Lego is definitely a much-loved pastime in our family. We’ve built everything from small kits to large, impressive sets, and we often pop over to LEGOLAND® Windsor. It’s not far from us, and since it’s usually me and the twins, there are plenty of rides we can enjoy together. We’ve visited at various times of year, including Halloween and summer – still yet to tick off Christmas at LEGOLAND®!
As the twins birthday is in the summer, we decided we would do a stay at one of the resorts. This was around the time I stopped doing parties and spending hundreds on these for their school class mates and moved towards experiences for their birthday.
Why the Castle Hotel?
Every time we visited, we’d walk past the Castle Hotel and wonder what it was like inside. It just looked magical – turrets, flags, and full-on medieval LEGO vibes. So, when it came to picking a hotel, it was an easy choice – it just fit our vibe.
Even now, nearly 6 years later, the twins still remember this trip with so much excitement. They often ask when we can go back. Sadly, we haven’t been able to yet, it’s a pricier treat, and now they’re older, they’re starting to outgrow Legoland.
But last year, they still loved the Haunted House Monster Party and Flight of the Sky Lion, so I think we’ve got 1–2 more good years before they officially outgrow Legoland. There already choosing Chessington for their theme park – they’re obsessed with the Vampire ride.
Disclaimer: Our stay was nearly 6 years ago, so I can’t comment on every detail of how it is now. That said, we’ve continued visiting LEGOLAND® right up to 2024.
Arrival & Check-In
When you stay at the Castle Hotel, you actually check in at the main LEGOLAND Resort Hotel. The Castle is right next door, and parking is in the main resort car park.
Because it was the twins’ birthday, the staff made a huge fuss over them. They got birthday badges, a card, and a special photo with a giant pink LEGO brick. It was adorable!
We arrived around 10am, dropped our bags, and went straight into the park to make the most of the day. One of the best parts of staying on-site is that you can pop back to the hotel during the day for a quick rest or snack before heading back out for more rides.
The Room
We stayed in a Wizard-themed room, and honestly, it was incredible. Everything from the wallpaper to the bedding to the bathroom was themed.
There was a main double bed, bunk beds for the girls, and even little LEGO-building shelves. On arrival, the girls were given a treasure hunt challenge: they had to solve clues hidden around the room to unlock the safe, which contained their goodie bags. Such a lovely touch!
Evening Entertainment
After a busy day in the park, the evening fun kicked off in the main resort hotel. The entertainment team gathered all the birthday kids, sang Happy Birthday, and there were plenty of games and meet-and-greets with LEGO characters.
The twins collected pops, stickers, and hugs from all their favourite characters. The atmosphere was warm and family-friendly; a great way to wind down without just heading straight to bed.
Rides, Fast Passes & Early Entry
We booked Fast Passes for day one so we could tick off the most popular rides without long queues. If you’re staying overnight, you also get early access to the park on day two. We used this to make a beeline for the biggest rides before the gates opened to the general public.
We also made time for the swimming pool (you book your slot in advance), caught a couple of shows, and took a few slower rides like the train for a break from the walking. They had just launched the Haunted House Monster Party ride at the time, which was a huge hit.
The Verdict
Two full days of LEGO magic for their 6th birthday left us completely exhausted but with some of our happiest family memories. If you want to go all-out, like we did, it can be expensive, but you can also plan a more budget-friendly trip and still have an amazing time.
Tips & Tricks for Making the Most of the Castle Hotel
- Arrive Early: Even if your room’s not ready, you can check in, leave your bags, and get into the park early.
- Book Fast Passes Strategically: Use them for day one, then rely on early entry for day two to skip queues without paying twice.
- Treasure Hunt in the Room: Don’t miss this! It’s included and adds a magical touch for the kids.
- Plan a Rest Stop: The ability to pop back to your room for a break is gold, especially with younger kids.
- Evening Entertainment: Stay for it! The birthday celebrations, character meet-and-greets, and games are a highlight.
- Swimming Pool Slots: Book these as soon as possible; they fill up fast.
- Pack Costumes: Kids love wearing LEGO or themed outfits to match their room theme.
- Bring Snacks: Park food can be pricey, so stash a few snacks in your bag for between rides.
- Photo Opportunities:There are loads, so have your camera ready, especially at check-in and during character meets.
- Budget for Treats – Souvenirs, snacks, and Lego sets can add up – set a budget with the kids beforehand. I gave the girls birthday money to spend on their GoHenry cards.
