Malaysia: Legoland Malaysia

Today, Saturday 15th September 2012, Legoland in Malaysia's southern state of Johor is officially opened to the general public. It's the 1st Legoland in Asia and the 6th one in the world. Two weeks ago, on 1st September, I had the opportunity to join a Media Day Trip from Kuala Lumpur to Legoland Malaysia as part of Legoland's preview and promotional programme involving media people and their family members from both Malaysia and Singapore.

On that day, some of us drove down to Johor but my friend and I took the bus that was provided by Legoland for the rest of us. In total there were some 8 buses that were used to transport the group from Kuala Lumpur to Legoland Malaysia. We departed at around 7 a.m. in the morning from the city centre and arrived at Legoland Malaysia just after noon, after getting lost on the road in Nusajaya area in Johor. That's about 5 hours on the road. Not exactly a good way to start a day trip.

Entrance Area

Tips: If you're driving from Kuala Lumpur or somewhere far away from Johor, try to plan to stay overnight somewhere in Johor. Such a long & tiring return journey is going to take away the fun part of the trip.  Hotel recommendations are given towards the end of this post.

Upon arrival, we got off the bus, got our free tickets and went right inside the park. We were by then joined by an assistant editor of Air Asia in-flight magazine.

At the moment (that is, until further completion of the park project), Legoland Malaysia is divided into several different sections or areas with different themes. They are:

1. The Beginning
2. Lego Technic
3. Lego Kingdom
4. Miniland
5. Imagination
6. Land of Adventure
7. Lego City

Tips: The trees are still young and there are not that many shaded areas in the park.  Malaysia is hot and can be quite humid at times, so if you're going to spend the whole day outside having fun in the sun in Legoland, don't forget a cap or a hat and sun block lotion too! Also don't forget to continue drinking some water! And just in case, bring an umbrella as well ;-)

Let's take a mini tour of the park, shall we?

1. The Beginning

The Beginning is just that. The area near the main entrance to the park, or as Legoland Malaysia puts it, it's where "your adventure starts".

There are plenty of counters for the tickets, which should ensure that queues for the tickets are smooth and fast moving. Once you walk past the turnstile into the park area, you'd have a mini market to your right, along with places for locker rental, stroller/ wheelchair rental, cash machines (ATMs) while to your left would be restrooms.

Further down, you'd find a cafe (The Cafe) and the Big Shop where you can shop for souvenirs and Lego bricks to your heart's content. I did not plan on buying anything so just browsed around the shop without checking the price tags. Did overhear some people saying the Legos there are expensive. Not sure however if they are actually more expensive or cheaper than in the city centre. 

Mini Market, locker rental, stroller/wheelchair rental, cash machines and cafe right after the entrance area
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The Big Shop

2. Lego Technic

Lego Technic probably is going to be your first pit stop if you're looking for rides. The area has options for 3 rides, namely Technic Twister, Aquazone Wave Racers and Project X. When we first got here none of the rides were opened, apart from Technic Twister. Technic Twister looked a bit tame as it's basically just people sitting in big cups twisting around. We were looking for more of an adrenaline rush kind of rides. Project X looked like it fits the bill but it was still closed when we got there.

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Project X & Aquazone Wave Racers
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3. Lego Kingdom

Lego Kingdom is another area of Legoland Malaysia  where there are plenty of options for rides available. Among these include Dragon's Apprentice, the Dragon, Royal Joust (kids only) and Merlin's Challenge. Two of the best are probably Dragon's Apprentice and the Dragon, with the former is supposed to be a tamer version of the latter, thus the "Apprentice" in the name.

Lego Kingdom Area

The Forestmen's Hideout & Dragon's Apprentice

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Dragon's Apprentice & the Entrance to the Dragon
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At the Dragon, while queuing for Dragon Ride

The Dragon

We tried the Dragon's Apprentice and I suppose the level of excitement from the ride is medium. Only one of us however dared to try the Dragon after looking at the blank lost confused pale quiet look of those who had just finished the ride despite them looking happy and chirpy just before their ride started. No doubt it is possibly one of the scariest rides in Legoland Malaysia.

4. Miniland

For those who are not really into rides, fret not. Miniland is possibly the best area for you in Legoland Malaysia. This is where you can find miniatures of some urban centres (e.g. Putrajaya, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)) as well as world famous structures like Petronas Twin Towers, Taj Mahal, the Forbidden City of China together with the Great Wall of China, etc. While these are miniatures of real structures, they are not exactly miniatures in size by normal Lego standard. The level of work and detail that had been put into building all these miniatures is just mind boggling. Definitely not a child's play.

Some of the miniatures are shown here.

