Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

Sunway Lagoon

Sunway Lagoon describes itself as Malaysia's premier theme park and from what I have seen I think that is a fair comment. My daughter rates it as her favourite theme park in Malaysia but she prefers Singapore's Universal Studios.

Sunway Lagoon is spread over 80 acres and is part of the wider 800 acre Sunway Integrated Resort City which includes a 5 star hotel, a very popular shopping mall, residential blocks, a hospital and more. Built on derelict tin mining land in Petaling Jaya south of Kuala Lumpur, the development is a successful example of rehabilitating an industrial wasteland.

View Sunway Lagoon Theme Park in a larger map

The theme park has 5 sections:

Water Park

The Water Park comprises Waters of Africa, an African themed water park, and Surf Beach.

My kids enjoyed the Congo Challenge, a six-lane water slide where people can race each other downhill headfirst on mats.

There are a number of other slides and tubes to enjoy as well as a lazy river and a waterfall.

Surf Beach is said to be the world's largest man-made surf beach powered by the world's largest wave machine which can produce waves of up to 8 feet in height. The backdrop to the beach is a 75 feet high volcano which erupts periodically.

Of course proper swimming attire is required for this section of the park and changing rooms and lockers are provided.

Amusement Park

For land lubbers who prefer to stay dry there is plenty to do in World of Adventureincluding a roller coaster at the Lost City of Gold, a spinning ride called Apache Pots, and stomach churning upside down rides on the Tomahawk and Pirate's Revenge.

The Wild Wild West has tamer rides for younger kids such as Buffalo Bill Coaster, Chief Crazy Horse Carousel and, my favourite, the Grand Canyon River Rapids. There is also the Niagara Falls Flume Ride and some arcade games.

Wildlife Park

Wildlife Park is a great little zoo specialising in cute, cuddly, friendly animals and a few not-so-cuddly ones like eagles, pythons and tigers. The petting enclosure was a big hit with the family and we enjoyed hand-feeding the rabbits, tortoises and guinea pigs and petting the ponies. Over in the bird enclosure there were some amazingly friendly budgies who liked to use my wife's head and arms as a perch as well as kites, owls, peacocks, macaws and cockatoos.

Extreme Park

You can reach the Extreme Park by crossing a 428m long pedestrian suspension bridge (again claimed to be the world's longest).

There are a whole bunch of adrenaline rush activities here for the thrill seeker. You can experience weightlessness (and probably a good deal of nausea - I didn't try it!) on G Force X, a slingshot ride which hurtles you 65m into the air at 120km per hour and apparently produces 5 G's of force.

You can war-game with paintball guns, drive quad bikes, race Go-Karts, practice your climbing skills on the vertical climbing wall and bounce on the Power Jump Bungee Trampoline. There is also a 203m Flying Fox.

Scream Park

Finally there is the Scream Park, a modern take on the old house of horrors. There are currently two different scenarios for you to scare yourself silly with, Night At The Museum: Alive And Scary and Terminator X: A Laser Battle For Salvation.

In addition to frightening special effects, Scream Park employs live actors who jump out and scream at you, blow down the back of your neck and do lots of other scary tricks. Not suitable for the faint hearted. I did not enjoy it that much but then again it is not intended for old guys like me!

2012 Ticket Prices & Operating Hours

An All Parks Pass giving entrance to all 5 parks (Water Park, Amusement Park, Wildlife, Extreme Park, Scream Park) and unlimited rides costs RM100 for adults and RM80 for children/seniors. Malaysians with MyKad receive a 25% discount. Foreign residents of Malaysia with valid ID like a Malaysian driving license can usually obtain the discounted rate.

Note that most of the activities in the Extreme Park carry an extra fee (Bungy Jump, G Force X, Go Kart, Paintball Combat).

If you are not so keen on the Extreme Park and the Scream Park you can buy a 3 Parks Pass ( entitling you to the Wildlife Park, Water Park and Amusement Park) for RM80 adult and RM65 children/seniors.

Children are considered as ages 3 to below 11.

Children below 90cm get in free.

Seniors are age 60 and above (ID needed).

Sunway Lagoon is open from 11am to 6pm on weekdays. On Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays the park opens an hour earlier, i.e. from 10am to 6pm.

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park is closed on Tuesdays.

There are plenty of food outlets inside the park. No outside food is allowed.

If you are coming by car there is a huge car park in the neighbouring Sunway Pyramid shopping mall but it gets really busy at weekends so arrive early.

If you are a tourist staying in KL it would be probably be easiest to take a taxi. It is not far and will not be expensive.

KTM Komuter trains stop at Subang Jaya and from there you will need a feeder bus to Sunway Pyramid.

Putra LRT's nearest station is Kelana Jaya and again you would need a feeder bus.

Sunway Lagoon has its own 5-star hotel, the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa. I have never stepped foot inside but it looks very grand with a fine view over the theme park.