Malaysia is not only home to beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, and national parks. It has more than 10 thrilling theme parks offering you lots of fun and adventure rivalling better-known destinations like Singapore or Hong Kong! Release your stress and take your friends or family to one of these amusement parks in Malaysia such as recently opened Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) theme park next to Ipoh or ol’ good Genting Highlands.
One of the most innovative theme parks and first of its kind in Asia, the recently opened Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) theme park in Meru Raya Town, Perak has already attracted domestic and international tourists from Japan, Indonesia, China, and Singapore with more than 7000 visitors during its opening weekend alone.
1. Movie Animation Theme Park (MAPS), Perak
It features more than 40 attractions and an impressive ‘cast’ of international and local characters such as Boboiboy, The Croods, Casper the friendly ghost, Mr Peabody & Sherman and much more. This amusement park has six themed zones in total. In Animation Square cartoon characters will greet you at the entrance door, Blast Off Zone is an animated show viewing area, and Live Action Zone is a place where you’ll be able to watch live stunts and entertaining shows.
Fantasy Forest has been created for young children, they can climb a beautiful treehouse and learn about the universe there. Whereas, Dream Zone and Lakeside Zone will make your heart race. Try the Megamind Mega Drop tower or one of the crazy rides! My favourite is the Megamind Mega Drop Tower ride! It takes you up to 52 metres in the air to enjoy the city’s panoramic view before dropping you back to the ground!
In the evening, go to Fantasy House Trick Art located in Jalan Market, Ipoh to take pictures with trick 3D murals and arts. Whilst you’re in town, check out these free things you can do in Ipoh.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 10AM – 6PM, Weekend-Public Holidays: 10AM – 10PM
Entrance Fee: Non-Malaysians: Adult RM152, Child and Senior citizen RM120. Malaysians: Adult RM144, child and senior citizen RM114
Location: Meru Raya, https://goo.gl/maps/B4DgPB2oQgq
How to get here: It’s a 2 hours ride from KL City Centre. For public transport, take a bus from KL Sentral to Ipoh Amanjaya Bus Terminal and from there take a taxi to the theme park. You can also take ETS train from KL Sentral to Ipoh Railway Station and switch for a 15 mins taxi ride.
2. Sunway Lagoon, Petaling Jaya
Beat the Malaysian heat and explore this exciting park, located 40 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur’s city centre. Sunway Lagoon offers more than 80 awesome attractions. Extreme park is perfect for adventure seeker scream park for horror fanatics. Another reason to visit this amusement park is that it’s home to the world’s largest man-made surf beach and the world’s largest water ride: The Vuvuzela. Launch from a tower of 11 stories high, hold on to your life as you plunge through the water slide. This ride is designed specifically for thrill-seekers as it will literally throw you up in the sky before going down the 152 meters (!) slide.
Children will love the Little Zimbabwe, an interactive water playground with an African village theme. Little Zimbabwe is complete with huts and African warriors guarding the entrance of the water playground. Also, take your children to the Sunway Lagoon’s Nickelodeon to meet SpongeBob Squarepants and the wildlife park where they can pet fluffy rabbits and giant tortoises. I love that the park is literally a few steps away from Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall and the Sunway Resort Hotel!
After spending the day at the adventure park, visit Ayer Hitam forest reserve perfect for nature lovers looking for a quick nature break. A perfect way to spend the day away from KL!
Opening Hours: Daily, 10AM-6PM
Entrance Fee: Non-Malaysians: Adult RM170 and Child & senior citizen RM140; Malaysians: Adult RM120 and Child & senior citizen RM 96.
Location: Petaling Jaya, https://goo.gl/maps/AGAHj47PFKx
How to get here: It’s a 15 mins drive from KL city centre; if you’re taking public transport, take KTM train to Subang Jaya Station and catch a bus from the train station to Sunway Pyramid.
Tip: If you buy your ticket online, you’re entitled to get 31% off!
3. Legoland, Johor
Malaysia’s first international theme park, Legoland has seven themed areas and a huge water park. What we love the most is its Miniland with famous Asian icons such as Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore’s Merlion, India’s Taj Mahal and much more made of over 30 million LEGO bricks! Make sure you try their Aquazone Wave Racers, a ride where you race the incoming waves and splash in the surf, and Project X, is the park’s fastest ride and a must-try for thrill lovers!
