Day Trip to Chicago - Shedd and Legoland

[sksjasams]

We are planning a one day trip from Madison, WI to the Chicago area during spring break. We have 2 weeks off this year due to a Catholic Schools convention, so our day is flexible.

I let DS11 choose what he would like to do, and he chose the Shedd Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center which is nearby in Schaumburg. The Shedd opens at 9am. How many hours should we allow to tour the aquarium? Is the Fantasea show worth the time? I saw mixed reviews of the show. Is there anywhere we can get discounted tickets?

As far as Legoland, I see that if we go after 3pm that tickets are $12. Is there any chance of getting them for any lower of a price? I have heard that Legoland is not that great but DS11 really has his heart set on it.

Would you say that would be a full day with those 2 attractions, plus lunch and probably drive-thru dinner on the way home? Do you think we could possibly fit the Sears/Willis Tower in, or will we need to save that for another trip?

As far as choosing the day, is any day of the week better/less crowded? We are open to pretty much any day in the last week in March and first week in April.

Thanks so much for your help!!

 

[LaurenLC]

Schaumburg is at least an hour away from downtown Chicago, depending on traffic... I would think that the aquarium and then traveling out to the suburbs would be enough for one day.
I can't give you any tips on ticket prices or days of the week, but I would avoid Chicago public schools spring breaks at all cost... You should be able to look that up on-line.
Have a fun trip!

 

[mrstomrice]

I visited Chicago last month and went to the Shedd. We brought our own luches and ate on a bench. We spent about 5 hours there, which included Fantasea. The show was a bit on the corny side, but the animals were nice. There is no additional charge for the show, but you need a timed ticket. We got a later show, saw most of the aquarium, then ended it with Fantasea. Parking was 19.00 in the lot next to the Shedd. There was meter parking, but it was all full. I did not get to Legoland as my friend and host thought it wasn't really worth it. My DS is 5. Hope this helps!

 

[Mrs D]

From downtown Chicago to Schaumburg is indeed about an hour drive. You would want to be on the road no later than 3pm to avoid rush hour traffic (which lasts approximately from 3:30 until 6:30).

I saw a recommendation to sign up for the Shedd's email newsletter - they sometime include discounts.

I also found this link to ideas for discounts. http://www.mahalo.com/shedd-aquarium-coupons.

Here's a coupon for Legoland from the local Oaklee's Guide.

HTH!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

We LOVE the Shedd - it has been redesigned and is a ton of fun. We park on the street 99% of the time during the week. Remember quarters! I have not seen the new show, so I can't give an opinion on it. But - that and Legoland is a very full day - esp with the rt drive to WI, and the hour drive to Schaumburg.

I had gotten a deal on a season pass for Legoland around Christmas, so we finally checked it out in January. My son likes it, but it was not worth it IMHO.

 

[bonoriffic]

I live in Schaumburg. From Legoland to Ohio St. exit on 90 is only an hour if during rush hour. As long as traffic is good, it is closer to 40 minutes. Of course Schaumburg is a destination itself and Legoland is located at a very busy intersection of expressways, shopping malls, and corporate headquarters. Legoland has been given horrible reviews by everyone I know who has gone.

 

[Bethmom3]

Legoland tickets can be cheaper if purchased at the customer service kiosk in woodfield mall outside of Macys. I was there a couple weeks ago and we paid $16. for 1 adult tix and 1 child tix. Its a parent/child package only available Mon-Fri. Legoland is definitely not worth full price IMHO. However my boys 4yr and 5yr did enjoy it.

 

[sksjasams]

Thanks for all the tips so far!

I did find out that Chicago Public Schools spring break is March 29-April 2, and Schaumburg spring break is even before then. So, we will go sometime the week of April 5-9.

I signed up for newsletters for Legoland and Shedd, so maybe a discount will come that way. I looked at the other discounts/coupons and unfortunately we wouldn't be able to use them. The discount at Woodfield Mall is a possibility, though I'm not sure it would be worth the extra stop.

I think we'll save the Sears/Willis tower for another visit, and also probably skip the Fantasea show. Despite all the bad reviews, DS11 can not stop talking about Legoland. He wants to allot some time for shopping there of course.

I see there are some regular lego stores in Woodfield mall, North Brook, downtown Chicago, in addition to the store at the Legoland Discovery Center. Of all the stores in the area, which has the best selection? My DS11 is dreaming of possible exclusive sets, and also hoping to buy sets they don't make anymore like Agents and Batman. Any chance he will find those? How does the Legoland Store compare to the Lego store at DTD?

Thanks again for all the help!!

