We heard about this theme park during the Movement Control Order and after two years, when the interstate travel is allowed and Covid-19 cases seem to be under control, we decided to try it out as we flew back Penang for Chinese New Year.
The park opens everyday except Monday from 10am to 6pm.
We bought the tickets online via it's official website a day earlier and managed to get 30 per cent off from the original price (I did search elsewhere for cheaper rate, but still its website offered the most discount).
It is awesome that the park also using Artificial Intelligence facial recognition technology to speed up the entrance (thus reducing risk of virus infection while queuing long with other crowds). Therefore, early purchase and submission of selfies into the system will save you from the hassle.
Fret not, for those who make last minute decision to come, there are shops selling the necessities to play at both sections of ESCAPE.
You may purchase swimsuits, goggles, hats, waterproof phone bags, and water shoes for the waterplay; wearing shoes are a must to play the adventure play, you may rent those pairs here, I strongly recommend the wearing of gloves while playing with ropes. In terms of pricing, it is slightly higher than those available at stores, probably above 10 cent?
Lockers are available for rent at RM10/day, the keyless system enables you to use own codes (number and color combination) to lock and unlock the locker.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Common policy of no outside food allowed applied here. They do have limited choices of food- the A&W sets which range from about RM5 (single floaty root beer) up to RM30++ , another one is at the pool bar where you can get the instant noodles, soft drinks etc.
If you just want to ensure you are fueled for the next challenges, grab some energy bars by Hutan Ration, and refill your bottles at the drinking session.
Checked the bucket list by sliding through the longest water slide in the world
We checked the must-go list- the 1,111 metres of water slides which took about 4 minutes to complete. Was it scary? Not so much as compared to others that pump more adrenaline. I would rate the slingshot and other shorter slides with steeper angles.
Here is the footage of me went berserk or frenzied being slingshot to the air. I really thought I would die...
How Escape Penang is different from other theme park?
I had been to similar theme parks at drivable-distance but the concept of ESCAPE that makes it stands out is it emphasizes on placing many greenery around the play areas.
It makes the whole day experience more comfortable as it absorbs the heat and block the sun ray.
I definitely agree that the park is truly an Escapade for the city folks to enjoy the nature and away from the badly congested roads, as well as the CLIMATE CHANGE effects due to rapid development.
As you can see above picture, despite it was 4pm, I could enjoy the "river" without getting sunburned. It was so relaxing that we floated three rounds.
I believe for those living in the city, enjoying river or the sea waves are things of unheard unless they travel to villages areas. I guess this place does the job to introduce nature (and hopefully appreciation that led to protection) to the people especially kids.
ESCAPE makes attribution to evergreen rock stars
Thanks for the attribution for famous singers via its paintings on surf boards and big boards. Not only that, I also enjoy listening to those rock stars music as I spend my whole day at the park. Kudos to park management.
****************************************************************************
ESCAPE story
ESCAPE is owned and operated by Sim Leisure Group Ltd, an internationally-renowned theme park designer and builder, a PLC listed on Singapore Exchange. The founder Sim Choo Kheng was born and raised on this island.
ESCAPE was inspired by Sim's mischievous childhood in the kampong by the rainforest- climbing trees, launching friends into the air with tree branches, diving from the treetop into the pond, racing downhill on makeshift bicycles. Those were the good old days where life skills were learnt through fun and adventure.
Sim had hi light bulb moment during his 2-year business assignment to Lam Vien village in Thu Duc at the outskirts of Saigon on 1998. There, Sim had flashbacks pf his childhood mischief when he saw how the village kids and adults played the same way he did growing up.
ESCAPE would provide the most natural form of fun by addressing the lack of spark in children stemming from the absence of childhood play and growing disconnect from the nature- symptoms of the modern lifestyle.
Sim recollected his childhood moments and refined those ideas for ESCAPE, presenting it as the alternative conventional mechanical theme parks. As Sim Leisure expanded into new international fronts, the company promoted this new idea to many clients, but all of them rejected this new genre.
It was not until 2009 when Penang's newly-installed administration called for an open tender on a 44-acre construction wasteland in Teluk Bahang to boost the island's tourism industry. Sim Leisure won the tender based on ESCAPE's untested retro-eco concept.
The euphoria ended quickly when no banks would finance ESCAPE. All the banks in the country did not believe this retro-eco concept would see its light at day. This delayed this project and forced the development of ESCAPE into smaller phases where Sim personally funded ESCAPE Phase 1 with his life savings.
Phase 1- Adventure play finally opened its doors to the public in November 2012. The Park eventually completed the entire design in 2019 when it would have taken 2 years otherwise.
ESCAPE Penang listed among the Top 3 Amusement & Water Parks in Asia by Tripadvisor
Sim Leisure Group, Malaysia’s leading theme park and leisure specialist, has taken its nature-based retro-eco adventure park ESCAPE Penang to new heights.
Surpassing much larger more established global theme park players, it has emerged as the underdog, snapping up the third spot in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice 2022 Best of the Best - Asia in the Top Amusement Parks and Water Parks category.
The award was presented to Dato’ Sim Choo Kheng, Founder and Executive Chairman of Sim Leisure Group by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Penang Chief Minister who applauded the Group for its ascent within the theme park and attractions industry, saying that the company’s inventiveness had helped elevate both Penang’s and Malaysia’s tourism and attractions industry.
Comments
Post a Comment