Visiting Billund

Coyotelily

Ok, not cheap but finally bitten the bullet and booked a 3 day trip to Billund in May - hoping that we can start this thread and that those of you who have already been can give some pointers of what to see, etc 
useful info I would like that could also help others 
other than legoland itself what else should Afol's not miss
any exclusives we should be looking out for
any other travellers tips - restaurants etc

Huw

Where are you staying?

Huw

 I'll assume you're in the LEGOLAND Hotel and give advice from that perspective, although most places are within walking distance of wherever it is.

• Walk down the road into downtown Billund, you'll pass one of the factories and the GKK memorial.
• When you get there, continue up Centervej, walking past the roundabout with fountain in the middle, you'll see the LEGO House construction on your left and KKKs original house, now part of the Idea House on the right. Most of the buildings on the right, up Systemvej, are LEGO's so it's worth having a walk round.
• Borrow a cycle from the hotel so you can go a bit further afield to the main factory area, which is south east of the hotel on Koldingvej.
• There's a pizzeria in the first shops you come to in Billund but they are a bit unfriendly in there and have bizarre no sharing rules. There's a better restaurant a bit further along the road past the  LEGO House construciton area, as well as the famous bakery favoured by LEGO staff.
• Pick up a LEGO House set in any of the shops in Billund, if they still have them and a Billund airport set in the LEGO shop after security at the airport.
• Lalandia is an interesting place, with bowling, pool, plenty of restaurants and cool painted celing and decor that looks like you in some tropical paradise.
• As you walk down towards the town from the hotel, if you turn left past the hotel car parks there's a sculpture park with a footpath that's quite nice to stroll down in the evening.

BooTheMightyHamster

Important reminder.
Bring back lots of Lego Houses / Airport sets that you will then sell on to Brickset members at a moderate markup!

And if you can only bring a few spares back, can I get my request in first, (pretty) please?

/smiles winningly

Coyotelily

Absolutely Boo ! Thanks Huw, I think the hotel we are in is the Svannen ( or something similar) which is about 500 m from legoland so I'm guessing your directions etc will still work. This hotel was less than 1/2 the price of the lego hotel though we will probably call in for drinks if we can. How bizarre about not sharing at the pizza place ! I intend doing a travel report when I get back to help anyone else travelling, so will keep you all posted.

minicoopers11

Fly into Billund Airport and pick up the Billund Airport set. Of course also pick up the Lego House set from one of the local retailers, like Huw said.

bricktuary

Just fly to Billund and buy lots of those sets. Come back! Repeat!

Seriously though I'm very jealous. Have a brilliant time.

bluemoose

The odd little restaurant Huw mentioned us called "Restaurant Billund". It's become very famous with Lego fans for its oddness. It's worth visiting once, but only once, just to say that you've been. It is a shared experience that everyone that visits Billund can relate to.

LoL.

Coyotelily

Guys, does anyone know the price over there for these 2 sets we've mentioned?

Huw

The airport is 399DKK

Pitfall69

My friend is also visiting Denmark, but doesn't know much about Lego. He wants to pick my wife and I something, but doesn't have much room for much. I told him to grab a couple Airport and House sets, but I'm afraid he won't be able to. He mentioned something about mailing them back to the US. Is this insane? Thoughts?

Huw

Well he wouldn't be able to mail the airport unless he stops somewhere en route because it's only available past security where there are no P. Offs.

Pitfall69

Ahhh. Ok. Thank you @Huw I will tell him ;)

Pate5346

^ at about £40  it's nearly worth to go on a short break from London by Ryanair :)
Something to think about.

Pitfall69

@Huw , Please pardon my ignorance, but I have a couple of questions. Once you arrive at the airport, you can't go to the Lego Store? Why can't he buy a few sets and take them into town? How are you supposed to buy anything from the Lego store at the airport when you are departing and have no room? I'm just confused?

Huw

An interesting question, and given you are in the USA I can understand why you are asking it.

