Thanks to LEGOLAND® New York Resort for hosting our stay and experience.
When I heard that LEGOLAND® New York Resort was doing a Brick-or-Treat Monster Party, I knew I had to surprise my kids with a trip to the Hudson Valley. We visited the bricktastic park last year, the largest LEGOLAND® Park in the US, and it was a blast, according to my little Lego lovers. So you can imagine the car ride on the way up since they weren’t expecting this spooky surprise in September (they hadn’t picked out their Halloween costumes yet, but I grabbed the ones they wore last year). Luckily, the trip to Goshen, NY, was only a little over an hour from North Jersey, so they didn’t have to wait long to start with the Halloween fun. Starting mid-September, the park transforms into a Halloween wonderland, with candy stations, boo-tastic decorations like cobwebs and pumpkins everywhere you turn, catchy Halloween shows and character meet and greets with Spider Lady, the Queen of Creepy Fun. For my LEGO builders, this was a Halloween dream come true, and had an overnight of spooktacular fun, so much so that my kids want to go again. Read on about all there is to do during Brick-Or Treat 2023 and LEGOLAND® New York below. (featured photo taken at LEGOLAND New York Resort).
Between the rides, get ready to load up on candy treats during Brick-or-Treat. Photo taken at LEGOLAND New York Resort
Monster dancing and spooky scenes
Seeing our favorite amusement park transformed into a family-friendly LEGO Monster Party with live entertainment was a treat. Besides getting us into a Halloween mood, the activities were a great way to spend time between rides. We boogied at Lord Vampyre’s interactive Very Important Monsters Dance Party, got swept away by The Great Monster Chase 4D movie complete with wind, water, and bubbles, and we couldn’t resist showing off our costumes in the Creature Crawl costume parade. There were also limited-time attractions, character meet and greets, including the not-so-scary block-shaped Spider Lady, and Brick-or-Treat candy stations available throughout the park. My kids had a blast, and they did a great job of making it feel festive without the scare factor. And the best part—Brick-or-Treat festivities are all included with regular admission.
We just had to make a stop at Miniland, my daughter’s favorite area in the park. Can you spot the spooky LEGO ghost? Photo taken at LegoLand New York
Rides, rides and rides
We all wore costumes around the park, and seeing everyone else do the same put us in Halloween mode as we made our way throughout the park, noticing the details and special touches they had for Brick-or-Treat. There are seven lands to visit in the park, and each has unique rides and things to do. On Brick Street, we rode the Brick Party Carousel with a DUPLO chicken, motorcycle, and tiger build. At Bricktopia, my kids loved the LEGO Factory Adventure Ride so much that they rode it twice. LEGO NINJAGO World is where we hopped on Jay’s Gravity Force Trainer, a ride that trains you to travel like a Ninja during high speeds and G Forces. The LEGO Castle was our favorite spot, and for Brick-or-Treat, they added a groovy disco ball to The Dragon Roller Coaster, which our kids said was the best ride. In LEGO City, we felt like we were walking through a city and tested our skills at the Driving School with drivable cars (my kids were thrilled to earn their LEGO driver’s license). Lastly, we made a pit stop at MiniLand, where we could check out the brick versions of 10 cities, including Las Vegas, New York City, and Washington, DC. During Brick-or-Treat, MiniLand had the added touch of Halloween builds throughout the land. We counted hidden ghosts in the Miniland Challenge, saw pumpkins, and saw a headless horseman race.
There are many stations throughout the park to create your own mini Halloween adventures. Photo taken at LEGOLAND New York
Halloween builds and thrills
My kids loved all the Halloween extras in the park and were excited to get their faces painted, with ghoulish options to be a Wolfman, Spider Mask, or a Skull. There are also lots of insta-worthy spots to take Halloween photos throughout the park, and we went to the giant pumpkin LEGO to capture a few snaps. We also discovered special builds during Brick-or-Treat, with Halloween-themed spots like the Spider Attack LEGO Build Activity. Another fun option? Buy or bring mini-figures for trades. You can find a location with several trade choices in one area or find a LEGOLAND employee and trade with them (they show the figure on their nametag). We were thrilled to find special characters for Halloween to bring home.
There is no shortage of LEGO creations throughout the park for Brick-or-Treat. Photo taken at LEGOLAND New York
Fang-tastic brick fun
Entertainment is a great way to take a break between rides, and we discovered new shows that got us into the full-on Halloween spirit. We stopped at the LEGO City Cinema to see the 4D show The Great Monster Chase. We wore 4D glasses, and let’s just say there were lots of surprises (hello, bubbles) that made us feel like we were a part of the movie. There were also outdoor shows, and we stopped to watch at their showtimes, including A Candy-Coated Curse or Operation Monster Squad, where we attempted to walk like a monster. The park was also surrounded by Halloween-themed souvenirs like pumpkin bubble wands that filled the air with lots and lots of bubbles. Later, we swung by Bricktopia Bazaar to create Minifigures with unique Halloween accessories and outfits. LEGOLAND New York is also home to the largest “BIG SHOP” in North America, and they were ready for the holiday with Halloween LEGO-themed sets, costumes, accessories, and Halloween-themed keychains.
