LEGOLAND California Resort affords a novel and fascinating exercise that provides an additional layer of enjoyable to any go to: LEGO Minifigure Buying and selling!
Very like the favored pin buying and selling discovered at Disney parks, minifigure buying and selling transforms a park go to into an interactive scavenger hunt the place the prizes are cool new LEGO characters.
This beloved custom, which started round 2010, encourages company to work together with park staff and fellow followers, making it greater than only a strategy to get a memento – it’s an expertise.
See additionally: My Full Checklist of San Diego Household Actions
Why Commerce? The Thrill of the Hunt
What makes swapping little plastic figures so fascinating? For a lot of company, particularly youngsters, I feel minifigure buying and selling is pushed by a number of motivations:
- The Pleasure of Gathering: Many LEGO followers have a selected character or theme that they love. Buying and selling affords an opportunity to seek out that elusive determine wanted to finish a set or add a favourite character to their assortment.
- The Pleasure of the Search: It’s sort of a park-wide treasure hunt. Scanning worker identify badges and searching for out buying and selling posts provides a component of journey to the day. Personally, I discover the anticipation of discovering a “cool” determine the main draw.
- Social Interplay: Buying and selling encourages youngsters (and adults!) to politely strategy and work together with LEGOLAND staff, referred to as Mannequin Residents. You by no means know what different ideas and tips they could should share.
- Will get Youngsters Strolling: Once you need to hold your crew on the transfer it’s an additional incentive to maintain strolling.
- Upgrading and Upcycling Your Assortment: Visitors can deliver minifigures to the park that they now not need or want and commerce them for one thing new to them.
- A Funds-Pleasant Memento: Not solely is it enjoyable to deliver determine from dwelling to commerce, you could possibly the new-to-you minifigures a enjoyable memento (hopefully with out the added expense of shopping for LEGOs within the present outlets). Talking of saving cash, don’t overlook to take a look at my information on discovering discounted LEGOLAND tickets.
On the finish of the day (typically actually), minifigure buying and selling fosters a way of neighborhood amongst LEGO followers inside the park, turning a easy transaction into one thing a whole lot of youngsters I do know look ahead to.
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Methods to Commerce: The Official LEGOLAND Manner
LEGOLAND California makes the buying and selling course of easy and enjoyable. The official tips comply with three easy steps, which you’ll be able to confirm on the LEGOLAND California web site:
- Carry or Construct a LEGO Minifigure: Begin with an entire LEGO minifigure. This may be one introduced from dwelling or one from contained in the park whether or not bought or constructed.
- Discover a Minifigure to Commerce: Preserve an eye fixed out for minifigures displayed on the brick-built identify badges worn by Mannequin Residents (park staff) or search for designated Buying and selling Posts situated all through the resort.
- Ask to Commerce: Method a Mannequin Citizen with the determine you need to commerce. With your individual determine in hand, ask them to swap. Park coverage ensures they’ll at all times say sure! You’ll then hand over your determine, they usually provide the one you chose from their badge.
What Makes a Minifigure “Tradeable”?
A minifigure should be full to be traded. It wants a head, torso, arms, and legs. This is applicable to figures you deliver and people provided by Mannequin Residents. I’ve learn some visitor experiences that recommend equipment (like hats, hair, or handheld gadgets) are non-obligatory, however the official rule emphasizes the core parts, together with arms and that’s been my expertise.
It’s finest to make sure that your buying and selling figures embrace all their important parts as outlined by the park. It’s okay to make use of mixed-and-matched components, so long as the determine is full and makes use of real LEGO items.
What About LEGO Buddies Figures (Mini-Dolls)?
Wonderful query and there’s some nuance right here. Formally, LEGOLAND California’s web site says that any LEGO Minifigure will be traded, as evidenced by way of a Buddies mini-doll picture for instance.
