Legoland Windsor Resort facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
Attractions

Entrance to Legoland Windsor
Location	Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire, England
Coordinates	51°27′49″N 0°39′04″W / 51.46351°N 0.65114°W / 51.46351; -0.65114
Status	Closed
Opened	17 March 1996; 29 years ago (17 March 1996)
Owner	Merlin Entertainments
General manager	Helen Bull (Divisional Director)
Slogan	Awesome Awaits
Operating season	March to November
Attendance	2.43 million (2019)
Area	150 acres (61 ha; 0.61 km²)
Total	55
Roller coasters	3
Water rides	6

Location in Berkshire

Legoland Windsor Resort, also known as LEGOLAND Windsor, is a super fun theme park and resort in Windsor, Berkshire, England. It's all about the amazing Lego brand! The park first opened its doors on March 17, 1996. Today, it's run by Merlin Entertainments, a company that manages many popular attractions.

The park is packed with Lego-themed rides, incredible Lego models, and creative building workshops. It's designed for children, especially those between three and twelve years old. In 2019, Legoland Windsor welcomed over 2.4 million visitors. This made it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom and the 9th most popular in Europe!

Discovering Legoland's History

Legoland Windsor wasn't the first Legoland park. The Lego Group started looking for a second park location in 1987. They looked at over 1,000 possible spots!

In January 1992, the old Windsor Safari Park closed down. Its 150-acre site was chosen for the new Legoland park. From 1992 to 1994, lots of planning and building happened. New homes were made for the safari animals. Then, the park's foundations and services were put in place.

In 1995, a giant Lego model of Big Ben was built in the Miniland area. Other buildings and attractions were also being finished. You could even book tickets in advance starting in September! By early 1996, everything was ready, and the Legoland Windsor team was hired.

Legoland Windsor officially opened on March 17, 1996. In its very first year, over 1.4 million people came to visit!

In 2005, The Lego Group decided to sell its Legoland parks. On July 13, 2005, the Blackstone Group bought Legoland. This meant that Merlin Entertainments took over running the parks.

Recent Times and New Adventures

The park had to close for a while in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened in July 2020 but had to close again in November. It briefly opened for Christmas but then closed once more in December due to new rules.

In 2021, Legoland Windsor announced it would open on April 12. However, indoor rides had to wait a bit longer to open.

A super exciting new area called 'Lego Mythica: World of Mythical Creatures' opened in May 2021. This land is special because it's the first time a Legoland park has launched a new Lego story that wasn't a Lego set first! It features the UK's first 'Flying Theatre' ride called 'Flight of the Sky Lion'. You can also find a drop tower ride called 'Fire and Ice Freefall' and a re-themed ride, 'Hydra's Challenge'.

Exploring Themed Lands

The park has 12 amazing themed lands. Each land has its own attractions, restaurants, and shops. These lands include: The Beginning, DUPLO Valley, Knight's Kingdom, LEGO City, Miniland, LEGO NINJAGO World, Pirate Shores, Heartlake City, Kingdom of the Pharaohs, Land of the Vikings, Imagination, and LEGO Mythica: World of Mythical Creatures.

The Beginning

The Beginning is where your adventure starts! It's the entrance area of the park. Here you'll find ticket booths, guest services, and the main shop, The BIG Shop. This is the largest Lego store in the UK! You can also pick up photos taken on rides at the Photo Shop.

The only ride in The Beginning is the Hill Train. This special train takes you down a hill to the lower parts of the park. It's the only ride that was kept from the old Windsor Safari Park! It travels 300 meters and drops about 27 meters in height.

A building called the Creation Centre used to be in The Beginning. It had attractions like LEGO Racers and Rocket Racers, where you could race virtual Lego cars. Later, it became Star Wars Miniland in 2012, showing famous scenes from Star Wars made with Lego. This attraction closed at the end of 2019. Today, the Creation Centre also has a display of Lego models made by the park's own model makers.

