Review: Legoland Atlanta

Baby Girl had the day off school on Friday, so we made the junket over to Atlanta to explore Legoland. I love to take advantage of kid-centric places when everyone else is at school, given my allergy to crowds and my abiding fear of Lego fanboy stampedes.

The first thing you should know about the woman writing this review is she is not a rich woman but this trip was a spendy affair. But an annual trip to Legoland? I'm down.

The second thing you should know about the woman writing this review (in addition to her strange allergies, fears and poverty) is that she's going to step up on her soapbox about violent toys and children. But then later she's going to be put to shame, so, haha. You get the last laugh at her expense.

Legoland ATL is about a 2 hour drive from where we live in E. Tennessee. Of course not including the obligatory trip to McDonald's for a Happy Meal, which my kids didn't even know what it was called. That made me proud. That pride is now deflated because I think they can now recognize a Happy Meal in a line-up. Shoot.

Legoland is located in a very posh mall in and around Buckhead, GA. The mall is 3 stories of opulence, and the cars on display in the mall are Porsches and Bentleys. In other words, I felt sort of underdressed in my Old Navy swag. But no matter, I was here for the blocks.

Tickets Tickets are $19/adult $15/child 2 and under are free. Buy tickets online for some savings. Memberships are available for $50/person.

The first attraction is a lego factory where the children learn how Legos are made. Very interactive and cute. The man leading the tour is known as Professor Brick-Brack. He is a learned scholar in Legology, obviously.

After the factory tour, you are ushered into the second attraction about which I am here to warn you. It is a ride much like through a haunted house at an amusement park. This ride is pee-your-pants scary for a 5 and 3 year-old. Dark and deathly. What's more, upon boarding the ride, the staff instruct the kids, "Here is your weapon." Because it's kind of like a laser tag ride where they point their little shooters at targets in order to save the princess. Really? Here's your weapon? Legos are made in Denmark. Denmark, you are better than this! Violent is not who you are!

After you are set free from the ride of the deathly hallows, you walk through a serene replication of Atlanta built entirely with Legos. This is pure awesome and I totally geeked out.

Finally, you are released into an enormous play area which includes: - an enormous jungle gym like they have at Chuck E. Cheese-type establishments (tip: bring socks for your littles, as my little hippies were excluded from this) - a cafe (didn't try) - a Duplo block area for wee babes - a soft Lego stacking area

- wicked cool car ramps

- a princess play -- complete with karaoke - a stamping instruction room - another ride that is not scary but totally awesome that makes kids pump their bicycle legs

- a movie theatre The movie lasts 10 minutes, is 4D and we watched it twice, so amazing was its cinematic feature.

Finally, of course, you cannot exit Legoland without paying a vi$it to the gift $hoppe, whereby we shook the Lego dust off our feet and bid adieu, promising to come back in a year or so.

We had a great time, except for that ghoulish ride that encouraged warfare. Parents should not condone the use of such weaponry. Further, they should not buy $8 foam swords for their children in the gift shoppe. It gives these impressionable ones all the wrong ideas.