LEGOLAND California Resort offers a unique and engaging activity that adds an extra layer of fun to any visit: LEGO Minifigure Trading!
Much like the popular pin trading found at Disney parks, minifigure trading transforms a park visit into an interactive scavenger hunt where the prizes are cool new LEGO characters.
This beloved tradition, which began around 2010, encourages guests to interact with park employees and fellow fans, making it more than just a way to get a souvenir – it’s an experience.
See also: My Full List of San Diego Family Activities
Why Trade? The Thrill of the Hunt
What makes swapping little plastic figures so captivating? For many guests, especially children, I think minifigure trading is driven by several motivations:
- The Joy of Collecting: Many LEGO fans have a particular character or theme that they love. Trading offers a chance to find that elusive figure needed to complete a set or add a favorite character to their collection.
- The Excitement of the Search: It’s kind of a park-wide treasure hunt. Scanning employee name badges and seeking out trading posts adds an element of adventure to the day. Personally, I find the anticipation of finding a “cool” figure the major draw.
- Social Interaction: Trading encourages kids (and adults!) to politely approach and interact with LEGOLAND employees, known as Model Citizens. You never know what other tips and tricks they might have to share.
- Gets Kids Walking: When you want to keep your crew on the move it’s an extra incentive to keep walking.
- Upgrading and Upcycling Your Collection: Guests can bring minifigures to the park that they no longer want or need and trade them for something new to them.
- A Budget-Friendly Souvenir: Not only is it fun to bring figure from home to trade, you could the new-to-you minifigures a fun souvenir (hopefully without the added expense of buying LEGOs in the gift shops). Speaking of saving money, don’t forget to check out my guide on finding discounted LEGOLAND tickets.
At the end of the day (sometimes literally), minifigure trading fosters a sense of community among LEGO fans within the park, turning a simple transaction into something a lot of kids I know look forward to.
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How to Trade: The Official LEGOLAND Way
LEGOLAND California makes the trading process straightforward and fun. The official guidelines follow three simple steps, which you can verify on the LEGOLAND California website:
- Bring or Build a LEGO Minifigure: Start with a complete LEGO minifigure. This can be one brought from home or one from inside the park whether purchased or built.
- Find a Minifigure to Trade: Keep an eye out for minifigures displayed on the brick-built name badges worn by Model Citizens (park employees) or look for designated Trading Posts located throughout the resort.
- Ask to Trade: Approach a Model Citizen with the figure you want to trade. With your own figure in hand, ask them to swap. Park policy ensures they will always say yes! You’ll then hand over your figure, and they give you the one you selected from their badge.
What Makes a Minifigure “Tradeable”?
A minifigure must be complete to be traded. It needs a head, torso, hands, and legs. This applies to figures you bring and those offered by Model Citizens. I’ve read some guest reports that suggest accessories (like hats, hair, or handheld items) are optional, but the official rule emphasizes the core components, including hands and that’s been my experience.
It’s best to ensure that your trading figures include all their essential components as defined by the park. It’s okay to use mixed-and-matched parts, as long as the figure is complete and uses genuine LEGO pieces.
What About LEGO Friends Figures (Mini-Dolls)?
Excellent question and there’s some nuance here. Officially, LEGOLAND California’s website says that any LEGO Minifigure can be traded, as evidenced by the use of a Friends mini-doll image as an example.
Guest experiences confirm that Friends figures are accepted at trading posts and by employees. However, a practical issue exists: Friends mini-dolls do not physically attach to the studs on employee name badges, unlike traditional minifigures.
Because of this, you’re less likely to see employees wearing Friends figures for trade. Despite this, I’ve heard that employees will still accept them in trade and they sometimes find creative ways to attach them. So, while you might not trade a Friends figure directly off a badge, they are generally welcome at designated trading spots and are considered quite popular by some staff.
How Often Can You Trade?
As much as you like! LEGOLAND encourages guests to trade repeatedly throughout their visit.
Where the Magic Happens: Finding Trading Spots
Opportunities to trade minifigures are plentiful throughout LEGOLAND California and its associated areas. Knowing where to look increases the chances of finding that perfect figure.
Official Trading Posts
LEGOLAND designates several specific locations as “Trading Posts,” which often feature a wider selection of figures. Again, you can find the official list online as it can be subject to change.
| Trading Post Location | Area |
|---|---|
| Guest Services | The Beginning |
| SEA LIFE Aquarium Retail Shop | SEA LIFE Aquarium |
| The Awesome Shop | THE LEGO® MOVIE™ World |
| LEGO Life Zone / Planet LEGO | Fun Town |
| King’s Market | Castle Hill |
| Imagination Zone | Imagination Zone |
| LEGOLAND California Hotel Front Desk | LEGOLAND Hotel |
| LEGOLAND Castle Hotel Front Desk | LEGOLAND Castle Hotel |
Beyond the Posts: Everywhere Else!
