Yes, you can (and should!) go to LEGOLAND without kids

Author, screenwriter and adult fan of LEGO Emma Kennedy proves you don’t need kids in tow to have a great day out at LEGOLAND.

There’s an unspoken rule that you can only go to LEGOLAND if you have at least one ice cream-smeared child dragging off you by two sticky hands. It’s a rule that doesn’t seem to apply to any other theme park. Casually mention you’re thinking of going, and any non-AFOL will narrow their eyes and ask you: “But whose children are you taking?”, as if you’ve suddenly turned into a Brown Owl or a Scout Leader or someone who enjoys escorting schoolchildren on day trips.

But at Relax with Bricks, we like to smash up the rulebook with the Hammer of Thor, chuck the pieces into the air and vaporise them. Rules, schmules. We shall go to LEGOLAND and there shall not be a child in sight.

We’ve been planning an AFOLWAC (Adult Fans of LEGO Who Are Chums) day trip for some time, and given we’re all madly in love with LEGO, there was only ever going to be one choice. One day we will cross the seas and journey to our personal Valhalla, the LEGO House at Billund, but until that blessed day, we would travel via bus, train and car to the hallowed halls of LEGOLAND Windsor. It would test the waters, serve as a delightful amuse bouche, and allow us to meet each other in the actual flesh for the first time.  

lego

“Are you really not taking any children?” my neighbour asked me. 

“There shall be no children,” I replied, arms folded, sunglasses on, because sometimes, serious day trips need serious plans of action, which mostly involve going on all the really good rides that some children cry on and working out, with military precision, just how long nine adults are going to need in the LEGO shop at the end.

To say we were a giddy crew was an understatement. There was jumping up and down, hugs (remember them?), mild screaming and a few happy tears. Here we were, at long last, standing in front of the toilets taking a selfie. We’d only gone and done it. We were at LEGOLAND, the sun was shining and all we had holding on to us were rucksacks filled with packed lunch. It was already bliss and we hadn’t even gone in yet.

There’s something liberating about a day trip for adults. You can saunter about at your own pace, change your mind, stick googly eyes on posters (what? Who did that?), not worry about sudden plumes of vomit (more on that in a moment) and eat as much ice cream as you damn well please, but for me the greatest joy was finally meeting people who became an online family during lockdown.

They are the AFOLWACs who had found me and stuck with me; the members of the gang I chatted about each and every day; the backbone of everything we have created in our small but perfectly-formed corner of the internet, where adults who love LEGO are allowed to express themselves, be creative and learn how to play again.

If you’re an adult who loves LEGO, you don’t need a child to go to LEGOLAND. All you need is like-minded pals who will adore every giant minifigure, every brightly-coloured model, every brick of Miniland and think nothing of debating how many LEGOLAND-exclusive sets it’s acceptable to go home with. (Answer: it’s as many as you can sneak in through the front door, stupid.)

There are VIP experiences you can enjoy that are much better suited to grown-ups than little ones: we were surprised by being gifted an exclusive visit to the Model Workshop and a hosted tour of Miniland (thank you, Dawn French, you’re a stone cold darling). We got soaking wet on the log flume and didn’t care, we laughed ‘til our chests hurt on The Dragon, and every single one of us, without exception, had the best day out. It was glorious.

Word to the wise: you need 45 minutes in the shop at the end, and don’t, whatever you do, if you’re worried about plumes of vomit, go on the Haunted House ride.

Same time next year, yeah?

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Author Profile

Emma Kennedy
Emma Kennedy is an author, actor, presenter and AFOL who runs Relax With Bricks on YouTube. Follow her LEGO antics on Twitter at @legowith.

Emma Kennedy

Emma Kennedy is an author, actor, presenter and AFOL who runs Relax With Bricks on YouTube. Follow her LEGO antics on Twitter at @legowith.

5 thoughts on “Yes, you can (and should!) go to LEGOLAND without kids

  • 25/03/2024 at 18:44
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    Hi! My boyfriend and I thought about Legoland just ourselves, sans kids, but apparently we’re not allowed! Legoland’s website says that adults must be accompanied by a minor. I’m wondering if the rules have changed or if you were able to go because you were a group. Thanks!

    Reply
  • 25/10/2021 at 13:25
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    This is great to read!! I will go with two of my friends and we were afraid if the park was worth it! After reading this, I’m exited to go now 😀

    Reply
  • 20/09/2021 at 06:00
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    I-m glad that there are adults out ther who are kids at heart,Besdes why do. Kids have to have all the fun.? I always here other people say arn’t you too old to that.? Why does there have to be age limmit on everything.? I don’t think i’mtoo old to play with lagos.

    Reply
  • 18/09/2021 at 10:19
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    It’s important to note that whole Legoland parks are open to adults unaccompanied by children, Legoland Discovery Centers are not.

    Also, anyone hoping to use VIP points to purchase discounted park passes may be disappointed because an undisclosed restriction is that the parks only accept so many voucher discounts or coupons on any given day, and you won’t know if it will be accepted until you redeem your VIP points and try to use your code at the park.

    And The Lego Group should be ashamed of the dismal level of ticketing customer service provided by Legoland parks.

    Reply
  • 18/09/2021 at 08:57
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    Me and my friend went to legoland a couple of weeks ago without children we both enjoyed the day we spent their x

    Reply

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