The Ultimate Guide to Legoland Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth is one of the most fun things to do in Grapevine Texas with kids. Even though the LEGOLAND in Dallas Texas is much smaller than the LEGOLAND theme parks in other states, there are plenty of cool things to do for kids and parents too!
If you are wondering which LEGOLAND Dallas is best for, you will get the most out of your ticket if your children are between the ages of three to nine years old. The Duplo Farm and outdoor splash pad areas are great for toddlers. There are also building activities and rides that can keep kids older than 9 years old entertained for a while.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth Location
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth is located about 30 minutes from the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth despite the name. LEGOLAND Dallas is conveniently located in North Texas’ largest shopping mall, Grapevine Mills. This huge shopping mall has over 180 stores, restaurants, and entertainment attractions.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth Discount Tickets
We highly recommend that you purchase your LEGOLAND Dallas/Forth Worth admission tickets online. This will save you time and money.
You can also buy a combination ticket that includes admission to Sea Life Aquarium. Sea Life Aquarium is in the mall right across from LEGOLAND. If you have a full day to explore both venues, we highly recommend it!
Note that they limit the number of people they admit to the center. When you purchase tickets online, you must choose a day and time, though you can stay as long as you would like once inside. Personally, I think that this policy is really great because it ensures that you will be able to enjoy your time without having to deal with lines and crowds!
Remember to get tickets early if you plan to go during summer or holidays when occupancy will be higher! The last admission is two hours before the center closes.
Check out the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Blog for the latest admission offers, seasonal events, and LEGO news!
Plan Your Day at Legoland Dallas/Fort Worth
If you’re wondering how much time you need to see the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, we recommend that you plan to spend at least two to three hours for your visit. If you leave the center, you will not be re-admitted, but you are able to stay as long as you like once you are inside.
Download the LEGOLAND Discovery Center app to plan your visit, make the most of your time in the center, and take advantage of other LEGO® fun activities between your visits.
If the weather will be warm, pack a towel and a bathing suit for your little ones to play at Pirate Beach! Also, bring a Minifigure from home and trade with any team member that has a Brick Badge. This concept is similar to pin trading at Disney.
LEGO Discovery Center Activity Packs
When we first walked in, we were able to buy LEGO Discovery Activity Packs for our kids. As our kids experienced the attractions, they could solve puzzles and stamp pages of their pack. The pack also included stickers and activities the kids could do at home after our visit.
Once they got all of their stamps, they showed their book at the gift shop at the exit and received a special LEGO poster. You can buy these packs on-site or add them to your online order. They are also available in the coffee shop if you decide to purchase them once you are inside.
How to Get to LEGOLAND Dallas/Fort Worth
LEGOLAND Discovery Center is located in the 1.6MM square foot mega mall Grapevine Mills near the AMC Theatre. There is a Grapevine Visitors Shuttle that picks up at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, participating hotels, and area attractions and brings visitors to Grapevine Mills. LEGOLAND was only 3 miles from our hotel, so we took an Uber to the mall.
Use the following link for $2 off each of your first 3 Uber rides! Use code ‘darlas156ue’ to sign up! http://ow.ly/p3PC50wqVRk
Inside LEGOLAND Discovery Center
The center is organized in a big rectangle with 12 different play zones. We decided to work our way around the map in a clockwise direction. It took us about two and a half hours to get through the entire experience, but the time needed will vary based on your children’s ages and how crowded the center is. We went on a weekday at the end of the summer after Texas schools already started sessions.
LEGO Factory
When we first walked in, there was a fun photo opp with gigantic lego-filled columns. Next, we watched the LEGO Factory Tour, which gave us a quick overview of how a LEGO brick is manufactured. We were also able to peek in at LEGO Master Builders at work.
#LEGOFacts: 1.7 million LEGO bricks are produced an hour, which adds up to 15 million LEGOS a year!
lego discovery center
Merlin’s Apprentice
Merlin’s Apprentice is a magical ride for families with kids 36″ tall or higher. Pedal faster to make your cart fly through the air.
