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Most of our clients visiting with kids have LEGOLAND® California Resort on their itineraries. As a travel advisor specializing in San Diego family vacations—and a mom who’s a paying annual passholder—my advice is always to never pay full price at the gate. This is because discounted LEGOLAND California tickets are easy to buy online through authorized sellers.
The best way to save depends on when you visit, how long you stay, and whether you’re bundling other attractions like SeaWorld San Diego. There’s no single “best deal” for everyone—but there are great options for every kind of trip. We help clients crunch the numbers, so we know what actually works.
This time-saving insider’s guide shows you where to get the cheapest LEGOLAND tickets and helps you steer clear of unreliable coupon sites and promo codes.
Before You Buy: Tips on Gate Prices, Parking, and Upgrades
Jump to the ticket discounts if you already know all of this.
You’ll need tickets to enter LEGOLAND California Theme Park, SEA Life Aquarium, and the seasonal LEGOLAND Water Park.
How much time should you spend at LEGOLAND? Most people spend one full day at LEGOLAND California. If you visit with a LEGO enthusiast, anticipate exploring at a leisurely pace, or the seasonal water park is open, you may want to consider a multi-day pass (they sometimes also offer second-day-free promotions).
Even a half-day at LEGOLAND California theme park is entirely doable if you’re pressed for time.
Always Check Opening Dates and Times
.Check the calendar for open dates and hours. The water parks are seasonal and the theme park closes on some Wednesdays from September through February (except Thanksiving and winter breaks).
Gate Prices for LEGOLAND California Tickets
LEGOLAND California sells tickets at the park entrance gate ticket booths, and reservations are required for online tickets. Current gate prices START at:
- 1-Day LEGOLAND park-only admission: $129/ages 2+
- Kids ages 0-1 years old do not need to purchase a ticket.
Read all terms and conditions, especially regarding refund policies and expiration dates.
LEGOLAND Parking Prices
You can buy parking in advance. The LEGOLAND California general parking fee is currently $35 per car.
Tip: Have Your Parking Ticket Ready
There are no attendants at the parking lot entrance, so you’ll use self-pay kiosks with gates that open once you’ve paid. I highly recommend having a prepaid ticket ready to scan so you don’t hold up the line of cars.
Upgrading Tickets with Reserve ‘n’ Ride & VIP Experiences
Once you arrive in the park, you can shorten some wait times by purchasing Reserve ‘N’ Ride (there are three levels) through the app.
If budget permits, you should book a VIP experience with a personal host, priority ride access, exclusive experiences, and more.
Let’s Do Some Number Crunching
1. Online Deals Through LEGOLAND California
I ALWAYS recommend you start by checking the LEGOLAND website to understand the prices on the day of your visit. Currently, the best place to purchase 1-Day LEGOLAND California tickets at the lowest price on off-peak days is through the park’s online website. Ticket prices START at (before taxes and fees):
- 1-Day LEGOLAND only: from $99
- 2-Day LEGOLAND only: $139
You can buy other tickets at a discount off the gate price in addition to Reserve N Ride and other upgrades.
July 4th flash sale = 2 Parks for $49 per park!
2. Authorized Seller Discount LEGOLAND California Tickets (2nd Day Free & Promo Code)
We have discounted tickets through aRes Travel, a San Diego-based, authorized ticket seller to major California attractions, including LEGOLAND California. They offer ways to buy discount tickets to LEGOLAND California and other popular San Diego attractions, such as the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park (where I have an exclusive promo code).
These tickets can be printed at home or accessed on a mobile device, allowing you to head straight to the gate. You will likely come out ahead! This price is BETTER than the current Groupon—I’ve tested it on multiple dates.
Tip: Save money with our LEGOLAND tickets and then buy a Reserve ‘N’ Ride (when available) through LEGOLAND.
LEGOLAND California 1-Day Tickets
Includes one-day admission to LEGOLAND California. Price: from $77/ages 2+ (Use promo code SAVEMORE for an extra $5 off)
LEGOLAND + Sea Life Hopper – 2nd Day Free
Includes 2-Day admission to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE® Aquarium. Reservation is required for your first visit. The 2nd-day must used within 5 days of the 1st visit. Price: from $87/ages 2+ (Use promo code SAVEMORE for an extra $5 off)
LEGOLAND Resort Hopper – 2nd Day Free
Includes 2-Day admission to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE® Aquarium and Water Park. Reservation is required for your first visit. The 2nd-day must used within 5 days of the 1st visit. Water Park entry requires same-day admission to LEGOLAND California. Price: from $117/ages 2+ (Use promo code SAVEMORE for an extra $5 off)
You can also have the details sent to you immediately for later, along with our other exclusive promo codes. Click to request all San Diego discounts by email.
