Legoland New York, the Park, Hotel, and Experience

First, let’s start with a disclaimer, I know my amusement parks. Growing up in California, I visited many and often. But as a mom living on the East Coast, amusement parks never seemed as big a deal as California’s ones. Am I an amusement park snob? Perhaps. But when LEGOLAND New York Resort announced they were opening here in New York, well, this changed the game. It is a big deal, especially for people like me, where visiting amusement parks was part of their childhood fabric. And now that we adults and one 12 year old are vaccinated, we headed to LEGOLAND!

Psst…check out the Where to See Fall Foliage in NYC 2021!

Legoland New Resort

Most parents will admit that taking their kids to an amusement park is a love-hate thing. You want your kids to have this fun experience, but they go wild, which can be stressful. I also have to consider my Autistic son; two summers ago, we went to a particular park (think mouse ears), and it didn’t go well. So I was concerned about this Legoland visit. Some parents with ASD children will share, doing anything with your ASD kid can be challenging. But when a park is bright, and its foundation is based on building bricks and is entirely okay with children running around, the stress you carry in these visits can be minimal, and it’s easy to enjoy the experience.

The Legoland Experience

While I have been to the Legoland Park in San Diego, I found this park more manageable, and the view of the surrounding town of Goshen is breathtaking; really, bring the camera.

There are seven’ lands.’ You can zig-zag and visit the rides you wish or start from the park’s entry and work your way -looping your way through the park.

Brick Street
Bricktopia
LEGO NINJAGO World
LEGO Castle
LEGO City
LEGO Pirates
Miniland

Our favorite rides were Lego Factory Adventure Ride, everything in Ninjago, and Splash Battle (prepare to get wet) like the one in California. My youngest was more into The Wharf, which is a fun sensory playground-type ship.

Mini-Land at Legoland

Of course, LEGOLAND is about legos, many of them, and Mini Land does not disappoint. The ‘land’ features ten destinations from around the world of 22,231,368 -ish Lego Bricks. Super impressive, but once you get to the New York land, it is awe-inspiring with the detail and love put into the most iconic spots of all five boroughs of New York City, such as the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center. I honestly do not want to give it all away because it is pretty special to see the artistry of these masterpieces IRL.

Eating at Legoland

Kids have to eat. There are plenty of food choices, such as pizza and pasta at Brickolini’s Pizza & Pasta, smokey’s Brick-B-Que. We brought snacks for our picky eater and ate at Ninja Kitchen.

The Legoland Hotel

We went big and stayed at The LEGOLAND Hotel. The check-in process (also can be done online before your visit) is contactless, like an airport check-in terminal (minus the line). The fun starts immediately in the lobby with the Castle PlayScape as well as a Lego Workshop. Picture kids running around, playing with LEGOS while parents lounge around the bar area. There was no side-eye from people as my son climbed around them. Hey, this isn’t a spa weekend- we’re taking one for the team, so the bar is much appreciated.

The room consists of LEGO-themed rooms – Pirate, Kingdom, LEGO NINJAGO, or LEGO Friends. We stayed in the Ninjago-themed room; the kids treasure hunted in the room, played with Legos stored closely by their Ninjago bunk beds. The hotel features nightly kid entertainment, and breakfast is complimentary for hotel guests at Bricks Family Restaurant. A pool (open seasonally), a fitness center, and hotel amenities like laundry service can also be found at the hotel.

Happening Now: Halloween Spectacular

Included with admission and every Saturday & Sunday in October, from 3 pm – 6 pm-families scan enjoy Brick – or – Treat LEGOLAND New York Resort’s Halloween Brick-or-Treat

Live Entertainment & Shows
Character Meet & Greets
Costume Contest
Dance parties

And, of course, Trick or Treating! Happening now until October 30th.

Manhattan Mandarin

Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We look forward to working with you. - Jamie Keyte, Founder

Dance Workshop - Long Island

Nestled in the heart of Lynbrook Village, Dance Workshop is a community-focused studio committed to dance education in a loving and safe environment. Dance Workshop offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro for ages 2+. They also offer a Pre-Professional Company track for dancers interested in taking their technique to the next level. Trial classes may be scheduled with the studio at the start of the season. Dance with the Dance Workshop! MaryAnn Grasso founded Dance Workshop in 1979. Her daughter Nanci later joined her at the helm and in 2016 established Dance Workshop on the Upper East Side of NYC. MaryAnn and Nanci have devoted their lives to dance education, community and the development of children; raising dancers and sound human beings alike. Dance Workshop has seen thousands of dancers pass through the doors. They believe dance has the power to elevate and change lives!