Legoland Discovery Center (Atlanta)

Eli had the whole week of Thanksgiving off from school, so a few adventures were in order. Since he's been getting more and more into Lego lately, I thought we'd try the Legoland Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza in Atlanta's Buckhead area. (Sorry for the crummy photos. Not wanting to be weighed down, I carried my small point-and-shoot camera that day.)

When you enter, there's a brief display about how Legos are made.

Then there is a Miniland room with a model of Atlanta landmarks in more than a million Lego bricks. Such fun to walk around looking at all the details!

After Miniland, you can enter the main area or partake of the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride. We chose the ride and both of us had a great time. Up to four people can sit in one car, moving slowly through a darkened area full of huge screens and Lego characters made life-size. Each person has a laser to shoot skeletons and blow up rocks thrown by trolls. A display in front of you calculates your points.

The main room of the Discovery Center has a birthday room, cafe, and movie theater. The latter periodically shows 4D movies starring animated Lego Minifigures.

Mod, monochromatic Eli rocked his stylin' 3D glasses...

The rest of the area is open air and divided into play zones -- Lego Friends, Lego Racers Build & Test, Earthquake Zone (with tables to shake-test Lego buildings kids make), Merlin's Apprentice Ride, Master Builder Academy (for older kids), Soft Play (for younger kids), and an indoor play structure.

Eli really liked building race vehicles and they have ramps for testing the speed of your creations.

The Merlin's Apprentice Ride was fun too. Two can sit in a car that goes around a central hub and by pedalling you can rise up in the air.

After exploring for a while, Eli settled into the soft play area (for ages 2 to 5). I sat back for about an hour while he and various new buddies built towers and bridges out of soft foam Legos.

One Mama's Two Cents:
It was crowded the morning we went, but that may have been because Atlanta schools were out for a holiday break. (The website says that after 2PM the Center tends to be less crowded, but that doesn't help us if we want to get out of Atlanta before afternoon rush hour.) Because the Center is divided into zones, the crowds weren't much of a problem and we had a great time. There are tables holding bins full of Legos throughout, so if you are waiting for an activity or ride, the kids have something to do. All activities (except cafe and store, of course) are included in the entry fee. We purchased online tickets the night before for $11 each, which reserved our slots. Walk-up tickets are more expensive and the website states that during peak times there may not be space available. Parking is free in the Phipps Plaza garage, although during peak shopping times it may be hard to find a place. The Center is located on the third floor near the AMC movie theater and signs throughout the parking garage and mall will help guide you.

We loved it! I'm sure we'll go back many times as the years go by. I felt that there were so many different forms of creativity going on that it was a great place to take Little Guy.