Here's How to Beat the Crowds at Legoland California and Go On Every Single Ride Without Waiting in Line

If you've been putting off your visit to Legoland California this summer because you don't want to deal with the crowds, do yourself a favor and check out their amazing VIP Experiences, which are simply game-changing. Not only do they provide you with your own personal guide but they let you skip every line, go on unlimited rides and — best of all, for toddlers — stay on the rides you love for another go-round without having to get off.

Last December, my husband and I opted for the Ultimate VIP Experience with our almost two year old grandson and had the best time. There were only half a dozen rides he could actually go on but we did all of those multiple times and he loved every minute of it. So, when he came to visit a couple of weeks ago and kept talking about the "horsie ride" and "airplane ride," we decided to once again book the VIP Experience because it was so special the first time and we couldn't imagine waiting on long lines with him during the busy summer season. It was a magical day.

Is it pricey? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

What's included in the Legoland VIP Experience

Priority access to all rides is a perk of the VIP Experience.

There are three different VIP Experiences available, with the top two options offering more and more exclusive perks to the basics, below. The Ultimate VIP Experience — the one we've done twice now — is the least expensive and includes all of the following:

Valet Parking

It's great to start and end your day at the park by letting someone else worry about your car. You'll be right near the entrance so you don't have to shlep strollers and a day's worth of stuff through the expansive parking lot.

Your Own Personal Host

The Ultimate VIP Experience provides you with your own personal host for seven hours. (The two more exclusive Experiences provide one for the whole day.) We met our host, Sammi, in the lobby of the Legoland Hotel and, thanks to her enthusiasm and the attention she bestowed on him, our grandson was immediately smitten. As she took us around the park, she shared stories about her own LEGO obsession (she's all about the Botanicals) as well as interesting facts about the park (they're opening a space-themed indoor rollercoaster next year) and the VIP Experience itself (she loves hosting adult LEGO fans, who want the scoop on every build and nerd out on the exclusive behind-the-scenes model shop tour). She gave our grandson all the time he wanted in the playground areas and regularly asked us if we wanted to stop for snacks (included) or bathroom breaks.

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Sammi knew the park intimately and offered great suggestions for our grandson (a 4D movie, the LEGO World Parade, the water park) but, after doing all the rides he wanted, playing in NINJAGO Training Camp and trying lots of Legoland food, he was just too wiped out for anything else by the end of the day. Next time, for sure!

Get up close and personal with dinosaurs at LEGOLAND California.

Priority Access to All Rides, Shows and Attractions

There was a one hour wait for almost every ride the day we were there but we were able to skip all the lines. For this reason alone, the VIP Experience was worth every penny. I honestly can't imagine having to stand on line with a toddler for that long. Because Sammi expertly maneuvered us in and out so smoothly and quickly, I wasn't surprised when she said she's been able to cover every ride in the park with guests who request that as part of the VIP Experience. There is no way you would be able to do even half of that on your own on a crowded day.

Plus, the fact that you can stay on for a second ride in a row is priceless. Our grandson, a master of the words "again" and "now," would likely have had a full-blown toddler tantrum if we'd had to pull him off his favorite rides just as he was absorbing their fabulousness. Sammi simply gave the signal to the operator and we were golden.

Lunch and Snacks

Before we got started on the rides, Sammi encouraged us to make a pit stop at The Market to energize us for the whirlwind day ahead. All snacks (other than alcohol and souvenir food items) are included in the VIP Experience so we stocked up on pastries, beverages and fruit cups.

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Because, last time we were at Legoland, we ate lunch at Ocean Journey Cafe, inside SEA LIFE Aquarium, we decided to try the Pizza & Pasta Buffet. Once Sammi got us settled, she went for a well-deserved break while our grandson helped himself to two platefuls of mac and cheese and my husband and I feasted on pizza, breadsticks and the salad bar.

During the afternoon, we refueled on Dippin' Dots ice cream and Granny's Apple Fries, Legoland's signature treat.

Special Legoland Gift for Kids

At the end of the day, Sammi presented our grandson with a showstopping goodbye present: a gigantic DUPLO race car set, which he has played with daily. Every child gets a special gift geared specifically for them as part of the VIP Experience. As for us? We're still smiling at all the photos and videos we took that day and the fact that our grandson asks to see them every time we FaceTime with him. The memories we made with him during our VIP Experience are the greatest gift of all.

Yahoo CreatorLois Alter MarkLois Alter Mark is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer who has visited and shopped on all seven continents. She loves sharing her finds with her readers.FollowFollow