Legoland California with Food Allergies: A Comprehensive Guide to Safe Family Dining

Planning a trip to Legoland California with multiple food allergies can feel daunting. As a parent of two boys with severe allergies, I’ve navigated this exact challenge. In this guide, I’ll share every detail of our experience: what we ate, where we found it, and all the essential tips and tricks to help your family enjoy a successful and delicious trip to Legoland!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Please note that Legoland is not affiliated with, nor did they sponsor, this content.

Why We Chose Legoland for Our Allergy-Friendly Family Vacation

As an enthusiastic theme park devotee, I firmly believe these destinations offer unparalleled family vacation experiences. Having previously explored Disneyland (and even created a detailed Disneyland guide for food allergies!), our family was eager for a new adventure. My sons are absolutely captivated by LEGO – from LEGO Ninjago to the various LEGO movies – making Legoland a natural choice. I had heard positive feedback from several Celiac friends about their comfortable dining experiences at Legoland, which offered some reassurance. However, I knew our situation would be more complex due to multiple severe food allergies. Despite my initial apprehension, I committed to making it work, hoping to pave the way for other families facing similar challenges. My philosophy is to create the resources I wish I’d had, and this guide is precisely that: a comprehensive overview of how to successfully visit Legoland with food allergies.

Understanding Our Travel Constraints and How They Shaped Our Legoland Trip

Our journey from Idaho presented several logistical hurdles that significantly influenced our travel and dining strategy at Legoland. Firstly, flying out of our small local airport meant using Allegiant, which charges extra for carry-on luggage. As we were traveling on a tight budget, this immediately limited the amount of food we could pack. We managed to fit all our belongings for six people (including a baby in diapers) into just two large checked suitcases and individual backpacks, leaving minimal room for allergy-safe snacks and meals.

This experience differed vastly from our previous Disney trip when we lived in Utah and could drive. Back then, we filled a cooler with safe foods and rented a hotel with a kitchenette, allowing us to prepare most of our meals. This time, without the option for a large food haul, we opted for a standard room at the Legoland Hotel, embracing a different kind of adventure.

Another significant challenge was the exorbitant cost of rental cars in June 2021, as travel began to rebound post-COVID. Since we were staying at the official Legoland Hotel, which offers direct park access, we decided against renting a car to save money. This decision, however, came with a considerable risk: without a vehicle, we had no easy way to access grocery stores for safe food options. Our food choices would be confined to what the hotel and park could provide, or reliance on expensive delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash. While having your own vehicle would undoubtedly open up more dining flexibility, this guide details our experience operating under these specific limitations, offering insights for those who may face similar circumstances.

Our Family’s Specific Food Allergies: Navigating Dietary Needs at Legoland

Both of my sons live with asthma and severe food allergies, necessitating an EpiPen and immediate hospital care if they accidentally ingest their unsafe foods. It’s important to note that their reactions are not triggered by contact or airborne exposure, which simplifies certain aspects of dining out. My eldest son faces the most extensive list of allergies: wheat, dairy, egg, peanut, tree nuts (with the exception of hazelnut), and beef. My younger son is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts (excluding almond and hazelnut). These specific dietary restrictions guided every food decision we made during our Legoland adventure.

Airport and In-Flight Dining: Our Prepared Strategy

Traveling through a smaller airport has its perks; we didn’t need to arrive excessively early, and our flight duration was short – approximately four hours. This meant our primary concern was providing a safe dinner and snacks. To ensure easy access and distribute the load, I packed each person’s meal in their individual backpack. Our small airport offers very limited food options, and frankly, I prefer the peace of mind that comes from preparing our own allergy-safe meals rather than relying on airport or airline food.

• WHAT WE ATE DURING THE FLIGHT TO SAN DIEGO:
  • Each family member enjoyed a classic SunButter and jelly sandwich, made with delicious Little Northern Bakehouse bread, which is safe for our allergies. Alongside, we packed Lay’s original potato chips (safe for my son), convenient applesauce pouches, and fruit snacks. For any extra hunger pangs, a bag of Snyder’s Gluten Free Pretzels was always on hand.

