Classic-Castle.com

This is pretty sad. This guy tried to visit but wasn't permitted due to not having a child with him.

Poor guy.

Having been to a LEGO Discovery Centre, I can understand the concern from the Discovery Centre about letting an adult in alone. But then I can also understand the man's position. The Discovery Centres are full of kids under 9 running all about. I have taken my nephews with me to one and would totally feel out of place on my own in one for sure. The activities are kid centered and while there are great displays and it is fun as an AFOL to go there to see it, it just isn't really an adult place. But I know they have "adults only" nights at the Kansas one.

I just saw that story on Model Building Secrets. On the one hand, I understand from the standpoint of a dad, but OTOH, it's not like kids are unaccompanied at these things. When I take my kids to the park/zoo/whatever, it's my job to keep an eye on them, not someone else's. It's not like when my kid goes to school - there I've put her in the school's hands, and they have a high responsibility to make sure there are not undesirable people at the school. But if I take her to a store or a museum or whatever, she's with me.

Bruce

I felt really sad for that guy when I read that... I can totally relate to the man feeling embarrassed and sad when he found out that he wasn't able to get in to a Lego park because he was an AFOL... Although I do understand the policy I think it's a bit overkill... especially when the old man had his adult daughter with him.

That's a sad story.

I agree with ottoatm and Bruce. Lego is perfectly aware of the AFOL community and should not discriminate based on age. Would any of us feel "unsafe" if there was a senior citizen in TRU? Not really, so why should it be different at Leoland?

BTW, as someone who maintains a little family of LEGO blogs, I regularly get press releases about events at the Legoland Discovery Centers. They've never included any mention that AFOLs weren't welcome.

Bruce

I agree with ottoatm and Bruce. Lego is perfectly aware of the AFOL community and should not discriminate based on age. Would any of us feel "unsafe" if there was a senior citizen in TRU? Not really, so why should it be different at Leoland?

Ah but remember, LEGO does not own the LEGOLand Parks or the Discovery Centres.

Bluesecrets wrote: Ah but remember, LEGO does not own the LEGOLand Parks or the Discovery Centres.

They don't? Odd, I've never heard that...

LEGOLand and the Discovery Centers are run by Merlin Entertainment. I've my own issues with them.

I personally agree with the policy, and I think the entire story is getting blow out of proportion. And the *only* reason at this point I'd go to a DC is for an Adult Night. Everything in there is made for small children (rides, play areas, etc) and literally the only thing an adult might find interesting is Miniland. Which is small.

Unless you're in to Karaoke. The Friends themed karaoke is always interesting, even if the adults have to kneel to reach the mic.

Everything in there is made for small children (rides, play areas, etc) and literally the only thing an adult might find interesting is Miniland. Which is small.

Thank you for agreeing with me. I was trying to point that out earlier.

It's a nice place for taking kids who are under 8 or 9. I'm sure older kids can get some enjoyment but everything is for the younger kids. Even one of the movies is a pre-school character. And sometimes when you go into the "factory" where they show you have bricks are "made"...they only give the special bricks to the kids. As an adult, there just isn't a lot there.

Bluesecrets wrote:

I agree with ottoatm and Bruce. Lego is perfectly aware of the AFOL community and should not discriminate based on age. Would any of us feel "unsafe" if there was a senior citizen in TRU? Not really, so why should it be different at Leoland?

Ah but remember, LEGO does not own the LEGOLand Parks or the Discovery Centres.

really?! *Does a Wikipedia search* Okay then, Merlin Entertainments should be aware of the AFOL Community then.

Aside from corporate-set policies, many decisions are made at the location-level, creating inconsistencies between sites and how they are enforced. Aside, apparently, from the age of those permitted entry.

Merlin at some level I am sure is aware of our presence, but there's no corporate level of caring. The biggest concession are the Adult Nights.