Nice to see many of them trampled into the ground of the Long Walk after most people had left too. Humans are so considerate. 

[StevenVig]

Not sure if this was ever posted here

 

[Video removed - video showed someone sneaking into Legoland]

[Han30]

On 6/24/2018 at 3:46 AM, StevenVig said:

Not sure if this was ever posted here

 

[Video removed - video showed someone sneaking into Legoland]

Is that the tit that decided to climb Stealth? I don’t know what it is but he irritates me ?

Edited June 25, 2018 by BaronC.

[Whatever]

Not gonna lie, my inner child thought it was pretty cool that they slept in that lighthouse. 

But yes, he’s an idiot for doing stuff like that, but at least they weren’t breaking stuff. It was surprising how many places him and his mates could just waltz into.

[Ringo]

Merlin have now got a High Court Injunction banning those named and others from trespassing their properties worldwide.

 

https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/trespass-injunction

 

[JoshC.]

I've deleted the link to the video.

 

For those who haven't gathered, the video showed someone sneaking into Legoland during the night and doing stuff, some of which was dangerous.

 

Linking the video and giving it views ultimately encourages this type of behaviour further. We obviously discourage this massively and absolutely do not want to support this in any way. This is similar to when videos were posted of people sneaking into Thorpe Park and climbing Stealth.

 

I'm sure there's enough detail here for people to be able to find the video if they wish to watch it, but we just don't want to actively link it here. If anyone has any problems, drop me a PM.

[Benin]

Never understood showing yourself doing stupid stuff in a park (be it open or shut), it's asking to get banned...

[StevenVig]

13 hours ago, Ringo said:

Merlin have now got a High Court Injunction banning those named and others from trespassing their properties worldwide.

 

https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/trespass-injunction

 

They might have an injunction, but lets be honest, if any of them walked into any of the attractions and purchased a ticket, nine times out of 10 they wouldn't get noticed really

 

Can't imagine all staff at every attraction will know their faces.

[Han30]

Thing is - they might not have broken anything or done any damage to property but it’s still trespassing and, had one of them got injured it would probably be the park that would be in trouble.  Climbing something like Stealth Is asking for trouble - one slip and bam! I just don’t understand the stupid things people will do for views on YouTube - that dude has a massive following, some of which could be easily influenced into attempting something similar 

[yeah]

On 6/24/2018 at 4:04 AM, Han30 said:

Is that the tit that decided to climb Stealth? I don’t know what it is but he irritates me ?

He is absolutely insufferable - and thinks consequences don't apply to him. The amount of times he's moaned at being banned from places or being arrested is too many to count.

[Matt 236]

Yep, this is Ally Law, the same sad person who has climbed Stealth and invaded Peppa Pig Land.

 

Dont follow the things he’s does because he is a terrible influence. Just buy your tickets or passand enjoy the attractions properly like they are supposed to be. 

 

It’s people like this why we have such silly and exaggerated regulations in place (especially in the U.K.) that effects the remaining majority who abide by the rules. 

 

Don’t feed the trolls.

[Stuntman707]

A pretty damning article on the cuisine at Legoland.

https://news.sky.com/story/legoland-sells-deep-fried-crap-to-kids-study-claims-11532908

[Benin]

Also in the news; water is wet and the Pope is.... CATHOLIC?!

[Matt 236]

No surprises there then on Legoland food quality, went to Farmer Joes a couple seasons ago and it was probably one of the worst meals I’ve had at a theme park. Port Aventura’s food is still worse though, apart from the fact they actually sell fruit.

[Matt 236]

Recently visited Legoland for the Fireworks, which was a mixed bag (but probably a better experience for anyone at Fright Nights).

 

Despite the very cold weather, not too many rides seemed to close, however there were definitely a lot of shut downs (perhaps the most I’ve seen at the park). This included Sky River, Dragon, Jolly Rocker, Laser Raiders and a lengthy one on the Ninjago ride. 

 

Operations were a mixed bag, with most being neither quick or slow. The Dragon however was just on two trains, which given it was a super peak day was a little disappointing. Boating School also seemed to be short on operating vehicles and was only using two of it’s three lanes.

The fireworks were enjoyable even if they are not the best I’ve seen. This year’s display didn’t really stick to a theme, but included soundtracks from popular Lego IP’s and attractions such as the Lego Movie and The Pirates Of Skeleton Bay. I liked how they also had a pre-fireworks show, which made the wait between noticeably more bearable. It’s a park that needs good crowd control.