Don’t limit the search to just the official posts!
- Model Citizen Badges: Nearly any park employee (at rides, food carts, shops, walking around) might have a minifigure on their name badge available for trade. Always be observant!
- Retail Display Cases: Many gift shops have small display cases, often near the cash registers, holding several minifigures specifically for trading. It’s always worth asking at the counter for a trade.
- High-Yield Spots (According to Guests): Visitors frequently report good finds at the SEA LIFE Aquarium Retail Shop and the Hotel Front Desks. One guest also mentioned finding favorites near the Dino Dig area.
- The Elusive “Moving Trading Wall”: I’ve read that there’s a large, mobile trading wall that sometimes appears, though its schedule and location seem unpredictable. Reports suggest it might be operated by staff in teal shirts and often “lives” or appears near the Ninjago area or the ramp between Ninjago and The Big Shop. Asking at Guest Services might yield clues about its appearance. I haven’t personally see it nor have my clients mentioned it—so if you do see it let us know!
Don’t Expect Trading in the Water Park
Practical constraints related to the water environment mean that minifigure trading is not really practiced in the LEGOLAND Water Park when it’s open seasonall.
Tips for Terrific Trading (For Parents & Kids)
To make the most of the minifigure trading adventure, I think a little preparation and strategy go a long way.
Before You Go
- Gather Your Traders: Look through you LEGO bins at home for complete minifigures (head, torso, hands, legs) that are no longer favorites or are duplicates. Even “well-loved” figures or those colored on might be accepted, as staff may retire them from circulation. They have to be genuine LEGO brand.
- Source Figures (If Needed): If the home collection is sparse, check thrift stores, yard sales , or online marketplaces like Bricklink for cheap, used figures. Amazon also sells random lots.
- Decide How Many: I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to buy more, but if you could find a handful that would be fun. Maybe in the 4-6 range. But honestly, one or two is fine!
- Create a Wish List: If you’re aiming for specific types of figures (e.g., Star Wars, City, or specific characters), jotting down a list can help focus your search.
- Pack Smart: Keep trading figures easily accessible in a small bag, container, or dedicated minifigure case to so that you can grab them quickly and move on to the next activity. Plus there might be others waiting in line behind you on peak days.
Dealing with Incomplete Figures (The Upcycling Challenge):
It’s common to have minifigures at home that are missing a leg, an arm, or maybe their head. Since trading requires a complete figure (head, torso, hands, legs) , what can be done if guests want to bring these beloved-but-broken figures and make them trade-ready at the park?
The Build-A-Mini Limitation: While the Build-A-Minifigure (BAM) stations have bins overflowing with parts, guests generally cannot buy individual parts a la carte from these bins just to complete their existing figures. The BAM experience is designed around purchasing a package of three complete custom figures for a set price.
Park Workarounds
- Buy the BAM Package: Guests could purchase the 3-figure BAM package. Then, they can use the parts from the new figures just built to complete the figures brought from home. This still involves a purchase, but it allows salvaging original figures. The leftover new parts can form the basis of another figure or be kept for later.
- Buy Mystery Packs/Sets: Purchasing Collectible Minifigure “blind bags” or small LEGO sets containing figures is another option to source needed parts within the park.
Best “Upcycle” Option (Pre-Visit): The most waste-conscious and cost-effective approach is to find the missing parts before your LEGOLAND visit. But, let’s face it, we might not have time to look or we know the missing parts are truly missing. You can also look to online marketplaces like Bricklink where specific, individual used parts can often be bought very affordably.
During the Hunt
- Be Observant: Keep an eye on Model Citizen name badges and check the various Trading Posts and retail counters mentioned earlier throughout the park.
- Encourage Kids to Ask: I know this is easier said than done with little kids. Remember, Model Citizens are happy to trade! I love this as a way for shy kids to practice interacting with adults.
- Ask for Help: If searching for a particular figure, don’t hesitate to ask employees. They might know who has one or where to look.
- Manage Expectations: The figures available for trade are constantly changing based on what other guests have traded in. It’s going to be a mix-and-match assortment rather than a curated collection of rare items. In my experience, the goal is to find figures that you find cool or interesting.
- Look for Accessories: While not required, finding a figure with a cool hat, tool, or even a tiny LEGO animal can be an exciting bonus.
