Regardless of which LEGOLAND Hotel Florida you choose, you’re going to have a GREAT time! There’s no doubt about it. But with so many LEGOLAND hotel options, you might be wondering if the original hotel is best…or if the LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel or LEGOLAND Beach Retreat is better.
Here’s what to keep in mind so you can make the best decision for your family during your Florida vacation.
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LEGOLAND FLORIDA
LEGOLAND Florida is located in Central Florida, 45 minutes away from Orlando in the town of Winter Haven. It’s a vacation destination built for kids 2-12, and even older ones in my opinion.
At LEGOLAND Florida, you’ll find more than 50 rides, a water park, tons of fun shows, interactive fun, and so much more. It’s a great place for the whole family, but especially for the LEGO lovers in your crew.
Read More: 33+ UNIQUE & AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CENTRAL FLORIDA (BEYOND DISNEY)
LEGOLAND HOTEL FLORIDA
TL;DR: In my humble opinion, the Beach Retreat is better suited for younger kids. That’s a theme you’ll see reiterated and supported in the tips below. With that said, we didn’t know that when we visited but my boys (far beyond young children but not quite tweens at the time) still enjoyed our stay at the Retreat – but preferred the Hotels.
There are fantastic things at each one, but if there is one difference I’d say that is it. Kids about 6yo or younger? Hit the Beach Retreat. Older than that? The LEGOLAND Hotel or Pirate Island Hotel is where you want to be.
Stay Here: Beach Retreat | Legoland Hotel
BUNK BEDS FOR THREE (WITH DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS)
In all three hotels, our boys adored the guest rooms with bunk beds (including a trundle, which makes it great for three)! The themed rooms make a stay at LEGOLAND Florida all the more fun.
The rooms at the Pirate Island Hotel and the original LEGOLAND Hotel were arranged in such a way that there was a wall between the bunks and the main bed, and the boys enjoyed a TV just for them.
At the Beach Retreat, the bunks were tucked into a nook, separated from the main bed area by a decorated curtain. It did not include a TV or outlets for their iPads (no building block tables or LEGO meant more screen time in the evening – ugh). Re: Safe for younger children.
I should also point out here that these were LEGO-themed hotel rooms. (The Pirate Hotel with an all-Pirate theme…and the original Hotel with themes based on popular LEGO lines Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO Movie World, or LEGO friends.) They include a fun treasure hunt and access to a free Master Builder class, but the Beach Resort rooms do not. (No worries, though – the Beach Retreat rooms are still fully themed out!)
Read More: LEGOLAND PIRATE HOTEL Q&A (IT REALLY IS THE BEST!)
OUR PREFERRED LEGOLAND PARTNER: We have researched, asked around, and then researched some more…only to conclude that Undercover Tourist offers the best prices on Legoland tickets and hotels (yes, prices even better than the park itself.) They have had sensational reviews since 2006, you get the exact same benefits as if you purchased them direct, and they are refundable. Not even Legoland does that!
Details: Get Your Discount Legoland Tickets | Reserve Your Legoland Hotel Room | Reserve Your Beach Retreat Escape
PLENTY OF SPACE TO SPREAD OUT AT LEGOLAND HOTEL FLORIDA
Both Hotels and the Retreat offer plenty of space within the rooms, but you have to remember that the LEGOLAND Hotels are, in fact, hotels. When it’s time for the kids to go to bed, you are “stuck” there with them in the room for the remainder of the night.
That’s not a big deal for us; we let the kids stay up late when we vacation…and then we all go to bed together. But that’s not the case for everyone, especially if your little one is on a schedule.
We talked to another set of parents at the Retreat that LOVED the bungalows just for this reason. Their kids were 2 and 5. They put the 2 yo to bed early with the baby monitor, and sat out on the patio with a glass of wine while the 5 yo played on the playground only a few feet away.
“We never could have enjoyed our night like this from the hotel. And since the 2 yo is getting a good night’s sleep, we know she won’t be cranky at the park tomorrow.” Genius, LEGOLAND Orlando!
THE PACE IS FASTER AT THE LEGOLAND HOTELS
The pace at the Retreat is much slower. The crowds are thinner. The vibe is quieter. It felt more like a retreat.
While that slower pace was right up my alley, my kids preferred building with other kids in the lobby play areas of the Hotels built for kids, seeing the interactive LEGO feature characters roam around, playing the games and feeling the high level of ENERGY that comes from the Hotel.
That being said, a younger kiddo (or a child with sensory issues) could easily become overwhelmed at the Hotel, and would greatly appreciate the relaxed atmosphere of the Beach Retreat.
BREAKFAST IS FREE AT ALL ACCOMMODATIONS
LEGOLAND is unique because it is the only Orlando resort that offers free breakfast to LEGOLAND hotel guests, and that extends to the Hotels and Retreat.
