Hey, adrenaline junkies. Are you the type to pencil in theme parks into your itinerary no matter where you are in the world? If you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia anytime soon, we’ve got some of the coolest spots to hop on a rollercoaster or plummet down a water slide.
From theme parks starring Cartoon Network characters and Marvel superheroes to digital or water-based thrills, these places will keep you entertained and amused with no risk of boredom.
Ancol Dreamland, Indonesia
Jakarta’s mega playground comprises several amusement parks and other entertainment options like golf courses, beaches, an art market, and a harbor, which makes it pretty impossible to cover in one day. It’s not as cool as, say, Disneyland, but it’s hugely popular nonetheless.
There’s Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World, or Dufan for short), a park with high-octane rides; Atlantis Water Adventure, a splashing playground with slides and tube rides set to the theme of the mythological underwater city; Ocean Dream Ancol, an attraction with animal shows starring dolphins and sea lions; and SeaWorld, an oceanarium with aquariums and open pools (unaffiliated to the American parks of the same name).
Jl. Lodan Timur no. 7, Jakarta, Indonesia. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm. Prices vary for each attraction.
Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark, Thailand
Billed as the world’s first Cartoon Network waterpark, this is essentially where all your Powerpuff Girls, Ben 10, and We Bare Bears dreams come true. One of the largest of its kind in Thailand, the park offers 30 rides and slides for you to get wet and wild, with mascots putting on daily performances.
Situated 20 minutes away from Pattaya Beach and its sleazy rep, the park is all about family-friendly entertainment, with 10 themed zones that feature those famous cartoon characters. These include Omniverse Zone with six water tube rides, Adventure Zone for Adventure Time and Johnny Bravo fans, and Cartoonival Zone, home to a massive aqua playground with 150 water features.
When you’re done splashing around, Foodville serves up everything from Thai dishes to Italian pizzas, while Dexter’s Ice Lab scoops up ice cream to beat the heat.
888 Moo 8 Najomtien, Chonburi, Thailand. Daily 10am-6pm. Adults US$38, children and seniors US$29.
Enchanted Kingdom, Philippines
The biggest and most popular theme park in the country, which has been in operation for over 20 years, is about an hour’s drive from Manila – but that doesn’t stop the hordes from descending on the “Philippines’ Disneyland” during weekends and public holidays.
With 30 rides scattered around the sprawling space, the park caters to families, kids, and anyone looking for a jolt of adrenaline. If you’re cool with the crowds, get in line at thrill-seeking rides like Space Shuttle Max, the 11-storey rollercoaster, or swing back on forth on the pirate ship that is Anchor’s Away. For the less adventurous, Rio Grande water rapids is a mix of exhilaration and splashin’ fun. And if you stick around after sunset, you’ll be rewarded with a fireworks display dazzling the night sky.
San Lorenzo Rd, Laguna, Santa Rosa, Philippines. Opening hours vary. Adults US$14-16, children US$9-11.
Legoland Malaysia, Malaysia
Legoland Malaysia is a holiday in itself. Consisting of a hotel, theme park, and water park, it’s touted as Malaysia’s first international theme park, with more than 70 rides, shows, and attractions. Plus, the Lego theme is strong with this one – you’ll find the iconic little bricks scattered all over the park, most often in the form of buildings, animals, people, and even dragons.
If you’re making the trip there, you might as well go all out to stay at the colorful Lego-themed hotel and get tickets for both the water park and the theme park. The former features slides, a lazy river ride, a wave pool, and a water playground for you to cool down from the tropical heat, while the latter encompasses eight lands with hair-raising rollercoasters, castles, a 4D cinema, adventure rides, a “Miniland” with Lego replicas of iconic Asian landmarks, and a Lego City for hands-on activities that kids will gravitate towards.
Oh, and the resort will welcome Sea Life Malaysia by the end of the year, so look out for the new two-storey aquarium housing more than 25 display tanks in 11 habitat zones.
7, Jalan Legoland, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia. Opening hours vary. Adults US$46, children and seniors US$37 for one-day admission to both parks.
LINE Village Bangkok, Thailand
Popular Japanese messaging app Line has opened its first digital indoor theme park, and Bangkok is its location of choice. Not Tokyo, strangely enough. Taking up three floors of Siam Square One mall, the adventure kicks off with a mystery, where guests have to locate a key to get to the village.
Once you’ve entered the place, it’s all about Line characters welcoming you into their colorful, quirky world, which includes stage settings like a space tunnel, a library, a kitchen, a theatre, and a rooftop. If you’re a hardcore fan of the chat stickers, you’ll probably relish the experience of immersing into their virtual reality hangouts. At the end of your journey, you can dine at the themed restaurant and take home knick knacks at the merch store.
1st Fl., Siam Square One, 388 Rama 1 Road, Phatumwan, Bangkok, Thailand. Daily 10am-10pm. Thais and permanent residents: Adults US$25, children US$20; Visitors: Adults US$30, children US$25.