Visitor experiences verify that Buddies figures are accepted at buying and selling posts and by staff. Nevertheless, a sensible problem exists: Buddies mini-dolls don’t bodily connect to the studs on worker identify badges, in contrast to conventional minifigures.
Due to this, you’re much less more likely to see staff sporting Buddies figures for commerce. Regardless of this, I’ve heard that staff will nonetheless settle for them in commerce they usually typically discover inventive methods to connect them. So, whilst you won’t commerce a Buddies determine instantly off a badge, they’re usually welcome at designated buying and selling spots and are thought-about fairly in style by some workers.
How Typically Can You Commerce?
As a lot as you want! LEGOLAND encourages company to commerce repeatedly all through their go to.
The place the Magic Occurs: Discovering Buying and selling Spots
Alternatives to commerce minifigures are plentiful all through LEGOLAND California and its related areas. Realizing the place to look will increase the probabilities of discovering that good determine.
Official Buying and selling Posts
LEGOLAND designates a number of particular areas as “Buying and selling Posts,” which frequently function a wider number of figures. Once more, you possibly can discover the official checklist on-line as it may be topic to alter.
| Buying and selling Put up Location | Space |
|---|---|
| Visitor Companies | The Starting |
| SEA LIFE Aquarium Retail Store | SEA LIFE Aquarium |
| The Superior Store | THE LEGO® MOVIE™ World |
| LEGO Life Zone / Planet LEGO | Enjoyable City |
| King’s Market | Fortress Hill |
| Creativeness Zone | Creativeness Zone |
| LEGOLAND California Resort Entrance Desk | LEGOLAND Resort |
| LEGOLAND Fortress Resort Entrance Desk | LEGOLAND Fortress Resort |
Past the Posts: In every single place Else!
Don’t restrict the search to only the official posts!
- Mannequin Citizen Badges: Almost any park worker (at rides, meals carts, outlets, strolling round) might need a minifigure on their identify badge accessible for commerce. All the time be observant!
- Retail Show Instances: Many present outlets have small show circumstances, usually close to the money registers, holding a number of minifigures particularly for buying and selling. It’s at all times price asking on the counter for a commerce.
- Excessive-Yield Spots (In response to Visitors): Guests often report good finds on the SEA LIFE Aquarium Retail Store and the Resort Entrance Desks. One visitor additionally talked about discovering favorites close to the Dino Dig space.
- The Elusive “Transferring Buying and selling Wall”: I’ve learn that there’s a big, cellular buying and selling wall that typically seems, although its schedule and placement appear unpredictable. Reviews recommend it may be operated by workers in teal shirts and infrequently “lives” or seems close to the Ninjago space or the ramp between Ninjago and The Massive Store. Asking at Visitor Companies would possibly yield clues about its look. I haven’t personally see it nor have my shoppers talked about it—so in the event you do see it tell us!
Don’t Anticipate Buying and selling within the Water Park
Sensible constraints associated to the water atmosphere imply that minifigure buying and selling shouldn’t be actually practiced within the LEGOLAND Water Park when it’s open seasonall.
Suggestions for Terrific Buying and selling (For Dad and mom & Youngsters)
To benefit from the minifigure buying and selling journey, I feel just a little preparation and technique go a good distance.
Earlier than You Go
- Collect Your Merchants: Look via you LEGO bins at dwelling for full minifigures (head, torso, arms, legs) which might be now not favorites or are duplicates. Even “well-loved” figures or these coloured on may be accepted, as workers could retire them from circulation. They should be real LEGO model.
- Supply Figures (If Wanted): If the house assortment is sparse, test thrift shops, yard gross sales , or on-line marketplaces like Bricklink for affordable, used figures. Amazon additionally sells random heaps.
- Resolve How Many: I wouldn’t essentially exit of my manner to purchase extra, however in the event you might discover a handful that will be enjoyable. Perhaps within the 4-6 vary. However actually, one or two is ok!
