LEGOLAND California Water Park Guide 2025: Rides, Tips & Updates

Spending the day at LEGOLAND California Water Park can be a fantastic experience for the whole family. There is a wide variety of rides and attractions that cater to everyone, from toddlers to teens to adults.

These include a wave pool, a lazy river full of floating LEGO bricks, single-rider water slides, side-by-side tube water slides, water slides for young kids, splash pads, and much more.

Plus, it’s sort of like two water parks in one because of the dedicated LEGO CHIMA Water Park inside. I’m covering the best rides, tips, and everything you need to know below to visit in 2025.

See also: Full Guide to LEGOLAND California

Operating Schedule for 2025

Always check the calendar before you go. In 2025, the Water Park schedule is as follows:​

• Starting May 25: Open daily.
• March 28 – April 20: Open daily.​
• April 26 – May 18: Open on weekends.​

Must-Know LEGOLAND Water Park Ticket Details

If you have a Resort Hopper or Water Park Hopper ticket, these include entry to the Water Park. But if you don’t, you’ll need to know the following.

Admission Requirements: You can only enter the Water Park through the main theme park, so you must have a LEGOLAND admission ticket to get there. You can’t buy tickets just for the Water Park.

Upgrade to Include: Tickets to LEGOLAND California do not automatically include entry to the Water Park. However, you can upgrade your park ticket for an extra $30 to access it on the same day or purchase a Hopper ticket that includes it and the theme park.

You can also upgrade your SEA LIFE Hopper ticket in the same way. Upgrades are available at LEGOLAND’s Guest Services booth or the entrance to the Water Park.

Toddler Tickets: While entrance to the main LEGOLAND park is free for children aged 2 and under, you must purchase an admission ticket to the Water Park for toddlers up to age 1, but it only costs $5. Therefore, you will only be paying for their Water Park entry.

Discounts: We have advice for saving money on LEGOLAND tickets.

My Top Tips for Visiting

Here are my main tips to make your day at the Water Park a great day out for all the family. Following them will help ensure that your LEGOLAND California Water Park visit is enjoyable and memorable.

Get There at Opening Time: I recommend arriving at the Water Park early as it definitely gets busier as the day progresses. You’ll get a closer parking spot (which you’ll appreciate with tired children at the end of your day), plus you’ll enjoy shorter lines at all the best attractions before the crowds build up.

Dress Within the Rules: Swimwear with buckles, zips, or adorned with anything metal is not allowed in the Water Park. These can be a safety hazard on slides and rides. Every guest is required to be clothed when entering and leaving the Water Park, and you aren’t allowed to walk around the main LEGOLAND park in just your swimwear.

Pack Plenty of Waterproof Sunscreen: This may sound obvious, but sunscreen runs out quickly when reapplied throughout the day at a pool. There are shady spots to escape the sun in the Water Park, but these are hard to snag. I recommend applying a water-resistant high-factor sunscreen before you arrive and then reapplying it throughout the day, especially after water rides or swimming.

Protect Feet from the Heat: Bring water shoes to wear around the Water Park. The ground can get really hot and be painful for little feet. Water shoes aren’t allowed on some actual rides but this will be clearly signposted. It’s still definitely worth wearing water shoes while walking around.

Bring Cover-Ups for Everyone: The San Diego summer gets piping hot, and it’s really easy to get sunburned even if you’re diligent with sunscreen, especially as most people stay at the Water Park for most of the day. Avoid sunstroke by covering up with long-sleeved beachwear, rash guards, hats, and sunglasses. And keep hydrated!

Bring Your Own Towels: The Water Park does not provide towels, so remember to bring one for each person in your group. If you’re staying at the LEGOLAND hotels, you don’t get a towel when you enter the Water Park, but you are allowed to grab one at the hotel pool to take in before you go. Towels are also for sale at the Brick Brothers store in the main LEGOLAND park, as well as the hotel stores.

Hire a Life Jacket for Non-Swimmers: LEGOLAND provides life jackets free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rent a Locker: Lockers that require a fee are located near the entrance of the Water Park and are well worth renting, so you don’t have to lug everything around all day. They’re safe, secure, and dry so you can take all your fun photos, then lock your phone away and get on with having water fun.

