Halloween Season at Legoland California – Is it Worth it Without Brick-or-Treat Saturday?
Legoland California during Halloween Season
When it comes to the Halloween Season, the Legoland California theme park is one of your many theme park options in SoCal. We are blessed with quite a few fun and amazing choices for entertainment. During October most of the theme parks take the excuse to dress up for Halloween, and Legoland does not shy away from the opportunity.
Starting from Saturday September 17th and running on Saturdays only through to (and including) Sunday October 30th, Halloween Season at Legoland brings the Brick-or-Treat Monster Party for your enjoyment from 2pm until 9pm (a late bedtime for Legoland that normally closes at 5pm). When visiting on the Saturday afternoons during Brick-or-Treat there are park-wide trick-or-treating stations for kids, live entertainment & shows, limited-time attractions, character meet & greets, and costume contests. In their theater you can watch The 4d Monster Chase movie, and even the Dragon Coaster becomes the “Disco Dragon Coaster” as part of the Halloween takeover.
What is the Halloween Season at Legoland California like if you can’t go on a Brick-or-Treat Saturday?
With all that focus on Saturdays it made us (Rubi and Scott) ask the question “what about every other day of the week”? What part of the Halloween Season at Legoland California do you get to experience if you can’t go on Saturday but still want to visit the park? We thought it was worth checking out, so we went on a Thursday during October to find out.
The park is still full of Halloween decorations if you don’t go on a Brick-or-Treat Saturday. Starting from the entrance, just after bag search, the welcome sign has been covered in cobweb nets and surrounded by huge jack-o-lantern-shaped Lego heads. Even the massive Legoland sign has cobwebs and some big Halloween-themed Lego figures standing on it. And that makes sense; it would take a herculean effort to decorate overnight for Saturday and then undecorate for the rest of the week.
So aside from the decorations, what else can you enjoy if you don’t go to Legoland on a Brick-or-Treat Saturday?
They still have the character meet and greet stations set up throughout the park, and we were able to meet the Lego Witch (she seemed nice!) at one of them, so you can still do at least some of the character meet and greets. The timing for the character meet and greet opportunities is given for Saturdays in the event guide PDF (19 pages long!). The first mentioned appearance is that of Lego Tiger Woman (possibly an error as it lists 9am before the park opens as well as 10am) at The Beginning Stage in front of the main entrance as one of the first things you can do.
We happened to met Lego Witch at 12:30pm on the Thursday we visited. On Saturdays Lego Witch is listed as appearing starting at 3:50pm, so it seems they don’t follow the same program during the week.
When not in use by Lego characters, the Meet and Greet backdrops that are found throughout the park double as photo opportunities. You can get some great selfies as you go between each of the different areas (we used some during the creation of our companion YouTube video to this blog).
Another thing that we were curious about (also mentioned in the PDF) was the 4D Monster Chase movie. On Saturdays the movie shows every 30 minutes from 10:30am. Unfortunately they don’t offer the 4D Monster Chase movie at all on any other day of the week. It’s been kept exclusive to the Brick-Or-Treat Saturdays.
What about Treats? What Treats can you get outside of Brick-or-Treat Saturdays?
We weren’t aware of the PDF when we went, but we scoured the park for themed food to try and came up with a few things, but almost none of the special options seemed to be on offer:
- MISSING: We didn’t get to try the Witches Wacky Rice Pudding and Candy Apples at Fun Town Urban Kitchen
- MISSING: Disappointingly Cloud Cuckoo Crepes was not even open so we couldn’t ask for a Creepy Crepe (or any crepes sadly)
- FOUND: The Special edition Monster Party drink cup (refillable) was available from various vendors, but the “Scrummy Spooky Popcorn” was not on sale near the Lego Show Place Theater… but we did find other flavored popcorn later…
- MISSING: No Hot Apple Cider was visibly for sale at Granny’s Apple Fries
- FOUND: Castle Ice Cream was not visibly offering Monster Pumpkin Shake as an option, but they did have a delicious Pumpkin Ice “Scream” (?) flavor available (which was delicious, like pumpkin pie as an ice cream!).
