LEGOLAND Discovery Center/Centre

1265

The LEGOLAND Discovery Center in the Dallas Fort Worth, Texas area, specifically Grapevine, TX, official grand opening is March 30. However, those who purchase an annual pass, can visit the 27th and the 28th of March before the grand opening.

Of course I purchased my annual pass but have questions on what to expect. I'm not concerned paying for an annual pass, but for those who have experienced and/or attended one of these Discovery Centers is it what you expected? I'm one who gets a thrill out of visiting the two local Lego stores around my area....so I'm sure visiting the Discovery Center would bring much more enjoying. Am I overhyping the situation? How's the PAB selection....bigger and different than the local Lego stores? Nonetheless, I can't wait and will take plenty of pictures.

Rainstorm26

The one in Chicago is a little underwhelming. The mini-land of Chicago is the highlight. Pick-a-brick I would rate as a 5 next to a 10 for a typical lego store. I guess I would rather spend the $ on sets. But I would imagine there is a difference across the different centers. Maybe DFW will be better. I went once. I don't think the displays change all that often, but they did have a Star Wars event over the holidays, which I missed out on and would have liked to see what additional stuff they had. The grand opening might be good as for the lego stores they have master builders come and build a very large scale model. However, I think the discovery centers are not actually owned by Lego and TLG might not role out the red carpet like they would at the stores.

Matthew

The LEGOLAND Discovery Center in the Dallas Fort Worth, Texas area, specifically Grapevine, TX, official grand opening is March 30. However, those who purchase an annual pass, can visit the 27th and the 28th of March before the grand opening.

Of course I purchased my annual pass but have questions on what to expect. I'm not concerned paying for an annual pass, but for those who have experienced and/or attended one of these Discovery Centers is it what you expected? I'm one who gets a thrill out of visiting the two local Lego stores around my area....so I'm sure visiting the Discovery Center would bring much more enjoying. Am I overhyping the situation? How's the PAB selection....bigger and different than the local Lego stores? Nonetheless, I can't wait and will take plenty of pictures.

The PAB section in the one in Manchester is shocking. In BAM they had police, blue checked shirt and hi-vis vest torsos, black legs, square glasses and that new smile that's replaced the classic one. There was no hair in BAM so the woman said to look in PAB, they only had red construction hats, the only other things in there were 2x4 bricks in basic colours and a couple of 2x2 plates. They charged me extra for those, (by weight) there were no cups, just bags. All the other things were marked up to a £ too like they were selling 7285 for £10 and 7286 for £15. I wish we had got a Lego store not this LDC: You're wasting your time looking forward to it.

bluemoose

From everything I've heard, all the LDC's are pretty poor retail opportunities;for me, visiting one just to buy LEGO wouldn't be a good reason to make a special journey.
Remember that the LDCs are part of the LEGOLAND group (i.e. Merlin Entertainment), so aren't officially anything to do with the LEGO company; they don't routinely carry the Brand Store 'exclusive' sets for example.

Having said that, the best time to visit one would be on one the opening event days :-)

So it might be worth reigning in the enthusiasm a little; if it's a bit 'meh', you won't be too disappointed, and if it's great you'll have a nice surprise ... and who doesn't like a nice surprise ;-)

Matthew

The only exclusive things they had were keychains, magnets and a city coat hanger which I haven't seen online. It had a construction worker, a policeman and a fireman.

atkinsar

...and a city coat hanger which I haven't seen online. It had a construction worker, a policeman and a fireman.

I've got that, and it is actually in use as a place for my little lad to hang his coats. I think it's one of the better pieces of tat I've bought.

Matthew

...and a city coat hanger which I haven't seen online. It had a construction worker, a policeman and a fireman.

I've got that, and it is actually in use as a place for my little lad to hang his coats. I think it's one of the better pieces of tat I've bought.

How much did you pay for it?
Did you go to the LDC then, what did you think of that dreadful music and the giant mechanic waving a screwdriver? I couldn't hear myself think!
I bought loads of sale keyrings as I seemed to have forgotten that keyrings on sale are only a good deal if you wanted them anyway, otherwise buy something that isn't on sale that you actually want!!! (I know now) I did manage to get them off they keyrings though, even if they did have a hole in their head!

atkinsar

I bought it from [email protected] over a year ago. I've never been to the LDC.

Matthew

So I was wrong about never seeing it online then.

madforLEGO

Resurrecting this thread for when anyone happens to go to one to find hard to find or rare sets at a location where they are normally not found at a LEGO store, or at [email protected]

I went to the LDC in Schaumburg IL and they had the #40145 back in stock, but unfortunately no #40346 at this time.

The polys were ones already there for a while, a Minecraft one, the Tulip poly, The City poly with the drone (I think), I think the Black Panther ship one may have still been there. But I forgot to look to see if they have the Spider-man museum pack

madforLEGO

#40346 LEGOLAND set is back in stock at the Schaumburg (IL) LEGO Discover Center. $90 USD each.

So are the:

#40145 LEGO store

#40347 Driving school

madforLEGO

If people are looking for a Bespin set still, I recommend checking the US LDC's if you are near one. The one in Schaumburg IL has/had them in stock (1 per customer). (probably best to call first to see if they will hold one for you).

madforLEGO

LEGOLAND Discovery center has the Wonder Woman SDCC set in stock, as well as the SDCC  Mario- Toad set. My brother also got a Bestpin set (only one on the shelf) not sure if that was really their last one or they do that to limit them though (probably best to call for that)