- Create a Want Checklist: For those who’re aiming for particular varieties of figures (e.g., Star Wars, Metropolis, or particular characters), jotting down a listing will help focus your search.
- Pack Sensible: Preserve buying and selling figures simply accessible in a small bag, container, or devoted minifigure case to in an effort to seize them rapidly and transfer on to the subsequent exercise. Plus there may be others ready in line behind you on peak days.
Coping with Incomplete Figures (The Upcycling Problem):
It’s widespread to have minifigures at dwelling which might be lacking a leg, an arm, or possibly their head. Since buying and selling requires a full determine (head, torso, arms, legs) , what will be carried out if company need to deliver these beloved-but-broken figures and make them trade-ready on the park?
The Construct-A-Mini Limitation: Whereas the Construct-A-Minifigure (BAM) stations have bins overflowing with components, company usually can not purchase particular person components a la carte from these bins simply to finish their present figures. The BAM expertise is designed round buying a package deal of three full customized figures for a set worth.
Park Workarounds
- Purchase the BAM Bundle: Visitors might buy the 3-figure BAM package deal. Then, they will use the components from the new figures simply constructed to finish the figures introduced from dwelling. This nonetheless includes a purchase order, but it surely permits salvaging authentic figures. The leftover new components can kind the premise of one other determine or be stored for later.
- Purchase Thriller Packs/Units: Buying Collectible Minifigure “blind luggage” or small LEGO units containing figures is one other choice to supply wanted components inside the park.
Greatest “Upcycle” Choice (Pre-Go to): Essentially the most waste-conscious and cost-effective strategy is to seek out the lacking components earlier than your LEGOLAND go to. However, let’s face it, we’d not have time to look or we all know the lacking components are really lacking. It’s also possible to look to on-line marketplaces like Bricklink the place particular, particular person used components can usually be purchased very affordably.
Throughout the Hunt
- Be Observant: Keep watch over Mannequin Citizen identify badges and test the varied Buying and selling Posts and retail counters talked about earlier all through the park.
- Encourage Youngsters to Ask: I do know that is simpler mentioned than carried out with little youngsters. Keep in mind, Mannequin Residents are pleased to commerce! I really like this as a manner for shy youngsters to observe interacting with adults.
- Ask for Assist: If looking for a selected determine, don’t hesitate to ask staff. They could know who has one or the place to look.
- Handle Expectations: The figures accessible for commerce are consistently altering based mostly on what different company have traded in. It’s going to be a mix-and-match assortment quite than a curated assortment of uncommon gadgets. In my expertise, the objective is to seek out figures that you discover cool or attention-grabbing.
- Search for Equipment: Whereas not required, discovering a determine with a cool hat, software, or perhaps a tiny LEGO animal will be an thrilling bonus.
Past Buying and selling: Park Collectibles
Minifigure buying and selling is a part of a broader park tradition that encompasses amassing and interacting. Preserve an eye fixed out for different enjoyable, free actions akin to…
- Pop Badges: Collectible buttons themed to rides, occasions, or achievements (like First Go to or Bravery badges) accessible from particular areas or workers members. Employees usually put on these on lanyards for buying and selling too. (Curious concerning the rides? See my LEGOLAND journey information:
[Link to your LEGOLAND ride guide]) - Mr. Gold / Area Child Hunt: A every day park hunt the place a restricted variety of particular Mr. Gold or Area Child pop badges (or hidden envelopes) are carried by particular staff (usually these not dealing with meals/trash, typically safety or workers coming back from breaks) or hidden across the park. Discovering one yields a prize from Visitor Companies.
These actions, alongside minifigure buying and selling, encourage company to discover completely different park areas, have interaction with staff, and add an additional layer of interactive enjoyable to their go to.
After Buying and selling
Present Off Your Haul: LEGOLAND loves seeing company take pleasure in buying and selling! Share pictures of latest minifigure pals on social media utilizing the hashtag #LEGOLANDCalifornia.
