Charlee’s class wrapped up the last day before Spring Break with a field trip to LEGOLAND Florida, and it turned out to be a day full of fun, surprises, and firsts. It was the first visit for both of us—and we walked away with three new coaster credits, something I honestly didn’t expect going into the day.
To be honest, I didn’t think we’d end up on any roller coasters at all, given Charlee’s hesitation with them. But with a little encouragement and positive energy, she pushed through her fears and rode all three!
Once we arrived and made it through security, I had to stop and take in the iconic LEGOLAND Florida sign. Seeing it in person was really cool—yes, a bit weather-worn, but still just as impressive up close. That welcome sign made entirely of LEGO bricks is such a fun detail and really sets the tone for what’s inside.
After meeting up with Charlee’s class, we kicked things off with the Grand Carousel. It’s a charming double-decker carousel, and we rode on the second level for a great little overview of the park. It was a gentle way to ease into the day.
Next, we explored Heartlake City, the LEGO Friends-themed area. It’s a sweet little section with a sensory play zone featuring music, water effects, and other interactive elements. Unfortunately, Mia’s Riding Adventure was closed for seasonal maintenance, but it didn’t take away from the area’s charm. It has that friendly, pony-loving vibe that kids adore.
Then came one of my favorite parts of the park—Miniland USA. The detail here is incredible. Entire cities and landmarks made from LEGO bricks, complete with interactive buttons that make cars drive, fountains spray, and little scenes come alive. While I could’ve spent much more time here, we kept things moving for Charlee’s sake—she was eager to do more rides.
Lunch was next, and we met up with her class at the burger place. I was pleasantly surprised—the burger was definitely a step up from what you’d find at other theme parks like SeaWorld or Universal. It looked good and actually tasted great too.
After lunch, we made our way into LEGO NINJAGO World. It’s a smaller section but full of energy. We rode LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, where you use hand motions to launch animated fireballs, lightning, and more at virtual villains. The motion-control system takes a little getting used to, but it was such a fun, unique ride.
Then came a big moment—Charlee decided she was ready to try her first coaster of the day: Coastersaurus. This wooden coaster has a rich history, dating back to its Cypress Gardens days. Charlee was nervous, but once we got to the top of the lift hill, she held on tight—and after that first drop, she was all smiles and laughter. That ride flipped a switch in her. She was hooked.
Next, we stopped at LEGO City’s Driving School. Charlee was determined to drive a yellow car, and she made it happen. The whole ride lasts about two and a half minutes. She did well, although she may need a little more practice before hitting a real road—especially after going the wrong way through the roundabout. It was hilarious and adorable.
Her teacher then asked if she was ready for something bigger. After some pep talks from both of us, we got in line for The Great LEGO Race coaster. It’s a wild mouse-style ride that starts with a beautiful view of Lake Eloise from the lift hill before diving into tight turns and sharp drops. Charlee sat in front with her teacher while I rode behind them. She was nervous, but by the end, she was grinning and saying she liked it. I was so proud.
Charlee was on a roll and eager to ride more, so off we went to LEGO Kingdom to tackle The Dragon. This coaster is part dark ride and part coaster, and it’s fantastic. You start by gliding through a castle full of oversized LEGO characters—knights, dragons, and more—before heading outside for the coaster portion. From the lift hill, you get a great view of the parking lot on one side and LEGO MOVIE WORLD on the other. It’s smooth, fun, and the theming makes it stand out. It ended up being my favorite coaster of the day. Before we left the area, we stopped by the gift shop where Charlee picked up a Lord Voldemort LEGO keychain for Luke.
We then checked out LEGO MOVIE WORLD as the park started winding down. A lot of things were already closing, but we managed to walk around and get a feel for the area. Most of it centers around a big water attraction, Battle of Bricksburg. The other rides had long wait times, so we saved those for a future visit.
I had promised Charlee ice cream if she braved all the coasters, so we set off to find a stand still open. Along the way, we had our only character meet and greet of the day—Charlee got to meet the Fairytale Princess, who was sweet and welcoming.
With the field trip winding down, the teacher headed back to meet the group while we had a bit more time since I had already signed Charlee out. We squeezed in a couple more rides—Royal Joust, which she absolutely loved, and Merlin’s Challenge, a fun spinning ride where we both laughed the whole way through.
On our way back through the park, we stopped at The Dragon Coaster gift shop and picked up some ice cream from a freezer bag. From there, we made our way to the Land of Adventure to ride Lost Kingdom Adventure, a classic dark ride where we blasted LEGO mummies and skeletons with laser blasters. It had that retro Sally Corp. charm, and Charlee thought it was wild fun.
To close out the day, we visited the LEGO Factory Experience, the Big Shop, and The LEGOLAND Story—a walk-through exhibit sharing the history of LEGO and how the Florida park came to be. There were interactive displays and lots of hands-on opportunities to build and play.
At the Big Shop, Charlee picked out a gift for everyone: Luke’s Voldemort keychain, an Elsa keychain for Mom, a pirate flag for Skye, and a LEGO 3-in-1 Unicorn set for herself, grabbed a mystery minifigure for daddy (me). She was one happy girl.
By the end of the day, we both walked away with three new coaster credits. Charlee has now ridden seven different coasters in her life, and I’ve hit 148. It was a huge moment for both of us, and I couldn’t be prouder of Charlee for stepping out of her comfort zone and giving every ride a chance.
