Legoland New York Officially Opens for The Season!

With a house full of LEGO loving kids, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take the family to LEGOLAND New York’s Grand Re-Opening last weekend.

This being our second trip, my boys were excited to revisit their favorite attractions and get to visit the ones that we missed last year.

We arrived at the park before the official opening for a morning celebration complete with live music, dancing, giveaways, confetti, and a special pyrotechnic show! The super friendly Model Citizens greeted us as we entered the park with the signature LEGOLAND New York wave (picture a LEGO minifigure waving at you- it looks like that).

Prior to our arrival I made sure to download the new LEGOLAND New York app to enhance our visit with line wait time updates, show schedules, attractions, food options, and other park information. The app will also alert you when a closed ride reopens.

My kids knew that they wanted to ride The Dragon roller coaster so we opened the app to see where it is in the park and headed to the LEGO Castle area, which is just one of seven themed lands. LEGOLAND New York is set up in a circle (that you can also cut across), so it’s pretty easy to navigate- which my directionally challenged self appreciates.

The other six areas are Brick Street where The BIG Shop is located (we saved the shopping for last so that we wouldn’t have to carry our goods throughout the park), Bricktopia where we went on the LEGO Factory Adventure ride and were turned into LEGO minifigures, LEGO® NINJAGO® World where we studied with Master Wu to learn the power of the elements on the LEGO Ninjago ride (spoiler alert: we beat the bad guys!) LEGO City, where we caught a 4D flick from LEGO® City Studios complete with rumbling seats and water effects, LEGO Pirates had us captain our own pirate ships for some swashbuckling fun on Rogue Riders!

And last but not least, MINILAND took us all over the United States from the Coney Island Boardwalk, to a singing Mount Rushmore, to the Golden Gate Bridge, created entirely out of LEGO bricks! While exploring MINILAND make sure to keep your eye out for Easter Eggs hidden throughout the miniature landmarks.

But that’s not all!

LEGOLAND New York has even more fun in store for the 2022 season and will debut a series of new attractions, new events, new shows, new characters, and new models!

My family is looking forward to the LEGO City Water Playground, where I have a feeling I’ll be camped out for a while. Be sure to look out for the new food and beverage outlet that will be located in a newly constructed central hub connecting MINILAND with LEGO NINJAGO World, LEGO Castle and LEGO City. Plus, there will be three new entertainment shows at two brand-new stages.

LEGOLAND New York loves to celebrate just as much as your family does and invites you to its first-ever Red, White & BOOM celebration and fireworks display on July 4th, an even bigger and better Brick-or-Treat bash in October, and its first annual Holiday Bricktacular in December.

Psst… Check out Where to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

Young Actors at Strasberg

Young Actors at Strasberg&nbsp;offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 &ndash;&nbsp;12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry &ndash;&nbsp;all while maintaining a fun and playful environment. Programs are tailored to encompass students at all levels, from those just beginning their acting journey to Broadway veterans and professional child actors. Young Actors at Strasberg alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Rosario Dawson! Young Actors&nbsp;Programs are available online and in-person at our New York Campus, located in Union Square. Saturday, After-School and Online classes are offered during the traditional school year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and Monday through Friday day camps and intensives are held in&nbsp;July and August. About The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute: Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute is the only school that teaches Lee Strasberg's work in its complete and authentic form. The Institute's goal is to provide students with a craft that will help them create a reality and respond truthfully in imaginary circumstances, regardless of the style or form of material being used. LSTFI is proud to have award-winning alumni from around the world working as writers, directors, and actors in all mediums.