3. Go City San Diego (Most Popular Sightseeing Pass)
The Go City San Diego pass saves up to 50% off admission to 45+ top San Diego attractions, including LEGOLAND California, in three simple steps:
- Choose the pass option that best suits you (you can buy an All-Inclusive pass or Explorer pass) and buy your pass in advance.
- Get your pass on a mobile device or print it at home.
- Show the pass at any eligible attraction, and you’re in for free.
The passes are available in 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 7-day options, each at different prices. Make sure the attractions you’d like to visit are listed on the option you buy. This is by far the most popular discounted, bundled San Diego attractions pass.
Helpful Tips
Sometimes, a 1-day All-Inclusive Go San Diego pass costs less than a one-day General Admission LEGOLAND California ticket. Go San Diego includes access to the theme park, but you can upgrade when you arrive to include the SEA LIFE Aquarium and the water park. You can also purchase some upgrades in advance.
Go City San Diego – Exclusive Discount!
Use promo code GOSDO5LJM to apply an extra 5% off ALL Go San Diego sightseeing passes when you buy through Go City! This discount stacks on top of sale rates! However if you buy on July weekends they are advertising a promo code SUMMER25 for 10% off.
(Pass has limited value for families at many attractions during Kids Free October in San Diego — we recommend individual tickets during this timeframe instead.)
See also: 15 San Diego Discounts: Experience the City for Less
4. San Diego CityPASS for Specific Attractions
Another, more limited sightseeing pass choice is the San Diego CityPASS. This pass ONLY makes sense if you visit LEGOLAND California AND San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park AND at least one of the other three participating attractions across nine consecutive days.
Otherwise, it is more advantageous to buy discounted tickets individually or use Go City San Diego (which has many participating attractions).
The pass types include:
- LEGOLAND California + 3 Attractions
- SeaWorld San Diego + 3 Attractions
- SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California + 3 Attractions
The three attractions can be your choice of:
- San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo Safari Park (not both)
- USS Midway Museum
- City Cruises
- Old Town Trolley Tours
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
You will still need to use the My CityPASS app to make a LEGOLAND California reservation before you visit. Learn more about San Diego CityPASS.
San Diego CityPASS – Big Savings + Promo Code!
Unlock your savings with San Diego CityPASS! You can check CityPASS direct but using our promo code SAVEMORE on our ticket site is cheaper right now!
(Pass has limited value for families at many attractions during Kids Free October in San Diego — we recommend individual tickets during this timeframe instead.)
Adding the Water Park and SEA LIFE to Sightseeing Passes
5. Combo Tickets With Specific San Diego Attractions
Again, you can save a lot of money on admission by combining your ticket with that of other local theme parks. Crunch the numbers to be sure.
For reference, my promo code on San Diego Zoo and Safari Park tickets brings down the price to $68/adult and $58/child at each park. So, you’ll need to know the price of LEGOLAND tickets during your dates to see if these combos work for you.
Based on current pricing, a LEGOLAND park-only adult ticket would need to be priced around $99.99 or higher on the date of your visit to make these packages worth it.
LEGOLAND & San Diego Zoo Safari Park Combo Deal
Currently not available. This combo deal includes one LEGOLAND + SEA LIFE Hopper and a 1-Day Pass to San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Price: $170.99/adults (ages 12+) and $160.99/kids (ages 3-11)
LEGOLAND California, San Diego Zoo, and San Diego Zoo Safari Park Combo Deal
Currently not available: This combo deal includes 1 LEGOLAND + SEA LIFE Hopper, 1 day at the San Diego Zoo, and 1 day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Price: $246.99/adults (ages 10+) and $260.99/kids (ages 3-9)
6. Vacation Packages
Sometimes, booking a vacation package with hotels, tickets, and other extras can be more cost-effective. Staying at a LEGOLAND resort-themed hotel is a blast for families with children because. This ultimate LEGO experience is filled with interactive LEGO features, themed rooms, and play areas.
LEGOLAND Hotel Tips
Vacation Packages Through LEGOLAND
Bundle LEGOLAND California tickets and the LEGOLAND Hotel or LEGOLAND Castle Hotel in a vacation package.
