On an overcast afternoon in June my entire family hit the LEGOLAND California Water Park. My kids are 5, 6, and 11. Here is the Smith Family review of LEGOLAND California’s newest attraction:

The Little Guys

My younger kids are 5 and 6 years old. Luckily every ride and attraction in the park is perfectly designed for this age group. My 5 year old is an absolute daredevil and my 6 year old tends to be very timid when it comes to theme park attractions. This water park had a lot to offer both of them. The big water slides were just thrilling enough for the 5 year old, and more importantly he could go down every one. My timid 6 year old enjoyed the tamer slides at the Duplo Splash Safari.
The Imagination Station, a fun and interactive Duplo play area, was a big hit with every kid in our family. The Build a Raft River was an interesting concept. Kids get to use giant soft rubber blocks to build onto their raft. Some kids get really inventive. My daughter noticed some DUPLO paddles! The river moves at a comfortable pace for the little ones. They have double rafts for kids and parents to share, but you cannot have a child on your lap.
Toddlers and preschoolers were having fun too at the Legoland Water Park. Little ones will enjoy the big splash pool with squirters and water slides designed just for them. There was also a large shallow pool by the slide area so little brothers and sisters could splash around while their older siblings tried out the slides. The Duplo Splash Safari Area which was designed for this age group even has its own lazy river!
Moms I have talked to about this park were impressed with the cleanliness and focus on safety. I was as well. I have never seen so many life guards at a water park in my life! They are very proactive about enforcing the rules.
Do be aware that a fecal contamination accident will close down a section of the water park! This happened while we were visiting. Be sure to put your child in a swim diaper and make frequent trips to the potty so the fun can continue for everyone.

The Big Guy

My 11 year old is a big LEGO fan, but didn’t find the LEGOLAND WATER PARK very fun for his age group. The four water slides didn’t fill his need for speed. The Build a Raft River also moved too slowly for his taste. It was disappointing to him that the life guards made riders stay on the raft in a very specific position. He wished that he could get out and free swim as the current carried him along. The one thing that my big guy did enjoy was having a water cannon battle with his little brother at the Joker Soaker area.
Worth the Admission?
Although the $10 admission is reasonably affordable, with a big family it can add up. If you have toddlers, preschoolers, or young school age children and are visiting the park on a warm day, this will be a fun addition to your LEGOLAND adventure. You might want to consider paying the nominal charge for a second day since it will be difficult to visit the LEGOLAND Water Park and also enjoy the entire LEGOLAND park in one day.
If you are visiting exclusively with older kids, it might be best to stick to the water attractions that are in the main LEGOLAND park which are included in the price of the basic admission ticket. The Pirate Shores area provides wet fun geared toward an older audience. The slides aren’t quite as long, but kids can be drenched with giant water buckets and shoot water cannons at unsuspecting adults.
If your family includes a wide age range like ours, the LEGOLAND Water Park is a fun place to cool off. If we were going back I would be sure to bring an extra adult who could join my older one on the other rides and attractions if he got bored of the slides. If I were visiting solo with the kids, I would come in and out. I think that the Water Park would be more fun for the big guy in small doses.

The Final Scoop

If you are looking for a great first water park for little kids, the LEGOLAND Water Park is worth a visit. The small size of the park means that it will be easier to keep track of your little ones. You will appreciate the clean environment and the conscientious life guards on duty. They will enjoy sliding at this creative LEGO themed park. Like many of LEGOLAND’s attractions it gives young children an opportunity to learn and take risks in an environment that is safe and well designed for their age group.
My family and I were invited to visit the LEGOLAND Water Park on behalf of Trekaroo. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

Bridget Smith is the author of The Unauthorized Legoland Guidebook and blogs about family travel at www.familyadventureguidebooks.com

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