Cheap Legoland Vacation

Our family of 7 (3 adults + 4 children) visited Legoland during the summer on a low budget of $900 and the weather was around the early 70s.

The Plan:

• Fuel was approximately $180 round trip from Arizona
• Cheap Legoland tickets for a family of 6 was $207 (saved $120).
• Affordable Hotels were conveniently located by the beach and Lego land and included free continental breakfast.
  
• Low cost Dinner Meals were at restaurants where children eat free mostly, about $40/night total family cost including tips.
• Other activities were free except for parking. (beach activities & sightseeing)

• In order to get the best deal on tickets you will need to locate the "buy 1 adult ticket and 1 child goes free coupons".
• You can find them on Amazon or Ebay for a few bucks.
• We paid for two adult tickets at $69 each and 2 of the kids were free and so we just paid for 1 child at $59 as the youngest went for free too because she was under 3.

The best search engine I was able to find for hotel rates in the area was through Choice Hotels. I ended up registering to get the best rate. The best part about going with Choice Hotels is you will be earning points towards incentives. These hotels are reasonably priced, close to the beach and include a free continental breakfast.

• Econo Lodge (3666 Pio Pico Drive, Carlsbad, CA, US, 92008)
• Rodeway Inn (3570 Pio Pico Drive Carlsbad, CA, US, 92008)
• Quality Inn (751 Raintree Drive, Carlsbad, CA, US, 92011) - this one can accommodate up to 7.

Hurry and reserve a hotel if you plan on going during the summer because they book up fast.

In addition, there are other options including renting a home, boat, cabin, cottage or room at competitive prices from normal people like you and I through this website and save $25 when you register and book your first rental.

• Breakfast will be free at the hotel because they offer a free Continental Breakfast.

• Lunches were the only splurge for two of the 3 days. One day we will spend at the beach and we had a picnic lunch on the beach just for kicks.
• Dinners were between 4pm and 10:pm at Dennys (kids eat free on Tue & Sat up to 2 per adult) & The Village Kitchen & Pie Shoppe which has reasonably priced meals and good reviews. Both are conveniently close to the hotel.
• If you want to go to another restaurant, there is a website called http://kidseat4free.com/ which will help you locate other places to eat.

There are 21 Spanish Missions which are free to tour that run along the coast line in California. From what I hear, they are beautiful. We plan to spend a day exploring the Missions, taking pictures and then we will take a break to build sandcastles on the beach after our picnic lunch.

Tamarack State Beach is near Legoland and so much fun for kids. They can spend all day watching the waves, surfers, and seagulls. In addition, the waves are constantly moving and kids love running and jumping each time a wave(s) come by. Finally, once everyone starts to wind down the family can build sandcastles on the beach. Parking is just $10 for the day or $2 for each hour. If you plan on spending a day at any beach make sure you bring the following items to make the most of your fun and exiting day:

• Sunblock (very important even if it doesn't appear very hot)
• Beach Towels
• Snacks
• Chairs
• Sand Toys (buckets, scoops, etc.)
• Flipflops
• Toilet paper (sometimes the public restrooms run out)
• Sweater (sometimes it gets a little chilly if you aren't active)