The Ultimate LEGOLAND Family Fun Vacation
Bundle LEGOLAND California tickets and a nearby hotel to save on a LEGOLAND California Resort vacation. This is best for hotels outside of LEGOLAND California Resort.
The Best of San Diego Adventure Package
Customize your own San Diego vacation package! The package includes your choice of tickets to four popular San Diego theme parks: SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and LEGOLAND California, as well as hotel accommodations.
See also: Best Hotels Near LEGOLAND California Resort
7. Go City Los Angeles Pass
The Go City Los Angeles pass works exactly like the Go City San Diego pass mentioned above. This pass, however, includes some famous theme parks in Los Angeles like Universal Studios Hollywood. I used Go City passes when I travel to major cities.
LEGOLAND California is included in the Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass. Families with children buy this pass if they’re on a Southern California road trip. Remember that with Go City passes, you must make a separate reservation to enter LEGOLAND (instructions come with the pass). Plus, you can take advantage of my exclusive discount.
Exclusive Go City Los Angeles Discount!
Use promo code GOLA5LJM to apply an extra 5% off ALL Go City Los Angeles sightseeing passes! This discount stacks on top of sale rates.
(Pass has limited value for families in San Diego during Kids Free October — we recommend individual tickets instead during this timeframe. See promotional terms and conditions.)
8. Annual Passes for Frequent Visitors
I recommend annual passes for San Diego residents and those who visit the park multiple times per year. Four levels of annual memberships are available, each offering different benefits and price points.
You can pay upfront, or LEGOLAND allows you to put down a small deposit and pay the rest monthly.
Tip: You Can Upgrade Your Ticket to an Annual Pass
If you love the park so much during your visit that you want to upgrade to an annual pass, go to Guest Services in The Beginning. You can upgrade on the day of your visit or within 30 days of your visit. But you must do it in person because it can’t be done online or over the phone.
Silver Pass ($179)
- Includes: LEGOLAND California Theme Park only (not the Water Park or SEA LIFE Aquarium). Discounts on LEGOLAND Resort Hotel bookings (15%), Reserve and Ride (25%), Brick-or-Treat tickets.
- Considerations: Has a ton of blackout dates, particularly on weekends and holidays (including a whole month for spring break season), making it less ideal but okay for local mostly weekday visitors.
- Who Should Buy: Weekday visitors focused on the main park.
Gold Pass ($239)
- Includes: LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Aquarium, and LEGOLAND Water Park. Discounts on dining (15%), Reserve and Ride (25%), retail (10%), and LEGOLAND hotel stays (15%).
- Considerations: Does not include parking (currently $35+ per visit ). Has a lot of blockout dates on summer weekends and holidays.
- Who Should Buy: This is a popular choice for access to all three parks, especially if you mostly visit on weekdays and parking costs aren’t an issue.
Platinum Pass ($289) — I Have This Pass
- Includes: Same park access as Gold (LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE, Water Park) plus FREE standard parking. Fewer blackout dates than Gold (Brick-or-Treat event dates are blackouts). Same discounts as Gold except for a better dining discount (20%).
- Considerations: Higher upfront cost than Gold.
- Who Should Buy: I highly recommend it if you plan to visit frequently, especially during peak times. The included parking often makes it more cost-effective after just a few visits than the Gold Pass.
Insider Tip: A well-known hack local families do is buy Platinum for one adult (to cover parking and get the steeper dining discounts) and Gold for others if peak visits aren’t a priority. I did this once—it only works if Gold blockout dates work for you. Putting everyone on Platinum is so much easier.
Elite Pass ($349)
- Includes: All parks with no blackout dates, free standard parking, free admission to Brick-or-Treat Party Nights, the same discounts as Gold except a better discount on dining (up to 25%), plus admission to over 30 other Merlin attractions worldwide.
- Considerations: Highest price point.
- Who Should Buy: Best for families who want maximum flexibility with no blackout dates, plan to attend Brick-or-Treat, and will take full advantage of the highest discount levels. You should consider it if traveling to cities where you may visit other Merlin attractions.
Remember that no matter which pass you choose, you need to make a passholder reservation. You’ll get access to their passholder hub, and I find the reservations process really easy there! I wrote a more in-depth article breaking down the four LEGOLAND annual passes.
9. Free LEGOLAND Kids Tickets in October
During the October annual Kids Free San Diego promotion, children can score free admission to LEGOLAND California and other major San Diego theme parks, museums, and more. Yes, this is why October is one of the best times to visit San Diego with kids.
