When I heard that I’d be visiting Legoland Discovery Centre, located within a short commute of Toronto at the Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, I knew my son would be my Plus One. It turns out I could bring a Plus Two and before I knew it, I had two teenage boys in the car, ready to relive their childhood.
There are boxes of Lego sets and extra pieces stacked (reasonably) neatly in our basement. My son has been building and creating with Lego since his tiny fingers could grasp the bricks. Gift wish lists were always simple: Lego, Lego, hockey sticks, more Lego. I’ve stepped on enough pieces in my life to earn myself a place in the We Survived The Lego Years ranks. Those years are never really over because once a fan, always a fan. I’ll still get on the floor, pull out my children’s sets, and help them build houses or barns or intergalactic space ships.
The first thing the visitor does at Legoland Discovery Centre is take a Lego Factory Tour. There are several interactive stations that give an idea of how Lego is designed, manufactured, and tested. Just for fun, you can measure your height and weight in bricks. I’m 164 bricks tall, but my equivalent weight in bricks remains a deep, dark secret.
From the Factory Tour you walk through mini Toronto. This was our favourite part. It makes me want to fly to Denmark and visit the original Legoland and its world of Lego-sized famous landmarks and entire street scenes. Mini Toronto is exactly that, a perfect replica of some of our city’s most iconic landmarks. Crane your head to look up the CN Tower (psst…even the CN Tower Edge Walk is depicted). Check out Lego figurines posed along the waterfront, in front of City Hall, and cheering on the Leafs in the Air Canada Centre. Mini Toronto has moving parts and every few minutes, night falls and the city lights up. It’s the spot where most adults congregated.
Further on there’s a large play area with bins of Legos scattered around — perfect for stepping on, so keep your shoes on — as well as various building areas, a Lego Racers: build and test station, a section reserved for those with smaller fingers who still use Duplo blocks, and a climbing gym for young Lego enthusiasts to expend energy. Off the central play area is a Master Builder Academy with instructors on hand, two party rooms, a theatre showcasing 4D movies, and two Lego-themed rides. There’s also a café if you get hungry while the kids are creating.
Legoland Discovery Centre is geared towards younger children. While my teens will remain Lego fans, it’s not an outing that appeals to their age group. If you have children between the ages of two and ten, they’ll find something to amuse them. Legoland’s central GTA location makes it an easy rainy day activity.
Standard price is $20 per child and $22 per adult. Children two and under get in free and adults can only visit if accompanied by a child. Try to book online where prices are generally lower. And bring your wish lists. There’s a store on the way out and it’s packed with sets and individual pieces that may need replacing if you’re like me and have sucked up a starship’s worth of Lego in the vacuum cleaner.
Special thanks to Legoland Discovery Centre Toronto for inviting Life in Pleasantville to come explore!
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It might be a good one for my almost four granddaughter. My daughter loved it, but I’m foggy about the age range. Thanks for the heads up there. How was the food at the cafe? Any gluten free?
Four is a perfect age. I didn’t check about gluten free and only took a peek at what was on offer. We didn’t eat there, but their menu looked fairly big.
Oh! I so want to go! I bet you are more LEGO bricks tall than I! 😀
Thing 1 & Thing 2 would lose their minds if they ever got to go!
Fun post! Great info! Thanks!
There is Lego everywhere you turn, and it’s almost all hands-on, too.
There’s Lego everywhere you turn and it’s almost all hands-on, too.
I really do want to go.. ermm.. you know.. with my Things.. who are kids. 😀