 

N.B grab a viewing area at least 45 minutes before the fireworks start if you want a good spot, otherwise it will be incredibly difficult and crowded.

 

Whilst I would like to end this on a positive note,  can’t help but feel some things need addressing. 

 

Legoland Windsor is a Park I’ve visited almost every year since it’s early years as child. Whilst I have enjoyed many of my visits over the years, I cannot help but feel the place seems to have lost much of it’s charm and spark.

 

Some will say it has always been a large corporate advert, but that was not always the case. At least compared to now. In the early years, the park was a charming innovative place full of creativity, imagination and exploration. From it’s quirky pathways, hidden Easter eggs and imaginative themes and storytelling. 

 

Since the late nougties, the place has developed into a more touristy, greater commercialised and much more ‘in your face’ attraction. With many of the charming features changed or removed for more simplistic/less interesting ones. Many original brick built/styled features seem to be getting removed for bland generic/unlego features. Whether that be the sides of the teacups, the giraffe on the train or replacing the original ‘brick built’ boating school animatronics. 

 

This year alone, I have noticed all the park toilet signs have been replaced by generic signs, already simplified from the even more lego-esque style from the past. They have rethemed the once quirky Papa Moles into the bland generic themed Studio Cafe, which has no correlation to the rest of the area like the old theme used to. They have also ripped out the old balloon school animatronic on the top of operating booth (which levers which?).

 

They have also chiselled away yet further theming from The Dragon Coaster. Whilst still great, this is very saddening to see being one of the first coasters I ever experienced. The theming inside the turrets/enclosed areas of the queue have been removed and not replaced. Whilst most of the theming has been relocated elsewhere (either in the queue or ride) this is still greatly disappointing to see the neglect being put into former attractions. The station chandeliers were removed last year snd will probably never be replaced. 

This year, the park updated part of miniland area with new models from all over the world. Whilst the new models look great and the model makers have put much effort into everything, I cannot help but feel something is really missing here as it literally feels like they’ve tried to cram as many models into one space as possible. 

 

The areas with the updated models literally feel like they have just been slapped down on any available space and generally lack cohesion to their surroundings because they seem to only focus on a few important/prominent models rather than trying to create a setting or landscape that many previous additions achieved. The noticeable lack of animated effects is also disappointing. 

 

Don’t get me wrong, the new models look great and refreshed, but I personally think they could have done better with this and should’ve focused on quality and not quantity.

One of the few things that makes me excited at Legoland is the brand new Haunted House attraction opening next year. Whilst it may lack the charm of early attractions it looks to be one the better additions of recent years amongst offering another much needed major/indoor attraction, considering how many rides they now close at dusk. 

 

Whilst I will probably continue to visit the place (I know some of you will criticise me for doing so), I just can’t stand still when my childhood park is having it’s soul ripped out for generic stylings, exposed ‘back of house’ areas and quality theming replaced with vinyls. I just left with a feeling where there was noticeably less pulling power to return, even compared to a few years ago.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Mattgwise]

I can't make too many comments having not been since 1996! However seems a similar story to what happened at Chessington as we entered the late 00s. At the same time, though you give some very valid, sad sounding reasons,  the charm being lost may also be to partly do with your age as well, as it's a very different park for an adult compared to a child, and it is far more geared to the latter.

 

[Ringo]

Also visited on Saturday. Park didn’t feel as busy as previous years and I often felt queue times were exaggerated to mange the weather factor.

 

Ninjago was an odd experience, we got held just before batching for around 25mins, no announcement of any kind and then twice we stopped while on ride. Didn’t really matter we only went on it to get out the cold.

 

Fireworks were odd, opening with a message about the park being the first to open outside Billund and then straight into what was music and fireworks to different Lego brands,

 

As usual the mad stampede to get out the park as soon as the lights were back on, we made the decision to walk to the park so we could get straight out. A 5min delay for the free shuttle bus to take you back down, due to the fireworks location you can’t walk down until the area is safe. The bus driver was standout star of the night, taking us on a spooky tour down the service road, stoping at various locations to get the kids involved about witches and dragons - even stopped under the Dragon lift hill doing his horn getting us all waving at people on the ride.

 

Not the best fireworks but not the worst experience we’ve had.