legoland cruise ship

And Now, There’s a Cruise Ship for the LEGO Nerd In Your Family

You've seen The LEGO Movie (many times.) You've been to LEGOLAND. Maybe you've even stayed at The LEGOLAND Hotel . Now, it's time to take the LEGO Cruise.

On November 19, Italian cruise line, MSC Cruises , will offer LEGO-themed playrooms and Lego-themed competitions and games aboard their MSC Armonia ship. The ship recently underwent a major renovation and its inaugural cruise will depart from Genoa, Italy and then make stops in France, Spain and Gilbraltar before arriving to its final destination in Portugal.

Now, here are all the LEGO items expected to be on board:

· LEGO® DUPLO® for children under three, including fun games and challenges;

· Classic LEGO® bricks and Vertical Play Wall for 7-11 year olds; and

· “Building Happening” for 6-11 year olds – themed builds with limited bricks.

· A chance to meet and greet with Sailor Walkabout , the LEGO Sailor mascot.

Although, we are bummed there's no LEGO-themed stateroom, it is cool that all the LEGO amenities will be free of charge to guests, except any of the LEGO items you see in the shops on board. Then you gotta pay.

MSC Cruises and LEGO are also working on building a LEGO MSC Cruise Ship toy which will be available on future rides. Rates for the MSC Armonica cruise start around $929 per person

Other family-friendly services aboard MSC Cruises include separate kids clubs and groups for five different age groups–Baby, Mini (3-6), Junior (7-11), Young (12-14) and Teen (15-17.) The cruise line also announced a new partnership with Chicco to provide families with baby gear, a dedicated family guide, and custom-built children's areas on select MSC ships. [Insert clapping emoji hands here.]

MSC Cruises sail year-round in the Mediterranean and seasonaly in Caribbean, Northern Europe, Atlantic Ocean, the French Antilles, South America, South Africa, The United Arab Emirates and the Red Sea.

Photos: MSC Cruises

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Legoland (FR28)

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Legoland visit before cruise out of Port Canveral

By dbcruz , January 15, 2017 in Ask a Cruise Question

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I think you would be better off with a one-way rental car if you can fit. I've done one-way minivan rentals that can handle 5 people and bags. There are several agencies in the Port Canaveral area that have free shuttles to the cruise terminals.

LOL, I need help because I don't know where Winterhaven and MCO are. Im guessing DCL is Disney Cruise line. We have rented a car several times from the Orlando airport (MCO?) and drove to port Canaveral. Seems about an hour and half drive to the ship. The hard part that takes a little time is turning in the car and getting a shuttle to the ship. That seems to take an hour itself.

LOL, I need help because I don't know where Winterhaven and MCO are. Im guessing DCL is Disney Cruise line. We have rented a car several times from the Orlando airport (MCO?) and drove to port Canaveral. Seems about an hour and half drive to the ship. The hard part that takes a little time is turning in the car and getting a shuttle to the ship. That seems to take an hour itself. Barry

Legoland in Winter Haven is around 45-60 minutes from MCO, opposite direction from Port Canaveral. I'd budget 90-120 minutes to get from Legoland to Port Canaveral.

I would budget at least 120 minutes. There is a lot of road construction around Orlando and you could get into traffic around WDW. Also be prepared to pay tolls.

I would budget at least 120 minutes. There is a lot of road construction around Orlando and you could get into traffic around WDW. Also be prepared to pay tolls. Don

I'd miss most of the WDW traffic by taking 417.

Thanks for the traffic tips - sure don't want to feel the stress of being stuck in traffic/road construction! :eek:

Doing a "Girl's Trip" this fall with my Niece-in-Law and my 4 yr-old Great Niece - DCL out of Port Canaveral, departing on a Saturday. Did a big WDW vaca last year. Thinking of visiting Legoland (Winterhaven FL) prior to cruise. Planning to arrive in FL (MCO) late Thursday, doing Legoland on Friday, and heading to cruise terminal Saturday morning, with plans to arrive in Port Canaveral by noon. This will be over Labor Day weekend. Wondering if any fellow cruisers have experience with a similar itinerary, regardless of whether it was over a holiday weekend or not. Original thoughts are to use a private car service MCO to Winterhaven, then to port, and from port back to MCO. Legoland appears to be about 40 minutes from MCO, and about an hour & forty minutes to the port. Feedback and suggestions will be appreciated!

