Navigating LEGOLAND with Sensory Needs, ASD, and ADHD: Tips for a Successful and Enjoyable Visit

Preparation

Theme parks can be challenging, especially for children with special needs or sensory processing disorders. The key to success is planning and preparation.

Prior to heading to the park, we checked the LEGOLAND website to:

1. Preview the Sensory Guides and Height Restrictions for Rides

2. Checked the Schedule for Shows and Character Meet Ups

3. Watched videos of the rides, to prepare my kids for what to expect

The park is very accommodating for strollers and wagons. This is helpful when managing multiple children, or those with mobility needs. We recommend attaching a fan, to help beat the Florida heat.

Food & Snacks - Pack a Cooler

LEGOLAND offers many different snack and refreshment booths. However, unlike many other theme parks, LEGOLAND is flexible in allowing small coolers and food into the park. This makes traveling with kids, especially those with dietary aversions or restrictions, much easier.

Hero Pass Access - Avoid the meltdowns. Avoid Standing in Line.

Our first stop of the day was at Guest Services prior to entering the park, to obtain our HERO ACCESS PASS. This amazing feature eliminates waiting in long lines for rides, for groups that include individuals with special needs. Requesting one takes only five minutes, and covers up to 6 people in the group.

There are specific signs next to each ride, indicating where to enter for the hero pass access. The pass allows the group to bypass the lines. If there is a long wait, the LEGOLAND team member will write down a time for your family to return and join the ride immediately. It is possible to wait for more than one ride at a time, which is a perk compared to other theme parks that offer similar accommodations.

Just Keep Moving, Just Keep Moving, Just keep Moving, Moving, Moving - Or something like that

All of my family has ADHD and/or ASD, so waiting in lines or standing still is not our strongest trait. We like to MOVE.

LEGOLAND is amazing at accommodating movement, keeping kids busy, and reducing long wait times.

In addition to their HERO ACCESS PASS, there are Lego constructing zones in the lines for rides like the Royal Joust, and playgrounds like Benny's Play Ship at THE LEGO MOVIE World.

Photo: Lego construction zone at the LEGO TOT SPOT

Want to eat, but the kiddos want to play?

LEGOLAND for the win again. Check out the concession area between the Land of Adventure and LEGO NINJAGO WORLD. They offer shaded picnic tables with games. They also offer an option to scan their QR code, order food for pick up, and avoid herding kiddos in line to order food.

Trade Mini Figs

LEGOLAND Florida offers minifigure trading with their Model Citizens. My kids love doing this. It is like a scavenger hunt for the best mini fig.

How can you get a part of the action?

1. Purchase or bring a mini fig to the park with you.

2. Locate a mini fig that you like on a Model Citizen's badge or at any trading post. Trading posts are located in almost every store and at ride check ins. Staff are very friendly, and have a good time trading with the kiddos.

3. Repeat. Mini figs can be traded as many times as you would like.
   

Rides & Attractions

My daughter is the sensory seeker of the group. She loves spinning, jumping, flipping, and anything involving water. She also loves feeling independent. Her top ride choices are:

1. Coast Guard Academy, where she has control as the captain her own boat

2. Lost Kingdom Adventure, an interactive indoor laser shooting game and ride combined

3. Battle of Bricksburg, an interactive boat ride where the guests battle Lego Duplos with water cannons

Photo is Battle of Bricksburg at the LEGOLAND Florida Park

My son is more reserved, and has a sensitivity to sound, lights, and smells. His top ride choices are:

1. Battle of Bricksburg, interactive boat ride in THE LEGO MOVIE World

2. Driving School, where he has control of driving his car. He even snagged a personalized driver's license.

3. LEGO Ferrari Build & Race, where he was able to fidget and build his car, race it on their race track, and project it into a computerized racing game.

Sensory Guides for the Win

We all have different needs when it comes to having a good time at LEGOLAND. To support families in navigating attractions and rides, LEGOLAND has teamed up with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) for accessibility guides.

These lovely little gems can be found next to almost every ride or attraction, and come is handy when determining what may be just right or what may be too much.

Special Dietary Considerations

There are not many shared food interests for my group. We each have texture, flavor, or dietary needs. Luckily LEGOLAND lets you pack a cooler.

We love to bring our cooler backpack to keep both hands free. It comes in handy to keep our food, drinks, keys, and cards all in one spot.

My kids can't get enough of LEGOLAND, and with their accessibility and flexibility, I can't say no. We took the plunge and decided to become pass holders.

We like to try new parks and adventures. LEGOLAND by far is our favorite theme park in Central Florida, due to kid enjoyment, flexibility of accommodations, and relatively low stress for us parents. We highly recommend it to all families, regardless of the needs or ages.

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