LEGOLAND Water Park Tips for a Joy-Filled Day

Looking for a joy-filled day? Then head to LEGOLAND Water Park in Carlsbad, California. If you don't like joy, steer clear because this place is sure to induce smiles and contentment all around. Check out our LEGOLAND Water Park tips to make the most of your visit.

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Fun for the Whole Family

For an activity sure to please everyone in the family, head to the Build-A-Raft River. This lazy river meanders through the water park and welcomes guests of all ages, including lap-held babies. Be ready to get doused or hop off to steer your vessel away from squirting cannons and pouring buckets poised along the watery path. Upbeat, summery tunes like Beatles remakes and “Brown-Eyed Girl” bopping through speakers add to the fun. Kids and grown-ups alike enjoy stacking foam LEGO bricks on the perimeter of their rafts before setting sail. While waiting in line for the more daring slides, I was entertained watching floaters of all ages who busied themselves rearranging their LEGO creations while as they floated down the river.

LEGOLAND Water Park's Build-A-Raft River (Photo credit: LEGOLAND)

Especially for Babies, Toddlers and Little Kids

My favorite part of this park is the DUPLO Splash Safari. LEGOLAND shines best when catering to younger children, as evidenced by its abundance of kid-centric rides while offering just a few relatively tame “thrill” rides.

The three small-scale waterslides do not have any height requirements but do not allow parents to ride with children in their laps. Instead, you must ride side-by-side. I found this to be a precarious way to keep my toddler safe while sliding together and it resulted in him getting a nose-full of water on one splashy entry.

Our friend, Mathew, figured out how to slide with his little one better than I did (Photo credit: Travel Mamas)

My kindergartner, Karissa, appreciated the freedom (under her parents' watchful, yet distant supervision) that this kids’ area allowed. She zipped down the slides again and again, without any help from mom or dad. She also loved setting sail on Kids Creek, a miniature lazy river, whenever she wanted, no parents’ permission or assistance required. LEGOLAND Water Park life guards help kids board their rafts and keep a close eye on them as they float along the circular river.

My daughter enjoyed Kids Creek, a lazy river just for children (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

The squirting polar bear, alligator, and elephant fountains provide oodles of entertainment to the youngest park goers. Plus, they allow for adorable photo opportunities for parents of tots.

If you have a toddler or preschooler, you will definitely want to check out LEGOLAND California's Splash Zoo.

Polar bear-shaped splash fountain (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Fun for Big Kids and Grown-Ups

There are five big waterslides at the LEGOLAND Water Park. The blue-colored Splash Out was closed on one of our visits, which added to our long wait times. Be forewarned that kids cannot wear life vests on any of the bigger slides besides Orange Rush. Karissa and I waited 10 minutes in line for one of the two red Twin Chasers tube slides before someone alerted us to this fact, at which point I had to walk back to DUPLO Splash Safari to deposit Karissa with her dad. I then rejoined the line and waited an additional 30 minutes before I could take a turn. (It’s a tough job being a travel blogger, but someone’s gotta do it!) I liked the Twin Chasers well enough but they weren't the zippiest of slides. In fact, I got stuck midway and had to scoot myself down to keep going.

The Joker Soaker (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

The most exhilarating slide, by far, is Orange Rush. My daughter and I sat in a gigantic inner tube to glide and spin our way down and around to the bottom. I thought she might get nervous when we spent half of our journey backwards-facing, but it didn’t seem to phase her one bit. She tends to be a bit of a daredevil when it comes to amusement parks, though. If you have more timid ride-goer, take heed. I asked Karissa what was her favorite part about the LEGOLAND Water Park and she said, “Oh! Oh! Going down the slide with you!” When I asked why, she said, “Because I got to ride with you!” (Awww!)

A favorite LEGOLAND waterslide, Orange Rush (Photo credit: LEGOLAND)

The Joker Soaker near the big slides is a big hit with grade school boys. It’s a big clock tower that gushes buckets of water periodically on those below it. There are also water guns the kids delight in aiming at one another. Another fun spot is Imagination Station, where LEGO fanatics can build creations in a watery environment.

Kids hard at play at the Imagination Station (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

LEGOLAND Water Park Tips and Tricks

There is no option to visit just the water park. You must pay for entrance into the main LEGOLAND California park plus an additional, nominal fee for the LEGOLAND Water Park. As someone who has been to to this theme park numerous times and whose family loves water parks, this extra fee makes sense. If you think you will be too busy riding roller coasters, eating apple fries, and building with LEGO bricks, you might not have time enough to squeeze the water park into your day. Keep in mind, you can always cool off in Pirate Shores, a splashy land that comes with the cost of admission to the regular park.

Bring your own beach towel. They aren’t provided but you can purchase one if you forget yours at home.

Lockers are available at an additional cost and you can use changing rooms for free.

Kids’ life vests are available at no extra charge. Even if your child is a good swimmer, using a life vest for little kids can help you to relax a bit and enjoy the day. Life guards stand watch over all areas of the park but parents must be vigilant to keep an eye on their children.

Go midweek if possible. Wait times are significantly longer on weekends and Fridays.

LEGOLAND Water Park hours vary from those of the amusement park. Check the website for the LEGOLAND schedule. You can always go early or stay late and spend some time enjoying the rides on dry land to round out your day.

Life vests of all sizes are available at LEGOLAND Water Park (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin)

Save Money on Your LEGOLAND Water Park Visit

Want to save money on your LEGOLAND California visit? Of course you do! Use discount code TravelMamas to get $10 off any two-night or longer Southern California package (hotel and two ticket minimum) when you book through Get Away Today. Just want tickets? Buy discounted LEGOLAND California tickets now!

Learn More about LEGOLAND California

To make the most of your visit, check out these LEGOLAND California Tips for All Ages from Babies to Teens or read my LEGOLAND Hotel Review now.

Do you have any LEGOLAND Water Park tips to share or any questions about your visit? Let us know in the comments below!

This story originally posted in 2010 and was updated in 2017.