When our sons were younger, my husband, Matt, developed a fun LEGO routine with them. Each day after work, the moment he walked into the house, Matt would grab a bucket of LEGO bricks from the toy box, plop the pieces on the ground, and ask the boys, “What shall we build today?” As a result, our sons enjoyed LEGO products so much that every year our family also held annual passes to LEGOLAND California, so we could take the boys to visit the park on a regular basis even though it was an hour or so away from our house.
During our visits, I remember seeing the progress of the LEGOLAND Hotel being built. Once its construction was completed, I dreamt of taking my boys there for a weekend getaway, but the opportunity never presented itself. After the birth of our daughter Joy, I put it on our must-do list of experiences I wanted for her, so when my family and I were invited by Warner Bros. to attend a special 2-day event for their new film “LEGO Ninjago Movie” which included a one night stay at the LEGOLAND hotel, I truly burst into tears and was so very thankful to God for blessing us with such an incredible opportunity.
“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.” – T.E. Lawrence
As part of the event, we got to stay in a Pirate themed room, and Joy loved her sleeping area that included bunk beds and an entertainment center.
During the first day, the park was closed to the public, but Warner Bros. guests were treated to several fun activities around the LEGO Ninjago ride area. First, we participated in an exclusive LEGO builder workshop where we created our own masterpieces to add to Ninjago City. The workshop was conducted by the Simon Lucas, LEGO Ninjago Senior Creative Director for the LEGO Ninjago Movie.
Once we finished with the workshop, we spent some free time riding the Ninjago Ride an interactive ride that allows guest to blast animated fireballs, lightning and more at a sinister gallery of villains before teaming up to defeat a powerful foe. Guest scores are tracked against friends, family, and other guests! Since the park was open to just guest we able to go on the ride several times which was awesome since this was Joy’s first time on this type of ride.
Later that night we watched the advance screening of the movie. The LEGO Ninjago Movie is a new animated adventure in Warner Bros. Pictures’ LEGO® franchise, “The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” stars Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Munn, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael Peña, Zach Woods, and the legendary Jackie Chan. In this big-screen NINJAGO adventure, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu. This was the first time Joy saw Lloyd and his team in action since then she’s been watching the series on Netflix.[ CLICK HERE TO READ: 3 LESSONS KIDS WILL LEARN FROM THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE ]
After the screening, we celebrated the movie’s upcoming release by attending a post-screening party. There we participated in fun LEGO inspired activities. We built LEGO mini figures. We had an adorable portrait drawn by one of the LEGOLAND caricature artists. We even took a photo with the Nya (Water Ninja), LLoyd (Green Ninja) and Master Wu. We had a blast!
Day two kicked off with Ninjoga (Ninja + Yoga) for those who wished to attend and breakfast. While eating breakfast, we decided to use the opportunity to spend some quality time in our room as a family playing with LEGO products.
After breakfast, I headed back into the park and attended a press conference. The participating talent included Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Olivia Munn, Abbi Jacobson, Kumail Nanjiani, Zach Woods, Fred Armisen, Michael Peña, Charlie Bean, Dan Lin, and Chris McKay. During the conference, I learned a few fun facts that I thought I would share with you.
During the conference, I learned a few fun facts that I thought I would share with you.
Brick By Brick
Surprisingly the Ninjago set was designed on a computer and then built with built as LEGO.
“…We made all the bricks on the computer and then we designed the whole world brick by brick in the same way that you would build in real life.” ~ Director Charlie Bean
Kung Fu Fighting Skill
Jackie Chan likes the way martial arts is portrayed in cartoons because there is no limits to what you can do.
“In the cartoon, you know, martial art is unlimited in the way you can do anything, everything. And you never get old.” ~ Jackie Chan
Self Confidence
Growing up in a military family Olivia Munn moved around a lot and had to learn how to love herself.
“…I was in a military family and was always the new kid. So, one of the hardest things as a kid, I think, is finding a group to hang out with and have lunch with. And that starts pretty early on. Like, cliques start like five, six years old. But I had a realization when I was, like, around 10 years old. And I realized that, like, there’s always going–’cause there’s a thing that kicks in where you want to just be liked by people. Then you want to be, like, with the popular kids. And I want that really cool pencil case, and I want that backpack. And we didn’t grow up with a lot of money, … I was becoming envious and feeling very alone. Then I had this realization no matter what, there’s always going to be somebody prettier, taller, you know, nicer, smarter, richer, and that there’s always going to be people on the other side of that as well. And I just have to do my best at being me, and hopefully, it will all work out, because I can’t worry about people, you know, ahead of me. I can’t worry about people behind me. I’ve just got to, you know, run my own race.” ~ Olivia Munn
I’m a fan
Dave Franco enjoyed watching the other cast do their lines.
“…I remember the day when we were all there in the room together, there was a point where I just sat down to watch all of them just as a fan because they’re just all so quick-witted. And it’s really inspiring. ” ~ Dave Franco
Once the Junket was completed we spent the rest of the day enjoying the rest of Legoland.
Overall, the event was incredible, and I am very thankful to Warner Bros. for inviting my family and me to such a fantastic event and blessing us with a beautiful memory. (or a dream come true)
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