Way too many abbreviations for me to even try to follow you.

7 months later...

USnoozUCruise

We've been twice with my family of 3 (ages 2-11) and they have all loved it. If you'd like some tips for your visit, I've captured some in my journal entry here: http://reviewswhatsnew.blogspot.ca/2017/03/tips-for-your-visit-to-legoland.html

OP already took her cruise.

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27 Best Rides at Legoland California (Including Our Top 10 Legoland Attractions)

Are you thinking about which rides at Legoland California you have to go on? Are you so excited to visit Legoland California theme park and experience all the Legoland California attractions and fun?

Awesome! My family has been to Legoland in San Diego many times and love the rides at Legoland California! My 7-year-old is obsessed with Legos! Visiting Legoland was a dream come true!

In this post, we are going to give you a list of all the Legoland rides that you have to try! We will also include height requirements, and basic information so you can decide which Legoland California rides are at the top of your list!

We will also include our top 10 best rides at Legoland California.

Let's explore all the best rides at Legoland California!

If you would like to save this information for later be sure to pin this to Pinterest.

This post may contain affiliate links (Including Amazon) that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you.

Get Ready for the Best Rides at Legoland California

Before we jump into the best rides at Legoland CA, I wanted to make sure you know an important fact.

Legoland is designed for kids. Legoland is the best for toddlers, preschool age all the way up to age 10. So basically, the Legoland age range is 3-10. Adults will enjoy the Legoland attractions and creations but for the most part, the rides at Legoland are geared towards younger kids. There are no Legoland rides for adults!

If you have younger kids that love Legos, grab your Legoland tickets and get ready for some fun!

Questions About the Rides at Legoland California

I am going to start by answering a few questions you might have about the rides at Legoland California. I will also give you some Legoland Tips that will help you navigate the park.

How Many Rides at Legoland California are there?

There are 23 major Legoland CA rides. Legoland likes to blend experiences and play areas into the ride category but we are only going to mention the rides that move.

How Many Roller Coasters Does Legoland Have?

There are 3 Legoland California Roller Coasters. These are considered the Legoland thrill rides!!

Coastersaurus
Technic Coaster

Let's start with the Legoland California Roller Coasters!!

What are Legoland California's Most Popular Rides?

Before we list all the Legoland California rides, I am excited to share with you my kid's favorite options for the best Legoland rides.

Top 10 Legoland California Rides

Emmet's Flying Adventure
The Ninjago Ride
Lego Technic Coaster
Driving School
Splash Battle
Lego City: Deep Sea Adventure
Pirate Reef
Lost Kingdom Adventure

All of the top 10 rides at Legoland California are geared toward young kids, they do an amazing job at keeping things fun for the little ones. This list of Legoland rides will help you plan your day! Be sure to ride the Legoland roller coasters first!

Legoland California Roller Coasters

The Legoland California roller coasters are so fun! They are not intense! These 3 Legoland attractions are junior coasters and appeal to a younger crowd that is not quite ready for Universal or Six Flags!

Let's take a look at the Legoland height requirements, what the ride is like, and who is going to love it the most.

1. Lego Technic Coaster

Legoland Height Requirement:

The rider must be 42″ and 4 years old and accompanied by someone over 14. To ride alone you must be at least 6 years old and 48″.

Technic Coaster is one of the best Legoland California rides! It is the most intense ride at the park. Older kids love it! It is still technically a junior coaster that is great for kids. You will experience a classic mouse rollercoaster with harpin sharp turns.

Hot Legoland Tip

Go Early! Because it is one of the best Legoland California roller coasters the lines will be longer during the day. If your kids want to experience this roller coaster be sure to go on it first.

If you wait in line later in the day be sure to bring sunscreen as there is not much coverage while you wait.

2. Coastersaurus Legoland California

Legoland Height Requirement:

The rider must be 36 inches and accompanied by someone over 18.

48″ and above may ride alone.

This is a really short ride! It lasts less than a minute. That can be hard if you have just waited 30- 60 minutes in line. It is a junior coaster great for younger kids and an awesome Legoland California ride if you don't have to wait long!