We highly recommended families to visit an interactive area called ‘Imagination’. Take time to build your own adventurous LEGO or, if you’re looking for a little challenge, spend some time at the LEGO Technic area, where you can learn to build and program your own robots. There’s also a hotel inside the park if you’re in need of an overnight pit stop. After a fun day in Legoland, make your way to the happening Danga Bay and feast on fresh seafood prepared by friendly locals in the evening. Next, head to the Endau-Rompin National Park with easy jungle trails suitable for the whole family.
Opening Hours: Daily, 10AM-6PM
Entrance Fee: Non-Malaysians: 1-day combo ticket (theme and water park), Adult RM196, child & senior citizen RM 156. Malaysians: 1-day combo ticket (theme and water park), Adult RM184, Child & senior citizen RM 146.
Location: Nusajaya, https://goo.gl/maps/Kxk9qRJAzrE2
How to get here: It’s a 3-hour drive from KL city centre. For public transport, Legoland provides a shuttle bus from Swiss Garden Hotel & Resident (Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur) daily, from 7am – 6.30pm at RM57, it is also the same price to return.
4. Genting Highlands Theme Park, Pahang
Located at a high-altitude hill in Pahang, Resorts World Genting has been around for more than 30 years. While it’s a ‘grandpa’ among the theme parks in Malaysia, it stays ever young by offering live performances and events, along with its Waterpark and Arcade. At the moment of writing, the parts of the indoor park Snow World, Genting Bowl, and Funtasy World Video Games Park, as well as the outdoor park are closed for renovation after teaming up with Twentieth Century Fox World. Expect the brand new ‘20th Century Fox World Theme Park Genting’ to be reopened sometime in 2018 or even the end of 2017.
Shopaholics must visit the new Genting Highlands Premium Outlets, as well as SkyAvenue promising great shopping and dining at 6,000 feet. After a day at the fun park, take a 20-minute scenic drive through a luscious green rainforest to Genting Strawberry Farm and pick fresh strawberries. You can also visit Chin Swee cave temple, a Taoist temple with stunning views of the mountainous area.
Opening Hours: First World Indoor Theme Park: Mon – Fri: 10AM – Midnight, Weekend & Public Holidays: 9AM-Midnight
Entrance Fee: First World Indoor Theme Park Day Pass for Adult RM30, Child RM28
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/62szPCZ4LSp, access the Indoor theme park via Resort World Genting.
How to get here: It’s 1-hour drive from KL City Centre; for public transport, take a bus from KL Sentral to Resorts World Genting Highlands.
5. ESCAPE Adventureplay theme park, Penang
Located in Teluk Bahang, Penang, ESCAPE is a green theme park developed around a nature concept. Climb trees, fly through the forest on a zip line and explore the underground burrows. Sounds fun, right? This theme park provides for all, as there is no age limit in enjoying the games and rides which are designed for most age groups. Our favourite activities are Monkey business (for a rope balancing lesson) and Flying Lemur for Ziplining between the trees. Other more notable activities you’ll love include A-maze, Family Trail, Zoom Bug and Jungle Swinger.
Don’t worry as this Malaysian amusement park is also suitable for adults. Swing through trees and race your friends on a tubby tube, challenge yourself and spend the day at this back-to-nature adventure park. Afterwards, take a taxi for about 9 minutes to catch the beautiful sunset at the Batu Ferringhi beach. You can try delicious Malaysian food at the nearby night market, or treat yourself with these amazing halal buffets.
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 10AM – 6PM
Entrance Fee: Day Pass for Adult RM83, child RM55 and free for senior citizens
Location: Penang, https://goo.gl/maps/izA2mEJqqQ82
How to get here: It’s a 30-minute ride from Georgetown, Penang; use Uber or Grab for the cheapest rate!
If you can’t get enough of the awesome amusement parks in Malaysia, here are other notable ones that are worth the visit:
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Desa Water Park, Kuala Lumpur
- Water park at Bukit Gambang Resort City, Pahang
These amusement parks are perfect for a fun-filled adventure with your family, where kids of all ages can enjoy thrilling rides and challenging obstacle courses. Whilst adults will be able to enjoy an assortment of thrilling rides and entertainment. You will without a doubt have an incredibly fun time. So, be sure to book your tickets for the theme park that suits best suits your taste.
Did These Amusement Parks in Malaysia Awaken Your Inner Child Spirit?
Let us know if you have visited any of these parks and which is your favourite. If you’re planning to visit Malaysia, you may check out our website for more info.