Our Stay at the Legoland Hotel: An Immersive Experience

Choosing to stay at the Legoland Hotel was a debated decision, primarily due to its higher cost compared to other local accommodations. However, many friends advised that the hotel itself was an integral part of the Legoland experience, so we decided to splurge. While we were slightly disappointed by a booking mix-up that resulted in us not getting our preferred room theme, we appreciated the dedicated kids’ area complete with bunk beds and a TV. Our only minor wish was for a door to separate the kids’ sleeping area from the main room.

The hotel truly embraced the LEGO theme, with intricate details everywhere, from the lobby to the rooms. They even offered a fun scavenger hunt within the hotel, character meet-and-greets, and various themed events. Despite these tempting activities, our schedule often prevented us from participating much. We typically stayed in the park until closing at 6 PM, and by the time we finished dinner, we were either too exhausted and crashed for the night, or opted for a quick swim before bedtime.

The hotel’s proximity to the park was a huge advantage, eliminating the daily hassle of parking and granting us early access to the park before general admission. Crucially, we found the hotel’s sit-down restaurants to be as, if not more, diligent about handling food allergies than some of the in-park eateries. This enhanced sense of safety was a significant benefit. Even if you’re not a hotel guest, I believe you can still dine at their restaurants, though reservations might be required. Our room also came equipped with a small refrigerator, and a microwave was conveniently located down the hall near the vending machines, offering some flexibility for snacks.

Booking Our Legoland Adventure: The Value of a Travel Agent

Just as we did for our Disneyland trip, we booked our Legoland vacation through Get Away Today. I generally prefer not to book complex trips blindly online; having a knowledgeable person to consult with provides immense peace of mind. Their expertise and helpfulness were invaluable.

As fate would have it, we encountered an issue with our hotel reservation upon arrival. Even though it was after business hours, I sent a direct message to Get Away Today on Facebook, and they called me almost immediately. They not only communicated directly with the hotel manager but also followed up several times throughout our stay to ensure the issue was fully resolved. This level of support is incredibly reassuring, knowing there’s an extra layer of advocacy making sure everything runs smoothly. Having an external entity to help navigate potential challenges, rather than solely relying on my own communication with the hotel, made a significant difference.

You can book your trip through them using my affiliate link, which comes at no extra cost to you. They consistently offer fantastic prices; for instance, a similar package I priced on the official Legoland website was around $4,000, while Get Away Today offered it for approximately $2,500. This substantial saving, combined with personalized assistance, is truly exceptional. If you do book through them, please mention that Allergy Awesomeness sent you!

Setting Expectations: Preparing Our Allergy Kids for Legoland Dining

Before embarking on our trip, we had an important conversation with our food-allergic boys to manage expectations. We emphasized that our top priority was safety, followed closely by ensuring full bellies. We explained that this might mean not always eating the most delicious or exciting new foods. Sometimes, they might have to eat things they didn’t particularly love, simply to feel satisfied and prevent being “hangry” while waiting in lines or exploring the park. We framed this as part of the adventure, acknowledging that we, as parents, were also figuring things out in real-time and would all need to extend grace to one another. I believe this candid discussion helped immensely.

To add some special treats, we packed a large bag of Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids, knowing safe desserts might be hard to find and in-park food was already expensive. These candies became a cherished evening snack back in our hotel room. Additionally, we made an exception to our usual home rules by allowing the kids to have a soda with lunch and dinner, and juice with breakfast. These small indulgences felt like significant treats, giving them something extra to look forward to amidst the dietary restrictions.