My limited experience of US airports suggests that shops after security are rare and limited to tacky souvenirs but in Europe 'duty free' shops are plentiful and a significant percentage of an airports revenue is generated from sales in them. You are positively encouraged to spend, spend, spend while trapped in the confined space of the departure lounge. Thus airlines have to make allowances for people boarding with bags full of bottles and other stuff in addition to their 'one bag'. It won't be a problem for him to carry a couple onto the plane.

Billund actually has some excellent shops after security selling all manner of Danish-made goods that are generally of a very high quality (Georg Jensen housewares etc.)

Coyotelily

Again, thanks Huw, looks like I may have to save some Krone for the journey home ! 

CCC

Can you visit shops after landing but before you leave the airport on arrival? I've done it a few times at UK airports. They always say I should have a boarding card but have let me purchase stuff anyway.

Huw

I'm not sure.

Coyotelily

@Pate5346  nothing is worth booking with Ryanair !!!

Pate5346

Coyotelily Why's that?

Pitfall69

Ok. He did tell me that another bag would cost $100 USD to carry onto the plane, but I don't know if that is from Billund to Amsterdam or Amsterdam to US. They may allow you to carry gifts onto the plane leaving Denmark, but they may not allow extra carry on stuff on connecting flights.

@CCC and I mentioned about visiting the shops after landing. I hope you can :)

Yes, lots of cheesy souvenir shops and what not at many US Airports, but some have a mall built right into the terminal.

legogal

In Billund last May, we almost froze to death in the cold rain blowing sideways; umbrellas blew away. If you live in the UK, take your industrial strength rainwear and boots and some warm clothing. At night we put on all our clothes and still shivered. If it is too warm by some miracle, just take off a few layers. 

You will be walking a lot as the distances can be deceiving. Make sure your roller bags have decent sized wheels and are somewhat waterproof as your hiking boots should be. 

The best deals on sets may be found at the Billund Airport LEGO store in the departure area, where you can buy the Billund Airport set. Prices within the Park shops are quite high for Americans, and then you probably will have to pay a lot to get the excess baggage home. I took a huge roller bag and some ziploc bags, and emptied the boxes of many sets into bags leaving the boxes behind. The bag weighed a ton, but it was on wheels and I could roll it. Remember: a lot of bricks can weigh a ton. Some folks stuffed their coat pockets and other places with as many bricks as they could just to board the plane. 

The LEGO house set may still be available in stores all over town and should be easy to find. It costs under 30US if I remember correctly. The exchange rate varies, so the price could be lower or higher. Check it price before you go because it may be cheaper to buy the sets at home than to pay freight to get them home. 

We had a great time at Lalandia relaxing at night and enjoying a big meal. Food will be very expensive for Americans, so take your own water bottle (we refilled them wherever we saw a fountain) to save on the $5-7US Cokes. There is a small grocery store in that mall, and we stocked up on food and drinks for our rooms in order to save some money on meals and snacks. There are several restaurants in the Park, and you will want to eat there at least once. 

Denmark is a gorgeous country. If you have time, check out other towns and spend a few days in Copenhagen  or in the Netherlands (Amsterdam) on the way over so you get a chance to see more of Europe before reaching Billund. As to (the dreaded) Ryanair flight from Stansted to Billund, it is direct and cheap if you book early. And read all of their rules so you don't get taken; my Ryanair flight was perfect, but I did enter the plane with low expectations, which helped! And don't forget to HAVE FUN!

Coyotelily

We're flying direct from Manchester with British airways, the only direct flight available in the north of England, but the luggage allowance is 23kg + 6kg hand luggage. As we are only going for 3 days we don't intend taking too much clothing, although maybe now I'll pack an extra sweatshirt (thanks Legogal).