Beyond Trading: Park Collectibles
Minifigure trading is part of a broader park culture that encompasses collecting and interacting. Keep an eye out for other fun, free activities such as…
- Pop Badges: Collectible buttons themed to rides, events, or achievements (like First Visit or Bravery badges) available from specific locations or staff members. Staff often wear these on lanyards for trading too. (Curious about the rides? See my LEGOLAND ride guide:
[Link to your LEGOLAND ride guide]) - Mr. Gold / Space Baby Hunt: A daily park hunt where a limited number of special Mr. Gold or Space Baby pop badges (or hidden envelopes) are carried by specific employees (often those not handling food/trash, sometimes security or staff returning from breaks) or hidden around the park. Finding one yields a prize from Guest Services.
These activities, alongside minifigure trading, encourage guests to explore different park areas, engage with employees, and add an extra layer of interactive fun to their visit.
After Trading
Show Off Your Haul: LEGOLAND loves seeing guests enjoy trading! Share photos of new minifigure friends on social media using the hashtag #LEGOLANDCalifornia.
Need Figures? Buying & Building Minifigures at LEGOLAND California
Forgot to bring minifigures, or want to start fresh? Don’t worry! LEGOLAND makes it easy to acquire figures inside the park.
Buying Pre-Packaged Figures
Mystery Packs: Many shops sell the standard LEGO Collectible Minifigure Series packs. These sealed bling packages offer a surprise figure. While exciting, you might get duplicates or characters you don’t particularly want, but these then become perfect candidates for trading!
Sets and More: Retail locations sell standard LEGO sets (which include minifigures), as well as minifigure keychains, magnets, and other themed merchandise.
Where to Buy: Key spots in the park include the following.
- The Big Shop (The Beginning): Boasts the largest selection of LEGO sets under one roof.
- Minifigure Market (The Beginning): A prime spot for buying figures, including Build-A-Mini packs. Also sells bulk bricks. I feel like it’s not always open but The Big Shop is just across from it.
- Themed Shops: Wu’s Warehouse (NINJAGO World), Awesome Shop (THE LEGO® MOVIE™ World), King’s Market (Castle Hill), SEA LIFE Retail Shop, The Dive Shop (LEGO CITY®: Deep Sea Adventure), Brick Brothers Trading Co. (Fun Town).
- Hotel Gift Shops: LEGOLAND Hotel and Castle Hotel shops sell figures and offer trading.
Build-A-Minifigure (BAM): Your Custom Crew!
Perhaps the most fun way to get figures specifically for trading is the Build-A-Minifigure experience. In my experience, this can get crowded!
What It Is: These stations feature bins filled with a wide variety of minifigure parts – heads, torsos, legs, hairpieces, hats, and accessories. Guests can mix and match to create their own unique characters.
Why Do It: It’s the perfect way to get figures ready for trading right away. The building process itself is a fun, creative activity, especially for kids. It’s often considered a great value souvenir, typically offering three custom figures for a set price. This setup encourages guests to acquire multiple figures, thereby facilitating more trades throughout the day. By offering this engaging and value-driven option, especially near the park entrance, LEGOLAND cleverly integrates retail with the trading activity, ensuring anyone can participate easily.
Locations & Cost:
- Minifigure Market (The Beginning): This is the primary, location for build-your-own minifigures. The cost last time I was there was $14.99 for three figures.
- Brick Brothers Trading Co: Same price and inside Fun Town.
(Note: While LEGOLAND Florida reportedly removed its BAM tables, LEGOLAND California still offers the hands-on building experience ). A great tip, I think, is to utilize the early entry window (often 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM for hotel guests or certain passholders) to build figures here before the park fully opens and rides get busy.
Package Pick-Up Service:
If you don’t want to carry new LEGO purchases around the park all day, LEGOLAND offers a complimentary package pick-up service that I have used in the past in this moment with my daughter.
Make purchases at various retail locations and arrange to have them sent to the Minifigure Market in The Beginning for pickup on the way out (allow approximately 2 hours for processing time).
Guests staying at the LEGOLAND Hotels can even have packages delivered to their hotel’s front desk.
Final Thoughts: Happy Trading & Building Memories!
LEGO Minifigure Trading at LEGOLAND California is more than just swapping toys; it’s an interactive adventure that adds a unique dimension to the park experience. I’ve always liked that it encourages interaction and a bit of friendly negotiation.
It’s accessible to everyone and offers a fantastic way to bring home personalized souvenirs filled with memories. So, on the next visit, keep those eyes peeled, approach a Model Citizen with a smile, and get ready to trade!