DUPLO Valley

DUPLO Valley is a land made for younger children. Most of the rides here are 'family rides'. This area has had a few different names over the years, like Explore Land and Duplo Land.

In 2020, DUPLO Valley got a big makeover. A brand new ride, the DUPLO Dino Coaster, opened. It's a 'My First Coaster' ride, perfect for little ones! Three other rides were also re-themed: DUPLO Express, DUPLO Airport, and DUPLO Playtown. You can also enjoy Fairy Tale Brook, a gentle boat ride past Lego models of fairy tale characters.

DUPLO Valley is also home to the park's waterpark. It has three fun water attractions: Raft Racers, Drench Towers, and Splash Safari. Raft Racers is a fast water slide. Drench Towers is a big splash area with slides. Splash Safari is a smaller splash area just for toddlers. You can also watch puppet shows at the DUPLO Valley Theatre.

Knights' Kingdom

Knights' Kingdom

Knights' Kingdom feels like a medieval castle! The main ride here is The Dragon roller coaster. It starts inside a castle, passing cool Lego scenes, then speeds outside at about 30 miles per hour. Other rides include Merlin's Challenge, a spinning ride, and Dragon's Apprentice, a smaller roller coaster for younger knights.

During winter, this land sometimes becomes Christmas Kingdom and has a special grotto.

LEGO City

LEGO City is all about transport and adventure! You can take a ride in a hot air balloon on Balloon School. On Coastguard HQ, kids can drive their own boats. At Fire Academy, families work together to put out a 'fire' in a building.

Younger kids (3-5) can learn to drive at L-Drivers. Older kids can drive their own cars at City Driving School. In 2019, a spooky 'mad-house' attraction called Haunted House Monster Party was added. In 2020, the submarine ride, where you travel through an aquarium, became LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure.

Miniland

Miniland is a truly amazing place! It's a miniature park made entirely of Lego bricks. You'll see famous towns and cities from all over the world, built with nearly 40 million Lego bricks! Many of the models move and interact with each other. Cars use special cables to steer, and trains run on tracks.

The land is divided into different areas like London, the Rest of England, Scotland, Wales, and Europe. In 2018, Miniland grew even bigger with 'Explore the World'. This new section added Lego models of global landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Saint Basil's Cathedral. Miniland USA also opened, showing famous American places.

LEGO NINJAGO World

LEGO NINJAGO World opened in May 2017. It's based on the popular NINJAGO TV show and Lego sets. The main attraction is Ninjago: The Ride, an interactive 4D ride where you use your hands to blast targets! You can also ride 'Destiny's Bounty', a spinning ship ride based on the show.

Pirate Shores

Pirate Shores is where you'll find swashbuckling adventures! It has a log flume ride called Pirate Falls, a fun play area, and a swinging pirate ship ride called Jolly Rocker. This area used to be known as Wild Woods.

Heartlake City

Heartlake City is based on the LEGO Friends toy line. It has two rides: The LEGOLAND Express, a train ride that goes past the Kingdom of the Pharaohs, and Mia's Riding Adventure, a spinning Disk'O coaster. You can also enjoy live shows like the "Return to Skeleton Bay" pirate stunt show and "LEGO Friends to the Rescue" concert.

Kingdom of the Pharaohs

Lego brick animals

The Kingdom of the Pharaohs takes you on an Egyptian adventure! Ride Laser Raiders, an interactive dark ride where you shoot targets with laser guns to earn points. This area also has fun fairground-style rides like Scarab Bouncers, Aero Nomad (a small Ferris wheel), Desert Chase (a carousel), and Thunder Blazer (a chairswing ride).

Land of the Vikings

Land of the Vikings opened in 2007 and is themed around Nordic Vikings. Here you'll find two exciting attractions. Vikings’ River Splash is a river rapids ride with Lego models and water cannons. Spinning Spider is a spinning teacups-style ride where you ride in log-shaped cars while a Lego spider breathes smoke!

Imagination

Imagination is a land all about learning through Lego! Its main feature is the LEGO Education Centre, where special workshops are held. The team here has even won awards for teaching kids about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM).