Strategic Snacking: What Food We Brought Into Legoland Park

One of the pleasant surprises about Legoland was its relaxed policy on bringing outside food into the park, making entry and exit notably less restrictive than Disneyland. Since we flew and couldn’t bring a large cooler, our strategy for in-park food was minimal and practical. We made sure each person had a reusable water bottle, which we refilled frequently. For snacks, we packed a bag of Snyder’s Gluten Free Pretzels for each day. These were ideal because they took up minimal space, were shelf-stable, light to carry, and provided a good source of carbohydrates to stave off hunger between meals. Honestly, we rarely needed significant snacks, making the light packing strategy a success. It was refreshing to only have to carry a small diaper bag through the park, rather than a heavy cooler. While you are welcome to bring more of your own food, for us, part of the vacation experience is not having to pack and prepare every single meal. Moreover, our luggage constraints and lack of a rental car to buy groceries further cemented our decision to rely primarily on park and hotel dining, supplemented by a few essential packed items.

Our Essential Food Packing List for the Trip

As previously mentioned, to avoid carry-on luggage fees, we had to strategically pack all our belongings for six people into just two large suitcases, each limited to 40 pounds. Thankfully, being a summer trip, light clothing helped save space. Despite the tight packing constraints, I prioritized bringing a small selection of emergency allergy-safe foods from home. Here’s what made the cut:

• Five bags of Snyder’s Gluten Free Pretzels (one for each day we were away).
• One container of SunButter (I skipped packing jam, knowing we could easily get individual jam containers from the hotel’s breakfast buffet).
• One loaf of regular bread for the non-allergic family members.
• One loaf of Little Northern Bakehouse bread, which is safe for my sons’ allergies.
• Eight bags of microwave Orville’s Kettle Corn popcorn (two for each night of our stay, chosen for their compact nature).
• One large bag of Swedish Fish and one large bag of Sour Patch Kids for special treats.
• A supply of sandwich baggies, useful for making sandwiches for our flight home and for storing extra snacks.
• Reusable water bottles for everyone, which we filled daily.

That was the entirety of our packed food! While packing so little initially felt daunting, I knew we had contingencies. In a worst-case scenario, we could use DoorDash. We also made it a habit to grab an extra apple or banana from the breakfast buffet to keep in our room for late-night snacks. Honestly, this minimalist approach worked out perfectly for our family, proving that extensive food packing isn’t always necessary for a successful allergy-friendly trip.

What We Appreciated About Legoland’s Approach to Food Allergies

During our visit, we were consistently impressed by the visible commitment to food allergy awareness. Signs were prominently displayed throughout the park and hotel restaurants, advising guests with food allergies to speak with staff. This immediate acknowledgment made us feel welcomed and understood. Legoland aims to be incredibly family-friendly, and it’s clear they recognize that many families navigate food allergies. We never felt like an inconvenience, nor did staff seem unfamiliar with handling such requests.

A particularly reassuring practice in their restaurants was the protocol for allergy orders. Waitstaff were not permitted to finalize or submit our orders directly. Instead, a chef would personally come to our table to discuss our allergies, confirm safe options, and approve the order before it was placed. This direct communication with the chef was invaluable, offering immense peace of mind. On one occasion, a chef went truly above and beyond to accommodate us, further solidifying our feeling of being genuinely cared for throughout our dining experiences.

Areas for Improvement: Our Honest Feedback on Legoland’s Allergy Options

While we appreciated the diligent safety protocols, we did wish for a greater variety of allergy-friendly meal options. *Spoiler alert: my son often ate a plain chicken breast with fries or potato chips for almost every lunch and dinner, regardless of the restaurant.* Given California’s reputation for an abundance of gluten-free and vegan establishments, I had hoped for a more diverse selection within the park and hotel.

On a positive note, nuts seemed to be surprisingly scarce within the park. It was rare to encounter items containing nuts, and when we inquired about cooking oils, we were consistently assured that no peanut oil was used, which was a significant relief for our peanut-allergic sons.

However, the lack of nutritional balance was noticeable; meals often focused on protein and carbohydrates. It would have been greatly appreciated if more fresh fruits or vegetables were routinely offered with lunches and dinners. Our prior experience at Disneyland offered a much broader culinary landscape, with options for diverse cuisines like Mexican and Asian, and even safe pizza, allowing my son to enjoy a different meal almost every night. Legoland’s more limited menu in this regard was a slight letdown.

