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Tourism Malaysia

Top 5 amusement parks in Malaysia

Top 5 amusement parks in Malaysia

Malaysia has an abundance of theme parks spread out across the country, and with many more to come. Currently home to 16 theme parks and water parks and with plans to open another 10 in the next few years, Malaysia is fast becoming the theme park capital of Southeast Asia.

They have theme parks to satisfy any taste. Whether it’s action and adventure or family-friendly fun you’re after, you’ll be able to find it here.

Here’s my pick of the best the country has to offer.

  1. Sunway Lagoon – Selangor

1Source: www.sunwaylagoon.com

Located just 40 minutes away from KL city centre, this immense park contains 80 attractions over a 360,000 square meter area. It includes both a water park and a dry park providing non-stop fun for the whole family.

The water park is home to the world’s largest water ride, the Vuvuzela, as well as the world’s largest man-made surf beach with waves reaching up to 8 feet.

The Extreme Park contains Malaysia’s first bungee and thrill seekers will certainly find something for them in the Scream Park. There really is something for everyone.

Admission: RM150 – Adult, RM120 – Child

  1. Legoland – Johor

2Source: www.legoland.com.my

This is a definite must for all Lego lovers out there (of which there are many!). After opening in 2012, Legoland Malaysia theme park has expanded to include a water park, Lego hotel and the brand new NINJAGO World!

The park is split into themed areas including Lego Kingdoms, the Land of Adventure and Miniland these include interactive rides and shows for all ages.

Even the hotel itself is an experience. It boasts guestrooms in the themes of pirate, kingdom or adventure so you can immerse yourself and get lost in the magic of the place.

Admission: RM180 – Adult, RM144 – Child for the combo park tickets.

 

  1. Lost World of Tambun – Perak

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The Lost World of Tambun has loads of attractions to keeps you busy for days. Unbelievably it contains an amusement park, water park, adventure park, petting zoo, tiger park and tin-mining experience! Included in this in Malaysia’s longest man-made river adventure, clocking in at 660 metres in length.

Lost World by name and lost world by nature, this park is located in the stunning natural rainforest and limestone mountains of Perak, giving visitors the feel of escaping the hustle and bustle of city life.

Admission: Tickets priced separately for individual park areas.

 

  1. A’Famosa – Melaka

4Source: www.afamosa.com

This is one of the earliest of the bunch, opening its doors way back in 1992 as a water park. It has since expanded and is now home to a number of different parks.

Highlights include the Animal Safari World in which animals roam around and perform tricks, the Cowboy Town taking you back to the Wild West with nightly shows, and of course the Water World, home to magnificent water slides and pools.

Another great advantage of A’Famosa is that just outside the doors lies the historic and fascinating town of Melaka to explore.

Admission: Tickets priced separately for individual park areas.

 

  1. Escape Adventure Park – Penang

5Source: www.onlypenang.com

Escape describes itself as “Low Tech, High Fun”, and that’s what you get at this back-to-nature adventure park. Here, you get to do some of the work for yourself from climbing trees like a monkey to flying through the forest on a zip wire like a lemur and leaping from the treetops on a safety wire.

They also have downhill tube racing, aerobatics and, for the young ones, the monkey school and tots trail.

This is a great way to get the kids active and out in nature while having the time of their lives.

Admission: RM83 – Adults, RM55 – Child

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Tourism Malaysia

Frist in the World LEGO STAR WARS Miniland DEATH STAR model display at LEGOLAND MALAYSIA

Miniland at LEGOLAND® Malaysia today geared up for its new role as gateway to a parallel universe today. The family theme park unveiled the LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Death Star model display that will open to public on Friday 26th July 2013. 

Star Wars Costumers and members from the Force Action Stunt Team (FAST ) were also present. They performed a Light Saber display. They are the only Star Wars Light Saber display performers in Malaysia.

Master Model Builders from LEGOLAND built the LEGO model display using more than 750,000 LEGO bricks and ten thousand special glow-in-the dark tiles. It is the first time that a LEGO Death Star model of this scale has been constructed, making it the largest in the world.

We were invited for the Media Preview on the 26th July 2013 to witness the Largest LEGO Death Star model in Miniland LEGOLAND Malaysia today. Before we proceed to the Miniland, the short speech by Obiwan-Kenobi the Jedi MasterMr Siegfried Boerst, General Manager of LEGOLAND Malaysia, follow by the video presentation by Mr Nikolaus Ehm, Model Builder for design concepts and execution of LEGO Star Wars Miniland Death Star model display. And the performance by Force Action Stunt Team (FAST).

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After performance, we proceeded to Miniland…

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Once we reached the Miniland, Mr Siegfried Boerst, General Manager pressed the button for the Star Wars™ Miniland Death Star model display immediatelly, officially open for the Star Wars display model in Miniland.