Hot Tip Legoland Rides San Deigo

If the Legoland California roller coasters are on the top of your list hit this one early in the day or right before the park closes.

My kids love how the rides are not too intense but still really fun!

3. Legoland Dragon Coaster

Must be 40″ to ride and accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

If you are over 48″ you can go alone.

The Legoland Dragon Coaster is one of the best first-time roller coasters at Legoland. If your kiddo has been wanting to go on his/her first roller coaster, the Dragon is a great choice. The track is super simple.

I like how it starts inside and goes to the outside! My kiddos loved riding this ride and wanted to do it over and over again!

Best Legoland CA Rides (Not Coasters)

Legoland has some really awesome rides that your kids will love. Not every kid loves roller coasters so these next few options are perfect. Honestly, I loved them as well!

This next group of Legoland California rides are virtual rides.

4. Lego Ninjago the Ride

No minimum height requirement.

If you are under 48″ you must be accompanied by someone 14 and older.

I love virtual rides and this is one of my favorites. It is an interactive 4-D experience your kids will love. You will wear 3-D glasses and be able to interact with everything around you. There are also sensory areas where you smell and feel heat or cold in the areas you enter.

This is one of my family's favorite rides at Legoland.

5. Emmet's Flying Ride

The rider must be 40″ to ride and be with someone 14 years or older.

48″ may ride alone.

This is a new ride at Legoland California! It is fun! You get to sit on a double-decker couch and become a master builder. It is a virtual experience where you feel like you are part of the ride. It is located in the newest area of the park – The Lego Movie World.

6. Legoland Lost Kingdom Adventure

The rider must be 30″ and accompanied by someone 14 or older.

48″ and above may go alone.

This is another really fun virtual interactive dark ride. This time you will have a laser gun with targets to complete a mission. This Legoland California ride is pretty fun! Your kids will love it!

7. Lego City: Deep Sea Adventure

Riders under 52″ must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

Legoland Deep Sea Adventure is a Lego submarine ride. This is one of the best rides at Legoland California. You actually board a submarine and head underwater. There is a virtual screen where you can find a treasure as you go on a Lego deep-sea adventure!

Little Kid Lego Rides

Now that we have reviewed the major and probably the best rides at Legoland California, let's switch to all the fun little kid rides. There are a lot of them so get ready.

Legoland CA Rides for Kids

These Legoland California rides are designed for younger kids so some, even parents can not go on. These little kid rides are what make Legoland perfect for Toddlers and young children.

8. Captain Cranky's Challenge

34 inches and must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

42″ and taller may ride alone.

This is a smaller ship that is set on a U-shaped track. You will go in different directions each time the boat moves. This is a great Legoland California ride for little kids!

9. Bionicle Blaster

Legoland Height Requirements:

The rider must be 42″ and be at least 4 years old. They must also ride with someone 14 years old or older.

42″ and above may ride alone.

Bionicle Blaster is a “teacup” ride. The blaster's ship around and around! Your kids will love getting dizzy on this ride! It is a great ride at Legoland ca if you want to get dizzy!

10. Cargo Ace

The rider must be able to stand. Anyone under 36″ must ride with someone 14 years or older.

This is a classic little kid plane ride that goes in a circle. Little kids love these easy and fun kiddie rides! This is one of the best Legoland California rides for little kids.

11. Coast Cruise

Everyone can ride. If you are under 48″ you must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

This ride is actually really cool. The whole family can jump on and cruise around. There are amazing Lego creations all around that you can view as you are on the boat. It is a really nice and relaxing ride, perfect if you need a break!

12. Driving School

6-13-year-olds can ride this ride.

There is not a track at this driving school, but as long as you know green means go and red means stop you will do great. You will also earn your driver's license. How cool is that!!!

13. Junior Driving School

There is another driving school for younger kids. It is just as fun for the little ones to learn to drive!

14. Dune Raiders

36 inches to slide

The Ride I mean Slide

This is really a slide. It is a really fun one! There are six side-by-side slides. You get a potato-like sack to slide down.

15. Fairy Tale Brook

Everyone can ride. If you are under 48″ you will need to be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

This is a fun boat ride that takes you along the path of a fairy tale story. You can say hi to all your favorite fairy tale friends. It is a great California Legoland ride to relax on.