Other things we DID find for Halloween Season Treats at Legoland California:
- At Granny’s Apple Fries we were able to find:
- Cinnamon, Apple, Pecan and Caramel flavored candy popcorn.
- Delicious Apple Fries (okay, not actually seasonal, but really tasty)
- At The Market near the entrance we found:
- Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Almonds (a nice combo, so good!)
- Bobos Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Oat Bar (maybe ok as an oat bar, but heavily spiced with no pumpkin flavor coming through)
- At Everything is Ramen in Lego Movie World:
- Pumpkin spice chocolate covered almonds
- Halloween Sugar Cookies (as advertised – your standard sugar cookie)
- At the Urban Kitchen in Fun Town we found:
- The refillable Monster Cup.
- Pumpkin spice chocolate covered almonds
- Pumpkin flavor rice crispy (orange-colored and sugary, no pumpkin flavor detected)
- Halloween Sugar Cookies
- Monster Mix Candy Popcorn
- Pumpkin Spice Candy Popcorn
- At the Castle Ice Cream:
- Pumpkin Spice chocolate covered almonds (again)
- More Halloween sugar cookies with different designs
- The delicious Pumpkin Ice Cream (good enough to mention twice!)
Miniland USA also has a number of additions added for the Halloween Season at Legoland California:
The residents of Miniland USA seem to also enjoy decorating for Halloween!
- There are ghosts hidden on various buildings, often on the roof or on balconies.
- A witch is flying (or crashed?) up high on the Miniland USA Washington Monument
- On the ground in front of the Washington Monument is a mini pumpkin patch.
- Large Lego Spiders are climbing some of the buildings too.
During Brick-or-Treat Saturdays there are musical instruments hidden around Miniland USA for you to find as part of a scavenger hunt (earn an exclusive pop badge), but neither the instruments, nor the cast members to award the badges were present when we went.
Interestingly, there were no Halloween additions or decorations in Lego Ninjago World or Lego Movie World, though most other areas that we passed through had some touches added for Halloween.
What kind of Halloween Souvenirs can you get at Legoland during October and Brick-or-Treat?
Aside from the souvenir cup (which we did not buy) and holiday minifigures (which we did get one pack of 😊), there were a few specialty keychains of the various Monsters (in equivalent minifigure and larger sizes), with different ones available in the different shopping locations around the park.
There were a lot of Harry Potter themed minifigures and construction sets for sale in The Big Shop, which almost counts as Halloween. Of course, there you can always find all the normal super hero and other minifigures and Lego sets too.
Our Verdict: is it “Ready for Takeoff” or should you “Find another Getaway”?
Is it worth going to Legoland for the Halloween Season when it’s not a Brick-Or-Treat Saturday?
It’s all about expectations: Its still Legoland. There is still plenty to do and enjoy throughout the park. If you are going with the idea of celebrating Halloween it still has decorations and a number of treats that you can enjoy.
You cannot, however, enjoy even half of the themed events and activities that are Halloween related which are on offer on a Saturday (or Sunday the 30th). If you are taking youngsters who have watched any of the promotional advertising they may well be disappointed at what they will be missing out on.
Our verdict? Go, but in going know what you are going to be getting; It’s Legoland, just with the addition of the Halloween decorations and the possibility of Monster meet and greets. No trick-or-treating, no costume contest, no special Halloween 4D movie, no monster parties… Just a brick-load of everyday fun!
How to Get to Legoland California for Halloween
Close to the California coast in Carlsbad, Either I-5 or I-15 seem to be your best bet:
From the Los Angeles Area
If driving from the Los Angeles area navigate to take I-5 South all the way until exit 48 toward Cannon Rd and turn left to travel East. Travel along Cannon Rd for 1.4 miles when you will make a right turn to enter Legoland Drive which you will follow (go straight at the traffic circle) until you reach the parking entrance.
From San Diego
From the San Diego area navigate to take I-5 North all the way until exit 48 toward Cannon Rd and turn right to travel East. Travel along Cannon Rd for 1.4 miles when you will make a right turn to enter Legoland Drive which you will follow (go straight at the traffic circle) until you reach the parking entrance.
