Legoland–The Original

If you read my Lego Love post last March, you’ll remember that we tried to bribe an incentive scheme to entice the kids to speak either Swedish or Norwegian. It didn’t work.

We’d shot ourselves in the foot since both Niklas and I had the original Legoland as a “must do” while we were here. Niklas had gone as a child when it was the only one in the world and has such fond memories of the trip, that he wanted to take his own kids there. It looked like we weren’t going to make it.

Alas, our Swedish Summer saved the day! The kids spoke enough Swedish with their friends and relatives that we could honestly say they earned the trip to Legoland! Whew! That was a close one!

We started our trek with a ferry ride from one of the Oslo boat terminals (there are several). I had a severe cold and not an ounce of energy to take even a single shot of that beautiful departure through the Oslo fjord as the sun was starting it’s decent. Bummer.

We slept on the boat and arrived the next morning in Denmark and eventually to our destination–LEGOLAND, the original.

We spent the morning in awe of the Lego scenes from around the world.

Sweden’s Göta Kanal is a famous canal that links 380+ miles of waterways between Stockholm and Göteborg. Someday I’d like to travel down this picturesque route.

I love the details the Lego Masters put in. Notice the Volvo and Saabs in the background, the red houses with white trim, etc.

The working locks system takes the Lego boat up the Göta Canal.

Do you recognize this town? This is the Lego version…

Here is the real life version. We took this photo last summer when we visited Beautiful Bergen.

Gosh, looking back at the pictures from that trip make me realize how much the kids have grown this year!

The Lego folks really captured the Norwegian culture with this display! I wasn’t kidding when I postulated that to be a Norman is to be a Sportsman. It’s hard to see in this photo, but the guy at the top has a Norwegian flag sticking out of his back pack. Classic!

This mist breathing dragon was one of my favorite Lego creatures in the whole park.

Then it was time for some rides. Driver’s school is the experience Niklas primarily remembers from his trip here 30 some odd years ago. I think the US version of this ride turns into bumber cars. Here you have to use hand signals, stay in the right lane, and practice driving properly.

The “teacup” was my favorite ride as a kid. Apparently that’s inherited.

Mattias enjoys anything to do with trains.

I used to love roller coasters, but now I realize that somewhere along the line, I developed an acute fear of heights.

This is one of the most brilliant “rides” I’ve ever seen! How many pictures on this site have you seen of Niklas in a natural smile? Not many. But here’s one and it tells the whole story–this ride is a blast! Notice the guy with the cap in the background, Niklas and he just battled it out and capman is drenched.

This could be one of those things where, “you had to be there”, and if so, feel free to skip to the bottom of this series. I, on the other hand, having been there, still crack up every time I look at these pictures!

Never underestimate the entertainment value of a monster water fight between complete strangers. In the US, you often have to keep putting in quarters if you want to squirt someone from the side. These water cannons were free and unlimited, further increasing the drench and fun factors.

This guy got so enthralled with his mission…

that he abandoned his dog!

That they allowed dogs in there in the first place perplexed me. But not only did they permit them, they welcomed them with doggie watering holes and canine snacks for sale throughout the park. Danish dogs are well mannered though, we never saw one mess, not even a lifted leg… Truth be told, one of my kids, no mentioning names, but one of them, how do I put this delicately? one of them… peed in the bushes…

But, back to the pirates!

All politeness and social courtesies are cast aside as some latent, instinctive drive to conquer the enemy arises.

One for the Moes! This guy can’t take it any more and tries to defend his head.

Even when you’re not “on” the ride, there’s still fun to be had. Look at Joakim’s determination– or maybe fierce, caveman competition is a better description.

Looks like he made a hit!

This dad and his boys were the victims. The adults were sooooo into it! It was a riot to watch!

Just look at that body language!

OK, enough of this already, I know. If anyone out there knows who came up with this brilliant ride, please commend them for me. The fun is beyond description!

We tore ourselves away from the pirate ship ride and went over to the Atlantis area which was an excellent aquarium.

Finally, we had a blast at the water area.

That’s Joakim’s arm pumping the air under the huge bucket of water falling on him!

We stayed the night at the Legoland Hotel on the recommendation of the Cowan family who’d gone earlier in the summer–great call! It’s so much more fun staying at a child friendly hotel than the business ones–at least when you have kids in tow!

Mattias even won this huge Lego castle! What a bonus.

Overall, we had an incredibly fun time at the original Legoland in Denmark! A high recommend if you are ever in the area!

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