16. Kid Power Tower

The rider must be 40″ and be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

48″ and taller may ride alone.

Climb to the top of Legoland and get a beautiful view of Legoland San Diego. Once you reach the top of the tower you can slide down and do it again.

17. Legoland Express

Everyone can ride this ride.

If you are under 36″ someone who is 36″ needs to be on the ride with you. (sibling, friend, cousin)

This is a kiddie train ride perfect for super small Legoland guests and kids who love train rides!

18. Queen Watevra's Carousel

Queen Watevra's Carousel has over 60 horses perfect for your little ones to ride and have fun. My kids love carousels. The is a great ride at Legoland.

This picture reminds me how important it is to go to Legoland when your kids are little. It truly is designed for kids!

19. Pirate Reef

The rider must be 36″ and accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

42″ may ride alone.

This actually is a legit ride at California Legoland. You will get soaked. This boat ride follows a track that ends with a downhill splash. When I say splash I mean crazy big splash.

You may want to wear a poncho if you go on this ride or have a change of clothes.

20. Fun Town Police and Fire Academy

The rider must be 34 inches and be accompanied by someone older than 18.

48 inches and above may ride alone.

This is a teamwork ride. You have to work as a group to get your vehicle moving. It is really fun however if you do not have an adult in the vehicle it is very hard to move. My kids loved this one!

21. Royal Joust

Riders must be between the ages of 4-12 and be at least 36″. The maximum weight is 169 pounds.

This is such a cute fun ride at Legoland. There is a circular track with little horses that take you around. The horses bob up and down. It is a slow Lego ride that most younger kids will love.

22. Safari Trek

The rider must be 34″ and accompanied by someone 18 years or older.

The Safari Trek is a fun Lego ride through a jungle of Lego animal creations. It is really awesome to see all the animals made of Legos. Your kids will have a blast!

23. Skipper School

The rider must be 34″ to ride and accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

48″ or taller may ride alone.

This is a very slow boat Lego ride. No need to fear! You will cruise around and learn to be a skipper.

24. Sky Patrol

The rider must be 34″ to ride and be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

This is a fun helicopter spin ride. You can go down or up, or right or left. You are in control the entire time! This is one of the really fun Legoland San Diego rides!

25. Unikitty Disco Drop

The rider must be 40 inches to ride and be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

This is a new Legoland ride all about Unikitty and her emotions. It is a drop tower of emotions. Drop towers at Legoland are not that tall so no need to worry!

26. Beetle Bounce

Minimum of 36″ and Maximum of 55″ to ride.

This is a great kiddie Lego ride. It basically goes up and down. It is fun for younger kids who might not want to ride the Unikitty ride!

27. Splash Battle

The rider must be 36″ to ride and be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

This is one of the best rides at Legoland California. It is a boat that is on a track. As you go around you have a water blaster you can hit targets or other boats. It is really fun!

Are you Ready to go on the Legoland California Rides?

Hopefully, this post gets you excited to ride all the best rides at Legoland California Resort! There are some really cute fun rides. If you need a few more Legoland Tips I have you covered in another post!

My little kids are obsessed with Legos! They loved everything about Legoland including all the awesome Legoland attractions and the Legoland Hotel . We highly recommend taking your little ones before the age of 11. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

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24 Comments

Wow! Legoland sounds like a whole bunch of fun!

It is totally fun and AWESOME!

We don’t have plans to go to Disney, but I WOULD love to take my kids to Legoland! It looks like there are so many fun rides at Legoland and I think my kids would love that there is a lego theme everywhere!

Legoland is so fun for kids!

Legoland California is amazing! The rides are spectacular!! There is so much fun to be had, thank you for sharing.

It is such a fun place!

Legoland has some fun rides! For kids of all ages!!

It is great for kids!

Legoland looks like a lot of fun with so many great rides. We love roller coaster so we definitely would try all three. How great that there are a lot of options for kids of all ages. I know our kids would love the Lego theme too.

We love Legos! There are some really cool creations!

I had no idea there was a Legoland in California; I thought it was a European thing. Looks fun, I love roller coasters. Hope it’s not compulsory to take kids with you though lol.

Legoland 3 big parks in the USA. They also have a lot of discovery centers around.

