Florida Family Vacation Guide: Why LEGOLAND® Florida Is Perfect for In State Travel

A Florida family vacation does not have to mean packing the car for hours, booking a flight or planning an itinerary that leaves everyone exhausted.

Sometimes, the best family getaway is closer to home.

Located in Winter Haven, in the heart of Central Florida, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort gives Florida families a chance to turn an ordinary weekend into a full vacation experience. The Resort is about an hour from both Orlando and Tampa, making it a convenient option for families traveling from many parts of the state.

And because LEGOLAND Florida is designed with kids in mind, the experience is about more than simply visiting a theme park. Families can spend the day riding LEGO® themed attractions, cool off at LEGOLAND® Water Park, explore other attractions included with select multi park tickets, enjoy seasonal events and stay overnight in a LEGO themed hotel.

For Florida families looking for a family vacation in Florida, a Florida staycation or a quick weekend getaway with kids, LEGOLAND Florida offers something that can be surprisingly difficult to find: a vacation that feels big without requiring a complicated trip.

Why LEGOLAND Florida Works So Well for Florida Families

One of the biggest advantages of planning a vacation within Florida is convenience.

There is less travel time to worry about, fewer logistics to coordinate and more time to actually enjoy your destination.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort is located in Winter Haven and spans 150 acres, with more than 50 rides and attractions across themed areas including LEGO® City, LEGO® Kingdoms and LEGO® NINJAGO® World.

That makes it particularly appealing for families with younger children who may not want to spend an entire day traveling to reach their destination.

At a glance

The result is a vacation that can be as simple or as ambitious as your family wants.

A Florida Staycation That Actually Feels Like a Vacation

The word "staycation" can sometimes suggest staying close to home without really getting away.

LEGOLAND Florida can change that.

For families who live elsewhere in Florida, spending a night or two at the Resort creates a clear break from everyday routines. You can check into a themed hotel, spend the day exploring the parks, enjoy family entertainment in the evening and wake up ready for another day of adventure.

There are three LEGOLAND Florida Resort accommodations: LEGOLAND® Hotel, Pirate Island Hotel and LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat. The first two are located steps from the Park, while Beach Retreat offers a more relaxed lakeside setting with LEGO themed bungalows.

LEGOLAND Hotel and Pirate Island Hotel also offer themed rooms with separate sleeping areas for children, making it easier for parents and kids to have their own space at the end of an active day. Select hotels also offer nightly entertainment.

That is an important part of what makes a short Florida family vacation feel different from a regular day trip.

You are not simply visiting an attraction.

You are staying in the LEGO world.

What Can Families Do at LEGOLAND Florida?

A family vacation at LEGOLAND Florida can look very different depending on the ages and interests of your children.

There are more than 50 attractions at the Resort, ranging from gentle rides for younger children to roller coasters and interactive experiences for families looking for a little more excitement.

You can start the morning with classic LEGO adventures, explore themed lands, stop for lunch and then spend the afternoon cooling off at LEGOLAND Water Park.

And there is plenty for older kids and adults to enjoy too.

The Resort's attractions include experiences such as Galacticoaster, an indoor family coaster, LEGO® NINJAGO® The Ride, The LEGO Movie™ Masters of Flight, The Dragon, Coastersaurus and Pirate River Quest.

Family friendly attractions at a glance

Because there is such a wide variety, families do not have to plan every minute of the day.

Kids can choose what they want to explore, parents can find places to relax and everyone can build a vacation around the attractions that matter most to them.

Add LEGOLAND Water Park to Your Family Getaway

Florida families know that water is always a welcome addition to a day of family fun.

For families visiting when LEGOLAND Water Park is operating, adding the Water Park can turn a theme park visit into an even more complete getaway.

The Water Park includes attractions such as a LEGO wave pool, Build A Raft lazy river, slides and interactive play areas including Joker Soaker and DUPLO® Safari.

For families traveling from within Florida, this can be especially useful because it gives everyone a chance to take a break from traditional theme park rides without giving up the excitement.

LEGOLAND Water Park is seasonal, so families should check the operating calendar for their travel dates before planning their visit.

Make It a Weekend Getaway in Central Florida

One of the easiest ways to turn a LEGOLAND Florida visit into a true Florida family vacation is to stay overnight.

A one night stay can work well for families who want a quick weekend getaway. A longer stay gives you more time to explore the Resort and its attractions without trying to fit everything into a single day.

Vacation packages can include multi park admission, depending on the package and travel dates. Package options can provide access to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, LEGOLAND Water Park, PEPPA PIG Theme Park Florida and SEA LIFE® Florida.

That means families can build a trip around the ages and interests of their children.

Sample family getaway

The key is not trying to see everything.

A successful family vacation is often about giving everyone enough time to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.

Choose a Hotel That Keeps the Adventure Going

One of the advantages of staying at a LEGOLAND Florida Resort hotel is that the LEGO experience does not stop when the Park closes.

LEGOLAND Hotel features themed rooms, LEGO workshops, a pool and nightly activities.

Pirate Island Hotel brings a pirate adventure to the overnight experience, including themed rooms, a pool and activities for kids.

LEGOLAND Beach Retreat offers LEGO themed bungalows around a lake, along with outdoor play areas and a resort pool.

For families with young children, staying on site can also reduce the amount of driving required during the trip.

Families staying at LEGOLAND Hotel or Pirate Island Hotel can also enjoy early access to select areas of the Park, with valid park admission.

That extra time can make a difference when you are trying to fit a lot of fun into a short getaway.

Florida Resident Savings Can Make an In State Trip Even More Appealing

Florida families have another reason to consider making LEGOLAND Florida their next getaway.