Food and Drink: I’ve listed more details further on in this post, but in a nutshell, apart from baby food or food needed for medical or dietary reasons, you’re only allowed to bring outside food and drinks into the Water Park if they fit inside a small soft-sided cooler. The cooler’s size must adhere to certain measurement rules (details below). Sure, LEGOLAND would love you to buy their sometimes pricey meals, but parents know that can really add up throughout the day. I recommend packing as many snacks or even a packed lunch into your cooler and buying extra goodies as you need them.

Check Height Requirements: It’s worth checking height requirements for each ride before your kids get there to avoid disappointment for those too little to enter. I’ve listed most of the height rules on the specific rides below.

Shop at the Surf Shop: If you forgot something or want a memento of the day, head here to buy LEGOLAND towels, water shoes, waterproof phone cases (handy in case you don’t have one), and most importantly, sunscreen. More options are next door at the Brick Brothers Trading Co., including stylish beachwear, hats, footwear, and high-quality sunglasses.

Upgrade With a Cabana Rental: The absolute best way for respite from the sun, especially if you have young kids that need a nap during the day, is to rent a private cabana. Apart from the privacy factor, other benefits include a host service for food and drinks, and just the all-around chill factor and welcome respite from the crowds. There are three various cabana rental options with different benefits, ranging from $200 to $300+ per day.

The Complete List of Rides and Attractions

The LEGOLAND California Water Park offers an array of rides and attractions that cater to all ages. From relaxing to thrilling, there’s something for everyone. LEGO Legends of CHIMA Water Park is technically a separate area of the park but this fun section is accessed through the main Water Park. Read below for the fun new rides to expect at CHIMA this year. As for the full list, let’s get to it…

The Main Rides

The following rides are for older children and adults. I’ve listed the height restrictions, so double-check your child’s height before you go to avoid disappointment or confusion when you get there.

Build-A-Raft River: A unique lazy river experience that’s great for all ages, where you customize your own rafts using soft, floating LEGO bricks as you go. This interactive experience is a family favorite, and you get to be creative and relax all at the same time.

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 42 inches tall.​

Twin Chasers: These fun (and fast!) side-by-side tube slides are a water park classic. Hop in and race a friend through twists and turns into a refreshing pool at the bottom.

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 42 inches tall; single riders only, with a maximum weight of 300 lbs.​

Splash Out: A great one for thrill-seekers, this slide offers a high-speed descent with three different slides to choose from, each ending with a ‘splash out’ into the water below.

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 42 inches tall; single riders only, with a maximum weight of 300 lbs.​

Pirate Reef (Temporarily Closed): Located between the LEGOLAND Park and the Water Park, this attraction involves a boat that slowly climbs and then quickly speeds 25 feet down between two pirate ships, creating a massive splash. You will get wet!

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 36 inches tall.​
• Additional Requirement: Riders between 36 inches and 42 inches must be accompanied by a responsible rider at least 14 years old and 42 inches or taller.​

Orange Rush: Hop aboard a giant raft that spins and splashes riders past the Water Park Tower on a giant orange half pipe. Another water park classic that will have everyone in screaming and laughing.

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 42 inches tall.​

Riptide Racers: Pick from one of six slides to race your friends down on mats, adding a competitive and exciting element to the water fun.

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 42 inches tall.

Fun Rides in Chima Water Park

The following rides are all located in the CHIMA Water Park, a themed section within the larger LEGOLAND California Water Park that embraces the CHIMA storyline. Enjoy!

Cragger’s Swamp: Ever wanted to slide through the mouth of a Crocodile? Probably not – unless you’re at LEGOLAND Water Park.

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 36″ inches tall

Crug’s Run: After sliding through the head of a massive crocodile at Cragger’s Swamp, stop by Crug’s Run for more water fun.

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 36″ inches

Crooler’s Twist: With more than 50 fun features in Cragger’s Swamp, Crooler’s Twist slide is just one of them!

