LEGOLAND New York Resort Review: Celebrating Birthdays with a LEGO Adventure

Location: Goshen, New York

We were so excited to hear that LEGOLAND was opening a theme park in New York. The park itself opened in the spring of 2021, but the hotel didn’t open until a few months later. Since it’s about a three-hour drive for us, we wanted to wait until the hotel opened to make the trip.

Originally, we had a reservation for Disney World, but with everything happening in the world, we decided to cancel. We needed an epic backup plan for Harry and Lizzie’s October birthdays, so booking a trip to the LEGOLAND New York Resort was perfect.

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LEGOLAND New York Resort Review

To say that my kids are obsessed with LEGO would be an understatement. I knew that visiting an entire world of LEGO would knock their socks off.

The kids had no idea where we were headed. Harry was starting to think we had forgotten his birthday altogether! We had them dismissed early from school and hit the road. When we pulled into the park, cheers and screams erupted from the backseat.

Arriving at the LEGOLAND New York Resort

We had already received a text that our room was ready, so we headed straight to the self check-in kiosk. After scanning the barcode on our reservation, our room keys printed right out.

Our package included a two-night stay with two days of park admission. You can use the tickets on any two days within three days of your arrival.

We arrived around 3 PM on a Thursday, so we decided to hang out at the hotel that afternoon instead of using one of our park tickets for only a few hours.

This ended up being a great choice because the hotel has so much to do. The kids ran straight to the Little Big Shop for swords and armor, then headed to the castle in the lobby to defend their princess. Meanwhile, Dad and I relaxed at the lobby bar with some appetizers and a cold beer. I highly recommend the Build It Boss beer, brewed especially for the resort.

Tip: make your dinner reservations as soon as you arrive, or before if possible. Bricks Family Restaurant is the only sit down restaurant on site and it books up quickly. We could only get a reservation for 7:00 that night. You can also order food at the bar in the lobby.

Hotel Rooms at LEGOLAND New York Resort

When booking your room, you can choose from four themes: Pirate, Kingdom, Ninjago, or LEGO Friends. Harry loves ninjas, so we chose Ninjago.

We couldn’t wait to check out our room, which had only been open for two months and still smelled brand new. Even the hallways had themed rugs that encouraged the kids to play “floor is lava” everywhere we went.

The kids had their own suite with bunk beds and a pull-out trundle. Their side included a TV that played every LEGO movie you can imagine, plus a LEGO wall with a bin of bricks.

Our side had a king-sized bed, a second TV, a sitting area, and a desk that was perfect for building LEGO creations.

The room was decorated with intricate LEGO builds, and the Ninjago swords over the bed lit up like a night light. It really felt like stepping into a LEGO world, and the kids loved it.

Hotel housekeeping is optional—you must place a door hanger if you want cleaning. There’s also a number you can text if you need towels or water bottles.

The staff left a birthday gift and card for the kids, which was such a nice touch. Snacks and juice boxes were replenished daily.

The kids were thrilled to find a scavenger hunt in the room that led them to a safe with a treasure inside.

Dinner and Birthday Fun

We headed down for dinner, where we met one of the LEGO characters greeting visitors.

Dinner is served family-style, so we shared a big meal while the kids ordered off the kids’ menu. For dessert, the waiter brought out a brownie sundae and everyone sang Happy Birthday to the kids.

If you’re celebrating, be sure to let the hotel know when you book. Your child will get a birthday badge to wear. If you aren’t staying at the hotel, you can pick up badges at the ticket counter as you enter the park.

Creative Workshops

The hotel offers a Creative Workshop for kids, which you sign up for at the front desk. We attended a session where the kids built whatever they wanted. There are also workshops for older kids led by master builders.

Breakfast was included with our stay and served buffet style at Bricks Family Restaurant. My kids loved the waffle bar (and basically ate candy for breakfast), while adults had plenty of healthier choices.

Visiting the LEGOLAND New York Theme Park

The park opens at 10:00 AM and is just a short walk from the hotel. The kids giggled as they put their swords through security. We visited on a weekday to avoid crowds; the following Saturday was much busier.

We used our park passes Friday and Saturday. After breakfast Saturday, we checked out, loaded the car, and spent the rest of the day in the park—an efficient way to maximize our visit.

Final Thoughts on the LEGOLAND New York Resort

We had an amazing time staying at the LEGOLAND New York Resort. The hotel experience made the trip special and was the highlight for everyone.

Some favorite moments included making custom minifigs in the Little Big Shop, hunting for the Joker on the minifig wall, and enjoying the disco party elevator (try the furthest elevator for the full effect; the other two are sensory-friendly).

Being so close to the park made breaks easy—especially helpful with younger kids who needed naps.

The outdoor pool looked nice, but it was closed for the season during our October visit.

The biggest downside is the cost. Food and drinks are pricey, with beer at $12 and pizza at $30. Some guests order delivery from nearby restaurants using DoorDash.

Overall, I highly recommend staying at the LEGOLAND New York Resort for families with kids ages 2-12—just be ready for the premium prices.

Have you been to LEGOLAND New York Resort? What did you think?