I wish we were going to southern California on our next visit, I know my kids would love to go to Legoland California. I love that at this location they also have the Legoland Lost Kingdom Adventure. We also have that at our Lego Discovery Center and it’s always a hit with the kids.

It is a fun ride! Southern Cal is so nice!

Looks like a very cool place. I was completely unfamiliar with this amusement park. I grew up with Legos and love seeing the Lego concept incorporated into all of the rides and park architecture.

They have some amazing lego creations.

The rides at Legoland California are more my speed LOL. I am not a huge rollercoaster fan with large drops and such so I would love to borrow a niece or nephew and go visit!

This would be perfect!

The rides at Legoland look like so much fun! We’ve only spent one night in San Diego, and we need to go back to explore more. I’d love to check out the coasters at Legoland!

Legoland in San Diego is really cute! Such a great area!

Wow, this looks amazing! We have a Legoland in the UK but this one looks like much more fun! Thanks for sharing.

California is a fun park!

We have been to Legoland here, and loved it. They have so many great rides in the parks for all ages.

I would like to go to Flrodia and check it out!

10 Best Rides at LEGOLAND California

We took our eight-year-old son to LEGOLAND California last summer for a parent trip. He had a blast… and so did we. He put together a list of the top 10 rides at LEGOLAND California, with one ride on the DO NOT RIDE list.

Find a complete list of rides at LEGOLAND California , along with height requirements.

Ride The Dragon at LEGOLAND California theme park Carltonaut's Travel Tips

Best Ride: The Dragon

The ride we went on the most was The Dragon. It was a simple roller coaster with ups and down and twists and turns. There are no loops or upside down parts, so it’s perfect for even the youngest riders.

RELATED POST: Your Guide to Fun at LEGOLAND California

The ride begins with a slow-moving ride through some Medieval LEGO displays. Once the doors open, you venture up the track and gravity takes over. If you can’t tell from the smile on this kid’s face, it was his all-time favorite ride at LEGOLAND California.

Riders must be at least 40″ tall to ride.

Ride the Technic Coaster in LEGOLAND California Carltonaut's Travel Tips

Runners Up for Best Rides at LEGOLAND California

There were several other rides he really enjoyed, that were in tight competition for the best ride. Those include:

Skipper School: The second best ride at LEGOLAND California (according to an eight-year-old boy). Drive your boat around the lake to see seaworthy LEGO builds. Like a skipper in a bathtub or a New England, seaside village. Riders must be 34″ tall to ride.
LEGO Technic Coaster: More intense than the Dragon roller coaster, this ride has big drops and some tight turns. Riders must be four years old and 42″ tall to ride. Riders between 42″-48″ tall must be accompanied by a rider 14 years old+ and taller than 48″.
Coast Cruise: A gentle boat ride around the lake to look at LEGO builds from around the world. The Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Statue of Liberty and more. There is no height requirement.
Safari Trek: Take a jeep safari through the jungle to see Elephants, pandas, alligators and more… all made of LEGO bricks. Riders must be 34: tall to ride.

Drive your own car at LEGOLAND California Carltonaut's Travel Tips

Notable Rides at LEGOLAND California

Here are some other rides this kid thinks everyone should do while playing in LEGOLAND California.

LEGO Ninjago The Ride: Use your hands to shoot fireballs, ice or lightning as you battle the enemy. There is no height requirement, but riders under 48″ must be accompanied by an adult.
FunTown Police & Fire Academy: Pump your fire truck to the burning building, then shoot water at the fire. Can you beat the other groups? Riders must be at least 34″ tall.
Captain Cranky’s Challenge: A pirate ship that swings back and forth. Riders must be 34″ tall to ride. Riders between 34″-42″ must be accompanied by a rider over 42″ tall.
Driving School: Ride on and drive your own LEGO car through the city streets. Hopefully you know how to red road signs and stop lights. Riders must be ages 6-13 years old.
Splash Battle: If you’ve already gotten wet in the LEGOLAND water parks, then you won’t mind this ride. Take aim at other pirate ships and displays with your water cannon as you navigate the pirate-infested waters. Riders must be at least 36″ tall.
BONUS – Aquazone Wave Racers: I had to add this one to the list. It was fun to swing around a circle on a wave runner and dodge cannon blasts from people on the shore. Riders must be at least four years old and 42″ tall to ride.