LEGO Duplo Village
Duplo Village is a hit with younger kids. It is a hands-on animal-themed play area with soft oversized building bricks. Kids must be under 40″ to play.
LEGO Build & Test
The Build & Test play zone was one of my kids’ favorite areas! They loved building their own LEGO car creations and racing them down the ramps. There is ample seating for parents to sit and relax too!
Coffee Shop
The Build & Test and Duplo Village are both directly across from the Coffee Shop. The Coffee Shop serves Starbuck products and reasonably priced lunch meals and snacks. The bathrooms are right next to the shop and centrally located among the play zones.
Pirate Beach
Pirate Beach is another favorite for toddlers and elementary school-aged children. It is a seasonal mini waterpark that includes a shipwrecked pirate ship play structure, splash pads, and oversized LEGOs. We didn’t realize that
LEGO City: Forest Ranger Pursuit
Our kids adored this ride and went on it multiple times! The attention to detail for this ride was fantastic! LEGO City Forest Ranger Pursuit is geared towards kids between 4 and 13 years old. Prior to embarking, kids will need to go through a quick safety lesson and confirm that are able to control their own LEGO car. It is on a track, but no bumping or standing up is allowed.
Space Mission
After returning the stolen gold to LEGO City, we embarked on a Space Mission! We had fun disguising ourselves as a LEGO astronaut and watching the LEGO shuttle blast off!
MINILAND
Next, we went to one of my favorite play zones….MINILAND! The attention to detail in this LEGO fantasyland is breathtaking! Major Texas landmarks including the Dallas Cowboys stadium, DFW Airport, the Fort Worth Stockyards, and even Grapevine Mills Mall are constructed in LEGOS! We especially got a big kick out of looking at the LEGO model of the hotel we were staying at, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center! Tip: Keep an eye out for two SpongeBob figures hidden in MINILAND!
LEGO 4D Cinema
It was exhilarating to embark on an action-packed adventure with Emmet, Wyldstyle and Unikitty in the 4D Cinema! This epic movie lasted about 15 minutes. The rain is very cold so cover up if you can! Note, this movie is included in your ticket price. There is a separate virtual reality experience that is an additional fee to enter.
LEGO Friends Heartlake City
After getting some inspiration in MINILAND, we moved on to LEGO Friends Heartlake City. My daughter spent a while building to her heart’s content in this adorable little play area. We had some fun snapping selfies with LEGO Friends Olivia, Emma, Stephanie, Mia, and Andrea too!
LEGO Ninjago City Adventure
Next up, we were transported to we took a break on a bench with the rest of the parents while the kids had some fun in Ninjago City! Our kids loved climbing and exploring this multi-level obstacle course.
Kingdom Quest
Without a doubt, Kingdom Quest was our favorite family activity at LEGOLAND Discovery Center! If you’ve been to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, this ride is very similar to the popular Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters. We boarded this four-person car ride through the LEGO kingdom to thwart the enemies that captured the princess. Aim for the rats to rack up the bonus points!
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Store
As with most kids’ entertainment centers, this one exits through the gift shop! We did not mind though because this is also where we could redeem our Activity Packs for a prize! Plus, the store as exclusive limited edition items and there were a few sales too!
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth Ride Guide
All rides are handicap accessible for visitors with disabilities and wheelchair users. Guests must be able to transfer to the ride vehicle with assistance from a member of their party. LEGOLAND staff is unable to assist.
LEGOLAND for Adults
The recommended age for the centers is 3 to 10 years old. However, as you can tell from our experience, adults have fun too! Most of the LEGOLAND Discovery Centers have Adult Nights.
During these events, only adults age 18 and over are admitted into the center. This is actually the ONLY time adult guests are admitted into the center without children. These special events are usually themed and include LEGO focused activities, beverages, and prizes!