The only ride in this land is Sky Rider. This elevated track ride gives you amazing views of Miniland and the surrounding area as you cruise along.

Imagination also has two attractions: LEGO Studios 4D and LEGO Reef. LEGO Studios 4D shows different Lego-themed films throughout the day. The LEGO Reef is an interactive experience where you can create your own digital Lego fish and watch it swim on a big screen!

LEGO Mythica: World of Mythical Creatures

Mythica is a brand new land that opened in May 2021. It's based on a completely new Lego story! The main ride is Flight of the Sky Lion, which is the UK's first Flying theater ride. You'll also find a drop tower ride and the re-themed 'Hydra's Challenge' ride here.

Annual attendance at Legoland Windsor
Year	Visitors
2005	1,400,000
2006	1,480,000
2007	1,650,000
2008	1,815,000
2009	1,900,000
2010	1,900,000
2011	1,900,000
2012	2,000,000
2013	2,050,000
2014	2,200,000
2015	2,250,000
2016	2,183,000
2017	2,200,000
2018	2,315,000
2019	2,430,000

How the Park Operates

Legoland Windsor usually opens from March to November each year. It might be closed on some days during this period.

Park Visitors

The number of visitors to Legoland Windsor has grown steadily since 2005. It often attracts more people than the original Legoland Billund Resort in Denmark. Since 2011, it has been one of the top ten most popular theme parks in Europe!

Legoland Resort Hotels

Legoland Windsor Resort has two fantastic hotels where you can stay!

Legoland Hotel

The Legoland Hotel first opened in March 2012. It's located at the back of the park. The hotel has fun themed rooms like Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, Ninjago, and Lego Friends.

Guests staying at either hotel can use the pirate-themed indoor pool and fitness area at the Legoland Hotel. Each room also has a treasure hunt! Plus, hotel guests get to enter some attractions before the park opens to everyone else. The hotel also has the Bricks Restaurant and the Skyline Bar. You can even play LEGO video games on PlayStation 4 consoles in the loft area!

Castle Hotel

The Legoland Castle Hotel opened its doors on July 1, 2017. A competition winner, James Waine, designed a Lego model that was built by professional model makers and placed outside the hotel! The hotel offers two cool room themes: Wizard and Knights.

The Castle Hotel is right next to the Legoland Hotel. You check in at the Legoland Hotel and then walk through the park to get to the Castle Hotel. It has its own restaurant called the Tournament Tavern, which offers table service meals.

Future Holiday Village

Legoland Windsor has plans to build a new holiday village! This village would have 450 lodges, from glamping barrels to large family lodges. These new lodges would be located near the front of the park.