Huw

By contrast, when I was there the May before for the inside tour it was very warm indeed and we drove around Jutland with the roof down most of the time (we went over by car on the now defunct Harwich - Esbjerg ferry) and I spent a very enjoyable evening cycling round the town in shorts and T shirt :)

BooTheMightyHamster

/stealth 'check me out in my cool convertible' post

;o)

Niels_T

As HUW mention, the local bakery is worth a visit. And for snack to grab when walking around, get a "Pølsehorn" and their pastry is really good. :-)
I dont live in Billund but when going there always go to bakery.
Always remember that the town is kinda build up around Lego, and is in DK a fairly newer town, and don't have so much old "history" but still a nice easy going town.
And yes for DK, no matter time of year, like Legogal says always prepare for rain with some wind. But is can also be nice and sunny. :-)

Huw

^^ Good, you noticed :)

Here are my wheels: https://scontent-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/q83/p235x350/994454_10152598025667152_8181754280000624148_n.jpg?oh=569ce8f75af8e1fe061edf54dcde69b4&oe=5587DE97

BooTheMightyHamster

Please tell me that numberplate is genuine!

SirKevbags

^ Having been driven in the Huw Mobile last year I can confirm that it is ☺

Coyotelily

My best mate who is as you all know also a lego addict bought a LE60 plate with her initials - well cool

LostInTranslation

^^Yeah it was a pretty special moment when I got a ride in the Huw mobile with the top down :-)

piratemania7

Not that you would have time or maybe you do @Coyotelily but if you can snag a trip to Odense hop on one of the lightning trains and have a peak around that island.

At the very least traveling on the lighting train will feel like a big kid LEGO train. :smile:

Huw

@boo, I'm not that proficient at Photoshop :-)

Legoboy

Me neither.  Couldn't resist jumping on the bandwagon.  :)

https://flic.kr/p/r7hgDM

Pitfall69

Oh, for the love of..

redgreenblue

Coyotelily when in Denmark always go to the bakery, not just the one in Billund, there's a reason it's called a Danish pastry - I recommend a "bagerens dårlige øje" - baker's bad eye.  Look it up on google, despite the name, they are delicious.
Another thing is keep your eyes open and you'll see lots of inspiration for Lego sets - e.g. #4332, #7990, the bus in #60031 

BooBooLand

redgreenblue said:

Coyotelily when in Denmark always go to the bakery, not just the one in Billund, there's a reason it's called a Danish pastry - I recommend a "bagerens dårlige øje" - baker's bad eye.  Look it up on google, despite the name, they are delicious.
Another thing is keep your eyes open and you'll see lots of inspiration for Lego sets - e.g. #4332, #7990, the bus in #60031 

I looked up baker's bad eye...it's what we call a "Danish" lol!  At least those of us who are here in Canada!

legogal

@Huw
Nice wheels and photo! It is nice to hear that BIllund does get sunny days. We were beginning to wonder after five rainy and cold ones in May.
Some of the best pastries in the U.S. are called "Danishes," and always remind me of a Denmark...bringing a smile to my face. Another reason Danes appear to be happy, but then they have all their LEGO, so WHY would they NOT be happy?

1265

OK....a bit off topic, but I'll bring some testosterone to license plates:

BooTheMightyHamster

At the risk of starting a diplomatic incident, I'd be more impressed if you had a plate that read:

GNS B4NN3D

dfurn

At the risk of asking a silly question is the bakery mentioned above the Billund Bageri?

I have another question as well, does the bus that travels from Billund airport to the Legoland hotel offer tickets which can be purchased by credit card?

Coyotelily

Thinking, I may have to invest in some kind of lego number plate- this trip to billund is now becoming even more expensive ! 

Thanks to to all for these great tips- I'm getting excited about the trip the more I read 

Huw

^^ Yes, there is only one bakery I believe.

I have never used the bus but I suspect not. Just grab from Krone from the cash machine at the airport.

snowhitie

Interesting read, gives me even more inventive to save up to go there some point. Guess it would be nicest when my boy is a bit older so he can remember the trip properly :-)

Have a good trip Coyotelily!

Really cool plates Huw and Legoboy!

bluemoose

The bakery is this one here ...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/7190+Billund,+Denmark/@55.731926,9.11338,3a,75y,356.9h,81.8t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sFWIVTub0gq4hR_DnrUKnWw!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x464b7223afe241b3:0x89be7375803be832
... so, yes, "Billund Bageri".

Niels_T

And that is the one!  Umm getting hungry.

cheshirecat

Thinking about number plates... heresy?

Shib

^Took me far too long to get that one!

cheshirecat

^Yours for just £799

Shib

...i think I'll pass...