There is a buffet at the Beach Retreat and the original Hotel, but in my opinion, the one at the Hotel is head and shoulders better than the Retreat. There were considerably MORE options…and it tasted a little better, too. To be fair, we visited during the first week the Retreat opened….but the difference was epic.
Those staying at the Pirate Hotel will enjoy an alternative to the buffet, with family-style servings at their Shipwreck Restaurant. All the buffet options are available to you – and it is delicious! (See our Pirate Island Hotel post for a photo of dinner served family-style here, to get an idea of what I mean)
When we talked to the staff about eating at the Hotel rather than the Retreat, they were accommodating but indicated that they did not know how long they would extend that opportunity, so ask when you make your reservation.
Dinner is also available at both locations (not for free,) but I offer the same advice: head to the Hotel for dinner (or eat off-site). The Shipwreck Restaurant food blows away all the other options!
ALL ACCOMMODATIONS OFFER A ZERO-ENTRY POOL WITH LIFEGURADS
All of the accommodations at LEGOLAND Florida offer zero-entry pools with lifeguards, but once again, it’s different.
The pool at the original LEGOLAND Hotel includes a splash ground. There is also more activity and lots more older kids. Plus, that view of the lake at sunset…to die for! (Yes, there is a lake view at the Retreat, but when we were there it was obfuscated by a chain-link fence.)
At the Pirate Hotel there were fewer kids…no splashpad, etc…but it was easy to scoot through the lobby to the other pool area.
At the Retreat you’ll find sand for building sandcastles, and a really cool playground…fewer crowds and less “chaos.”
Also, in my opinion, Skyline Lounge at the original Hotel is a better bar for adults, with more drink options and some light food selections. There is also a great bar at the Pirate Hotel, where they make a mean Pina Colada, but it currently does not open until 4 pm.
Why do I say this about the Retreat? For example, they couldn’t make us a Long Island Ice Tea, but the LEGOLAND Hotel had no issues. Again, that may or may not have been about it being the first week of opening.
Speaking of drinks, LEGOLAND never forgets the kiddos. At Skyline Lounge the kids can order mocktails, designed for the kids. These alcohol-free treats will make them feel super special. My boys indulged on Shirley Temples with handfuls of sweet cherries.
LOCATION IS EVERYTHING WITH LEGOLAND HOTEL FLORIDA
Both hotels are 130 kid-steps to the LEGOLAND theme park entrance, a theme park with more than 50 rides shows and attractions. It’s one of the main reasons we highly recommend staying here!
This means that you can easily come and go between the park, your room, the restaurant, Master Builder classes, the pool, and more. No worries about hauling the entire contents of your room into the park with you each day. No concerns about heading back to the room to change into swimsuits if you want to visit the Legoland Water Park for water play or take a nap.
The Beach Retreat is still super close….just over Cypress Gardens Blvd. But, you’ll need to take your vehicle or use their shuttle service.
Don’t forget – regardless of which of the three accommodations you stay in, you are able to gain early access to LEGOLAND! Hooray!
Read More: LEGOLAND ORLANDO: SECRETS TO BEAT LINES, SAVE MONEY AND HAVE FUN (2023)
MORE HOTELS OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA
The information in this post is just about the LEGOLAND Orlando Hotel options in Central Florida.
You may have heard about the LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel or other LEGO brands themes, but that is only in California…alongside the LEGOLAND® California Resort (which includes cool Lego Ninjago rooms not available in Florida). These hotels are located about 30 minutes north of San Diego.
NEW AT LEGOLAND HOTEL FLORIDA
While Merlin Entertainment’s LEGOLAND Florida resort is a multi day experience for the family, Orlando, Florida, has so many other attractions and experiences to offer including the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park.
LEGOLAND HOTEL FLORIDA FAQ
How far is it from Orlando to LEGOLAND Florida?
LEGOLAND Florida is 45 minutes from Orlando, in the town of Winter Haven, making it easy to combine a trip to LEGOLAND with other theme park visits.
How many nights should you spend at LEGOLAND Florida?
Two full days will give you plenty of time to take in all that LEGOLAND Florida offers. You could easily stay longer if you plan to visit the new Peppa Pig Theme Park while you’re in town, though!
What age is good for LEGOLAND Florida?
LEGOLAND Florida is geared towards kids from 2-12, although older LEGO lovers will love it too. If your older kids are looking for thrill rides though, then they may like a different park more.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO FLORIDA
- YOUR FLORIDA VACATION
- GETAWAY: 33 Sensational Weekend Getaways In Florida
- SEAWORLD ORLANDO: 40+ Secrets For An Amazing Visit
- HARRY POTTER WORLD FLORIDA: Secrets For The True Fan
- DISNEY TIPS: 80 Best Disney World Tips For A Magical Vacation
WHERE TO STAY NEAR LEGOLAND FLORIDA
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