Legoland Malaysia

This is the first time i'm reviewing a theme park in this blog- what better to choose than here-in-my-home, the Legoland Malaysia, the sixth in the world! Although i've heard and received mixed reviews of this relatively new theme park, personally, i thoroughly enjoyed my day out in the rain and sun in this 'playground', reliving my childhood moments, amazed and amused, brick after brick, throughout the entire park. While my comments here may be biased towards my liking of Lego, i will try to be as neutral as possible- there are some setbacks and rooms for improvements.


 The iconic entrance!

Located in the developing region of Johor, in Nusajaya, my family and i left KL before sunrise for a three-hour drive south. After breakfast in the old Kulai town, we arrived at Legoland Malaysia in the midst of the morning crowd rush. I visited the park on a Saturday in December, means school holidays and the opening hours are extended, from 10 am to 8 pm- i guess i have to rule out 'overcrowdedness' for my comments since it's peak season. Having said that, crowd was really large, and standing at the steps in front of the entrance was intimidating. Bidding hello beneath and between the two big, iconic 'flags' of the theme park, i was all psyched and pumped, and ready for what's inside.

Project X in Lego Technic was exhilarating but i enjoyed The Dragon in Lego Kingdom more. The significant and obvious fall in Project X's track was heart-stopping, feeling a brief moment of weightlessness- oh i just like that feeling!, then you'll feel the force pushing and pulling you at every turn at every corner. Watch out for the onsite camera to capture your screaming faces- looking at them later can really make you burst into laughter. Why i prefer The Dragon? Because the enthralling moments with Lego at its start. The lifelike Lego creations, similar to those around the park, combined with the suspense of the roller coaster and the right pace of build up for the climax make this ride worthy of a second time.

Hung on the walls of the castle is this portrait of a lady made of Lego.

Merlin's Challenge in Lego Kingdom was not as fun as Aquazone Wave Racers in Lego Technic (even the queue was longer). Both moving in circles, hopping into the jet-ski-likes, we can steer in or away from the center when it spins. For extra thrill, turn anticlockwise then quickly clockwise for a sudden burst of speed.

In Imagination, we went for a 4-D short movie in Lego Studios, showing: Spell Breakers then. Honestly, i'd expected more from this because the premise of the movie was rather promising. It would be more fun if the chairs could move. Nevertheless, i liked the 'snow' effects that felt real, and definitely a nice rest and escape from the hot sun outside.

You may be surprised, but my favourite ride in this park is the Lost Kingdom in the Land of Adventure. It may be targeted towards younger children but how can i not like interactive rides, especially when it requires laser gun shooting, hunting for treasures, while being on the moving 'cart'! Compare your scores too with the other 'hunters'.

On a 'camel' outside Lost Kingdom.

Sitting at the back alone, i controlled two guns. Prove being right-handed. The points collected.

In Lego City, Rescue Academy turned out to be a fun ride to play- becoming police and firemen, saving a 'burning' building. What caught our attention was when the players, even adults, started to jump, or hop, or bounce in their mini vehicles, pumping at the accelerator! Lego City Stage houses the live, interactive show of the park: The LOUDest Shout! Focusing on teaching children about safety at home, we were entertained by five hopefuls vying to become Danger Detectives, first needing to pass the test. Before the show, be entertained by a mime performance and be mesmerized by an acrobatic act on rope.

The comical team in the live show.

I guess the star of the park is the Miniland. The downsized replicas of some of the famous buildings and monuments in Malaysia and Asia were fascinating. From Angkor Wat to Taj Mahal, from the Great Wall of China to the Petronas Twin Towers, i awed at its intricacy of the Lego architecture- with definitely patience and determination to complete it (if i could be part of the building and creating team, i'd be honoured), and the circulating vehicles and sound effects. 

Like this angle of Kuala Lumpur in Lego.

Angkor Wat in Lego.

No water dispenser is available in this theme park so bring water, if can. There are shops around that serves food and drinks- and with the touch of Lego, each food court is beautified with Lego decorations. Pizza Mania, serving pizzas and pastas, is surrounded by many large Lego creations while Market Restaurant serving Western and Asian food, is fun to just even enter.

Inside the Market.

There are other rides in this park but they are either having too long queue line (more than 60 minutes) or strictly catered for younger children.

It is, no doubt, a child's dream to visit Legoland. I have never seen so many Legos in my life but i ain't complaining! At every corner of the park on foot, you'll find playful, creative and imaginative Lego designs- Octopus, Einstein's head, rabbits in the bushes, howling dogs, dinosaurs, giraffes, parrots, portraits, and if i was lucky enough, i'd find one loose Lego on the floor! I may be over my teens, long past my years as a kid, but Lego will always have a place in my heart and Legoland is one place to let them out again. From the crowd, i know i am not alone.

Out-thinking Einstein.


 Lego in all forms. See if you can spot them in you visit.
 
Let's go, Blue Rhino!

So, Legoland Malaysia, despite its mixed reviews, if you believe in your childhood, if you are a kid, if you have kids on your own or if you simply want to be a kid again, it is worth the visit. The fun can be endless when you just enjoy what it has to offer. My advices are: bring a cap or umbrella- weather can be blazing in the day and rainy in the afternoon like in my visit, avoid peak season (although this is sometimes unavoidable), bring water because too much fun and you'll sometimes forget to keep yourself hydrated, always have the park map with you (get them as you enter)- it may appear smaller in real than in the map booklet but you'll not want to get lost, losing time in the park finding your way around, and just go for the rides- if you're an adult, join in the fun together with the kids' ride if possible (you'll be amazed at how many adults actually behaved younger than a child!). I hope this theme park will continue its success, always expanding for creativity, at the same time maintain its cleanliness and maintenance of the rides. Perhaps, a visit to other Legolands around the world.

Oh yes, a stop at The Big Shop (or its neighbouring The Brick Shop and Mini Market) on your way out is a must!

Website: Legoland Malaysia

Comments

  1. Let me reduce your confusion first :). I agree with the point that we eat to live but sometimes we live to eat.All depends upon our mood simply.

    drive map from singapore to legoland malaysia is easy to understand and to visit legoland malaysia always been my dream..

    You should build your own legoland malaysia photo gallery for sure :).




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Yes, sometimes we just live to eat because eating can be so much fun- more to just food, we learn of culture at the same time. Thank you for visiting my blog and i'm sure you'll find your visit to Legoland Malaysia fulfilling your dream. :)

      Delete

Post a Comment