TRAVEL: Inside the LEGOLAND Hotel (Carlsbad, CA) | @LEGOLAND_CA

In case you missed the BIG announcement, the LEGOLAND^® Hotel is officially open!!

Last week we were honored to be among the first few to "preview" and be their "first" guests in the all NEW LEGOLAND^® Hotel in Carlsbad before it opened to the public not two days later.  Can I just say how unbelievable the whole experience was? Every moment of it was an unforgettable experience -

• from the moment we were invited, 
• to stepping into their vibrant and LEGO-adorned lobby, 
• to being in complete amazement in our LEGO-themed rooms and 
• fighting over who gets the top bunk bed,
• to our LEGO-dining experiences, and 
• to playing in the LEGOLAND park the next day.

We were oooooh-ing and ahhhhh-ing all the way. We didn't want to leave. And when we left, it wasn't by choice.  Follow along as I take you with us on Our Adventure to LEGOLAND^® Hotel.

FUN TIP: There are four LEGO dragons at the LEGOLAND Hotel. I found them all. Let's look for them together, shall we?

LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Valet or Self-Parking?

This is the first thing you'll see when you know you've arrived.

LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

What's this... a LEGO smoke-breathing dragon? Awesome!

(It is also Dragon #1.) Bell Service is super-friendly. We were a bit early for check-in so they took our luggage and parked our car for us.

Keep following. I'll take you inside the Lobby.

LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Say HELLO to a "not-so-scary" young Dragon.  No smoke here, but it slowly rotates to make the LEGO River flow. (It's also Dragon #2).

LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

It's so colorful inside the Hotel Lobby, you won't know where to look first.  Here are some interesting facts: 

• The wall behind the Reception Desk has over 5,000+ LEGO miniatures 
• Seven of the large LEGO models throughout the Hotel are animated 
• There are more than 3,500 LEGO models in the entire Hotel created out of more than three million LEGO bricks
• There are three stories. each floor has a different theme:  Kingdom (1st floor), Pirates (2nd floor), and Adventure (third floor). 
• Pack 'N Plays are available on a first come, first serve basis. (You'll want to request it upon booking or check-in). 

We're here early and anxiously waiting as no one was allowed to check-in or even peek inside the rooms.

LEGOLAND Hotel Lobby  (c) Let's Play OC!

That's ok though. Your kids will find their way over to this anyway. It's just a pool of LEGO's in the middle of the Lobby to invite those little fingers to build, build, build.

But it doesn't hold them long because they look over and see a ginormous LEGO Castle or Ship or is it both??

But wait! Before you get there, you have to walk across the LEGO River.

LEGO River in LEGOLAND Hotel Lobby  (c) Let's Play OC!

Castle Play Area at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Meet their Castle Play Area. It's based on the LEGO Kingdom and Pirates-theme which also includes elements from the Adventure-theme. (Heads up! It's also Dragon #3.)

Need a Snack? Visit the Mini-Lounge located right next to the Castle Play area. There is also FREE Wi-fi for Hotel Guests. 

Mini-Lounge inside LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

CHECK-IN TIME! 

Yes it's the moment we've all been waiting for.
Quick Reminder: Each floor has their own theme. The three themes on each floor again are:

1. Kingdom (this was our room), 
2. Pirates, and 
3. Adventure.

Ready? Now, let's go!

Disco Elevator at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

So what theme did you pick? If you picked the Pirates or Adventure theme, you'll get to DISCO in the elevator. Say what?? Yes, you heard it right. As soon as the door closes, the DISCO ball goes off as well as the strobe lights and you will want to dance or DISCO along the short elevator ride.

If you were like me and picked the Kingdom Room (located on the first floor), it shouldn't stop you from riding it either. (I rode it 3 times to take these short videos for you... okay maybe it was more like 5x! )

• DISCO Elevator Ride #1 - Don't forget to turn on the sound.
• DISCO Elevator Ride #2 - Don't forget to turn on the sound.

Pretty amazing so far right?  Keep following. The fun continues... 

BEHOLD! Our Kingdom-Themed Premium LEGO Room:

Master Quarters in our  LEGO Kingdom-Themed Room at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC! 

