LEGOLAND Florida: Best Way to Travel from Disney World
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When we planned our trip to Florida, we had one ambitious idea: squeezing in Legoland Florida Resort and Disney World in the same vacation. It’s one of those bold parenting moves that either turns into magical memories or a story you tell while wincing. Spoiler alert: it was amazing! Here’s everything we learned (and laughed about) along the way.
Step One: Getting to Winter Haven
Legoland Florida is in Winter Haven, right in the heart of Central Florida—about 45 minutes south of Disney World, assuming you don’t hit traffic (thank you, Google Maps). This 150-acre theme park is a dreamland of roller coasters, interactive rides, and play areas that cater to younger kids and thrill-seekers alike. It’s a great addition to your fun things to do as a family in Orlando!
We opted to drive a rental car for flexibility—there’s just something about being the captain of your own road trip (even if the backseat sounds like a Peppa Pig theme park soundtrack on loop). That said, if driving isn’t your vibe, the shuttle service from Orlando is an awesome option. The bus is comfy, and the welcome video featuring everyone’s favorite Lego characters (including the Friends logo—instant win for our LEGO-loving daughter) kept the kids entertained the whole way. The Legoland Shuttle operates exclusively on Wednesday and Friday, so make sure to book a ticket for those days if you want to utilize their shuttle, otherwise there are tons of other shuttle operators. If you’re all about privacy, you can book a private car, but honestly, the shuttle gets bonus points for ease and not having to navigate Central Florida’s highways!
Legoland: A Perfect Start to Your Florida Theme Park Adventure
Legoland Florida is the ultimate family-friendly theme park experience. Designed with young children and the young-at-heart in mind, it’s packed with colorful rides, creative zones, and playful surprises at every turn. Unlike the hustle and bustle of larger Florida theme parks, Legoland tends to be much less crowded, which means shorter lines and a more relaxed vibe—though you should watch out for the occasional temporary ride closure (the Dragon roller coaster was briefly down during our visit, much to my kid’s disappointment).
Fun Rides for Every Thrill Level
The park’s rides cater to a range of comfort levels, so everyone in your family can find their happy place. The Dragon roller coaster is a perfect introduction to coasters for little ones, blending mild thrills with castle-themed storytelling. If your kids are braver than you are, Flying School takes things up a notch with an exciting suspended coaster. For water lovers, the Legoland Water Park—a short walk from the main park—offers an epic wave pool, water play areas, and lazy rivers perfect for cooling off in the Florida sun.
Here’s a handy list of some of the most popular rides at Legoland Florida and what makes them a must-try for your family!
1. The Dragon
Description: A family-friendly roller coaster that begins with a ride through a medieval castle filled with animated LEGO scenes before heading outside for gentle twists and turns. Perfect for kids ready to try their first coaster!
2. Flying School
Description: A suspended coaster that lets you “fly” like a pilot-in-training. It’s a bit more intense but still manageable for adventurous kids (and their brave parents).
3. Coastersaurus
Description: A wooden-style coaster that zips through a prehistoric landscape filled with life-sized LEGO dinosaurs. It’s a bit bumpy, but kids love it!
4. Lost Kingdom Adventure
Description: A laser-shooting dark ride where you aim at targets while exploring ancient ruins. It’s an interactive adventure the whole family can enjoy.
5. LEGO NINJAGO The Ride
Description: A 4D interactive experience where you use hand motions to defeat enemies alongside your favorite Ninjago characters. Bonus: No physical controllers—just ninja moves!
6. Mia’s Riding Adventure
Description: A spinning disk ride set in Heartlake City (LEGO Friends theme) where you “ride” a giant horse that swings back and forth while spinning. A fun challenge for slightly older kids.
7. Unikitty’s Disco Drop
Description: A colorful drop tower ride in LEGO Movie World. It bounces you up and down, making it a giggly experience for kids who love Unikitty.
8. The Great LEGO Race
Description: A virtual reality-enhanced roller coaster (optional VR) that takes you through a LEGO brick-built race. It’s a mix of thrills and technology!
9. Safari Trek
Description: A relaxing ride through a jungle landscape filled with LEGO animals, from lions to giraffes. Great for younger kids who love animals.
10. DUPLO Train
Description: A gentle train ride designed for toddlers in the DUPLO Valley area. It’s short, sweet, and perfect for the tiniest park visitors.
11. DUPLO Tractor
Description: A fun ride where little ones can drive their own LEGO tractor through a farmyard scene.
12. LEGO Technic Coaster
Description: A more intense coaster with sharp drops and turns. It’s one of the most thrilling rides at Legoland but still family-friendly.
13. AQUAZONE Wave Racers
Description: A water-based ride where you pilot a jet ski-style vehicle, dodging water sprays as you spin around.
14. Boating School
Description: Drive your own LEGO boat through a calm watercourse. Kids love steering their “ships” (even if parents occasionally take over).
15. Driving School
Description: Kids aged 6-13 can drive LEGO cars on their own through streets complete with traffic signs and stoplights. There’s also a Junior Driving School for younger kids. You can even get a Lego License made, which is an awesome souvenir and made my kids feel like they really accomplished the LEGO driving school.
16. Beetle Bounce
Description: A mini drop tower that bounces kids up and down. It’s not too intense, making it a favorite for younger thrill-seekers.
17. Merlin’s Challenge
Description: A spinning carousel-style ride where you “help” Merlin with his magical experiments. It’s gentle enough for little ones.
18. Splash Battle
Description: A water ride where you can spray water cannons at other riders and spectators. Expect to get wet—and have fun doing it!
