LEGOLAND California Resort affords a singular and interesting 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 visitors to work together with park staff and fellow followers, making it greater than only a option to get a memento – it’s an expertise.
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Why Commerce? The Thrill of the Hunt
What makes swapping little plastic figures so fascinating? For a lot of visitors, particularly kids, I believe minifigure buying and selling is pushed by a number of motivations:
- The Pleasure of Accumulating: Many LEGO followers have a specific 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 type of a park-wide treasure hunt. Scanning worker title 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, often called Mannequin Residents. You by no means know what different ideas and tips they may must share.
- Will get Youngsters Strolling: Whenever you need to maintain your crew on the transfer it’s an additional incentive to maintain strolling.
- Upgrading and Upcycling Your Assortment: Visitors can carry minifigures to the park that they not need or want and commerce them for one thing new to them.
- A Finances-Pleasant Memento: Not solely is it enjoyable to carry determine from dwelling to commerce, you can 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 (generally actually), minifigure buying and selling fosters a way of group amongst LEGO followers throughout the park, turning a easy transaction into one thing numerous youngsters I do know look ahead to.
The right way to Commerce: The Official LEGOLAND Means
LEGOLAND California makes the buying and selling course of easy and enjoyable. The official pointers observe three easy steps, which you’ll be able to confirm on the LEGOLAND California web site:
- Carry or Construct a LEGO Minifigure: Begin with a whole 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: Maintain an eye fixed out for minifigures displayed on the brick-built title badges worn by Mannequin Residents (park staff) or search for designated Buying and selling Posts positioned all through the resort.
- Ask to Commerce: Method a Mannequin Citizen with the determine you need to commerce. With your personal determine in hand, ask them to swap. Park coverage ensures they are going to all the time 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, fingers, and legs. This is applicable to figures you carry and people provided by Mannequin Residents. I’ve learn some visitor stories that counsel equipment (like hats, hair, or handheld gadgets) are optionally available, however the official rule emphasizes the core parts, together with fingers and that’s been my expertise.
It’s finest to make sure that your buying and selling figures embody 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 Pals Figures (Mini-Dolls)?
Wonderful query and there’s some nuance right here. Formally, LEGOLAND California’s web site says that any LEGO Minifigure could be traded, as evidenced by way of a Pals mini-doll picture for example.
Visitor experiences affirm that Pals figures are accepted at buying and selling posts and by staff. Nonetheless, a sensible subject exists: Pals mini-dolls don’t bodily connect to the studs on worker title badges, not like conventional minifigures.
Due to this, you’re much less prone to see staff carrying Pals figures for commerce. Regardless of this, I’ve heard that staff will nonetheless settle for them in commerce they usually generally discover inventive methods to connect them. So, whilst you may not commerce a Pals determine straight off a badge, they’re typically welcome at designated buying and selling spots and are thought of fairly common by some employees.
How Typically Can You Commerce?
As a lot as you want! LEGOLAND encourages visitors 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. Figuring out the place to look will increase the probabilities of discovering that excellent determine.
Official Buying and selling Posts
LEGOLAND designates a number of particular places as “Buying and selling Posts,” which regularly function a wider number of figures. Once more, you’ll be able to discover the official checklist on-line as it may be topic to vary.
| Buying and selling Publish Location | Space |
|---|---|
| Visitor Providers | 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 | Citadel Hill |
| Creativeness Zone | Creativeness Zone |
| LEGOLAND California Lodge Entrance Desk | LEGOLAND Lodge |
| LEGOLAND Citadel Lodge Entrance Desk | LEGOLAND Citadel Lodge |
Past the Posts: In all places Else!
Don’t restrict the search to only the official posts!
- Mannequin Citizen Badges: Practically any park worker (at rides, meals carts, outlets, strolling round) may need a minifigure on their title badge out there for commerce. At all times be observant!
- Retail Show Circumstances: Many present outlets have small show instances, usually close to the money registers, holding a number of minifigures particularly for buying and selling. It’s all the time price asking on the counter for a commerce.
- Excessive-Yield Spots (In line with Visitors): Guests ceaselessly report good finds on the SEA LIFE Aquarium Retail Store and the Lodge Entrance Desks. One visitor additionally talked about discovering favorites close to the Dino Dig space.
- The Elusive “Shifting Buying and selling Wall”: I’ve learn that there’s a big, cellular buying and selling wall that generally seems, although its schedule and site appear unpredictable. Reviews counsel it is perhaps operated by employees 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 Providers may yield clues about its look. I haven’t personally see it nor have my purchasers talked about it—so in the event you do see it tell us!
Don’t Count on Buying and selling within the Water Park
Sensible constraints associated to the water surroundings imply that minifigure buying and selling isn’t actually practiced within the LEGOLAND Water Park when it’s open seasonall.
Suggestions for Terrific Buying and selling (For Dad and mom & Youngsters)
To take advantage of the minifigure buying and selling journey, I believe just a little preparation and technique go a good distance.
Earlier than You Go
- Collect Your Merchants: Look by way of you LEGO bins at dwelling for full minifigures (head, torso, fingers, legs) which might be not favorites or are duplicates. Even “well-loved” figures or these coloured on is perhaps accepted, as employees might retire them from circulation. They must 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.
- Determine How Many: I wouldn’t essentially exit of my manner to purchase extra, however in the event you might discover a handful that may be enjoyable. Perhaps within the 4-6 vary. However actually, one or two is okay!
- Create a Want Checklist: For those who’re aiming for particular sorts of figures (e.g., Star Wars, Metropolis, or particular characters), jotting down a listing may also help focus your search.