 

[daughtersrus]

I let DS11 choose what he would like to do, and he chose the Shedd Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center which is nearby in Schaumburg. The Shedd opens at 9am. How many hours should we allow to tour the aquarium? Is the Fantasea show worth the time? I saw mixed reviews of the show. Is there anywhere we can get discounted tickets?



Thanks so much for your help!!

There is a radio station out of Schaumburg that sells discounted ticket/coupons to a wide array of businesses in the area. I believe that they have Legoland tickets for $7.00.

Here is a link to the site.

http://www.wrmn1410.com/catalog/index.asp?sType=shoppers


I have not bought anything from this show but I have from their "sister" station in Aurora (WBIG1280) and have never had a problem. There is no cost to join but if you want them to mail the tickets/coupons to you instead of picking them up at the station or one of their "road shows", there is a small fee.


Edited to add... if you go to the link, enter Legoland into the keyword box and it will pull up the information
Schaumburg won't really be out of your way on the way home if you're heading back to WI through Rockford via I90

 

[griergirl2]

Yes, I would think that the Shedd and Legoland would be more than enough for one day. And yes, Legoland is a big let down, but as long as you know that going in, you're good. We did EVERYTHING there and still weren't even there two hours. As to the store, it's not that great at Legoland either. They actually have a lot more at the store in Woodfield mall that at Legoland. However, we liked the downtown Chicago store best for selection...I believe it is on Michigan Ave?? It's been a while since we have been there though. And we have never been to the other store.

 

[Emmabean2000]

Hey fellow Madisonian! We are heading to Chicago to see Beauty and the Beast and a few other events over spring break. My ds9 always wants to visit a lego store and he too was disappointed in legoland. Both legoland and the Lego stores seem to have the same stuff. We always walk away thinking there would be more...

 

[kydisneyfans]

There are $5 off coupons for the Lego discovery center in the Entertainment book.

We went last year, our 10 year old DS was very disappointed, and he is a Lego freak. It seemed geared more toward the 6-7 year old children IMO. The gift shop was so-so. It had some neat things, but not enough for what admission costs.

The Shedd and Lego is enough for 1 day. Traffic of 40-60 minutes is accurate, depending on time of day.

 

[coloradodaisy]

Yeah, I have to echo what everyone is saying about Legoland. It's honestly not much more than a glorified store. We were there last August, it was dirty and disorganized. The rides were crappy and the lines were long. The store isn't that great either, really not that big. My dad took us, and now having been there I will not go again, the admission is wayyyyyy too much for what you get.

 

[tink fan]

I believe if you are a teacher, you can get into Shedd Aquarium for free. My husband was able to when we went two summers ago. They asked where he taught, but did not ask to see any proof (which was good because he did not have it with him at the time).

 

[PrincessSarah314]

Mondays are free coffee at all Dunkin' Donuts.

Mondays are free at Chicago History Museum – Bring the kids and family to see the new exhibit on Chinatown or Sensing Chicago, which invites children of all ages to ride a high-wheel bicycle down a wood-paved street, hear the Great Chicago Fire, catch a fly ball at Comiskey Park, be a Chicago-style hot dog and more - http://is.gd/9WdVm

Bring the Kids and Explore Space at Adler Planetarium in Chicago during FREE TUESDAYS in March, 2010! -- http://is.gd/9YpGE

 

[PrincessSarah314]

1. We offer a discount to teachers, active-duty military personnel and Chicago police officers and firefighters. With proper ID, you will receive discounted admission to the aquarium, Oceanarium and Wild Reef. Students and senior citizens receive a $3 discount on admission every day.
   
2. A Great Kids Museum Passport is good for two adults and two children for general aquarium admission only. Find them at Chicago Public Library branches. Passes should be presented in the general admission line.
   
3. Visitors who present a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch ATM, credit or debit card, along with photo identification, will receive one free all-access admission March 6-7.
   
4. If your employer is listed, you are eligible for free or discounted admission to

the aquarium: Akzo Nobel Inc.
American Agricultural
Amsted Industries
ArcelorMittal
Bank of America
Baxter International
Bears Care
Bloomberg
The Coca-Cola Company
ComEd
Credit Suisse
Discover Financial Services
Exelon Corporation
GATX
GKN Foundation
Goldman Sachs & Company
HSBC - North America
Illinois Tool Works
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Kimco
KPMG
Kraft Foods
Motorola
Navistar, Inc.
PECO
S&C Electric Foundation
Sahara Enterprises
SAP
Shaw's Crab House
Shure Inc.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
The Private Bank
UBS
United Airlines
USG Corporation
Vienna Beef
Walgreen Co.