Office Space in our LEGO Kingdom-themed room at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Kingdom-themed LEGO Bathroom at the LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Twin Bunk Beds with a Trundle in our Kingdom-Themed Room at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

They get their own TV in our LEGO Kingdom-Themed Room at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Are you loving it yet? That's not all. Every room includes a treasure chest which allows them to complete a special treasure hunt activity. Ours also came with a box of LEGOs which asked us to kindly leave them for future guests after we check out. Super cute! It's nice to know that we don't have to pack toys when we're staying here. They really thought of everything.  

Know the difference between Premium and Standard themed rooms:

• All rooms have bunk beds and a trundle (sleeps 3 kids). This part of the rooms stay the same in all the rooms.

• Each room has at least eight LEGO models in every room. Premium themed rooms have additional LEGO models (ours had 15) and decor such as more themed wall paper. (I'll show you two room comparisons below). 

• 51 Premium Themed rooms accommodates up to (5) occupants 
• 1 Queen-sized bed 
• 1 bunk bed plus a trundle  

• 24 SUITES have three TV sets and adjoining rooms that accommodates up to (7) occupants 
• 1 King-sized bed
• 1 bunk bed plus a trundle 
• a pull out couch 

Ok this is the fun part. Can you spot the difference between these two rooms? 

Pirates-Themed Premium LEGO Room

Pirates-Themed Premium LEGO Room (c) Let's Play OC! 

Pirates-Themed Standard LEGO Room

Pirates-Themed Standard LEGO Room (c) Let's Play OC! 

This part stays the same for all Pirates-Themed LEGO Rooms.

Bunk Beds inside the Pirates-Themed Premium and Standard LEGO Rooms (c) Let's Play OC! 

Here's the third and final theme. Enjoy!

Adventure-Themed Premium LEGO Room

Adventure-Themed Premium LEGO Room at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Adventure-Themed Premium LEGO Room at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

I know you thought we were done, but we're now hungry. Check out a LEGOLAND Hotel Dining Experience with us at Bricks Family Restaurant:

Dining Area for Bricks Family Restaurant at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Kid-friendly Buffet Stations in Bricks Family Restaurant at LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

Fun Facts: 

• 18 LEGO Chefs create and prepare the meals daily
• Includes Character Dining 
• They provide crayons so kids can color on the coloring table covers. 

Other Dining Options:

• Mini's Lounge is located next to Castle Play area. Beverages and quick snacks. Opens til 10pm. 
• Skyline Cafe features a skyline of 9 buildings and 35 different scenes. Serves drinks and snacks. Opens til 11pm.

Restaurants and lounges are open to the public with a daily parking fee but may be limited during times of high attendance.

My Breakfast at LEGOLAND Hotel's Bricks Family Restaurant (c) Let's Play OC!

Ok, don't judge, but this is me the next morning. I couldn't decide between a Hot or Cold Breakfast. Everything looked good so I visited them all: Smoothie Station, Omelet Station (cage free available upon request), Oatmeal Bar, Hot Breakfast, Cold Breakfast, and yes, even the Kid's Buffet Island.

5885 The Crossings Drive 

Carlsbad, CA

877-LEGOLAND (534-6526)

www.LEGOLANDHotel.com

Hot Tip: To avoid delays, you'll want to enter Crossing Drive off Palomar Airport Road and
avoid using LEGOLAND Drive.

Every night they have interactive play and storytelling by the Castle Play area
at the LEGOLAND Hotel. (c) Let's Play OC!

Their pool heated at 81 degrees have "Swim Up Movies" poolside on Friday and Saturday nights during peak season.
LEGOLAND Hotel (c) Let's Play OC!

It's CHECK-OUT time, but the fun doesn't end here. We're off to LEGOLAND Park (more on this coming soon). As we're leaving the hotel, we have mixed emotions - we don't want to leave, but we're excited to play in the park. We leave our bags again with Bell Service and while exiting the Hotel through the back, we find the last Dragon named "Bubbles"! Dragon #4 talks and sprays water.  (Note: Guests have exclusive early morning access to the theme park designed for children ages 2-12.) 

Splish Splash a Dragon taking a Bath at LEGOLANDHotel (c) Let's Play OC!

I took more pictures. You can enjoy them in my photo galleries here:

• LEGOLAND Hotel (Exterior Pix)
• Inside the LEGOLAND Hotel (Lobby and Common Areas)
• Dining at Bricks Family Restaurant 

So what do you think? Please comment below.

Disclosure:We received a complimentary night stay, dining tickets, and theme-park tickets to share a review with our readers. All opinions are my own. All images (c) Let's Play OC!