Furthermore, while Disneyland restaurants generally seemed able to accommodate us, Legoland had quick-service establishments exclusively dedicated to burgers or pizza. Since my eldest son cannot eat beef, the burger places were out of the question, and we didn’t even attempt the pizza spots, which meant entire dining venues were unavailable to us, limiting our choices even further.

Hotel Restaurant Dining: The Importance of Reservations

Our visit to Legoland in June 2021 was still during a period with numerous COVID-19 precautions in place. During this time, making reservations via the Open Table app was mandatory for all sit-down meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – at the hotel’s restaurants. While this might be different now, I found the reservation system quite beneficial. It eliminated long queues and guaranteed us a table, which reduced stress. The only downside was the potential for inconvenience if you forgot to book well in advance, which could lead to very late dining times.

Conversely, quick-service eateries located inside the Legoland park did not require any reservations, offering more spontaneous dining opportunities for general guests, though our specific allergy needs always necessitated speaking with staff.

Breakfast at Legoland: Our Safe Choices at Bricks Restaurant

Breakfast often presents the trickiest meal challenge, even at home, given the prevalence of wheat, dairy, eggs, and nuts in typical breakfast foods. At Legoland’s Bricks Restaurant, which operated as a buffet, I immediately requested to speak with the chef.

A notable and reassuring aspect of their buffet setup was that guests were not permitted to serve themselves. Instead, dedicated servers dished out the food, diligently using separate serving spoons for each item. This significantly reduced the risk of cross-contact, a major concern at self-serve buffets. The chef came out promptly, listened carefully to our sons’ food allergies, and meticulously reviewed all the safe options available. Because it was a buffet, and not an à la carte restaurant, options were fixed. However, we were thankful there were still several safe items for my eldest son, who has the most extensive allergies. I will focus on what he could eat, as he represented our greatest challenge.

• WHAT HE COULD EAT FOR BREAKFAST AT BRICK’S RESTAURANT:
  • His safe breakfast options consistently included tater tots, breakfast potatoes (a mix of potatoes, onions, and bell peppers cooked in a safe oil), crispy bacon, pork sausage, fresh apples, bananas, oranges, pre-packaged fruit cups, various juices, soy milk, and Cocoa Krispies (which contain barley, but he tolerates it well).

This breakfast menu remained consistent each day. The chef also assured us that, aside from individually wrapped, pre-purchased banana walnut muffins (not made on-site), there were no peanuts or tree nuts prepared on the premises, further alleviating our concerns.

Day 1 Lunch Inside Legoland: Knight’s Smokehouse Adventure

On our first day, after reviewing the list of open restaurants (many were still closed due to COVID-19 precautions), a BBQ joint caught my eye. Given that my son can safely eat pork and chicken, I reasoned we could find a suitable meat and side there. We headed to Knight’s Smokehouse. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking to commit to a queue, hoping you won’t wait only to find no safe options and have to leave. But sometimes, you just have to step outside your comfort zone.

• WHAT HE ATE FOR LUNCH INSIDE LEGOLAND DAY 1:
  • My son had a baked chicken leg, served with potato chips and raisins. This was a kids’ meal, which included a drink and raisins. The chef was particularly kind: she informed us that while the chicken is baked, it is sometimes grilled on the same surface as cheese-filled sausages. To entirely avoid cross-contamination, she generously retrieved a fresh piece directly from the oven that had not yet touched the grill.
  • My son was a little disappointed because the restaurant offered fries, but they weren’t safe due to shared fryers. He also wasn’t thrilled that his chicken leg was served “rustic style” on the bone, as he’s accustomed to boneless chicken.