Other Places to Find a LEGOLAND Discovery Center
There are 13 LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in the United States and one in Canada, so you are certain to stumble across one at some point if you love to travel as much as we do! Each center is centrally located near a city in a shopping complex. Each location offers hands-on activities, a 4D movie, and special seasonal events. Below is a full list of all the locations.
- LEGOLAND Atlanta – Phipps Plaza in Buckethead, GA
- LEGOLAND Arizona – Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe, AZ
- LEGOLAND Boston – Assembly Row in Somerville, MA
- LEGOLAND Chicago – Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg, IL
- LEGOLAND Columbus – Easton Town Center
- LEGOLAND Dallas/Fort Worth – Grapevine Mills Mall in Grapevine, TX
- LEGOLAND Kansas City – Crown Center in Kansas City, MO
- LEGOLAND New Jersey – Opening in early 2020
- LEGOLAND Michigan – Great Lakes Crossing Outlets Mall in Auburn Hills, MI
- LEGOLAND Philadelphia – Plymouth Meeting Mall in Plymouth Meeting, PA
- LEGOLAND San Antonio – Shops at Rivercenter in San Antonio, TX
- LEGOLAND San Jose – Great Mall in Milpitas, CA – Opening in 2020
- LEGOLAND Westchester – Ridge Hill Mall in Yonkers, NY
- LEGOLAND Toronto – Vaughan Mills Mall in Toronto, Canada
Know Before You Go
Here is a rundown of top things to know before you go to LEGOLAND Dallas:
LEGO Fun At Home
If you can’t get to a LEGOLAND Discovery Center, you can help your child build and explore at home! Check out this LEGO Building Ideas page for LEGO building inspiration, including blueprints including how to build a sandcastle and a whale!
More Family Fun Ideas at Grapevine Mills
If you are looking for fun things to do in Grapevine Texas, you cannot go wrong with the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Dallas! Plus, the SEA LIFE Aquarium is right next door. If you buy a combination ticket for both attractions, you can save over $15 per ticket! If you are looking for another indoor play center in Grapevine, the Peppa Pig World of Play is another great bet at the mall for younger kids.
If you are looking for hotels near LEGOLAND Dallas, we recommend the Gaylord Texan or Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. These are both really fun options that can round out a fabulous family vacation!
This is really helpful. We’d love to take my son to Lego Land when he is a little older.
I never visited a Lego Land, however, I love these toys. I remember as they started with just the bricks and then added all these fun details. Some of these figures are so ingenious. I will definitely visit a Lego Land with grandchildren 😉 since, for my daughter, it’s a bit too late 😉
Looks like you all had a great time! We have a legoland in Windsor, near where I live in the UK, but I still haven’t been yet. I’m definitely considering it now though!
I’m sure you’d love it! So much to do!
We have visit the Legoland Discovery Center in Dallas also. It is a great place to take the kids. They love it so much! Thanks for sharing so much detail about your day.
We loved it too, esp the rides 😊
How fun! I love how each discovery center has at least one display that is linked to the city it’s in, like the stock yards in Dallas. If I recall, the one here in Kansas City has a lego display that includes Joe’s KC (a famous BBQ joint) and the lego line is wrapped around the building (just like it is in real life!)
That’s such a fun touch! LEGOLAND Florida has practically every Florida landmark except their competitor theme parks!
What people can do with legos always fascinated me. My brother could make incredible things, but me – I built boxes and that’s about it! Haha. Looks like you guys had an awesome time!
Omg! My son is great at it, but I go to dust one of his finished creations and a piece falls off. I try to fix it…and break another piece off….I should just admire from afar!
Looks like a great place to take kiddos! What fun!!
So much fun for the whole family!
I really want to go to LEGO land now!!!!
What a fun activity! I went to Legoland near London, it was a fun day out. I would love to visit the Dallas version as it seems way bigger.
So much Lego! When I was a kid, my favourite toys were either Lego or Mecano. This would be such a nostalgic place to visit I would be an absolute big kid here.
This looks like a lot of fun! We’re going to be in Dallas in February and will have to check it out!