THEME PARKS “THERE’S LEGO EVERYTHING!” ® What better place to celebrate a boy’s birthday than in a magical world where his favorite toys come to life. The weekend my son, Stover, turned 4, our family enjoyed an action-packed day at LEGOLAND ® Florida Resort . In Stover’s own words, “It was the Best. Day. Ever!” Stover invited his cousin, Camden, and his Uncle Chris to share his day. We studied the map beforehand to pinpoint our top spots. A LEGO® fanatic who loves to build, Stover was enthralled the moment we entered the park. “Mommy, there’s LEGO® everything!” he said, racing toward The Grand Carousel . As we bobbed on brightly colored horses, Camden spied Fun Town Slushies , so aft er we stopped for cherry slushies and the signature dish at Granny’s Apple Fries (worth EVERY calorie). Next stop: DUPLO ® Valley , AKA toddler paradise. We hopped aboard the DUPLO ® Tractor ride and waved at animated cows and bunnies, then the boys cooled off in the Splash & Play area’s water spouts. Stover’s final choice was MINILAND USA , where he loved the “big ships” at Pirate’s Shores . Camden, a self-proclaimed “LEGO® expert” at 7, was stoked to test his building skills at Imagination Zone’s Flight Zone . He hunkered over a table creating a flying masterpiece, then raced it down a zip line. “So cool!” he yelled, then darted off to construct another. Over at Water Zone , Stover added LEGO® Bricks to an existing “reef.” Then, famished, we devoured hot pressed sandwiches at Panini Grill . At Camden’s final pick — LEGO ® City — he put out a fire at the Rescue Academy and zoomed around in an electric car, earning him a LEGOLAND® driver’s license from Ford Driving School . Now, it was Uncle Chris’ turn, so we headed to LEGO ® TECHNIC for adrenaline-pumping rides. Uncle Chris and Camden hopped on AQUAZONE ® Wave Racers , where they dodged most of the water cannons, then pedaled into the clouds on the high-flying Technicycle ride. “I can see everything!” Camden hollered. For the finale, Uncle Chris and Camden launched 15 feet up on Land of Adventure’s Beetle Bounce ride. I swear I can still hear Camden screaming! We celebrated their feat with sundaes at Firehouse Ice Cream . Aft erwards, ready to relax, we strolled the winding pathways at Cypress Gardens’ botanical gardens. The color-saturated paradise left us feeling like we had stepped back in time, to Old Florida. We gazed in wonder at a mammoth Banyan tree. “That’s one tree?” Camden asked, pointing to its soaring roots. The day almost over, we popped into The Big Shop for birthday souvenirs and took in one last view of the park. Stover rested his head on my shoulder. “Mommy, can we pretty please come back on my next birthday?” he asked. BECOMING A NINJA AT LEGO NINJAGO WORLD ® ® A fan of the NINJAGO TV series, Camden is in the zone. He’s twirling like a Spinjitzu master at Kai’s Spinners , screaming with delight. The time has come for the ultimate showdown. Camden slips on 3D glasses and assumes a ninja pose. At Zane’s Temple Build , Camden practices patience as he adds LEGO® bricks to the model of the mountaintop monastery. His third test, of strength and endurance, is at Cole’s Rock Climb . Though slow at first, his confidence soars as he scrambles across the horizontal wall. For his final practice, Camden presses light-up targets at Jay’s Lightning Drill . He gets 18 in 30 seconds and high-fives his cousin. LEGO ® NINJAGO ® : The Ride starts, and Camden busts out warrior hand moves like a pro. Heat and smoke fill the air as we travel through caves and lava streams, yet Camden is undeterred. He hurls fireballs and lightning bolts in an epic battle that earns him the group’s top score. My nephew has joined the ranks of the four ninja heroes — Kai, Jay, Cole, and Zane. “I’m the fift h ninja,” he says proudly. Indeed. ExperienceKissimmee.com 21
Experience Kissimmee 2018 Kissimmee Destination Guide: Page 21