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The photography session started …

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This was my First time I stand so close to The Darth Wader and Storm Tropper!
I heard him said : The force is with you, young Skywalker, but you are not a Jedi yet.

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And the fight started…

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Then we proceeded into the Death Star area…all the LEGO models are motorized and once you press the ‘button’, they will speak, move and with some action between…

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When you look up there…The DEATH STAR!

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Where the X-Wing Fighter being chase by 2 TIE Fighters

The ‘white dots’ on the Death Star will glow when the night fall, you can see the whole Death Star will light up during the evening, Mr Siegfried had showed us the small tiny piece of LEGO that will ‘Glow in the dark’. So don’t just visit the Star Wars LEGO area on day time, the night time will be very much different!

After the short tour in the Star Wars display area, the media started thier interview about the Largest LEGO Death Star in LEGOLAND Malaysia…

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Among all the Star Wars charactors, I like the Obiwan-Kenobi – The Jedi Master the most!

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And the guests in the park were grab the oppotunity to photograph with their idols…are you a Star Wars fan too?! ….I am…

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The ‘Death Star’ will not be permanently station in LEGOLAND Malaysia, it will go for the World Tour in another 6-9 months, so no wait! Please visit the Miniland tomorrow to catch the Death Star! And if you are lucky, you might meet my Idol – The Yoda Master.

May The Force Be With You.

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Categories
All Malaysia Info

Top 5 family getaways

Planning a holiday is tough enough, but planning a kid-friendly holiday? Where to go? What to do? With the many activities Malaysia has to offer, parents would have a tough time making arrangements that cater to everyone’s needs.The beach? But Sally doesn’t swim. The mall? But John would rather go skate-boarding. Fear not, for we have taken into consideration the needs of beach bums, mall rats, adrenaline junkies, nature and animal lovers, to come up with a list featuring the top five destinations for families.

1. Pulau Langkawi
With the array of amazing beaches Malaysia has to offer, families should not miss out on the clear, cool waters and the golden sand. Perhaps the most famous of them all, Pulau Langkawi in Kedah packs a punch, offering sparkling beaches and a wide variety of activities to choose from.

The Pulau Payar Marine Park are surrounded by coral reefs and attract visitors to swim, snorkel and scuba dive.

Take the cable car ride to the top of Mount Mat Chinchang for one of the most breathtaking views of Langkawi at the height of 708m above sea level. Then come back to solid ground to shop in the Oriental Village – a shopping zone built around a lake against the scenic backdrop of the mountains. Or catch a glimpse of the mysterious deep as the Pulau Payar Marine Park Snorkeling Tour takes you South of Langkawi Island to discover untouched corals and unsoilt marine life. For all you nature lovers, take the Langkawi Mangrove Forest and Eagle Watching Tour to experience Malaysia’s unusual ecosystem of mangroves, monitor lizards, limestone crags and mud crabs that brings to the viewer a delightful kaleidoscope of flora and fauna. With so much to do and more, the whole family would never know what “boredom” feels like in Pulau Langkawi.

The entrance to PETROSAINS cleverly not giving away the many wonders behind.

2.  Suria KLCC
Shopping is a necessity, wherever you go. The urge to dress up the little tykes and purchase items for their delight is a mutual feeling among all parents. That being said, where better to shop, yet keep your kids entertained than at Suria KLCC? Malaysia’s premier shopping centre, Suria KLCC boasts shops on six floors and a cinema with a seating capacity of up to 2400 visitors.

Also, visit the next generation aquarium at Aquaria, the nation’s state-of-the-art oceanarium which houses over 5000 exhibits of aquatic and land-bound creatures. For starters, visitors will be able to touch the horseshoe crab, spotted starfish, and the gentle bamboo shark.

For those who are seeking a more adrenaline-driven activity, jump into in a custom made cage and experience diving with wildlife predators!

Another popular attraction for families is the 50-acre public park right in the heart of the golden triangle. Have an outdoor picnic under the canopy of greens in the middle of a bustling city, and then jump into the cool waters of the public pool for a refreshing change.

But family trips to KLCC will never be complete without spending a day at PETROSAINS – an interactive discovery centre that embraces and showcases general science in a fun and interactive manner. Visitors will be able to touch, feel and manipulate tangible exhibits that combine futuristic elements and a constructive learning experience to provide a wholesome exposure to all.

3. LEGOLAND Malaysia
Theme parks will always remain a popular attraction for both adults and children. With its exhilarating rides and mind-stimulating activities, the whole family can be sure to go back exhausted yet satisfied. Malaysia’s latest theme park attraction brings us to Johor, with the recent launch of LEGOLAND Malaysia.