These tickets typically go live in September. Last year, you could get one free One-Day Child Hopper Ticket for ages 2–12 with a full-price One-Day Adult Hopper Ticket to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium. The Brick-or-Treat Halloween event isn’t included.
10. Honest Kids — Free Kids Tickets
Sometimes, there’s a promo code to receive a free child ticket when purchasing an adult ticket (the promo code automatically applies at that link). This is an excellent deal, but it applies only to combo tickets: the 1-Day SEA Life Hopper and the 1-Day Water Park Hopper.
It doesn’t seem to have an expiration, so you can take advantage of it now, but we’ll keep monitoring it. There are a lot of free kids’ ticket deals floating around from places like McDonald’s or Valuepak, but this Honest Kids one has been around for a long time, so it’s the one we keep listed here. It’s not always the best deal, though, in my opinion.
11. AAA Discount
I’m a member of the Automobile Club of Southern California, exclusively so that we can check and I can redeem the discounts. The AAA LEGOLAND tickets deal you get depends on your region.
Right now, if I look at my AAA app, I can see a good price on one-day tickets that include one general parking per transaction. Due to the dynamic pricing, you could buy one ticket like this to get free parking. Then, the rest of your tickets are probably cheaper through an authorized seller.
LEGOLAND is also publicly offering a 10% discount on hotels to AAA members. You can check with your local branch for offers as well. We log into AAA every time we update this post, so we can tell you that the deals change, but if you can get free parking, that is a good savings!
12. Military Discounts
LEGOLAND California offers several substantial, special military discounts that change annually. The military can buy cheaper LEGOLAND tickets online that currently include:
- 1-Day LEGOLAND: $76.07
- 2-Day SEA LIFE Hopper: $83.12
Plus, there is also a 10% military discount on the amazing LEGOLAND hotels.
13. First Responders, Nurses, Government Workers
ID.me advertises 35% off for each of these service groups and the military. Use your login to check it out.
14. Costco Discount Tickets
BEST DEAL FOR: Those who will spend three days in the park.
Costco occasionally offers discounted LEGOLAND tickets, but availability is limited and can change quickly. Recently, they offered a three-day Resort Hopper Pass for $111.99, which included admission to LEGOLAND California, the Water Park, and SEA LIFE Aquarium. That deal isn’t always on the shelves—sometimes it’s available, and sometimes it’s not.
These offers tend to appear and disappear without notice, and most reports of Costco LEGOLAND tickets online are either outdated or sporadic. For the most up-to-date information, check directly through Costco Travel or in-store.
15. Lego Club Magazine Discounts
Subscribers to the LEGO Club Magazine often receive various discounts throughout the park and cheap LEGOLAND tickets. It’s free, geared toward ages 5–9, and sent out five times yearly until kids turn 10. If there’s a free ticket, it’s usually the same as the Honest Kids ticket offer above, where you buy a full-priced adult Resort Hopper and get a free kids’ ticket.
However, I definitely recommend a subscription to anyone interested in LEGOs. The free downloads and activities are neat.
16. Teacher Discounts
LEGOLAND California often offers special teacher discounts that change throughout the year. At the time of this writing, no discounts are available. However, you can check here or log in to the site to learn more!
17. Group Discounts for 15 or More
If you have 15 or more people, you can walk up to a front gate ticket booth on the day of your visit to purchase group tickets at $10 off per ticket. I would not do this because it will likely be cheaper for everyone in your group to buy LEGOLAND discount tickets online in advance.
18. Travel Agent Discounts
I keep an eye on travel agent discounts, and the one LEGOLAND offers is pretty good. Travel Agents can buy two Hopper admission tickets at 50% off or up to six Hopper admission tickets at 20% off. You’ll need to present a valid IATA or business card plus a photo ID at a LEGOLAND ticket booth.
This Awesome Awaits at LEGOLAND California Resort
The resort caters to kids ages 2–12 and has a theme park, aquarium, seasonal water park, and two super fun hotels. Here’s a short list of popular things to do:
- Minifigure trading with staff members.
- Halloween’s Brick-or-Treat Monster Party Nights, trick-or-treating, contests, and other special events during this festive season.
- Miniland USA cities and famous buildings built with LEGOs.
- The Kids’ NYE LEGO ball drop and other events during the winter holidays
- Scavenger hunt at King’s Market in Castle Hill (where The Dragon roller coaster is located).
- Grannie’s Apple Fries with cinnamon dust, caramel, and whipped cream topping.