Cautions about Knight's Tournament ride in LEGOLAND California Carltonaut's Travel Tips

A Cautionary Tail of Dragons

We were pretty excited to ride Knight’s Tournament. It looked unique and fun. The line wasn’t very long, so we gave it a go. Riders get to pick how rough of a ride they want. My wife and son took a gentle ride, while I went with the roughest ride possible. BIG MISTAKE.

During the ride, I was held upside down, with all of the weight squishing certain areas of my body. Blood would rush to my head while hanging upside down, which gave me a headache post-ride.

I knew I didn’t enjoy the ride, but I had also chosen the highest level. But my wife and son didn’t enjoy it either, and they didn’t even go upside down. So we think this ride is a bust. So ride at your own discretion.

Learn to drive your own boat at Skipper School in LEGOLAND California Carltonaut's Travel Tips

There are several other rides to enjoy in LEGOLAND that aren’t listed above. Additionally, there’s a LEGOLAND water park and SEALife Aquarium, too. Read more tips on how to maximize your visit to LEGOLAND California .

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Best rides in LEGOLAND California carltonauts travel tips

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Agreed that the Dragon is the best ride at Legoland California! I also love the musical fountain, although that’s not a ride, obviously, and they really should repair/update it. Do you know if it is still even around?

I don’t remember seeing a musical fountain when we were there last summer. Sorry.

My boys are BEGGING me to take them to LEGOLand (CA or FL). Hopping we can get there one day soon.

Best of luck in your planning. You’ll definitely want to make it a two-day thing so you can check out the water park. That was probably our favorite part.

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First look: Legoland’s Pirate River Quest boat…

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First look: legoland’s pirate river quest boat ride.

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel

LEGO plant-fountain during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

LEGO birds over the canal during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

A boat travels the canals during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

The captain of the Kristiansen's Ketch opens a treasure chest during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Sign for the Pirate River Quest at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

LEGO skeleton pirate with one of the jewels during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Sentinel

Popsy accompanies the boat as it passes under spiders during Pirate River Quest, a new attraction at Legoland Florida.

Popsy accompanies the boat during a Media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (High-dynamic-range composite image by Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

LEGO skeleton pirate with a parrot and one of the jewels during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

A boat leaves the docks during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (High-dynamic-range composite image by Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

LEFO gator on the banks of the canal during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

A pirate rows a boat during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

A LEGO pirate snoozes during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

A LEGO pirate is held captive in a giant spider web during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

The Kristiansen's Ketch through Lake Eloise during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Calico Jade battles a monkey during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

View of Lake Eloise during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

A katydid stands atop a LEGO toucan during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

LEGO pirate Captain Redbeard during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

A LEGO carnivorous plant devours a pirate during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Posters in the queue for Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

Half-sunken pirate ship during the media preview of the Pirate River Quest at the LEGOLAND Florida Resort, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)

WINTER HAVEN — Legoland Florida theme park is ready to launch its new boat ride dubbed Pirate River Quest, during which passengers will see Lego characters amid natural beauty. The attraction, a free-floating voyage that leans into the history of Cypress Gardens, opens to the public Thursday.

“We’ve always maintained a nod back to some of the historical Cypress Gardens elements,” said Rex Jackson, managing director of Legoland Resorts — North America. “By bringing boats back to the canal waterways for the very first time, we’re able to expose a lot more of our guests to the hidden gem of Cypress Gardens.”

During a Wednesday preview, members of the media got answers to burning Pirate River Quest questions.

What’s the story?

Captain Redbeard’s treasure has been taken, and visitors help him solve clues and recover items such as blue sapphires, red rubies and gold coins. That will the curse that prevents him from returning to Legoland. He also warns to keep your arms and wooden legs inside the boat at all times.

Popsy accompanies the boat as it passes under spiders during Pirate River Quest, a new attraction at Legoland Florida.

What do passengers see?

Folks on the quest immediately sail into the canals of the park’s Cypress Gardens area. The waterway has been there since the 1930s and was rehabbed for the new attraction. Installed near tall trees and other greenery are Lego figures, including monkeys, singing birds, alligators and “creepy crawlies,” not to mention a ship piloted by Calico Jade and the tentacles of a bright red kraken.

