Ah, Legoland. Our happy place.
We always pack extra minifigures for trading when we visit Legoland, because it’s fun to trade with the Model Citizens (Legoland employees) and at trading spots around the park.
But did you know that you can also collect and trade Pop Badges? And what exactly are they?
This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.
What are Pop Badges?
Pop badges are circular plastic badges that have a back that “pops” off, allowing you to wear the badge on your shirt or a lanyard, or any material thin enough that it can be squished between the front and back of the badge. While lanyards can be purchased at Legoland, you can also pick up some less expensive generic lanyards from Amazon before your trip.
At Legoland, the pop badges have pictures of various minifigures on them, each representing a different ride/accomplishment/holiday, etc.
Where can I find Pop Badges?
Pop Badges can be collected all over the park, you just have to ask the ride operators or the employees working in a certain area.
Similar to minifigure trading, if an employee is wearing a Pop Badge, they will trade with you! It’s a great way to get really unique badges or badges from challenges you may have missed.
Speaking of challenges, that’s the other way to get pop badges. More info follows but basically Legoland has pop badge challenges throughout the year that awards badges for completing small tasks.
Pop Badges at Rides and Attractions
Several of the rides at Legoland give out pop badges before or after you ride. Here’s a list of rides where you can collect them:
Lego Ninjago the Ride – Ninja in Training badge
Coastersaurus, Technic Coaster, The Dragon – My First Coaster badge
Deep Sea Adventure – Deep Sea Adventure badge
Mia’s Riding Camp – Heartlake City Make New Friends badge
Fun Town Police and Fire Academy – Fun Town Hero badge
Lost Kingdom Adventure – High Score Hero
Sea Life Aquarium – Jr. Aquarist badge (as you are exiting, answer a question about what you learned in the aquarium to earn this badge)
Legoland Waterpark – Legoland Waterpark badge and Jr. Lifeguard (ask at entry/exit turnstiles and at waterpark ticket counter)
Pop Badges at Legoland Guest Services
Membership Services – 1st Visit to Legoland badge, Premium Merlin Annual Passholder (for passholders only)
First Aid – Legoland Bravery badge
Security – Jr. Officer badge
Pop Badges at Legoland Hotels
Legoland Hotel – Legoland Hotel badge
Legoland Castle Hotel – about to find out on our next visit!
Legoland Partner Hotels – Legoland Vacations badge (when you book with a partner hotel though Legoland Vacations)
Legoland Hotel Restaurants – Jr. Chef
Pop Badges for Legoland Experiences
VIP Experience – Legoland Ultimate VIP Experience badge
Pop Badge Challenges
Another way to collect unique pop badges are during pop badge challenges that Legoland has throughout the year. Challenges tend to occur around holidays or special events. We have collected badges during Halloween Brick or Treat nights, Legoland Holiday Weekends, and even a few random challenges to celebrate certain events.
The biggest, most exciting pop badge challenge of all is an ongoing search for the elusive Mr. Gold. Named after the highly sought after minifigure from many years ago, this Mr. Gold badge can only be found ON park employees. That’s right, you have to catch an employee wearing one in order to add this special badge to your collection.
Only about 10 Mr. Gold badges go out each day, so you really have to keep your eyes peeled. Yes, we have collected a few thanks to my eagle-eyed husband, but it’s the kids that need to approach the employee and ask. They won’t hand them to an adult.
Pro Tip: the badge could be worn by any employee of the park, and we have found more than one on a VIP tour employee. Also be sure to check more than just their shirt! We found one being worn on the pocket of an employee’s cargo pants.
The best part is, if you find Mr. Gold, you can turn him in at Guest Services for a special prize (spoiler alert: it’s a free ticket to Legoland). Or, you can just keep him and wear him around Legoland to amaze everyone standing in line around you.
So there you go! A comprehensive guide on where to find all of the collectible Legoland Pop Badges! Will you collect them all?
Do you happen to have a list or pictures of the pop badges… I may be able to provide you some of the pics I have of my own personal collection. I would love it if some one would provide an annual list of available badges.
I have not taken pictures of them all but thanks for the recommendation. I am waiting to update this post until I know for sure if Legoland will continue with pop badges at all. We heard rumors for a while that they were going to phase them out and now with the pandemic we are worried they may use that as a reason to get rid of them completely.