INSIDE LOOK: Adventure awaits at Pirate Island Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

INSIDE LOOK: Adventure awaits at Pirate Island Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

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Ahoy, ye mateys! Your little swashbucklers worked like captains all school year! Now it’s time for them to play like a pirate, and we can’t think of any better place to map out an adventure than LEGOLAND Pirate Island Hotel.

It’s a plank’s walk away from LEGOLAND Florida Resort and right next door to LEGOLAND Hotel. The LEGO pirate-themed hotel was built for kids, but teens (and kids at heart) love it, too.

While we’ve stayed at all three resorts at LEGOLAND Florida over the years, Pirate Island Hotel remains our family’s treasured favorite. We ARRRGH from Tampa, after all.

We like that it tends to be a bit quieter, and we absolutely love the Shipwreck Restaurant, where they’re serving up family-style BBQ at dinner and the yummiest breakfast.

Because Pirate Island Hotel is connected to the LEGOLAND Florida Hotel, you get to enjoy twice as many amenities, like the Creative Workshops and access to both pools.

Hidden nook LEGO build zone at Pirate Island Hotel at LEGOLAND Florida Resort
The kids loved crawling through the cave to find this hidden LEGO build zone at Pirate Island Hotel! Photo by Laura Byrne.

It’s the perfect place to STAY and PLAY because when the park closes, the fun begins at the hotels!

Our Favorite Things to Do at the LEGOLAND Florida Hotels

No matter which of the three resorts you book at LEGOLAND Florida Hotel, you have access to all of the amenities, and over at Pirate Island Hotel, you've got double the fun since you can also use the pool and activity areas of the adjoining LEGOLAND Hotel.

Creative Workshop at LEGOLAND Hotel in Florida.
Creative Workshop at LEGOLAND Hotel in Florida. Photo by Laura Byrne.
  • Creative Workshops: Book your free 30-minute class as soon as two weeks before your stay and build a custom model with a Master Model Builder that you can take home.
  • In-Room Scavenger Hunt: Our kids still get excited about the scavenger hunt and opening up the safe filled with LEGO booty. This is offered at all three of LEGOLAND Florida’s hotels.
  • Walk the Boardwalk: This was one of my favorite parts about the stay — getting the chance to take a relaxing walk along the boardwalk on Lake Eloise. We did a little bit of planet and stargazing too as the sunset.
  • Florida’s Wild Side Minigolf: Play a round of mini golf as the sun sets. It’s a gorgeous view, and you can check out the LEGO builds of different animals throughout the course.
  • S’mores: Roast some marshmallows after a round of mini golf in the fire pit. S’mores kits are available for purchase at the front desk.
  • Evening Activities: Check the schedule each day to see what celebration is happening in the lobbies. There are always fun characters and experiences planned!
  • Pontoon Boat Rides: We booked an early morning cruise before the park opened and toured Lake Eloise and the neighboring Lake Lulu. We saw tons of birds, an alligator, learned about the history of the area, and got a peek at the backside of Cypress Gardens at LEGOLAND, which is home to 600-year-old cypress trees!
a round of mini golf at Wild Side Mini Golf, next to the LEGOLAND Hotel and Pirate Island Hotel.
Play a round of mini golf at Wild Side Mini Golf, next to the LEGOLAND Hotel and Pirate Island Hotel. Photo by Laura Byrne.

Things to Do at the Theme Parks

There are more than 60 attractions, shows, and rides at LEGOLAND Florida Resort, including the all-new Galacticoaster, the most awesome family coaster. You get to design your own ride vehicle, and it’s indoors, so it’s a great way to cool off on a hot summer day.

The LEGOLAND Water Park is another must-visit. Our kids love the waterslides and the Build-A-Raft Lazy River. You’ll also want to make time to walk through SEA LIFE Florida right in the entrance of LEGOLAND Florida, where there are 3,000+ marine creatures in the 25 interactive exhibits.

And we can’t forget about Peppa Pig Theme Park next door, a park designed with preschoolers in mind!

Ways to Save at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

We recommend subscribing to LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s email newsletter to stay up to date on special offers unveiled throughout the year! legoland.com/florida.

Don't miss these special events this summer!

The adventure continues all summer long with these special events:

  • Pig Family Travel Adventure at Peppa Pig Theme Park: May 23-June 28: Join the Pig family on their first adventure around the world as a family of five! Grab your passport and explore fun activities like being an artist in France to building the Great Wall of China.
  • FIFA® World Cup 2026 Experience: June 11-July 19: Share a piece of the World Cup action at this celebration that’s packed with interactive games, epic LEGO brick builds and experiences inspired by LEGO soccer heroes.
  • Red, White, and Boom! for July 4th: Celebrate America’s 250th with extended park hours and an awesome DJ Dance party, and cap it all off with an unforgettable fireworks show that explodes into 3D LEGO® bricks!
  • LEGO® Festival: July 20-Aug. 16: Play takes center stage at this festival built for kids. You can expect all-new headliners and returning fan favorites in the Music, Creativity and Chill Out play zones.

Originally published in the June 2026 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.