A look at how Legoland Florida caters to guests with disabilities

Legoland Florida Resort takes great measures to be a theme park that’s #BuiltForKids, and that includes kids of all abilities and interests. Since it opened in 2011, the park has worked to make itself as inclusive as possible for guests with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilites.

In order to make the most of their visit, guests are encouraged to take a look at the Special Situations section of the Planning Your Visit page on their website. The section contains information on how to make guests’ trips run more smoothly, including trip-planning information and a printable comprehensive Guide for Guests with Disabilities.

This guide lists ride-bride safety requirements for both Legoland Florida Resort and Legoland Water Park, and outlines all of the accessibility features of the park’s on-site accommodations.

Legoland’s Model Citizens are trained to help and happy to answer any questions that guests have, through the use of their ADA Form which can be sent to Guest Services before arriving for their trip.

For guests who have allergies or dietary needs, Legoland’s website has a PDF Dietary Guide that lists all of their dining locations that serve gluten-, soy-, dairy-, egg- and peanut-free items, along with the availability of vegan and vegetarian items.

If a guest has any kind of mobility challenges, or difficulty waiting in lines, they can pick up a no-wait Hero Pass, which allows a Legoland guest and one helper get expedited access to the park’s attractions, while the rest of the guest’s party can receive a reservation to return to the attraction together at a designated time.

The no-cost Blue Hero Pass is offered specifically for guests who are on the autism spectrum, and allows the guest’s entire group access through the Hero Pass entrance of the park’s attractions with no wait.

Both Hero Pass offerings are available from Guest Services near the park’s entrance, and are offered at the discretion of the Legoland staff as a courtesy.

Back in 2016, Legoland Florida Resort started launching a variety of services to assist guests with autism spectrum disorders and their families, which now include:

• Specially equipped spaces in the park’s First Aid, Annual Pass and Baby Care facilities that are designated as “quiet rooms” with noise-cancelling headphones, squishy toys, weighted blankets and Lego building tables.
• “Social Stories” developed by the Legoland Training & Development team that offer illustrated, step-by-step walkthroughs of every ride and show, so that guests won’t be surprised by any moments of darkness, bright lighting, loud noises or other frightening or overwhelming elements.
• All newly-hired employees receive additional specialized training to help them more effectively interact with guests on the autism spectrum.

Legoland Florida Resort has also participated in Autism Speaks’ “Light It Up Blue” campaign in the past by illuminating their Grand Carousel with blue bulbs for World Autism Awareness Day, which is annually celebrated on April 2.

For more information on Legoland Florida Resort, and their accommodations for guests with specific needs, visit Legoland.com/Florida.