Did you know that Granny’s Apple Fries were created at LEGOLAND? Photo taken at LEGOLAND New York
Fuel up between candy stops
After a day of Halloween fun (and loads of candy), we were eager to refuel and explore the restaurant choices. There are many fast food options like pizza, burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, and a few dine-in ones with mobile ordering. You won’t want to miss Granny’s Apple Frights ( aka Granny’s Apple Fries when it’s not Halloween season)—a signature LEGOLAND food with apples and delicious whipped cream that is a perfect handheld treat to grab and go and enjoy throughout the park. Or try Granny’s Poison Apple, a limited-time dark chocolate candy-coated Granny Smith apple. Other Halloween treats are available, like the Jack-O-Lantern Cream Slush with orange vanilla ice cream at Wizard’s Frozen Wonders, or try The Bar-B-Boo Burger for a limited time at The Royal Feast food spot.
Step inside LEGOLAND New York Resort and play in the castle. Photo taken at LEGOLAND New York
Checking in for LEGO®-themed play
The fun doesn’t have to end at LEGOLAND New York. We grabbed our overnight bags from the car in the parking lot and went directly to the LEGOLAND New York Resort Hotel (a 5-10 minute walk from the park). At the hotel, we could meet LEGO characters, sign up for building classes, visit the retail gift shop, see a wall of over 5,000 mini figures, and climb and play in the indoor play space. My kids made a beeline to the Disco Elevator, with upbeat music and lights adding to the excitement, and went to our room. When we walked into our Kingdom-themed room (there are also other LEGO-themed rooms like Pirate, LEGO Friends, and NINJAGO), we couldn’t believe the attention to detail everywhere— it felt like we were in a real castle. As we settled in, we discovered a ladybug, snail, and even a spider within our quarters (ha—all made from LEGOS). Thanks to bunks and a trundle bed, the separate kids’ area had plenty of space and an entertainment unit so my kids could chill before bed.
The scavenger hunt in the room is a fun touch, and when the kids solve the puzzle, they put the code into the safe that reveals LEGO surprises inside to keep. It was a perfect ending to our LEGO-themed day. The next morning, we feasted like kings and queens at the Breakfast Buffet at Bricks. It’s included with the room, but you need a reservation (there are reminders if you forget it).
LEGOLAND New York is full of Halloween details. Photo taken at LEGOLAND New York
What to know before you go
If you plan to go to Brick-or-Treat, get your costumes ready and download the LEGOLAND app to buy tickets ahead (the price fluctuates according to the date, but expect to pay about $47 per ticket). You can build your own vacation package or splurge on the Ultimate VIP Experience with an official LEGO VIP guide and various perks, including lunch, priority access to rides and attractions, reserved seating at shows, and keepsakes. If you want to cut down on wait times (or have kids who can’t wait in line), sign up for Reserve’ N’ Ride, which you can purchase through the app. Pro tip—most visitors tend to visit the park by turning left and starting through Bricktopia first, but this time, we started with MiniLand, and we seemed to miss some of the crowds. Other additions include a souvenir cup with unlimited refills, prepaid parking for a quick exit, and stroller rentals. If your little builder wants to create, sign up for free LEGO classes at the Creative Workshop in the park or at the hotel. Got a kid with special needs? The Resort has partnered with The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to become a Certified Autism Center across the Theme Park and on-site hotel. IBCCES has worked with the Resort to conduct a staff-wide autism sensitivity and awareness training, plus develop detailed Sensory Guides. There is also a Quiet Room and additional resources.
Brick-or-Treat will continue on September 23 and 30, October 7-8, 14-15, 20-22, and 28-29. They also host an Adult Night event on October 11, where adults can work with master builders and explore the park after sunset. Can’t make it for Halloween? The Holiday Bricktacular, from November 11 through December 31, is also worth visiting with seasonal shows, holiday characters, and treats. Also, when the park closes for the season, you can still check into the hotel, which is open all year (a great escape in the doldrums of winter) and includes themed rooms with interactive LEGO features, nightly children’s entertainment, a fitness center, character meet-ups, brick-building, and an outdoor pool. During the summer, don’t miss the brand-new LEGO City Water Playground. This reservations-only cooling oasis features awesome waterslides, a cascading splash with 318 gallons of refreshing water, and a cool make-your-own LEGO boat area where you can test your boat against the tides.
For more information, visit the LEGOLAND New York Resort website, Instagram, and Facebook.
LEGOLAND New York Resort
1 Legoland Blvd.
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 410-0290
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