Congratulations to Legoland, Windsor! I grew up at the back of what was then Windsor Safari Park, and I can assure you it was very different from what it is today. Shabby grounds with run-down animal enclosures, disgusting toilets and poor eating facilities typified the place.
In fact, I spent many summers there cooking fries, hot dogs and burgers, with no uniform, hat or training. When I look back on those days I wonder how it was that so many people visited the safari park at all.
So I was a little hesitant when my children (aged 10 months, three and five) talked me into visiting Legoland when it opened on 29 March.
But I was impressed from the moment we left the road and started to climb the hill to the gates: so much work had been done in landscaping what had previously been a jungle of overgrown plants. Children had been built from Lego bricks and each held a letter to the word "Welcome".
Attention to detail
I was amazed by the cleanliness and attention to detail, which I have not seen in a UK theme park and could liken only to Disneyland Paris.
Hospitality had a great role to play in making our day one to remember. Smiling, helpful staff met us in each section, and the shows, rides, play areas and Lego creations were perfect for my youngsters.
We were intrigued to visit Mövenpick's restaurant facilities as we had read so much about it and knew of its restaurants in Switzerland (my husband's home).
food galore
We visited the Marché, the main restaurant where fresh food is cooked to order from individual stalls in front of you. Kids can have smaller portions of just about everything. The layout and charging system was a little confusing to begin with but the food was delicious.
There was no end to the eating facilities. You could have jacket potatoes, or burgers and chips if you must. There was an outdoor rib-shack, a fresh pizza and pasta restaurant and an ice-cream parlour serving a massive choice of ice-creams in home-made wafer biscuits.
The toilet facilities - an area I often use to judge a place - were spotless. Each toilet door had a low coat hook for a child, a small seat where you could pop a toddler, a child's washbasin and soap dispenser, and a dryer. And there were plenty of baby changing facilities.
All in all, a most educational and fun day. In fact, we've been back twice since and have not been let down. I hope it keeps up the hard work and, most of all, the standards. And don't forget that if you are visiting Legoland, pop into Spaggo's on your way home!
Next diary from Tammy Mariaux is on 23 May