Legoland Malaysia opens Johor to the world

NUSAJAYA: While Legoland Malaysia is only slated to open this Saturday, thousands have been privy to be among the first to experience the many rides, shows and attractions at the theme park during sneak previews since end of last month.

Among them include Legoland’s own staff and their families, members of the media, tour guides, tourism industry players, members from various agencies, taxi drivers and others. Many have given their thumbs up for Asia’s first Legoland theme park and the sixth around the world, which has 15,000 Lego models, built with about 50mil Lego bricks.

Like real: A visitor looking at the intricate details of a pirate ship made with lego.

The park is divided into various areas including Miniland, The Beginning, Lego Technic, Lego Kingdom, Imagination, Land of Adventure and Lego City. Miniland is at the heart of every Legoland Park with miniature models from Asia’s best known cities, countries and landmarks.

Sisters Ann Khalid and Rose came all the way from Klang to enjoy the extreme rides at the park. “I am sure that once this place open, it will be a hit among locals and foreigners,” they said. “We are all about the rides. Although some of the rides are still not open, we are still thrilled to be here,” Ann said, adding that both of them were excited about the park especially when both of them still kept their Lego toys.

Another visitor M. Vella from Kuala Lumpur who came to the park with his two daughters found the park to be excellent and clean. “However, we find it a bit hot but I am sure that the area will cool down once the trees mature,” he said, adding that they were all excited about the roller coasters.

All excited : Visitors screaming in excitement on a dragon roller coaster.

For visitor Jason Kua, the intricate details put in to recreate mini Lego versions of Asian landmarks was the highlight of the park for engineer Jason Kua. The 30-year-old said that he had always been a Lego fan since he was a child and it was interesting to see the various structures all built from Lego.

“My favourite mini structure is the Taj Mahal which even has a team of Lego Bollywood dancers that spin around in front of the structure,” he said when met during a special preview at the theme park here recently. Jason, who resides in Taman Perling said it was also a surprise to see miniature versions of the Johor Baru city centre including the iconic yellow coloured Clock Tower and Jalan Segget included in the Miniland.

Another visitor, housewife, Zanariah Ashraff, 35, said her seven-year-old son Mohd Khairil Anuar enjoyed the Lego Build and Test Centre the best.

“We spent more than an hour in the centre and my son was so excited about creating his own mini Lego race car and then testing it out with other children,” she said. She added that the theme park was different as it not only provided a host of exciting rides for young children but also encouraged them to learn and think.

“My son was also very excited about one of the rides called the “Driving School” where he had the opportunity to drive a miniature car through a track which had actual signs that you could see on the road,” she said adding that she would definitely make another trip to the park after it officially opens on Sept 15.

Beautiful : A model of India’s Taj Mahal which is among more than 15,000 models displayed in Legoland Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Khazanah Nasional MD Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar who was also touring the park with his wife said the dry runs and sneak previews were a good way to sort out some of the teething issues. “This park is certainly one of the best and biggest among all the Legoland parks. They have some interesting features and I have been going around to visit some of the rides to see for myself,” he said, adding that so far he was pleased with everything.

-thestar online.