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 40″ inches

Lion Temple Waver Pool: Head through the LEGO lion head archway into a 30-foot-high Mt. Cavora in this CHIMA adventure. Rolling waves add to the fun at this attraction.

• Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 42″ inches

Fun for Younger Children

The following attractions don’t have any age or height restrictions and offer hours of fun to keep the little ones busy and entertained.

Joker Soaker: A multi-level play structure set in a shallow pool where children can enjoy various slides, get blasted by water cannons, and a tipping bucket that dumps a whopping 350 gallons of water every few minutes. What’s not to love?

Eglor’s Build-A-Boat is a creative and interactive water play area located in CHIMA. Kids can build their own boats with LEGO bricks and race them down rushing water channels. 

Splash Zoo: Another area designed for toddlers, featuring various interactive water features shaped like animals, including a teeter-totter and spray pads.

Duplo Splash Safari: This area is perfect for toddlers and younger children, featuring larger-than-life DUPLO animals, small but fun slides, and interactive water features that are just the right size for little ones. This interactive water play area features spray pads and fountains are all geared specifically for guests aged 6 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult to watch over them.

Imagination Station: The name says it all. Parents can relax while their water babies build to their heart’s content here. The area is full of DUPLO bricks, perfect for constructing bridges and cities.

Wipeout Lagoon: Kids will enjoy navigating their way through a sea of water jets and stacking soft giant LEGO pieces in this fun spot.

Soak’n’Sail: Kids can climb all over this shipwrecked pirate vessel with a 38-foot-tall mast. Expect to get soaked by the looming gallons of water overhead though. Note: All ages can join in the fun at this one, but children under 36″ or under 10 must be accompanied by a grown-up.

Swabbie’s Deck: This water play area has fountains, pop-up water jets, squirt cannons, and more for younger kids to enjoy.

Food and Drink Options at the Water Park

LEGOLAND California allows you to take drinks and snacks into the Water Park that don’t need to be heated or refrigerated. A packed lunch can definitely make your day cheaper – and easier if you have young picky eaters – and you’re welcome to take your own cooler into the Water Park. Just make sure it adheres to the following rules:

• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
• Coolers/bags, not to exceed 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep

No hard coolers or coolers with wheels are allowed in the park. Other outside food allowed in the Water Park includes food needed for medical purposes, baby food and formula, food for specific dietary needs, and medically indicated nutritional supplements.

With all that said, there are, of course, great eatery options in the park for convenience and possibly less mess. Each outlet offers a variety of food choices, making it easy to find something for everyone in the family without having to leave the Water Park.

Beach Street Tacos serves up cantina-style tacos with a choice of fish or meats. Or, simply grab some chips, salsa, and guacamole for a healthy(ish) snack. Over at the Beach Front Grill, you can choose from personal pizzas, salads, burritos, and wraps.

How Long Should I Spend at the Water Park?

The amount of time you should spend at LEGOLAND California Water Park can vary based on a few factors, such as the age and interests of your group, the crowd levels on the day of your visit, and whether you plan to explore other areas of LEGOLAND.

Here’s a general guideline to help you plan your visit:

• Half-Day Visit: If you’re mainly interested in a quick visit to enjoy a few water rides and relax by the pool, half a day (about 3-4 hours) might suffice. This is often enough time to check out the major attractions without feeling rushed, especially if the park isn’t too crowded.
• Full-Day Visit: If you want a more leisurely experience and aim to try out all the attractions, including spending time building and floating your own raft, relaxing in the wave pool, and enjoying the water slides multiple times, a full day (about 5-7 hours) would be ideal. This allows you to take breaks, have a leisurely lunch, and not feel hurried.
• Multi-Park Ticket: If your visit includes not just the Water Park but also other parts of LEGOLAND, such as the theme park or the SEA LIFE Aquarium, you might want to allocate at least a full day for the entire experience, with a significant chunk of that time (around half a day) dedicated to the Water Park.

See also: Best Hotels Near LEGOLAND California

Final Thoughts

If you plan to visit LEGOLAND California theme park without a Water Park hopper ticket, bring swimwear just in case you decide to add it on. Trust me, once the kids see it, they’re going to want to go inside!