Putting aside the fact that they have over 40 fun rides, shows, and attractions, the best part is that nearly everything requires a hands-on approach! Kids will love the pedalling, pushing, squirting, steering, splashing, programming and of course, the building experience!

Located right at the heart of LEGOLAND is MINILAND, where Asia’s beloved landmarks have been painstakingly recreated using more than 30 million LEGO bricks. With just a touch of a button, watch the animated characters in MINILAND come to life! A day-long voyage notwithstanding, LEGOLAND Malaysia puts the kids at the forefront, with them using nothing but creativity to take things a step further.

4. Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens
Fancy taking some time off from the hustle and bustle of the city? With numerous hiking trails, recreational parks, and zoos, families will enjoy valuable time with one another, all done within the vicissitudes of nature. Take a trip to the Taman Tasik Perdana, or known as the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens, the city’s most popular park. Among the attractions here include the national monument, orchid garden, hibiscus garden, deer park, butterfly park, and the bird park.

At the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, visitors can get really close to the birds who call the place home.

Visit the “World’s Largest Free-flight Walk-in Aviary” at the Bird Park, which is designed to imitate the natural habitat of birds, to provide visitors with an up-close-and-personal moment with a large variety of bird species. Children will enjoy the bird-feeding and bird-shows, while surrounded by mother nature. Or have your kids get in touch with Malaysia’s national flower in its most panoramic setting yet at the Hibiscus Garden, which houses over 500 species of hibiscus plants from all over the world.

5. Taiping Zoo
As far as zoos go, the national zoo would be the top pick for visitors, but for those who enjoy a smaller, more intimate setting, then the Taiping Zoo is the way to go. Nestled in the Taiping Lake Gardens, the abundance of natural flora gives the zoo the upper hand of being able to expose visitors to the wonders of nature. While it offers the usual daytime admission to all, both children and adults will be mesmerized by the night safari.

With the lighting specially designed to imitate the moonlight, visitors will be able to view nocturnal creatures in their natural settings. Dubbed “a window to the creatures of the night”, numerous sounds by these creatures can be heard in their peaceful environment. Home to over 180 species of animals including tigers, elephants, hippopotamus, giraffes and many more, visitors are welcomed to visit them in the “open concept” animal enclosures. The concept features natural barriers to separate them from visitors instead of cages.Visitors will also enjoy the cultural performances such as tribal dances and blowpipe demonstrations. Also, don’t miss the Creatures of the Night Show specially put up by the animals in the Night Safari.


Map: Top 5 Destinations for Families


Legoland

Legoland Malaysia on track

Legoland

Legoland Malaysia ready to receive visitors

Taiping Lake Garden

The most beautiful Lake Garden

Legoland

Building frenzy

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Categories
All Malaysia Info

Legoland Malaysia ready to receive visitors

Legoland Malaysia will open its doors to the public soon, way ahead of schedule.

Many of us can remember spending hours of our childhood building structures from colourful Lego pieces. With a pinch of creativity, simple Lego bricks were cleverly stacked to construct vehicles, buildings and even cities, leaving many with fond memories of the construction toys.

Nonetheless, the initial announcement in 2008 about the arrival of the Legoland theme park to our shores elicited less than enthusiastic responses from some quarters.

Legoland

Beautiful creation: The gates of Legoland Malaysia will officially open Sept 15.

In fact, the Malaysian Tourist Guide Council initially expressed disappointment as the Legoland park was an unfamiliar brand in the region and industry players were expecting theme park icons like Disneyland to be set up in Iskandar instead.

But, after more than two years of changing the minds of sceptics and efforts to attract the public, Legoland Malaysia is ready to welcome enthusiasts and cynics alike to take a joy ride come Sept 15, 2012.

“We are opening earlier than expected so that is a good thing,” Legoland Malaysia general manager Siegfried Boerst said.

The theme park was originally slated to open in 2013.

Legoland Malaysia is the first Legoland in Asia and the sixth in the world. The 76 acre theme park features seven themed areas with more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions.

Legoland started promoting its pre-opening annual passes late last year and Boerst noted that there was huge interest in the theme park from the public as well as trade partners. Much to the delight of Boerst, more than 45,000 annual passes have been snapped up.

Legoland

Magnificent: A miniature of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building featured in Legoland Malaysia.

“I believe interest will grow with word of mouth particularly when we open and people start coming to experience what Legoland has to offer,” Boerst said.

The theme park is targeting over a million visitors annually in its first few years and Boerst expects visitor numbers to hit 1.8 million by 2020. On average, annual pass holders are expected to visit Legoland four to five times a year.

The bulk of the park’s traffic will mainly be local and Singaporean visitors, but plans are afoot to draw more international tourists.

