LEGOLAND California Resort presents a novel and interesting exercise that provides an additional layer of enjoyable to any go to: LEGO Minifigure Buying and selling!
Very similar to 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 option to get a memento – it’s an expertise.
See additionally: My Full Listing 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 kids, I believe 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 presents an opportunity to search 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 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, generally known as Mannequin Residents. You by no means know what different suggestions and tips they may must share.
- Will get Youngsters Strolling: While 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 not need or want and commerce them for one thing new to them.
- A Price range-Pleasant Memento: Not solely is it enjoyable to deliver determine from house to commerce, you would the new-to-you minifigures a enjoyable memento (hopefully with out the added expense of shopping for LEGOs within the reward retailers). Talking of saving cash, don’t neglect 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 inside the park, turning a easy transaction into one thing plenty of youngsters I do know sit up for.
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How you can Commerce: The Official LEGOLAND Method
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:
- Convey or Construct a LEGO Minifigure: Begin with a whole LEGO minifigure. This may be one introduced from house or one from contained in the park whether or not bought or constructed.
- Discover a Minifigure to Commerce: Hold 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 situated all through the resort.
- Ask to Commerce: Strategy 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, and so they provide the one you chose from their badge.
What Makes a Minifigure “Tradeable”?
A minifigure have to be full to be traded. It wants a head, torso, fingers, 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 objects) are non-compulsory, 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 Buddies Figures (Mini-Dolls)?
Glorious 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 Buddies mini-doll picture for instance.
Visitor experiences verify that Buddies figures are accepted at buying and selling posts and by staff. Nonetheless, a sensible challenge exists: Buddies 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 Buddies figures for commerce. Regardless of this, I’ve heard that staff will nonetheless settle for them in commerce and so they generally discover artistic methods to connect them. So, when you won’t commerce a Buddies determine immediately off a badge, they’re typically welcome at designated buying and selling spots and are thought-about fairly fashionable by some employees.
How Usually 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 possibilities of discovering that good determine.
Official Buying and selling Posts
LEGOLAND designates a number of particular areas as “Buying and selling Posts,” which regularly function a wider choice of figures. Once more, you possibly can discover the official listing on-line as it may be topic to alter.
| 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 Resort Entrance Desk | LEGOLAND Resort |
| LEGOLAND Citadel Resort Entrance Desk | LEGOLAND Citadel 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, retailers, strolling round) might need a minifigure on their title badge out there for commerce. At all times be observant!
- Retail Show Instances: Many reward retailers have small show instances, usually close to the money registers, holding a number of minifigures particularly for buying and selling. It’s at all times value asking on the counter for a commerce.
- Excessive-Yield Spots (In keeping with Visitors): Guests incessantly 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 “Shifting Buying and selling Wall”: I’ve learn that there’s a big, cell buying and selling wall that generally seems, although its schedule and placement appear unpredictable. Studies recommend 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 Huge 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 setting 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 profit from the minifigure buying and selling journey, I believe a little bit preparation and technique go a great distance.
Earlier than You Go
- Collect Your Merchants: Look via you LEGO bins at house for full minifigures (head, torso, fingers, legs) which are not favorites or are duplicates. Even “well-loved” figures or these coloured on is perhaps accepted, as employees could 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 method to purchase extra, however in the event you might discover a handful that will be enjoyable. Perhaps within the 4-6 vary. However truthfully, one or two is okay!
- Create a Want Listing: For those who’re aiming for particular kinds of figures (e.g., Star Wars, Metropolis, or particular characters), jotting down an inventory may help focus your search.
- Pack Good: Hold buying and selling figures simply accessible in a small bag, container, or devoted minifigure case to so as to seize them shortly and transfer on to the subsequent 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 house which are lacking a leg, an arm, or perhaps their head. Since buying and selling requires a full determine (head, torso, fingers, legs) , what could be finished 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 typically can’t purchase particular person components a la carte from these bins simply to finish their current figures. The BAM expertise is designed round buying a bundle of three full customized figures for a set worth.