From the East
From the North East, you can navigate to I-15 after which there are multiple routes depending upon traffic:
- I-15 all the way down towards Escondido, taking exit 32 to merge onto CA-78 W/Ronald Packard Pkwy toward Oceanside, travelling 16.8 miles to turn left onto the Vista Way ramp which allows you to merge onto I-5 South. Once on I-5 South drive 2.9 miles to reach exit 48 toward Cannon Rd and turn left to travel East. Travel along Cannon Rd for 1.4 miles when you will make a right turn to enter Legoland Drive which you will follow (go straight at the traffic circle) until you reach the parking entrance.
- I-15 to
- I-15 to
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
- TICKETS: Buy your tickets on-line before you go from the website (Linked here). Buying entrance on the Saturdays for the Brick-or-Treat Monster Party is a higher than normal entry cost (Brick-or-Treat linked here). Currently for entrance into Legoland California you need to reserve your entry after buying your ticket (locking in the day you are going). Even visitors with monthly memberships/annual passes need to reserve ahead. Also, only the higher levels of annual pass goers are eligible for Brick-or-Treat (the lower levels need to buy an extra ticket to attend)
- WHEN: Brick-or-Treat Monster Party starts Saturday, Sept. 17 running on Saturdays until Oct. 29 and includes Sunday, Oct. 30. Halloween decorations can be enjoyed on other days of the week, but the many special Monster Party events (PDF linked again here) are exclusive to the Brick or Treat Saturdays and Sunday 30th.
- PARKING: Parking is a separate $25 cost, though it can be paid for online with ticket purchase. If you arrive early (you can line up from as early as 9am) its often possible to get a good park nearer the entrance. You can spend an extra $10 to get premium parking if desired, but we’ve been told it doesn’t always make a big difference.
Eating and Sleeping: some of the body’s essential needs
- FOOD: Water, small snacks and items required for medical, religious or specific dietary purposes are permitted. Food and beverages are available for purchase on premises from a number of different vendors throughout the park. Not every vendor is open every day (for example we were disappointed that Churros con Chocolate was not open when we went). There is a stand for Cloud Cuckoo Crepes visible in Legoland Movie World which is not currently listed, and was not open when we went… let us know in the comments below if you got to enjoy a crepe!
- NEARBY ACCOMODATION: There are two themed hotels right outside the main gate that are part of the Legoland Resort complex. If they don’t tempt you, you can find many AirBnB options and other hotels not too far away within Carlsbad.
You are near the California Coast… It is likely to be sunny!
- SAFETY: As with many theme parks there is a bag check before you go in. Legoland California is a relatively safe place for children, though proper supervision is always recommended. Some rides have height restrictions for the safety of guests.
- CLIMATE: According to some online sources Carlsbad does not get too much rain, averaging less than 5 days per month through winter, and none through summer. In Winter average temperatures range from a low of 45°F to a high of 64°F, and in Summer temperatures rarely get above 84°F (though in 2022 there were a couple of days above 90°F). Check the weather before you go, but it should be a nice day!
Answers to Important Questions
There are many bathrooms made available for the public, starting with two sets, one on each side of the main gate once you step through, There are bathrooms visible on the Visitor Map (download the PDF or check the app) in each of the different themed worlds. We did not check them all, but our experience was that they were clean and modern.
There are plenty of options for food and drink at Legoland California with 12 different vendors scattered throughout the park. Options range from burgers, to pizza and pasta, ramen, sandwiches, and even Texas BBQ.
For sweet treats you have options like churros with chocolate, ice cream, slushies and more.
Drinks include juices and sodas/soft drinks as well as coffee and tea.
A full list of the food vendors at Legoland California can be found here.
According to the Legoland California website there are no pets allowed in the park. Service animals are welcome but must be leashed at all times.
The quick answer: Nope!
From their website: “The use of drones is not allowed at LEGOLAND California Resort due to safety and proximity to moving ride vehicles.”
