Families visiting LEGOLAND in Carlsbad now have the option of staying overnight at the park’s brand-new, super kid-friendly hotel.
The LEGOLAND California Hotel located at 1 LEGOLAND Drive officially opened its doors Friday morning.
To say the three-story, 250-room hotel is all about LEGOs would be an understatement.
In fact, the property features 3,422 LEGO models made from nearly three million LEGO bricks, including a massive LEGO dragon out front that took an entire year to build.
LEGOLAND officials say the hotel has been years in the making. In the process, it has created dozens of construction jobs and 250 permanent hotel jobs in the North County.
The hotel -- which includes three types of themed rooms, pirate-themed, adventure-themed or kingdom-themed -- is geared toward kids ages 12 and under.
Upon check-in, kids receive a special welcome packet that includes a treasure map. Then, the fun begins.
“So they get clues and have to go through the room,” explained LEGOLAND spokesperson Julie Estrada. “Then they can open the treasure chest and find LEGO mini figures inside.”
Estrada says the treasure chest game is a great way to keep kids busy while parents get settled in.
“As a mom, that's great because the first thing when you get in a room, you want to unpack, get settled, the kids are usually going ballistic. This gives them something to do and engages them right away,” added Estrada.
Other kid-friendly room features include bunk beds in a special kids-only sleeping area and at least eight LEGO models to play with inside each room.
The hotel also includes several themed public play areas, a family pool, lounge and a family restaurant. Seven large-scale LEGO models throughout the hotel are animated and interactive.
And families will never be alone at the hotel.
LEGOLAND officials say a family of four LEGO dragons live inside the hotel, scattered in different spots throughout the property.
Even the elevators are fun and kid-friendly.
As guests enter the hotel’s “Disco Elevator,” lights pulsate in the ceiling to music, a mirror ball rotates and a different funky sound effect announces arrivals on each floor.
Room rates vary depending on dates and the type of room, but a family package for four people on a Friday, which includes tickets to LEGOLAND and breakfast, starts at $559. A one-night stay on a Friday in a standard themed room starts at $259.
For more room, rates, hotel reservations and further details, visit the LEGOLAND Hotel website.
Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego