Is Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park worth a visit?

Due to several delayed openings since 2016, the hype surrounding Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park was to be expected.

I had the chance to experience the theme park before the soft opening period which lasts until March 31. Here's an overview of my experience there.

The best part about the theme park is that the entrance is fairly easy to find, and can be reached through the indoor mall. The walk is not a long one and you’ll find yourself at the entrance in no time at all.

Both a digital ticket and a physical one will be handed to you for extra precaution. But in the case that you accidentally lose your ticket, worry not as the entrance requires you to scan your fingerprint for you to enter and exit at your convenience.

Upon entering, however, the first thing you will notice when using the Genting SkyWorlds app to navigate your way through the theme park is that most of the rides are still under maintenance.

This includes many rides reserved for adrenaline junkies, including the rollercoaster, which is undeniably the highlight of any theme park. Do note that there is no specific date for when these rides will be available.

This leaves only family-friendly rides and other attractions for you to explore.

Given the fact that the admission tickets are not that affordable (priced between RM128 and RM151 during the soft opening period) and taking into account the amount of rides that are not available for the public, I highly recommend you to regularly check the website for the latest operational updates and availability on the attractions.

Unlike other theme parks where food, drinks, and merchandise stores are only available further in, Genting SkyWorlds offer these options to you at Studio Plaza as soon as you make your way from the entrance.

Here, you’ll find a beautiful art-deco prelude into the other nine themed worlds you have ahead of you. Inspired by the golden era of cinematic grandeur, the Studio Plaza not only sets the tone for the excitement that awaits but also gives you a chance to have your fill before embarking on your adventure.

Despite the lack of rides available, it was still an enjoyable experience. One of the first rides you can look out for is ESD Global Defender, a solo ride where you board a hybrid aerospace fighter for a heart-pounding flight through "galactic skies”.

The ride is fairly safe for anyone above 130cm tall, but requires you to take everything out of your pockets due to the amount of "swaying” involved when you’re up in the air, making it almost too easy for something to slide right out of your pocket.

Just a few steps away from the ESD Global Defender ride is Independence Day: Defiance, a one-of-a-kind ride that involves state-of-the-art projection dome screens. A "flying theatre” where you embark on a mission to save the world as a pilot, this was a favourite ride for many who attended the soft launch.

It is not, however, for those that get queasy easily, as the theatre makes the adventure seem a bit too realistic at times. Filled with twists and turns, you’ll find yourself feeling like you’re at the edge of your seat - literally - when the theatre seat pushes your entire body forward during the mission.

Another notable ride that you should try out is the Rivet Town Roller, a duo "unicoaster” ride that's definitely not for the faint-hearted. What makes this particular ride stand out is that you are able to control the movement of your own seats by pushing the gear stick attached.

Once you do, the entire duo seat leans forward and continues doing so until you make a 360 degree turn until the gear stick is released, after which, the seats will go back to its default position.

If you don't mind getting a little wet, head on over to Epic Voyage to Moonhave, a boat ride that takes you on a grand adventure in the dark, lit up only by characters from the whimsical world of the movie Epic.

The ride is geared more towards children and families, but it was equally thrilling for those not seeking for anything extreme. The entire ride took about five minutes or so to complete and will not completely drench you, but do keep in mind that the seats will be wet even before you start the ride due to previous visitors’ rounds.

Not many food and beverage outlets are available at Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, but the best one to keep an eye out for is the world-renowned Harry Ramsden World Famous Fish & Chips, just right in front of the Natural History Museum.

Do note that the outlet’s menu items are priced much more than it would be at the mall, which you can also visit prior to entering the theme park. This is a better alternative to sampling the menu in the theme park itself.

For now, the theme park is able to accommodate up to 10,000 visitors as opposed to its original 20,000 due to Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

All in all, the theme park is definitely worth a visit but adrenaline junkies would do well to hold off on purchasing tickets until all 26 rides are available, unless you’re into family-friendly rides.

Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park is open daily from 11am to 6pm.