Some of the attraction’s figures aren’t as blocky as Lego structures can be.

“The monkeys that you see are actual Lego elements that you can get in Lego sets, just blown up. … But it is just one piece of plastic, that element itself. We’ve blown that up into a model that’s made of fiberglass, but they work really nicely on rides like this,” said Nick Miller, direction of operations. “They don’t fade. They are easy to clean.”

What do passengers do?

Riders follow the instructions of Redbeard (given via onboard audio), which include finding and counting gems along the shore, looking out for bony opponents in Skeleton Valley and participating in a seaworthy singalong near the finale. Passengers also, in a make-believe, theme-parky sort of way, fire cannons.

Remember, this is Legoland, steered to the 2-to-12-year-old set, so the tasks are fairly elementary. It shouldn’t be hard to spot one of the golden bricks, as requested. They’re about 3 feet long.

Pirate River Quest would not be considered a thrill ride, official say. And you’re unlikely to get wet onboard.

What’s the boat like?

Ride vehicles float free in the waters of the gardens and then onto Lake Eloise. It is steered and controlled by a real, live pilot; there is no submerged rail to guide the vessel. The flat boat has four padded rows with backs, and Legoland will cap the capacity at 11 people — only 8 of them adults — plus the navigator. Children under the age of 6 are required to wear life vests, supplied by the park. (Adult sizes are available.)

There’s no bathroom on board, so plan accordingly before the 20-minute experience.

What will the lines be like?

Normal operations will see 10 vessels on the quest route at a time.

“We know there are a lot of people that are very excited about this ride in particular because it is taking you back into the nostalgic Cypress Gardens. So we do anticipate that it will be a popular ride,” Jackson said. “It is going to be connected very closely though to our Brickbeard’s Watersports Stunt Show. … We anticipate the lines will be busier around the same time that the show is either beginning, getting ready to start or right after it ended.”

What’s the connection to history?

“This is restoration of the original canalways, which we were given in a state of disrepair, not because of any previous issues, but because this lake is about a foot and a half taller now than it was in the 30s.” Miller said. “So the original sea walls are just underwater, they are no longer useful. We were able to put a new sea wall around, restore the canals, restore the grasses and the plants alongside the canals.”

Passengers may also spy Cypress Gardens’ historic Florida-shaped swimming pool during the adventure.

“It’s a reason to bring a whole new generation into the gardens,” said Kelly Hornick, head of marketing and communications: “It’s reintroducing kids with Lego humor with Lego pirates and the silliness that comes with that, to be able to experience the gardens and really appreciate them.”

Do people still want to see gardens?

“Guests who come and actually walk through the gardens give us way more five-star reviews than guests who don’t. It is a pleasant surprise for guests who find the gardens,” Miller said. “We want people to come back and take a walk because it’s a nice relaxing part of the day.”

What about public access to Lake Eloise?

As the Pirate River Quest boats head back to the dock, they’re in open waters. They may encounter paddleboarders, fishers or part of Legoland’s ski team in rehearsal.

“We do anticipate that some boaters or paddleboarders may decide to engage with some of our guests as they’re going through their ride experience as well,” Jackson said. “But that’s part of the Lake Eloise charm.”

Email me at [email protected] . Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters or the Theme Park Rangers podcast at orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-podcast .

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A Day in Legoland for Families

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Build incredible memories at the theme park dedicated to the Danish toy sensation Lego! Board your motorcoach for a panoramic, 90-minute drive to Billund. Ever since the park opened in 1968, Legoland has been one of the most popular attractions in Denmark, welcoming over 50 million guests. A celebration of the famed colorful building bricks, the park's showpiece, Miniland, is the heart of LEGOLAND®. Here, you can experience the whole world in miniature, constructed out of more than 20 million LEGO® bricks. The park is divided into nine different themed sections with more than 50 adrenaline thrill rides, kiddie rides and attractions. There is something for the whole family! The park is also home to a variety of shops and restaurants, and of course it is the perfect place to pick up a new set of Legos! At the conclusion of this fabulous day, relax on the scenic ride back to port.

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Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Board your motorcoach and enjoy a direct transfer to Legoland.

Guest will enjoy free time in legoland, unlimited entrances to all of the rides will be provided., reboard your motorcoach and enjoy a direct transfer back to the ship..