Santorini Park, Thailand
If Greece and its gorgeous islands are way too steep for your bank account to handle, here’s a budget-friendly alternative: Thailand’s Santorini Park. Set in Hua Hin, a three-hour drive from Bangkok, the whitewashed space and its cobblestone grounds are inspired by the beautifully romantic blue city – and it looks just as photogenic as the real deal (albeit without that Old World feel).
Besides going for a spin on the carousel, ferris wheel, and reverse bungee – all of which require you to purchase tickets – you can also stroll down rows of boutiques for a bout of retail therapy, chill at restaurants and cafes, or check out a weekend art market for handicraft goods. To prolong the picture-perfect fantasy, stay in one of the blue-and-white rooms at the park’s hotel for a night.
Petchkasem Road, Amphoe Cha-Am, Phetchaburi, Thailand. Mon-Fri 9:30am-6:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6:30pm. Entrance fee: Thai residents US$1.50, visitors US$4.50; US$3.60/ride.
The Marvel Experience, Thailand
Seems like Bangkok sure loves its digital “theme parks” in malls, ‘cause here’s another newly-opened one. The Marvel Experience – which throws you into the thick of the superhero action to save the world (or at least Southeast Asia) from evil – begins with the staffers issuing you your very own S.H.I.E.L.D. identification pass.
After you’ve sat through briefings by Nick Fury and Tony Stark about your Very Important mission, you get to immerse in interactive activities at the shooting gallery, the 4D motion ride, and the training center that aims to get you all buffed up like The Hulk. Oh, and save your selfie snaps for the meet-and-greet, where you can mingle with household hero names like Captain America.
Mega Bangna, Tambon Bang Kaeo, Amphoe Bang Phli, Chang Wat Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Thailand. Daily 9am-midnight. Adults US$45, children US$40.
Trans Studio Bandung, Indonesia
Comprising a hotel and a massive mall interconnected with indoor recreational grounds, this entertainment site makes for a good pit stop if you’re in the area. The park itself is divided into three zones: Studio Central, which mimics Hollywood’s Walk of Fame with impersonators of celebs like Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson; Lost City, a jungle safari expedition; and Magic Corner, where you’ll find enchantment in, well, every corner.
After you’ve survived all 20 rides and shows, cool down at the air-conditioned mall, which houses luxury brands, restaurants and cafes, and a movie theater.
Jl. Gatot Subroto No.289, Bandung, Indonesia. Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm. Mon-Thurs US$12.50, Fri US$14, Sat-Sun US$19.50.
Universal Studios Singapore, Singapore
As with most attractions in Singapore, Universal Studios is a sleek, clean, and smooth operation, perpetually filled with throngs of families and rollercoaster enthusiasts. Nestled on the island of Sentosa – don’t worry, the country’s so small, it’s just a boardwalk away – amidst hotels, celeb chef restaurants, beaches, and a casino, the theme park was just named best in Asia (for the fourth year in a row) at last year’s Travellers’ Choice awards by TripAdvisor.
Adrenaline-spiking highlights here include Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon, Transformers The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase, and Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey.
If you need a break from all those thrills and spills, settle in for a Steven Spielberg-hosted special effects show, check out a WaterWorld performance for explosive stunts, go 4-D with Shrek, meet Elmo and his Sesame Street friends, or stay late till fireworks light up the night sky. The park also hosts street parades, singing troupes, and character meet-and-greets.
8 Sentosa Gateway, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore. Opening hours vary. Singapore residents: Adults US$52, children US$38; Visitors: Adults US$55, children US$40, seniors US$27.
Vinpearl Land, Vietnam
A chain of theme parks, water parks, and wildlife parks across Vietnam, Vinpearl Land, VinOasis Waterpark, and Vinpearl Safari have cemented their presence at various cities in the country, including Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Hoi An.
Between them all, you can expect to find highlights such as outdoor rides, water-filled slides, shopping streets, aquariums, theater performances, safari excursions, beach activities, cinemas, indoor gaming zones, animals roaming the conservation grounds, and even a fairytale castle.
Locations, opening times, and prices vary between the parks.
Waterbom Bali, Indonesia
Named the best water park in Asia on TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice list last year, this Kuta destination surrounded by lush foliage offers 17 slides with varying thrill levels. From floating down the Lazy River to free-falling 26 meters at Smashdown 2.0, there’s something for the adventurous and those who just want to unwind and escape from the Bali heat.
Other rides to wade through include Twin Racers, where you slide down against a buddy; Python, a family-style float with twists and turns; and Flow Rider, a man-made surfing platform (just in case you can’t get enough of the island’s beach waves). Oh, and the water park also aims to reduce its environmental footprint by going carbon neutral (certified by the UN), conserving water when possible, and upping its recycling efforts.
Jl. Kartika Plaza Tuban, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. Daily 9am-6pm. One-day pass: Adults US$32, children US$23.