19. Pirate River Quest
Description: A relaxing boat ride where you help solve a pirate-themed treasure hunt while spotting LEGO-built scenes along the way.
20. LEGO City Fire Academy
Description: A team challenge where you race fire trucks and put out "fires." Perfect for families who love a bit of friendly competition.
Explore the Sections of the Park
One of the highlights of our visit was Miniland USA, where millions of Lego bricks are used to recreate iconic U.S. cities. From New York’s towering skyline to the sandy streets of Las Vegas, this area is full of fascinating details—and don’t miss the Star Wars displays that had even my non-Lego fan spouse geeking out. One of our favorites was the Spaceship that launches every 10:00 minutes, with a countdown and everything!
The park is divided into unique themed areas, each offering its own adventures. Explore Heartlake City for interactive rides and shows inspired by LEGO Friends, or head over to the LEGO Movie World, where you can ride Unikitty’s Disco Drop or explore Emmet’s Super Suite. The variety makes Legoland a 150-acre playground that never gets boring.
A Relaxed Pace (No Fast Pass? No Problem!)
Unlike other Florida theme parks where fast passes are a survival tool, there’s no real need for one at Legoland. Most attractions have reasonable wait times, and the park’s smaller crowds make it easy to enjoy everything at a leisurely pace. If you’d rather skip lines entirely, they do offer a fast pass system, but we found it unnecessary during our visit.
Staying Overnight: Themed Hotels for Maximum Fun
To make the most of our trip, we stayed at the Legoland Hotel, where fully-themed rooms (think treasure hunts and bunk beds) made bedtime feel like an extension of the day’s adventures. Our room was pirate-themed, complete with LEGO parrots and treasure chests, and it was an absolute hit with the kids.
For little buccaneers, the Pirate Island Hotel is another fantastic option. Or, if you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodations, the Legoland Beach Retreat offers adorable bungalow-style cabins that feel like mini Lego houses. Each hotel provides daily entertainment offerings, meet-and-greets with characters like Emmet and Lucy, and endless fun for kids (while parents sneak in some rest).
Why Legoland Makes Sense as a First Stop, or as an in-between Disney Parks day.
Legoland’s relaxed atmosphere and kid-centric vibe make it the perfect introduction to a multi-day vacation in Florida. It’s easy to navigate, offers a unique experience with its themed attractions and hotels, and is a great way to ease into the theme park circuit before tackling bigger parks like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, or SeaWorld. Whether it’s a day trip or part of a longer vacation, Legoland is a great addition to your itinerary. It's easy to book your tickets the day before you want to go, so there's no pressure.
Plus, with flexible ticket options—including day tickets, annual passes, and water park tickets—you can tailor your visit to your budget. Don’t forget to check for the best deals ahead of time for extra savings.
How to Transition from Legoland to Disney World
Here’s the good news: it’s a relatively easy trip from Legoland Florida Resort to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista. The travel time is about an hour, making it an easy day trip, but that is still a fair amount of driving so if your family isn’t happy in the car, this is definitely something to consider if you’re only visiting Legoland for one day. For us, the drive is worth it, and the hours of operation are much shorter than Disney (usually 10am-5pm) so you're not going to be rope dropping at sunrise and home after dark like you might be planning for your days at Disney World. It’s definitely a more relaxed day overall, plus the waterpark offers a change of pace.
Disney World: A Grand Finale
After a playful time at Legoland, Disney World offers a whole new level of wonder. From Magic Kingdom Park to Hollywood Studios, every moment is packed with excitement. Our kids loved the juxtaposition of Lego sculptures and Disney characters, and we appreciated that the transition between the two parks gave everyone a change of pace.
If you’re combining Legoland with other parks like Universal Orlando Resort or SeaWorld, you’re looking at a packed schedule. Make sure to factor in some downtime (and snacks—lots of snacks).
Tips for the Best Experience
Tickets: Legoland has a variety of ticket options, including water park tickets and annual passes. Disney’s day ticket system is also straightforward, but book early for the best deals.
Avoid Long Lines: Hit Legoland in the winter months for fewer crowds and cooler weather. At Disney, consider using Genie+ to make the most of your time.
Younger Kids: Both parks shine for little ones. Legoland’s Duplo logo play areas and Disney’s kiddie rides (hello, Dumbo!) make them feel like VIPs.
Don’t Skip the Small Stuff: At Legoland, the botanical gardens are stunning and a great break from rides. Disney’s special events like fireworks shows are a must-see.
Why Legoland and Disney Work So Well Together
Combining Florida theme parks like Legoland and Disney gives your family a balance of hands-on fun and big-time magic. Legoland’s interactive theme park design is perfect for younger kids, while Disney’s massive scale and endless attractions keep the entire family entertained. Plus, it’s a great way to experience the unique experience that is Central Florida.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Whether you’re coming in from Orlando Airport or from a Disney Hotel a visit to Legoland Florida followed by Disney World is a great addition to your family’s travel memories. Don’t forget to pack swimsuits for Legoland’s wave pool and comfy shoes. Have you considered Animal Kingdom, it’s a real winner with little ones (and really anyone!)
Legoland, Disney, and maybe even Peppa Pig Theme Park (yep, it’s right next to Legoland) make for a whirlwind adventure. With Merlin Entertainments running Legoland, and Disney doing what Disney does best, you’ll have a blast. Make sure to check out Epcot! And when you’re ready for a break from Florida’s theme parks, the botanical gardens or a relaxing day at the hotel pool await.
One last tip: Take a million photos. Because the Lego sculptures and the themed hotels are almost as magical as meeting Mickey Mouse himself. Almost.