Want Figures? Shopping for & Constructing Minifigures at LEGOLAND California
Forgot to deliver minifigures, or need to begin contemporary? Don’t fear! LEGOLAND makes it simple to accumulate figures contained in the park.
Shopping for Pre-Packaged Figures
Thriller Packs: Many outlets promote the usual LEGO Collectible Minifigure Sequence packs. These sealed bling packages supply a shock determine. Whereas thrilling, you would possibly get duplicates or characters you don’t notably need, however these then grow to be good candidates for buying and selling!
Units and Extra: Retail areas promote customary LEGO units (which embrace minifigures), in addition to minifigure keychains, magnets, and different themed merchandise.
The place to Purchase: Key spots within the park embrace the next.
- The Massive Store (The Starting): Boasts the biggest number of LEGO units below one roof.
- Minifigure Market (The Starting): A main spot for getting figures, together with Construct-A-Mini packs. Additionally sells bulk bricks. I really feel prefer it’s not at all times open however The Massive Store is simply throughout from it.
- Themed Retailers: Wu’s Warehouse (NINJAGO World), Superior Store (THE LEGO® MOVIE™ World), King’s Market (Fortress Hill), SEA LIFE Retail Store, The Dive Store (LEGO CITY®: Deep Sea Journey), Brick Brothers Buying and selling Co. (Enjoyable City).
- Resort Reward Retailers: LEGOLAND Resort and Fortress Resort outlets promote figures and supply buying and selling.
Construct-A-Minifigure (BAM): Your Customized Crew!
Maybe essentially the most enjoyable strategy to get figures particularly for buying and selling is the Construct-A-Minifigure expertise. In my expertise, this could get crowded!
What It Is: These stations function bins full of all kinds of minifigure components – heads, torsos, legs, hairpieces, hats, and equipment. Visitors can combine and match to create their very own distinctive characters.
Why Do It: It’s the proper strategy to get figures prepared for buying and selling instantly. The constructing course of itself is a enjoyable, inventive exercise, particularly for teenagers. It’s usually thought-about an excellent worth memento, sometimes providing three customized figures for a set worth. This setup encourages company to accumulate a number of figures, thereby facilitating extra trades all through the day. By providing this partaking and value-driven choice, particularly close to the park entrance, LEGOLAND cleverly integrates retail with the buying and selling exercise, making certain anybody can take part simply.
Places & Value:
- Minifigure Market (The Starting): That is the first, location for build-your-own minifigures. The price final time I used to be there was $14.99 for 3 figures.
- Brick Brothers Buying and selling Co: Similar worth and inside Enjoyable City.
(Notice: Whereas LEGOLAND Florida reportedly eliminated its BAM tables, LEGOLAND California nonetheless affords the hands-on constructing expertise ). An important tip, I feel, is to make the most of the early entry window (usually 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM for lodge company or sure passholders) to construct figures right here earlier than the park totally opens and rides get busy.
Bundle Choose-Up Service:
For those who don’t need to carry new LEGO purchases across the park all day, LEGOLAND affords a complimentary package deal pick-up service that I’ve used prior to now on this second with my daughter.
Make purchases at varied retail areas and prepare to have them despatched to the Minifigure Market in The Starting for pickup on the way in which out (permit roughly 2 hours for processing time).
Visitors staying on the LEGOLAND Resorts may even have packages delivered to their lodge’s entrance desk.
Remaining Ideas: Comfortable Buying and selling & Constructing Recollections!
LEGO Minifigure Buying and selling at LEGOLAND California is extra than simply swapping toys; it’s an interactive journey that provides a novel dimension to the park expertise. I’ve at all times appreciated that it encourages interplay and a little bit of pleasant negotiation.
It’s accessible to everybody and affords a incredible strategy to deliver dwelling customized souvenirs full of recollections. So, on the subsequent go to, hold these eyes peeled, strategy a Mannequin Citizen with a smile, and prepare to commerce!