The growth in visitor numbers, Boerst said, will be supported by the growing tourism industry here.

“We hope to tap into the 40 million tourists a year expected to come into Malaysia. We want to be a part of the attractions for new visitors as well,” he said.

Legoland Malaysia a part of the tourism landscape

According to Tourism Malaysia, there were 24.7 million recorded tourist arrivals last year, with tourism receipts totalling RM58.3bil. The Malaysia Tourism Plan 2020 is targeting 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168bil in tourism receipts by 2020.

Legoland parks typically house miniature Lego structures built around themes such as Star Wars as well as mini villages with landmarks in the area. Other Legoland parks are located in Denmark, Germany, the UK and the US.

Legoland

Hop on: A train that runs through the park.

The heart of Legoland Malaysia is Miniland, which features various Asian landmarks recreated using more than 25 million Lego bricks.

Apart from Legoland’s own features, Boerst believes that up and coming attractions nearby will drive visitors to the Iskandar region and by extension, to Legoland.

“Legoland fits well with the tourism pillar of Iskandar. There is a good concept for Iskandar and we are working with other attractions in the vicinity to offer attractive packages,” Boerst said.

The Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park in Nusajaya is scheduled for a November opening with attractions such as Lat’s Place and a Sanrio Hello Kitty Theme Park among other things. Iskandar Malaysia is looking to add more theme parks for the region to boost tourism activity there.

Some have been quick to point out that Legoland is no match for Singapore’s integrated resorts, which have stronger products to offer. The attractions at the resorts include Universal Studios Singapore, a casino and the Marine Life Park which cater to a wide range of visitors compared to Legoland’s target audience of young children.

Legoland

Legoland Malaysia model builders Muhammad Khairul Zainon Noor (left) and Stefan Bentivoglio putting on the final piece of the miniature Petronas Twin Towers.

But Boerst believes that Singapore’s resorts are not direct competitors.

“It is always good to have healthy competition, but I believe we can profit from each other. Legoland’s presence here adds to the whole tourism attraction in this part of South-East Asia and tourists on longer stays can visit parks in both countries,” he said.

Additionally, a water park and Legoland Hotel are slated to be opened in 2013 and 2014 respectively, which would mean more integrated offerings for Legoland. This will draw longer-staying visitors and add to Legoland’s revenue.

Legoland expects to generate more than RM100mil in revenue in its first year of operations. This will come from all the attractions in the park, restaurants as well as retail outlets.

“We should see operational profit in the first year itself, but to recover the full investment will depend on the long-term development of the park which usually takes about 15 to 20 years,” Boerst said.

The combined cost of the theme park and planned water park is RM720mil, which is fully funded by the Malaysian government, while the construction of the hotel will cost RM190mil.

Boerst said, although Legoland essentially only manages the park in Malaysia, UK-based Merlin Entertainments Group, the owner and operator of the other Legoland parks, will look into acquiring at least a 20% stake in Legoland Malaysia moving forward.

This will increase Merlin’s reach in Asia, which is expected to be the new playground for theme park operators as the North American and European markets mature and visitor numbers plateau.

A report by Pricewaterhouse-Coopers forecast Asian theme park attendance to grow to 290 million in 2012 from 249 million in 2007, while spending in that period is expected to rise from US$6.4bil (RM19.93bil) to US$8.4bil.

Market research company Global Industry Analysts Inc estimates that the global theme parks market could reach US$29.5bil by the year 2015 and US$31.8bil by 2017, offering plenty of room for growth in Asia.

Boerst said Legoland may venture into other Asian markets and is already in negotiations for a theme park in South Korea.

Legoland

Sneak peak: A view of Miniland

“In Asia, the market is huge and it is relatively untapped. In the past, local players tend to lack the financial strength and expertise to set up really good theme parks. But the market is ready for that now,” he said.

He noted that the entertainment industry in East Asia particularly is not saturated and as infrastructure improves and disposable income increases, the region is turning out to be an important market.

He added that Legoland parks did not see much of a slowdown during the economic downturn despite views that consumers would cut down on leisure pursuits.

“We have seen a good 10% growth in visitors and sales annually for the whole of the Merlin Group. I am positive that if everyone focuses on what needs to be done here, we will see investments growing in Iskandar and that can only be beneficial for Legoland Malaysia.

“This is a new market for us so we are optimistic,” he said. – By Joy Lee, Photos by Abdul Rahman Embong
and Kevin Tan

For more, please visit the Legoland Malaysia official website


Map: Legoland Malaysia


Legoland

Building frenzy

Legoland

Legoland Malaysia on track

Legoland Malaysia

Legoland to showcase iconic buildings

Legoland Malaysia

Paid to play

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