Day 1 Dinner at Legoland: Dragon’s Den and a Hotel Room Treat

We stayed in the park until it closed at 6 PM, and decided to hold off on dinner until after. Once the park gates shut, we walked over to Dragon’s Den, a restaurant located in the Legoland Castle Hotel, the sister property situated right next door.

• WHAT HE ATE FOR DINNER AT DRAGON’S DEN LEGOLAND DAY 1:
  • My son enjoyed a grilled chicken breast, some safely prepared fries, and a Shirley Temple. Initially, they didn’t have safe fries because they share a fryer with chicken nuggets. However, the chef, upon hearing our son’s allergies, graciously offered to make a fresh batch of fries for us specifically in the oven. My son was absolutely delighted, especially after missing out on fries at lunch while his siblings enjoyed theirs. A huge thank you to that accommodating chef!
• Upon returning to our hotel room, my son still felt a little peckish. This was the perfect opportunity to pop some of the microwave popcorn I had packed. It was a fun and easy way to ensure everyone felt full before bed, especially since our breakfast reservations sometimes weren’t until 9 or 10 AM the next day. We used Orville’s Kettle Corn for this delicious late-night snack.

Day 2 Lunch Inside Legoland: Exploring Everything So Ramen

For our second day’s lunch, we ventured to Everything So Ramen, located in the newer Legoland Movie World area of the park. My son is a big fan of dishes with rice, so we were optimistic. While it was a welcome change to have rice instead of potatoes for a carb, we were a little let down by the lack of safe sauce options. However, variety is key when dealing with multiple food allergies, so the different base was appreciated.

• WHAT HE ATE AT EVERYTHING SO RAMEN:
• His meal consisted of plain chicken, rice, and vegetables, accompanied by a safe drink. The vegetables provided were pickled cucumbers and carrots, which was an unexpected flavor profile for him and not his favorite, but he still ate them to ensure he was full.

Day 2 Dinner at Legoland: Skyline Restaurant Highlights

Our dinner on the second night took us to the Skyline Restaurant within the main Legoland Hotel. This meal proved to be a real highlight, with my son declaring these were the “best fries of the whole trip!”

• WHAT HE ATE AT SKYLINE RESTAURANT:
• He enjoyed a perfectly grilled chicken breast, those celebrated fries, and another Shirley Temple.

Our Beach Day Excursion: Dining Off-Site

We opted for a two-day Legoland pass, as many people suggested it was sufficient given the park’s size compared to Disney. Honestly, my kids loved it so much that they would have happily spent a third day re-riding their favorite attractions! However, since we hail from land-locked Idaho, we decided to dedicate one day to the beach. We rented a Turo vehicle for the day to explore the beautiful California coastline.

• WHAT WE ATE FOR THE BEACH DAY:
• For our beach snacks, I packed water, pretzels, and the remaining candy. Surprisingly, we ended up skipping lunch entirely! This was highly unusual for my children, who rarely miss a meal, but they were so engrossed in playing at the beach that they simply didn’t want to stop. Every time I asked if they wanted to leave for lunch, the answer was a resounding “no!”
• For dinner, we used the Chick-Fil-A app to locate the nearest restaurant, which was a few exits away. Chick-Fil-A is a trusted allergy-friendly option for us, so we happily ordered our usual safe meal: grilled nuggets, fries, and a drink for everyone.

Our Last Day in San Diego: Exploring and Eating Before Departure

On our final day, we woke up and enjoyed our last breakfast at Legoland’s Bricks Hotel (the usual safe options). After checking out, and with our flight not scheduled until 6 PM, we seized the opportunity to see a bit more of San Diego before returning the Turo rental car and heading to the airport.

