A classic toy has “gone modern” at two amusement parks in the United States. But, if you can’t make it to Florida or California, there is a new Legoland Discovery Center right here in the tri-state area.
“We are a 32,000-square-foot indoor attraction,” says David Howard, a master model builder at this vibrant facility in Yonkers, N.Y. “You walk in, you go through our factory, you learn how a Lego brick is made.”
Then, visitors enter a large space where kids can race cars, run through a large, netted jungle gym and spy characters made with the click of a brick!
Two indoor rides, Merlin’s Apprentice and Kingdom Quest, provide the thrills while a 4D movie theater literally provides some chills, as snow falls during the film!
Most striking is MiniLand, a re-creation of New York City that took twenty experts six months to build with more than a million Lego pieces. Showing sites such as the Statue of Liberty, the George Washington Bridge and Yankee Stadium, this awesome spectacle is intricate and precise.
“There’s a kid popping out of bed because he thinks he sees a monster in the closet, and if you look really close, you can see an alien sitting on the roof,” says Howard, who believes playing with this “building toy” is an educational experience. “It encompasses all different subjects like math, science.”
The Lego Master Builder Academy provides tips and techniques to kids for extra-special design.
“I’m building a lot of Lego sets, actually. If I break them, I just make other stuff,” says 9-year-old Logan Diana of Milford, Conn. “I like the superhero ones like Marvel and stuff.”
From heroes to wizards, kids are inspired to think big with a little Lego.
Howard says it’s all about sparking creativity and imagination: “It really is a great getaway and the ultimate Lego playground.”
Don’t forget to bring socks for the kids, as they are required in the jungle gym.
Check out this DayTrippers video for a look inside Legoland Discovery Center Westchester. For more information, click here to visit the Legoland Discovery Center website.