- Pack Good: Maintain buying and selling figures simply accessible in a small bag, container, or devoted minifigure case to to be able to seize them shortly and transfer on to the following exercise. Plus there is perhaps others ready in line behind you on peak days.
Coping with Incomplete Figures (The Upcycling Problem):
It’s frequent 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, fingers, legs) , what could be accomplished if visitors need to carry 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, visitors typically can not purchase particular person components a la carte from these bins simply to finish their current figures. The BAM expertise is designed round buying a package deal of three full customized figures for a set value.
Park Workarounds
- Purchase the BAM Package deal: 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, nevertheless it permits salvaging unique figures. The leftover new components can type the premise of one other determine or be saved 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 throughout the park.
Greatest “Upcycle” Choice (Pre-Go to): Probably 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 would not have time to look or we all know the lacking components are really lacking. You may also 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: Regulate Mannequin Citizen title 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 accomplished with little youngsters. Keep in mind, Mannequin Residents are completely happy to commerce! I like this as a manner for shy youngsters to follow interacting with adults.
- Ask for Assist: If trying to find a specific determine, don’t hesitate to ask staff. They could know who has one or the place to look.
- Handle Expectations: The figures out there for commerce are continually altering primarily based on what different visitors have traded in. It’s going to be a mix-and-match assortment fairly than a curated assortment of uncommon gadgets. In my expertise, the purpose 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, instrument, or perhaps a tiny LEGO animal could be an thrilling bonus.
Past Buying and selling: Park Collectibles
Minifigure buying and selling is a part of a broader park tradition that encompasses gathering and interacting. Maintain an eye fixed out for different enjoyable, free actions equivalent to…
- Pop Badges: Collectible buttons themed to rides, occasions, or achievements (like First Go to or Bravery badges) out there from particular places or employees 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 each 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, generally safety or employees coming back from breaks) or hidden across the park. Discovering one yields a prize from Visitor Providers.
These actions, alongside minifigure buying and selling, encourage visitors to discover totally 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 visitors take pleasure in buying and selling! Share images of recent minifigure mates on social media utilizing the hashtag #LEGOLANDCalifornia.
Want Figures? Shopping for & Constructing Minifigures at LEGOLAND California
Forgot to carry minifigures, or need to begin contemporary? Don’t fear! LEGOLAND makes it straightforward to accumulate figures contained in the park.
Shopping for Pre-Packaged Figures
Thriller Packs: Many outlets promote the usual LEGO Collectible Minifigure Collection packs. These sealed bling packages provide a shock determine. Whereas thrilling, you may get duplicates or characters you don’t significantly need, however these then turn into excellent candidates for buying and selling!
Units and Extra: Retail places promote commonplace LEGO units (which embody minifigures), in addition to minifigure keychains, magnets, and different themed merchandise.
The place to Purchase: Key spots within the park embody the next.
- The Massive Store (The Starting): Boasts the biggest number of LEGO units below one roof.
- Minifigure Market (The Starting): A first-rate spot for purchasing figures, together with Construct-A-Mini packs. Additionally sells bulk bricks. I really feel prefer it’s not all the time open however The Massive Store is simply throughout from it.
- Themed Outlets: Wu’s Warehouse (NINJAGO World), Superior Store (THE LEGO® MOVIE™ World), King’s Market (Citadel Hill), SEA LIFE Retail Store, The Dive Store (LEGO CITY®: Deep Sea Journey), Brick Brothers Buying and selling Co. (Enjoyable City).
- Lodge Reward Outlets: LEGOLAND Lodge and Citadel Lodge outlets promote figures and provide buying and selling.
Construct-A-Minifigure (BAM): Your Customized Crew!
Maybe probably the most enjoyable option to get figures particularly for buying and selling is the Construct-A-Minifigure expertise. In my expertise, this may get crowded!
What It Is: These stations function bins stuffed with 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 right option to get figures prepared for buying and selling straight away. The constructing course of itself is a enjoyable, inventive exercise, particularly for youths. It’s usually thought of an incredible worth memento, usually providing three customized figures for a set value. This setup encourages visitors to accumulate a number of figures, thereby facilitating extra trades all through the day. By providing this partaking and value-driven possibility, particularly close to the park entrance, LEGOLAND cleverly integrates retail with the buying and selling exercise, making certain anybody can take part simply.
Areas & Price:
- Minifigure Market (The Starting): That is the first, location for build-your-own minifigures. The associated fee final time I used to be there was $14.99 for 3 figures.
- Brick Brothers Buying and selling Co: Identical value and inside Enjoyable City.
(Be aware: Whereas LEGOLAND Florida reportedly eliminated its BAM tables, LEGOLAND California nonetheless affords the hands-on constructing expertise ). A fantastic tip, I believe, is to make the most of the early entry window (usually 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM for resort visitors or sure passholders) to construct figures right here earlier than the park absolutely opens and rides get busy.
Package deal Decide-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 numerous retail places and prepare to have them despatched to the Minifigure Market in The Starting for pickup on the best way out (permit roughly 2 hours for processing time).
Visitors staying on the LEGOLAND Accommodations may even have packages delivered to their resort’s entrance desk.
Remaining Ideas: Blissful 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 singular dimension to the park expertise. I’ve all the time appreciated that it encourages interplay and a little bit of pleasant negotiation.
It’s accessible to everybody and affords a implausible option to carry dwelling customized souvenirs stuffed with recollections. So, on the following go to, maintain these eyes peeled, strategy a Mannequin Citizen with a smile, and prepare to commerce!