The Resort offers special packages and promotions for eligible Florida residents at select times throughout the year. Offers can include savings on hotel stays, park admission and other vacation package benefits.

Current fall offers also give families an opportunity to plan a seasonal getaway with special package pricing. Kids' tickets can be as low as $39 per day with an eligible hotel stay, while Florida and Georgia residents can qualify for a package priced from $155 per person based on two day tickets without Water Park admission, plus up to 20% off rooms.

Offers, travel dates, eligibility requirements and availability can change, so families should check the current LEGOLAND Florida Resort offers before booking.

Plan a Florida Family Vacation Around Seasonal Events

Another reason to choose an in state vacation is that you can come back again.

LEGOLAND Florida has seasonal events throughout the year, giving Florida families a reason to plan different types of trips.

Summer brings LEGO® Festival, Fall brings Brick or Treat, and Winter brings Holidays at LEGOLAND®, giving families another opportunity to experience the Resort with seasonal entertainment and activities.

Other times of year feature their own special events and experiences, creating new reasons for Florida families to return.

For Florida residents who live within driving distance, this makes an annual LEGOLAND visit feel less like a once in a lifetime vacation and more like a family tradition.

You can visit for a weekend one year, return for a seasonal event the next and keep discovering different parts of the Resort as your children grow.

Why Winter Haven Is a Great Family Vacation Base

Winter Haven gives families another advantage: location.

LEGOLAND Florida is approximately an hour from Orlando and Tampa, placing it within reach of two of Central Florida's biggest travel hubs.

That makes it possible to combine a LEGOLAND vacation with other Florida experiences or simply make the Resort the focus of a dedicated family getaway.

For families who already live in Florida, this flexibility can make planning easier.

Instead of waiting for a long holiday weekend or school break, you can choose a weekend that works for your family and make the drive.

How Far Is LEGOLAND Florida From Popular Florida Cities?

One of the biggest advantages of choosing LEGOLAND Florida for an in state family vacation is how accessible the Resort is from communities across Florida.

Located in Winter Haven, LEGOLAND Florida is about 45 minutes from the Orlando theme parks and downtown Tampa. That makes it an especially convenient choice for families looking for a Florida day trip, weekend getaway or road trip with kids.

Whether you live on the Gulf Coast, Atlantic Coast or farther north or south in the state, LEGOLAND Florida can be reached by car without leaving Florida.

Here is a look at approximate driving distances and times from some of Florida's most popular cities and destinations.

Driving distances and times are approximate and can vary based on your exact starting point, traffic, road conditions and route. LEGOLAND Florida is located at One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884.

From Central Florida

Families in Winter Haven, Lakeland and Orlando are particularly well positioned for a quick LEGOLAND Florida getaway.

Lakeland is less than 20 miles from the Resort, with a typical drive of about 25 to 30 minutes. Orlando families can generally reach LEGOLAND Florida in about 45 to 60 minutes, while the Resort's official directions note that it is approximately 45 minutes from the Orlando theme parks.

That makes LEGOLAND Florida an easy option for a spontaneous day trip or a one night family stay.

From the Tampa Bay Area

Tampa families can also reach LEGOLAND Florida in about an hour, depending on where they are starting and current traffic conditions. LEGOLAND's official directions place the Resort approximately 45 minutes from downtown Tampa.

Families farther west, including those around Sarasota, can make the trip in under two hours in typical driving conditions. The drive from Sarasota to LEGOLAND Florida is approximately 90 miles.

From North and Northeast Florida

A LEGOLAND Florida vacation can also work as a longer family road trip for families traveling from Gainesville, Jacksonville and other parts of North Florida.

Gainesville is approximately 135 road miles from the Resort, with a typical drive of around two and a half hours. Jacksonville is roughly 190 road miles away, making LEGOLAND Florida a practical destination for a longer weekend getaway rather than just a day trip.

From South Florida

Families in South Florida have the option of turning a longer drive into a full Florida family vacation.

Miami is approximately 230 miles from LEGOLAND Florida, while West Palm Beach is approximately 165 miles away. Families traveling from these areas may want to stay overnight at one of the Resort's themed hotels rather than trying to fit the entire experience into a single day.

That is part of what makes an in state trip so appealing. You can choose a quick day trip when you live nearby or turn the drive into a multi day family adventure when you are coming from farther away.

With LEGOLAND® Hotel, Pirate Island Hotel and LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat, families can stay close to the action and make the journey part of the vacation experience.

A Florida Vacation for Kids, Without Leaving Florida

There is a reason Florida is one of the world's most popular family vacation destinations.

You can find beaches, water parks, wildlife, attractions, theme parks and outdoor adventures across the state.

But you do not always need to travel far to experience something new.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort brings many of the ingredients families want from a vacation together in one place: rides, water attractions, themed hotels, dining, entertainment and seasonal events.

Most importantly, the experience is designed around kids.

Children can take the lead on rides, build, explore, splash and discover new favorites while parents get to enjoy watching them have the time of their lives.

For Florida families, that can make LEGOLAND Florida more than a theme park day.

It can be an easy Florida family vacation, a memorable Florida staycation, a spontaneous weekend getaway with kids or the start of a new family tradition.

And perhaps that is the best part.

You do not have to go far to get away.

Sometimes, your next family vacation is already right here in Florida.

Start Planning Your Florida Family Getaway

Whether you live near Orlando, Tampa or elsewhere in the Sunshine State, LEGOLAND Florida Resort makes it easy to turn an ordinary weekend into a family adventure.

With kid friendly rides, LEGO themed hotels, water attractions, seasonal events and vacation packages, you can create a getaway that fits your family without leaving Florida.

Explore current LEGOLAND Florida tickets, vacation packages and hotel offers and start planning your next Florida family vacation.