Legoland - Mesa,AZ

i just had to giggle...i just watched "knocked up" last weekend. so i had to read this. LLLEGOLAND!! have a great time!

I don't know about hotels and restaurants, but Legoland is not that big, so you can easily cover the park in one day. Bring a bathing suit, because if it is warm out, there is a fun water play area inside the park (this is part of regular Legoland and is not their new waterpark, which has a separate admission fee). Lots of rides at Legoland have height restrictions of 36" so if your daughter is small, make sure she is going to meet that requirement before going, or else you will be limited in what you can do.

San Diego has a ton of other fun things to do - Sea World and the San Diego Zoo are both very popular. There are lots of nice beach areas too. Carlsbad has a good (not great, but good) outlet mall.

Also, in April, there are really cool flower fields right near Legoland (I think the same freeway exit, but maybe they are one exit apart). It is definitely worth checking out if you're here at the right time. You can do a hayride and walk through the fields. There is strawberry picking nearby (for an extra cost). Check it out! http://www.theflowerfields.com/

Both of the Grand Pacific Palisades resorts are awesome. One is the Maribrisa and the other is just Grand Pacific Palisades. The rooms are around 130 a night I think but the place is so nice. They are a timeshare too so you might call them and ask about a tour because we toured there and got 2 nights for $99, passes to legoland and 40 dollars to use in the park, all for listening to their 2 hour deal. We have been back since then and even had my daughter's bday at Palisades... they have a really cool kids water area if you will be coming when it is warm. You only need one day for Legoland and try to find coupons... you don't get all that much bang for your buck there but your 3 year old will love it. Any older than 4 and it isn't worth it. Carlsbad is an awesome little town... the Wild Animal Park isn't too far from there also... have fun!!! Oh and if you are a freak like me you can check out www.bedbugregistry.com to make sure the hotel you do end up choosing doesn't have any extra little friends crawling around!! :)

We love Legoland and go all the time with my young sons. They have a great time. It is very family friendly and it is especially 'mom' friendly too. You will love it as much as the kids! You could have fun in a day or even 2 or 3. There is also SeaLife Aquarium next door and it is spectacular. There is the waterpark, which is a mom's best friend! It is heaven on earth. It may be only open weekends right now though. There are plenty of rides for a 3 year old to go on. You can go early, get your hand stamped and come back later too. You didn't mention when you were coming but they do have events sometimes so be sure and check. Bring a towel and a change of clothes for her, maybe even a swimsuit because there are plenty of 'water features' in the park too that you all can enjoy. Kids love that stuff.

You can also visit the Zoo and/or Wild Animal Park. You could even take the Coaster train, the one that runs along the coast, for a little trip, even ice cream. That is fun for kids to ride on that. She would ride for free. The beach too. Oceanside beach has a tot lot and Mission beaches have some very family friendly beaches too. Look for ones with tot lots. (Bring some sand toys!)

Where to eat. Well, you will love Pizza Port in Carlsbad on Carlsbad Village Drive. Dad can grab a beer and the pizza is really good. There is restaurant row, just east of Carlsbad in San Marcos. It's an easy drive too. The Elephant Bar and Boudin SF are there just to name a few. Here are more restaurants. http://www.oldcalrestaurantrow.com/ Some shopping is nearby too if you find yourself needing stuff.

Where to stay? Depends on your budget. There is a beautiful hotel near Legoland, but it's pricey. Grand Pacific Palisades. There are cheaper ones on Carlsbad Blvd, in Carlsbad. Google Carlsbad Motels. This one is sweet! http://www.carlsbadinn.com/ Here's one that is less but eas

I prefer the North County because it is quieter than San Diego proper. http://www.surfmotelcarlsbad.com/

But here, check this out should you be coming soon. http://www.theflowerfields.com/
The Grand Pacific Palisades is right next to it and Legoland is a hop, skip and jump.

Oooo! Legoland is one of my favorite places to go with my kids. We stay at the La Quinta in Carlsbad. It's clean and reasonable, has a pool, and includes breakfast. With a 3.5 year old, one day, maybe two, would probably be enough. They actually have good food at Legoland. I like the Brickolini pizza place, not far from the entrance and near to the little kids water play area. Real wood-fired pizza, oh so yummy.

You'll be less than an hour from San Diego. There's a ton of things to do and see in Balboa Park, including the famous zoo. Take the tram when you are there, the zoo is huge and spread out. There is also the Wild Animal Park north of San Diego. Last time we were in San Diego, we toured the USS Midway aircraft carrier. Your daughter probably won't be interested in most of it, but it was way cool, lots of exhibits and the top deck had historic aircraft that she might enjoy seeing.

North of Legoland about 45 minutes is Orange County. I mentioned in another post that my favorite beach in SoCal is Doheny. It's a good beach for children, has bathrooms and picnic area, and Dana Point Harbor where you can walk and see the boats and find a place to eat.

All your questions have been answered but fyi, I believe Del Taco has coupons for buy 1 adult and get 1 child free (like a $70 value). When you're there, you can add the other parks for $10 each; this may be a better deal then their online packages. It is an awesome place and my young kids love it.

Like Karen said, if she is small, there are very few rides she will be able to ride on. We went when my daughter was 3, not a small girl, but will probably not go back until she is about 6 or 7. So much more for her to do at that time. I would highly recommend going to another park. My daughter is 4.5 and we infinitely prefer Seaworld, Zoo/Wildanimal Park, Aquarium, Balboa Park, and the beach is free: )

Legoland really only takes a day. Close by is the Wild Animal Park which if pretty awesome and about 30 minutes south is the zoo and Sea World. I highly recommend both for her age! Just take your time and pack LOTS of water and snacks. There are a ton of hotels, it really depends on your price range. I would also check VRBO and Craigslist for a 1 BR vacation rental. It's still the off-season and prices can actually beat hotels. There are sweet outlets too...including Carters and Baby Gap but also Coach ;-)

there's a sheraton i believe right there on the legoland property. one day is good for legoland, and a 3.5 yo will be able to ride all but just a couple of rides. that's a reason we like legoland so much, there's very few rides with a height requirement taller than your typical 3yo. have a great time!