NEW Dino Valley in LEGOLAND is Open for T-Rex-Sized Fun

LEGOLAND California just debuted a brand-new land within the park that's Jurassic and fantastic. Dino Valley immerses theme park visitors into the world of dinosaurs with new rides, interactive places to play, and dino-sized LEGO sculptures.

I took my sons (ages 5 and 7) and their best bud (age 6) to check out Dino Valley. In their words, it was the “best day of their lives.” If that isn’t a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is. 

Discover why LEGOLAND is a beloved Southern California theme park, expand your visit with other things to do with kids in Carlsbad, and find more thrills in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.  

Dino Valley is the newest part of LEGOLAND California. 

Dino Valley: The Gateway To LEGOLAND

Dino Valley is a part of the LEGOLAND theme park and is included with regular park admission. When entering the park, take a sharp left and step into the Mesozoic Era. Over 1.8 million LEGO bricks created giant carnivore and herbivore dinosaur sculptures throughout the land. Dino Valley is a great place to start your day at LEGOLAND, as it is so close to where you first enter. 

LEGOLAND Rides at Dino Valley

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Track the dinosaur along the DUPLO Little Dino Trail. 

1. DUPLO Little Dino Trail

When you enter Dino Valley, the first ride on your left is the DUPLO Little Dino Trail. This slow-moving outdoor ride does not have a minimum height requirement. Paleontologists of all ages are welcome to hop on this ride. 

However, explorers under 48” must be accompanied by an adult (14 years or older and taller than 48”). During this adventure, kids can grab the in-vehicle camera to see if they can find the DUPLO dinosaur. If you spot the dino, snap away on the camera for photos. Clues will help track the dino, too. 

2. Coastersaurus

To the right of the entrance of Dino Valley is the Coastersaurus, a beloved LEGOLAND attraction. This kid-friendly roller coaster is not new, but it inspired the rest of the fossilized fun. 

The Coastersaurus swoops around a giant Brachiosaurus on a speedy journey that will give little tummies the tingles. Riders must be 36” tall and accompanied by an adult unless they are over 48”. This roller coaster is mild and short. It’s a perfect introduction to thrill rides for younger kiddos. My timid son even braved this one and asked me to ride it again! 

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Coast through a jungle full of LEGO dinos. 

3. Explorer River Quest

The third ride in Dino Valley is the brand-new Explorer River Quest. This water ride coasts through a lush jungle packed with brick-built dinosaurs. 

Keep on the lookout for a leering T-Rex. He happens to be the largest LEGO model in the land, standing at 11 feet tall. This ride does not have a height requirement. It should be no surprise that littles under 36” need a supervising adult. 

Thankfully, this is not one of those water rides where you need a rain poncho or risk soggy shoes for the rest of the day. The water stays outside the boat with no sloshy drops or gimmicks. 

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Build-your-own dino with DUPLO blocks. Photo courtesy of the LEGOLAND® California Resort

Interactive Activities at Dino Valley

One of my favorite things about LEGOLAND is all the hands-on activities throughout the park, and there are plenty of them throughout Dino Valley.

The Dino Outpost is a large fossil dig area with sand, shovels, and buckets for excavators of all ages. My kids spent significant time searching for dino bones below the sand. In the same area, large tables hold plenty of DUPLO blocks for building your dinosaur. 

For a fun photo op, Dino Valley introduced two new LEGO characters that are periodically available for meet and greets and photos. Find the T-Rex Costume Fan and Paleontologist next to the fossil dig area. 

Two game booths challenge kids and adults to complete challenges and win prizes. Admittedly, these carnival-style games are typically hard to win, but my eight-year-old knocked down three blocks to win a prize. Next to the game booths, kids can transform into a dino at a face-painting station. 

Admission and Parking 

Admission to LEGOLAND fluctuates by the day, but currently, one day is $79 before taxes and fees. From there, prices increase depending on if you want a park hopper that includes one of the water parks at LEGOLAND or their aquarium. Multi-day tickets are also available.

Keep an eye out for “kids go free” deals. LEGOLAND Magazine often has “buy one adult ticket, get a kid-free” offers. Mcdonald's and Burger King sometimes have “kids go free” deals on their kid's meal packaging. Vacation packages are also available, which include a stay in one of the fantastic on-site LEGOLAND resorts. 

Parking at Legoland costs an additional $35, and it's an easy walk from the lot to the front entrance. 

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A dinosaur packed adventure awaits at LEGOLAND California. 

Know Before You Go 

• Dino Valley is stroller-friendly, and is great for all ages.
• Due to no height restrictions for the DUPLO Little Dino Trail and Explorer River Quest rides, even the youngest LEGOLAND visitors can join the fun. 
• My recommendation for the best ages to take to LEGOLAND is four to 10 years old. Many rides in other parts of the park require children to be four years old. Rides may also not be thrilling enough for tweens and teens. 
• Depending on the ride wait times, I'd recommend planning for about 90 minutes in Dino Valley.
• There are no dining options in Dino Valley. The closest eateries are next door in the LEGO Movie World land. 
• There are also no bathrooms in Dino Valley. The closest restrooms are near the park entrance and exit. 

Overall, Dino Valley is an exciting new addition to LEGOLAND and is worth checking out with your family and friends! 

All photos by author Kylie Williams unless otherwise indicated.