You’ll need more than a day to try out all the attractions at the theme park, writes Teh Athira Yusof
A THRILLING adventure in a city theme park in just eight hours? OK, let’s face it. It’s impossible to try all the 90 attractions at Sunway Lagoon if you only have one day to spend there.
After weighing recommendations from friends and family, I managed to make the best of my day trip at the 35-hectare theme park’s six parks.
As the theme park opens its doors at 10am, you will need a good strategy to make the most of your adventures at The Water Park, Scream Park, Extreme Park, Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon, Wildlife Park, and Amusement Park before the doors close at 6pm.
All the six zones combined equals to some 90 attractions from the world’s biggest slide spanning — 152 metres, where you will be hit with turbulent waters, to a Pet Village for the little ones to learn about animals up close.
If you are thinking of spending the day filled with adrenaline adventures, my suggestion is to go very early and head to the farthest zone first. This way you will be able to avoid the long queues made up of thrill-seeking holidaymakers.
Here are the top attractions based on zones that you must visit.
NICKELODEON’S LOST LAGOON
First, go across the theme park using the 428-metre suspension bridge where you will have a fine view of Sunway Lagoon walking 18 metres above the lake and Surf Beach. Now, you should be heading towards Nickelodeon’s Lost Lagoon where you will be faced with 12 attractions. My suggestion is to try the Kubarango and Monsoon 360; the rides are placed next to each other.
Kubarango is a vertical slide that takes you down a steep drop, landing you free-falling backwards into the water.
Monsoon 360 is not for those who are afraid of heights. Imagine waiting for the trap door below you to open and take you down so fast vertically! It is said the fast slide only takes two seconds, but it seemed longer. Best to do it with your best friends and challenge them on who goes faster.
For those who grew up watching Nickelodeon (or are still watching), wait for the characters to meet and greet daily at 3.30pm, where you should be able to grab a selfie with SpongeBob and Patrick from the famous cartoon, SpongeBob SquarePants.
EXTREME PARK
Next, check out the Flying Fox at the Extreme Park, where you will be zipped through 206 metres and finally land in the waters of the man-made Surf Beach. This will land you on your next adventure at Water Park but first try surfing at the 2.4 metre high waves at Surf Beach.
You can also leave less thrill-seeking members of your group at the beach for them to tan or dine at the 18 restaurants nearby. You can wait for the Waves of Fun segment or try the surf pool at 4pm and 6.15pm on weekends and public holidays respectively.
WATER PARK
At the Water Park, dive into the world’s biggest vortex ride with your friends. At Vuvuzela, standing 11 storeys high, you will be faced with turbulent waters across the slide and plummet into the funnel and then challenge gravity when you are pushed into the other side of the funnel. Then check out Cameroon Climb and African Python for a quick slide through the Zambezi river.
Finish your water adventures with a cinematic experience at the Waterplexx 5D. It will send you through a theatre complete with spraying mists and splashing water, a perfect way to cool down.
AMUSEMENT PARK
If you’re up for more gravity-defying rides, check out those at Amusement Park, and take a turn at the Pirate’s Revenge. The ride in the form of a pirate ship, will take you at a dizzying 360 degree turn, which is exhilarating and worth the screams. Next, the Lost City of Gold Scream Coaster will bring you up, down and over the ride.
For those with children, check out the Amusement Park where you can head to the spinning ride, Apache Pots overlooking the lagoon, Wagon Wheel or let the kids have fun on the carousel. If you have extra cash, you can try the carnival games at RM10 per try.
WILDLIFE AND SCREAM PARKS
Have fun with the little ones at the Wildlife zone, where you will find Longkang fishing, a small pond for children to catch small fish with nets, like how children in the old days used to do.
Let them get up close with animals at Pet Village where there are friendly rabbits, tortoises and roosters to pet. Snap a picture at the Bird Savannah, where you will see colourful parrots singing songs loudly to get your attention.
If cats are your thing, check out the Tiger Land White Lion Kingdom, where you will be greeted by a pair of African lions in a glass enclosure. Take a stroll near the lake where you will find duck and swans resting by the steps. Unfortunately, I could not try all the Scream Park attractions as it was already too late. However, if you have time, you should try the Zombie Apocalypse attraction, a frightening walk into a house filled with zombies; no shotguns required, just scream and run.
TIME SPENT WELL
The theme park has 25 restaurants and stalls to choose from, from fast food chains to snacks such as popcorns and ice-cream. There are snack stalls in almost every part of the park. So you don’t really need to bring much food, a bottle of water would suffice. I had a quick meal of corn dog at Nathan’s Famous after trying the Vuvuzela ride.
Spending the whole day at Sunway Lagoon is possible, the rides are all quick but it would be better if you try the extreme ones first so that if you feel brave enough to try the rides again you will have time.
Make sure you have proper meals at the beginning of the day to fuel yourself ahead of a fun and adventurous day.
IT’S WIPEOUT!
THROUGHOUT the month of December, Malaysia’s premier theme park - Sunway Lagoon is rolling the exciting “It’s Wipeout” Campaign. The campaign has a host of exciting activities and events for visitors of all ages right from a child to the eldest in the family.
This school holiday, for the first time, the theme park will be introducing the Wild Water Run challenge at the Mali Cove which gives visitors a chance to compete and feel what it is actually like to be in an amazing race sort of challenge. It is very similar to the Wipe Out challenge held in Australia.
For the campaign, Sunway Lagoon has also decided to extend their operating hours, particularly from Friday to Sunday throughout December's school break. However there is one exception which is the Christmas weekend.
To make the night more merrier, the park has arranged a few activities including the night parade, presence of Santa and Captain Quack and Lady Quack - the famous mascot in the park.
FAST FACTS
Sunway Lagoon Theme Park
Subang Jaya, 3, Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
TEL: 03-5639 0000
FAX: 03-5639 0050
EMAIL: ask_lagoon@sunway.com.my
WEBSITE: https://sunwaylagoon.com/
HOURS: Daily: 10am till 6pm
PAY: RM190 for adults and RM160 for children under 12 and senior citizens (age 60 and above). For better deals, check out its website for latest promotions.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
* Wear the right attire especially if you plan to have fun splashing at the Water Park.
* Wear proper shoes as you will have to walk quite a distance.
* Waterproof your phones and gadgets.
* Spare some cash if you would like to try the paid rides such as the go-kart and bungy jump or if you want to buy food there.
* Lockers are also available to store your bags near the entrance.
* Finally don’t forget to purchase your tickets online to avoid the queue