• WHERE WE ATE IN SAN DIEGO:
• Our first stop was La Jolla, to visit the famous sea lions. We thoroughly enjoyed strolling along the promenade and watching these fascinating creatures. To our delight, an ice cream vendor there offered some safe popsicles, which the kids happily enjoyed.
• Next, we drove to a Chipotle, another reliable allergy-friendly restaurant that we frequent. Unfortunately, we don’t have Chipotle locations near us in Idaho, so it had been a while since our last visit. My son absolutely loved his kids’ meal, which consisted of two crispy chicken tacos, rice, beans, and extra guacamole for his chips. He declared this his favorite meal of the entire vacation and devoured it with enthusiasm.
• After our delicious lunch, we took a brief walk around the stunning LDS temple, conveniently located right next to Chipotle, before making our way to the airport.
• Before leaving the hotel that morning, I had prepared sandwiches for the airport/dinner on the flight home using the SunButter, safe bread, and sandwich baggies I had packed, along with some jam swiped from the hotel’s breakfast buffet. I also grabbed extra bananas from the buffet, and we still had some pretzels left. While not a gourmet dinner, these packed meals served their purpose perfectly, ensuring we didn’t have to rely on airport food and keeping us satisfied until we arrived home.

Cultivating a Positive Mindset for Allergy Kids on Vacation

One of the most valuable strategies I employed when I noticed my son feeling disappointed about his limited food choices compared to his siblings was to gently remind him of the bigger picture. I’d tell him, “While you might be eating plain food here, you are AT LEGOLAND! So many kids, who can eat absolutely anything they want, will never get the chance to visit Legoland. The incredible experience of being here is worth the trade-off of having ‘boring’ food for a few days.” This perspective often helped shift his focus back to the fun he was having.

Additionally, I think kids often imagine that any food adults order off a menu is inherently delicious. I made a point to be honest about my own meals. If my food was just “so-so,” or even not great, I’d say so. I’d remind him that just because something looks appetizing doesn’t guarantee it will taste amazing. I’d ask him, “How many times have you ordered something and been disappointed? Maybe it was overcooked, bland, or too salty.” This helped him realize that even people without allergies often face dining disappointments, normalizing his experience somewhat.

Finally, a powerful motivator was the promise of home-cooked favorites. I assured him that for the entire week after we returned home, I would make a lot of his absolute favorite meals. This always perked him up, knowing that his cherished dishes awaited him. As the son of a food blogger, he often has to try new recipes he might not love while I’m developing content, so the promise of his go-to comfort foods was a real treat. By the end of our trip, he still enthusiastically declared it his favorite vacation and expressed a desire to return, which truly speaks to the idea that a fantastic time can be had, even if the food isn’t always gourmet.

You can also watch a short video featuring some of my tips, and hear him discuss our trip in an interview we did for Allergic Living on Legoland.

Finding Confidence: Overcoming Anxiety When Traveling with Food Allergies

If reading this still leaves you thinking, “I could never do this,” please understand that I, too, felt immense nervousness. The apprehension begins with booking the trip and resurfaces with every single meal. Sometimes, when we see others doing things that seem challenging, we assume they must not be bothered by it. That’s simply not true. My motivation stems from not wanting my son to miss out on valuable life experiences. I firmly believe that all we can do is prepare meticulously, ask every necessary question, always have our EpiPens readily accessible, and control what we can, leaving the rest to faith.

Yes, food allergies will inherently present certain limitations for him. However, my own fears do not need to become yet another obstacle for him to overcome. If, after careful consideration of your unique circumstances, you genuinely feel it’s not feasible for your family, then that is your personal decision, and I respect it entirely. But if you’re feeling on the fence and need a little encouragement to take that leap, consider this your gentle nudge. However you choose to travel, I sincerely hope your journeys are safe and filled with cherished, joyful memories.

Important Disclaimer

Please note that I am not a medical professional, and I am not privy to the specific severity or nature of your individual food allergies. Furthermore, Legoland’s food offerings, ingredients, and recipes may change over time since our visit in June 2021. It is your sole responsibility to ensure your safety by conducting your own thorough research and inquiries when planning and during your trip. This content is intended as a helpful guide based on my personal family experience, not an exhaustive or exact plan for everyone with food allergies. While I hope it proves beneficial, I cannot guarantee anyone’s safety. Wishing you safe travels and abundant love.