LEGOLAND Discovery Center

We made our first trip to LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Schaumburg) more than two years ago, and I'm planning to take the kids back next month during Spring Break.  Here's a recap of that visit in 2010:

The kids had Monday off of school for Fall Break, so I decided to head up to Schaumburg to check out LEGOLAND Discovery Center. I'd heard mixed reviews of the place, but knew that my LEGO loving kids would probably love it. And we weren't disappointed!

While the official opening time was 12:00, we arrived early to shop in the Lego store. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had opened early for a school group and we were able to enter at 11:30. We explored the whole downstairs without encountering another person. Miniland Chicago was very cool - the kids favorite part was finding 3 porta-potties, but mine was reading the signs that told how many bricks the buildings used and how long it took to build them!

Next up was JungleExpedition -a short path through the jungle with several amazing statues, but it only took a couple of minutes to see. At the end of JungleExpedition was a room with Darth Vader and R2D2 and Batman, but was otherwise empty (I think this was supposed to be the Hall of Fame). The Dragon Quest ride was slow moving, through some castle models that really didn't catch anyone's interest.  [Note:  I think this ride has been revamped since our visit]

We headed upstairs to check out the 4D theater.  Becasue it wasn't crowded, we watched all 3 movies in a row.  Bob the Builder was obviously more appropriate for the younger crowd, but all enjoyed.  Lego Castle was fun but our favorite was Clutch Powers, probably because we've seen the full-length film.  Each movie lasted about 10 minutes and really made you feel as if you were in the movie.

Also upstairs was the Lego Factory, where they (sort of) show you how Lego bricks are manufactured.  The 'factory' tour is just a room with small stations for each step of the process.  The tour guide quickly describes the process and at the end each person receives a souvenir brick.  Nothing too exciting here.

We took a Model Builder Workshop where we each built a model of the Willis Tower.  We were given a bag of bricks and the teacher walked us through the steps, which were shown on the overhead screen. We had the option of buying these models for $5.00, but I knew my kids would rather have something different to take home.

In the Build and Test area there were several tables with bowls of bricks for free building, with lots of wheels and ramps for building and testing vehicles.  We spent a looong time here.  While we were here the kids each built a dinosaur model that was displayed as part of a building contest.  They received paper crowns for their participation.  This area is quite open, adjacent to the cafe and playarea, neither of which we utilized. 

On the Technicycle ride, the kids pedaled and made their pod fly up and down as the ride went around and around.  This was a favorite for the two older kids as they kept riding while LegoSon kept building in the Build and Test area (I could easily see them while they rode).

Overall, we were quite thilled and spent the entire afternoon at the Discovery Center.  After being empty at the beginning, the crowd really picked up after 3pm when schools let out.  But it still was not too crowded for us to enjoy.  I have no idea how it would be on the weekend, but I intend to only come during the week.  I highly recommend LEGOLAND Discovery Center to any family whose kids are Lego fans, even if they are not as obsessed as LegoSon.  OldestSon and MyGirl enjoyed the day without being Lego fanatics.  And, of course, we didn't leave without a trip to the retail shop where the kids each brought home a new Lego set.  Definitely worth the 1.25 hour trip!

Rekindling the LEGO fire

LegoSon was obsessed with Lego from age 4 to 5-1/2.  Everyday he woke up asking if we could go buy a new Lego set, and his birthday and Christmas were dominated by Lego and Hero Factory.  We decorated his room with Lego, built him a Lego desk, and read and reread Lego Club Magazine.  But slowly, as he spent more time with his neighborhood friends, his interests changed and he drifted to Angry Birds, WWE and Skylanders (now there's some smart marketing!).  LegoSon still played with his Lego, but not with the same intensity as before.  Nine months later, I was missing the Lego and decided to try and rekindle his passion.

Last week, I carried most of his tubs of bricks downstairs to the family room.  And I started to build!  I built for 2 days while the kids were at school, neglecting chores and workouts.  Sure enough, when he saw me building, LegoSon jumped in and started building too!  I rebuilt all his Atlantis sets (8058 Guardian of the Deep,  8056 Monster Crab Clash , 8060 Typhoon Turbo Sub, 8061 Gateway of the Squid, 8076 Deep Sea Striker).  Doesn't sound too difficult, except that the pieces are mostly sorted by shape, with unusual pieces all mixed together.  Most of the challenge was finding the pieces!  And the fact that my legs and back start to ache after just a short time of bending over piles and tubs of Lego bricks.  OldestSon talked LegoSon into leaving these sets intact and on display on the shelves in LegoSon's room, which were hung with the intent of being display shelves.  Imagine that!

Over the weekend, LegoSon built several of his own creations, mostly his own version of several DC Hero sets that he has his eye on.  We have built and played with several Hero Factory heroes and villans.  The Lego tubs are still sitting on the family room floor, but that's a small price to pay for the amount of entertainment they provide.  And since LegoSon is asking me to buy him new Lego sets, I'd say that we're back on track! .legomom