Malaysia’s favourite brick-based theme park gears up for speed
Anticipation was high at the launch of Build The Thrills 2022 at LEGOLAND Malaysia in Johor. The first ever vehicle and racing themed festival transformed this popular theme park into a world of racetracks. #BuildTheThrills continues until 26th June 2022, and is set to delight both kids and adults with vehicular challenges, high-octane performances, and racing mementos.
Building their dream cars
Start your engines by building and testing your creations at new stations in The Beginning, just after entering the theme park, or at the Imagination Area. Racing fans can also look for the robotic maze racers and STEM-based workshops at LEGO Mindstorms in the Technic Area.
My 10-year-old, Lucas, eagerly built his own car and raced it against others, before submitting it proudly to be displayed. Lauren, his 6-year-old sister, was not to be outdone and promptly put together a pastel vehicle of her own.
Fostering some friendly competition
Kids and their families took part in challenges and won prizes for being the best driver at the LEGO City Driving School, as well as the fastest family to finish a Fire Rescue. We also tried our best to spot unique LEGO vehicles throughout the theme park during the Build The Thrills festival.
Adrenaline-filled role-play and performances
To my daughter’s delight, Emma, Mia, Stephanie, Olivia, and Andrea, the five LEGO Friends, took to the podium in brand-new racing outfits, to perform a Rally Dance after a vehicle parade. There were also Tech Mech and impressive Stunt Shows. Acrobats showed off their breathtaking cheer, skipping, BMX bike, and balancing skills. “They’re professionals, Mum,” nodded my 6-year-old in awe, when the twirls and leaps started.
Finishing the race in style
Build The Thrills’ racing and speed decorations were present throughout the theme park. Lucas gawked at a kid-size LEGO Ferrari 512 M model, which took almost 700 hours to design and build, using 78,496 bricks. Mini speed junkies also posed as their favourite LEGO racer: The Technical Builder, The Speed Champion, and the City Racer in the Beginning Area. Kids were thrilled to refuel with edible cars on their muffins and doughnuts, and edible steering wheels, served on car dining plates.
LEGOLAND Malaysia for thrill-seekers
LEGOLAND Malaysia is known for being ideal for families, with kids as young as two years old able to enjoy ‘pony’ rides and well-placed playgrounds. However, there are some attractions which have a minimum age and height. I was delighted that both my kids were finally old (and tall) enough to ride on all of the rides. Here were some of our favourites:
First gear – Dragon’s Apprentice. The perfect rollercoaster to introduce your little one to twists, turns and dips.
Second gear – Aquazone Wave Racers. Swerve while spinning at speed to avoid being drenched by water bombs triggered by innocent passers-by (or not-so-innocent siblings!).
Third gear – The Great LEGO Race. This exciting roller coaster is usually the first we race to, as it is the closest to the entrance. Currently, VR headsets are not available.
Top gear – The Dragon. This beast of a ride is thrilling for both kids and adults. Don’t let the slow start through the castle fool you – gravity will take its toll on you! Remember to beat the drum as you roll back into the castle.
Interactive themed attractions
The rides Lauren enjoyed were the Lost Kingdom Adventure where she shot lasers while seeking treasure in an ancient temple, the 15-foot-high Beetle Bounce ride, and the 4D NINJAGO ride, where she got to control the elements of fire, earth, lightning, and ice with hand movements.
Splashing fun at the LEGOLAND water park
Families can cool off in the water park, bobbing in the Wave Pool or having a relaxing float in the Build-A-Raft River. The awesome Joker Soaker playground (complete with slides and water shooters, and a 300-gallon bucket that creates a huge downpour) kept the kids squealing in delight.
Here’s Lucas’ review of the rides:
We started out with Red Rush, a slide with a big red float going down a big red slide. Kind of a big red mouthful. My sister and I liked it and were eager to try more. By the end of the day, we had done most of the slides: the Tidal Tube, a ride where you go through an open slide and end up splashing in a pool of water, and the Twin Chaser. I also beat my mum in the Slide Racers! However, my favourite was the scream-tastic Brick Blaster, which I rode with my father twice.
Theme park tips and tricks
Want to make the most of your day at LEGOLAND Malaysia? Keep these handy tips and tricks in mind:
- The food (the chicken chop, nuggets, and cotton candy especially) was tasty, but a little pricy. Convert your Day Ticket to an Annual Pass to enjoy discounts for food and merchandise, plus 12 months of unlimited entries to the Theme Park, Water Park and SEA LIFE Malaysia aquarium.
- Some attractions like Robotic Maze Racer, Build & Race, and the cool new Planet LEGOLAND require reservations, due to social distancing measures. Make a beeline for those first to book your slots.
- Rest assured that masks are required to be worn in public spaces, and there are many social distancing markers and safety compliance officers to remind parents and kids of safety measures. Sanitising facilities were also available at all rides and restaurants.
Everything is awesome
Our family loved the thrill (and convenience) of staying next to the theme park, water park, and aquarium. We were often the first to enter the park. Rooms in the LEGOLAND Hotel are geared towards young guests – providing kid-height sinks, bunk beds, and best of all, LEGO prizes upon solving a puzzle based on the room theme.
The disco lights and music in every elevator and the amazing spread at the Bricks family restaurant also delighted us. LEGO sculptures and figures attracted the littles’ attention, and there were ample facilities for young ones such as plastic plates, high chairs, and puzzles on the placemats.
All in all, we had a brick-tastic holiday, and cannot wait to go back!
The Build The Thrills festival media trip was sponsored by LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort. The writer’s opinions, however, are solely her own.
LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort brings together a LEGOLAND Theme park, Water Park Hotel and SEA LIFE in one LEGO® themed location. It is the ideal family holiday destination, with more than 70 hands-on rides, slides, shows and attractions. It is the first of its kind in Asia that offers comprehensive adventure, education and fun for either an action-packed day trip or a short break destination – perfect for families with kids aged 2 to 12 years old. For more information on LEGOLAND Malaysia’s Build The Thrills, taking place until 26th June 2022, head over to their website or their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