Park Workarounds
- Purchase the BAM Package deal: Visitors might buy the 3-figure BAM bundle. Then, they will use the components from the new figures simply constructed to finish the figures introduced from house. This nonetheless entails a purchase order, but it surely permits salvaging authentic figures. The leftover new components can type the idea of one other determine or be stored for later.
- Purchase Thriller Packs/Units: Buying Collectible Minifigure “blind baggage” or small LEGO units containing figures is one other choice to supply wanted components inside the park.
Finest “Upcycle” Choice (Pre-Go to): Essentially the most waste-conscious and cost-effective strategy is to search 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 can even 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 assorted Buying and selling Posts and retail counters talked about earlier all through the park.
- Encourage Youngsters to Ask: I do know that is simpler stated than finished with little youngsters. Bear in mind, Mannequin Residents are comfortable to commerce! I like this as a method for shy youngsters to apply 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 out there for commerce are consistently altering primarily based on what different company have traded in. It’s going to be a mix-and-match assortment reasonably than a curated assortment of uncommon objects. In my expertise, the purpose is to search out figures that you discover cool or fascinating.
- 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. Hold an eye fixed out for different enjoyable, free actions similar to…
- Pop Badges: Collectible buttons themed to rides, occasions, or achievements (like First Go to or Bravery badges) out there from particular areas 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 day by 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 getting back from breaks) or hidden across the park. Discovering one yields a prize from Visitor Providers.
These actions, alongside minifigure buying and selling, encourage company to discover totally different park areas, interact 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 get pleasure from buying and selling! Share photographs of latest minifigure associates 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 straightforward to amass figures contained in the park.
Shopping for Pre-Packaged Figures
Thriller Packs: Many retailers 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 good candidates for buying and selling!
Units and Extra: Retail areas promote customary 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 Huge Store (The Starting): Boasts the biggest choice of LEGO units beneath one roof.
- Minifigure Market (The Starting): A chief spot for purchasing figures, together with Construct-A-Mini packs. Additionally sells bulk bricks. I really feel prefer it’s not at all times open however The Huge 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).
- Resort Present Outlets: LEGOLAND Resort and Citadel Resort retailers 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 will get crowded!
What It Is: These stations function bins crammed 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 immediately. The constructing course of itself is a enjoyable, artistic exercise, particularly for youths. It’s usually thought-about an awesome worth memento, usually providing three customized figures for a set worth. This setup encourages company to amass a number of figures, thereby facilitating extra trades all through the day. By providing this participating and value-driven possibility, particularly close to the park entrance, LEGOLAND cleverly integrates retail with the buying and selling exercise, guaranteeing anybody can take part simply.
Places & Price:
- Minifigure Market (The Starting): That is the first, location for build-your-own minifigures. The fee final time I used to be there was $14.99 for 3 figures.
- Brick Brothers Buying and selling Co: Identical worth and inside Enjoyable City.
(Be aware: Whereas LEGOLAND Florida reportedly eliminated its BAM tables, LEGOLAND California nonetheless presents the hands-on constructing expertise ). A terrific tip, I believe, is to make the most of the early entry window (usually 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM for resort company or sure passholders) to construct figures right here earlier than the park totally 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 presents a complimentary bundle pick-up service that I’ve used previously on this second with my daughter.
Make purchases at varied retail areas and organize 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 Lodges may even have packages delivered to their resort’s entrance desk.
Remaining Ideas: Completely satisfied Buying and selling & Constructing Reminiscences!
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 favored that it encourages interplay and a little bit of pleasant negotiation.
It’s accessible to everybody and presents a unbelievable option to deliver house customized souvenirs crammed with reminiscences. So, on the subsequent go to, hold these eyes peeled, strategy a Mannequin Citizen with a smile, and prepare to commerce!