Rides and Attractions

Current Rides

Name	Park Area	Opened	Description
Aero Nomad	Kingdom of the Pharaohs	1996	A small Ferris wheel with great views of the park.
Balloon School	LEGO City	1999	Control your own Lego-style hot air balloon, moving it up and down.
Castaway Camp	Pirate Shores	1996	A huge adventure playground shaped like a pirate ship, with slides and climbing nets.
Desert Chase	Kingdom of the Pharaohs	1996	A fun carousel ride in the Pharaohs area.
Destiny's Bounty	Ninjago World	2008	A rocking ship ride based on the Ninjago TV show.
Dragon's Apprentice	Knight's Kingdom	1999	A smaller roller coaster, perfect for younger guests who want to try a thrill.
Drench Towers	DUPLO Valley	2013	A water play area with slides and a giant tipping water bucket. Open in summer.
DUPLO Airport	DUPLO Valley	1996 (rethemed 2020)	Control your own Lego helicopter, guiding it up or down.
DUPLO Dino Coaster	DUPLO Valley	2020	A gentle roller coaster designed for younger children.
DUPLO Express	DUPLO Valley	1996 (rethemed 2020)	A small train ride that completes a fun circuit.
DUPLO Playtown	DUPLO Valley	2013 (rethemed 2020)	A playground for kids, built with giant DUPLO bricks.
Fairy Tale Brook	DUPLO Valley	1996	A gentle boat ride where you float past Lego scenes from classic fairy tales.
Fire Academy	LEGO City	2005	Teams of four race a fire engine, then use water pumps to put out a 'fire'.
Fire and Ice Freefall	LEGO Mythica: World of Mythical Creatures	2021	Two exciting drop tower rides.
Flight of the Sky Lion	LEGO Mythica: World of Mythical Creatures	2021	The UK's first Flying theater ride, offering an amazing adventure.
Haunted House Monster Party	LEGO City	2019	A spooky madhouse attraction where the room spins around you!
Hill Train	The Beginning Land of the Vikings/Kingdom of the Pharaohs	Before 1996	A funicular railway that takes guests up and down the park's hill.
Hydra's Challenge	LEGO Mythica: World of Mythical Creatures	2000 (rethemed 2021)	A dual water carousel ride.
Jolly Rocker	Pirate Shores	2010	A rocking pirate ship ride that swings back and forth.
Laser Raiders	Kingdom of the Pharaohs	2009	Travel in a cart through an Egyptian tomb, shooting targets with laser guns.
L-Drivers	LEGO City	1996	A smaller version of the Driving School for younger children (0.9m to 1.1m tall).
LEGO City Coastguard HQ	LEGO City	1996	Kids can drive their own electric Lego-style boats through a fun course.
LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure	LEGO City	2011 (rethemed 2020)	An underwater submarine ride that takes you through an amazing aquarium.
LEGO City Driving School	LEGO City	1996	Kids (1.1m to 1.5m tall) can drive miniature electric Lego cars on a road course.
LEGOLAND Express	Heartlake City	1996	A train ride that travels past different themed lands, with Lego animals and water sprays.
Merlin's Challenge	Knight's Kingdom	2005	A spinning train ride that goes quickly in circles over bumps.
Mia's Riding Adventure	Heartlake City	2015	A spinning Disk'O ride where you ride on Lego horses high in the air.
Ninjago: The Ride	Ninjago World	2017	An interactive dark ride where you use your hands to blast targets, based on the Ninjago TV show.
Pirate Falls: Treasure Quest	Pirate Shores	1996	A classic log flume ride with Lego pirate scenes and a big splash!
Raft Racers	DUPLO Valley	1999	Ride a rubber dinghy down one of two fast water slides.
Scarab Bouncers	Kingdom of the Pharaohs	2009	Two small drop tower rides for kids, like 'frog-hoppers'.
Sky Rider	Imagination Centre	1996	An elevated track ride offering fantastic views of Miniland and the park.
Splash Safari	DUPLO Valley	2013	A small water playground with fun DUPLO characters and water features.
Spinning Spider	Land of the Vikings	1996	A spinning teacups-style ride where you ride in log-shaped cars under a smoking Lego spider.
The Dragon	Knight's Kingdom	1998	A roller coaster that starts inside a castle with Lego scenes, then speeds outside.
Thunder Blazer	Kingdom of the Pharaohs	1996	A small chairswing ride.
Vikings' River Splash	Land of the Vikings	2007	A river rapids ride with Lego Vikings and dragons, and places where you can squirt water!

Past Rides and Attractions

Name	Park Area	Years	Description
Jungle Coaster	Adventure Land	2004–09	A large roller coaster that was later moved to Legoland Florida. It was removed to make space for the Legoland Hotel.
Rocket Racers	The Beginning	2000–11	A computer game where you could design and race virtual Lego cars.
Dino Safari	Adventure Land	2005-2015	A ride where you sat in a Lego jeep and saw Lego dinosaurs. It closed to make way for the Castle Hotel.

Reserve & Ride System

Legoland Windsor uses a system called Reserve & Ride (it used to be called Q-Bot). For a fee, you get a small device that lets you "reserve" your spot in ride queues virtually. This means you don't have to stand in line! You can explore other parts of the park while you wait for your turn. There are different levels of Reserve & Ride that can shorten your wait time by different amounts.