- LEGO Driving School, where kids drive their own cars and earn a “driver’s license.” This is temporarily closed for relocation.
- The seasonal water park.
- The Model Shop is where you can watch Master Builders create awesome things.
- Dino Valley-themed area with rides and hands-on experiences (I really love the colorful LEGO dinosaurs – it’s impressive).
- LEGO Movie World, where you can meet LEGO Movie characters and enjoy several rides based on the hit movies like Emmet’s Flying Adventure ride and Unikitty’s Disco Drop. Parents, be prepared for a spin through The Awesome Shop.
Fun fact: I was part of the LEGO Movie press junket and I got to interview Morgan Freeman and Chris Pratt at the park!
FAQs About LEGOLAND California Resort Tickets & Logistics
Since I live here, I help families plan vacations in San Diego. These are the questions that I receive the most. Grab a coffee because this San Diego theme park is so popular that my inbox overflows.
Is LEGOLAND fun for adults?
The park is geared toward children ages 2 to 12. While most of the rides are for little ones, adults will enjoy the elaborate LEGO scenes and structures. Check out mini versions of the Las Vegas Strip, New Orleans, and New York, made entirely from the mini blocks.
My clients (and I agree based on my own visits) say that visiting LEGOLAND tends to be more tiring than other theme parks because everything is kid-centric (aside from having an adult beverage at some restaurants).
Can you get skip-the-line access at the park?
Yes, you can purchase special passes to make ride reservations through the Reserve ‘N’ Ride application. Three levels of passes are available online: Express, Deluxe, and Ultimate. These upgrades cost between $35 and $100 per person and can reduce your wait time between 25% and 95%, depending on the level you purchase.
Can you purchase LEGOs at the park?
Yes! The park features several places to stock up on your kids’ favorite toys. Check out the LEGO® Ideas Shop, The Big Shop, the Minifigure Market, and The Dive Shop.
Can I go shopping at LEGOLAND California for free?
Yes! You must buy a 1-Day ticket and pay for parking to enter the park. If you spend $25 or more and are inside for less than one hour, guest services will refund the cost of your ticket and parking.
Do I need separate tickets to visit SEA LIFE Aquarium?
You need a ticket to enter the SEA LIFE Aquarium. You can buy a ticket, or it’s included on certain park hopper tickets and annual passes.
SEA LIFE Aquarium is a massive indoor aquarium featuring 5,000 real sea animals, from sharks to rays. Learn about the sea creatures, and don’t miss feeding time. LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE are located right next to each other.
Does my LEGOLAND ticket include entrance to the water park?
Only certain annual pass holders or guests with a Resort Hopper or Water Park Hopper ticket can access the water park without purchasing an additional ticket.
You can only access the water park through LEGOLAND, so you can upgrade your LEGOLAND-only ticket to include access to the water park when it is open for the season.
The water park has all sorts of fun for children, including a wave pool, water slides, and water play structures. Make a splash in Wipeout Lagoon and float down the lazy river. If you don’t mind getting soaked, take a ride on the Pirate Reef or wait for the water cannons to blast you at the Joker Soaker.
When is the LEGOLAND Water Park open?
The water park is open seasonally, and its hours depend on the day of the week and time of year. It’s usually open between mid-March and August, with some dates in September and October.
Hours of operation vary between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Check the park’s calendar for specific dates when planning your trip.
LEGOLAND Hotel or LEGOLAND Castle Hotel: What are the benefits?
You can book into either the LEGOLAND Hotel or LEGOLAND Castle Hotel for the ultimate LEGOLAND California holiday. Guests receive early access to certain rides 30 minutes before the park opens to the public, from 9:30–10 a.m.
However, you get a free hot breakfast when you stay at either hotel (this does not apply to check-in day). See also: What It’s Like to Stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel
Is there a $35 LEGOLAND ticket?
I’ve had a few people email me this recently asking about a $35 ticket. No, there isn’t a ticket this cheap that I can see right now through any legitimate seller. Parking, though, is $35 per car. So maybe that’s where the confusion lies.
How do you buy LEGOLAND California discount tickets? See our purchasing guides for:
- San Diego Zoo tickets
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets
- SeaWorld San Diego tickets
- Sesame Place San Diego tickets
- Disneyland tickets
- Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
- Knott’s Berry Farm tickets
- Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets
- Universal Orlando tickets
- SeaWorld Orlando tickets
- LEGOLAND Florida tickets
- LEGOLAND New York tickets
Katie Dillon
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