Petronas Twin Towers, Palace of Justice & Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Masjid Putra / Putra Mosque

KL Monorail Brickfields Station

Taj Mahal (India), the Forbidden City  (China), Bali Temple (Indonesia) and Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

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5. Land of Adventure

This area's theme is Egyptian. Apart from some photo opportunities, e.g. with the Pharaoh, etc., this Land of Adventure appeared to us to cater more for kids and young adults so we didn't stay long in the area. The waterpark area is scheduled to be ready in 2013.

Lost Kingdom Adventure, Pharaoh's Revenge & Waterpark

6. Imagination

This area also caters more towards kids and young adults. Two main highlights of the area are Built & Test and Lego Studio. Kids would love Build & Test as it gives them the chance to freely play and build things with Lego bricks. All they need to bring with them is just their imagination. A good place that would keep them occupied for hours ;-)

For adults however (and for them kids too!), there's Lego Studio where you can watch and experience one or two 4D short movies. Just make sure you cover your camera and handbag, if any, with something, to prevent them from getting wet. Don't say you have not been warned or you shall be accused of not being imaginative enough.

Lego Studio & 4D Movie Theatre

Build & Test

7. Lego City

Despite the fact that each one of us had a copy of the park's map, we completely missed this area. So as not to make our stupidity loss remain in vain, here are 3 good tips for everyone:

1. Use the map
2. Use the map
3. Use the map

Seriously, use the map. Especially if you're paying for the tickets and want to make sure they are worth it.

Anyways, on the way out later on in the afternoon, we walked pass in front of Project X (in Lego Technic) again and saw that it's opened already. However when we saw what the ride entails - a small car with 4 people in elevated seats swerving around sharp corners high up in the air - none of us wanted to try it, each claiming not wanting to throw up what we had just eaten for lunch.

Looking for more of an adrenaline rush kind of rides, eh? Yeah, right. :-)

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Food & Drinks

Menu & Price at Jungle Cafe in Land of Adventure, Pasta & Its Cost at Pizza Mania in Imagination

There are 7 cafes and restaurants located within Legoland park itself. Each cafe and restaurant offers different types of meals to ensure that all tastebuds are catered for. They are:

1. The Cafe (In the Beginning area)
2. Robot Kitchen (Lego Technic)
3. Knight's Feast (Lego Kingdom)
4. Pizza Mania (Imagination)
5. Jungle Cafe (Land of Adventure)
6. Snack Bar (Lego City)
7. Market Restaurant (Lego City)

As you can see, all areas apart from Miniland, are served either by a cafe or a restaurant so you're never far away from an eatery or two. According to Legoland, all food are certified halal. Alcohol is prohibited from being brought into the park.

We had our late lunch (pasta & pizza) at Pizza Mania and found the meals to be quite good. Price-wise, they are just slightly expensive, more comparable to meals in hotels rather than at stand alone restaurants.

Other Facilities

Musolla / Prayer Room for Muslim Visitors

Legoland provides various facilities for the convenience of its visitors. These facilities include locker rental, stroller/ wheelchair rental, 2 musollas (prayer rooms for Muslims), baby care centre as well as a package pick-up service for items purchased at one of its shops. Restrooms are available in each area. We didn't use much of the facilities apart from the musolla and restrooms. The musolla is pretty basic but adequate. The restroom was clean. 

Hopefully all these facilities are going to be continuously well maintained at all times.

Hotel and Accommodation

Legoland Malaysia Resort is obviously the nearest to Legoland Malaysia. Prior to the resort completion however, Legoland Malaysia also recommended its visitors 4 other hotels:

1.	Legoland Malaysia Resort  (4*)	[ Find out more about the hotel & its rates here ]
2.	Pulai Springs Resort  (5*)	[ Find out more about the hotel & its rates here ]
3.	Thistle Johor Bahru  (5*)	[ Find out more about the hotel & its rates here ]
4.	Hotel Sentral  (3*)	[ Find out more about the hotel & its rates here ]
	Tune Hotel  (3*)	[ Find out more about the hotel & its rates here ]

Looking for more alternatives? Search for other hotels here.

Further Information

• The above are just a few photos of some of the main attractions in Legoland Malaysia. There are obviously more attractions available at the park but it is impossible to upload all the photos here. For more photos, kindly visit Ramble and Wander's Facebook Friends' Page. 
• For maps, direction and ticket price, kindly refer to Legoland Malaysia's official website for latest information.
• Update 10 Oct 2012: We have now written another review with some further tips on Legoland Malaysia here.

Acknowledgment

My appreciation and thanks go to Jard of IgnorantBrat & Wilson of PlacesandFoods for the opportunity and arrangement to be part of the media day trip from Kuala Lumpur on 1st Sept 2012. Thank you.