For many young Malaysians, as well as those young at heart, a day trip to a theme park was one of the best things that could possibly happen.
After all, these magical locations – which are packed with rides, attractions, fun and games, not to mention throngs of people – are exciting for kids, who don’t seem put off by long queues or mysterious pools of liquids.
And even today, theme parks continue to be bustling tourist attractions, drawing in hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors on a weekly basis.
However, some of those you might have visited as a child have met untimely ends, for a variety of reasons. The following is just a handful of these long-gone pieces of Malaysian childhood.
1. Mimaland
It’s really not possible to talk about abandoned theme parks without mentioning this one, which was a part of so many childhoods.
When it opened in 1971, Mimaland drew loads of visitors, curious and excited to visit Malaysia’s very first theme park.
Located in Ulu Gombak, Selangor, it had a variety of attractions that kept people coming, including a dinosaur attraction, a recreational lake, and a giant maze.
Despite its popularity, numerous issues – including a deadly accident – called the park’s safety into question, leading to its closure in 1994.
Today, its ruins still remain deep within the jungle and often draw urban explorers and paranormal investigators hoping to spot a spook or two.
2. Safari Lagoon
Residents of Ampang and Cheras might be familiar with Pandan Safari shopping mall, which has seen better days.
Assembled on the rooftop of the building is a collection of structures that may baffle newcomers but will stir feelings of nostalgia among locals.
This was Safari Lagoon, Malaysia’s very first rooftop water theme park. During its 1998 opening, it was the third largest in Southeast Asia.
As suggested by its name, the park was designed to resemble an African safari, with water slides and rides decorated with animal sculptures and greenery.
Unfortunately, a 2007 accident left one employee dead, and the park was closed down after it was discovered it had been operating without a licence for years.
3. Starlight Express
Back in the 1980s, The Mall on Jalan Putra in Kuala Lumpur was the must-visit shopping place, and children would often eagerly tag along with their parents – for good reason.
Within The Mall was a three-story theme park called Starlight Express – no relation to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical – and it was, of course, the dream of every kid to visit it.
There were numerous thrilling rides including “Zamperla”, the pirate-ship ride, and a “Horror Express” roller-coaster.
As more malls emerged throughout KL, however, The Mall lost its lustre and, eventually, Starlight Express closed its doors in 2006.
Today, Sunway Putra Mall stands as the successor to The Mall, and little trace of the theme park that once stood there remains.
4. Desa WaterPark
If you were a millennial growing up in the Klang Valley, it is very likely you would have visited this theme park at least once during your childhood.
For 16 years, visitors thronged to Desa WaterPark to enjoy its many slides and rides, or to beat the tropical heat, or both.
In fact, one of the slides, known as the Thunderbolt, was one of Asia’s longest uphill water coasters. No doubt many visitors went down it screaming their hearts out!
Its strategic location also meant it was highly accessible to most families, and it helped that ticket prices were relatively affordable.
In 2016, the theme park finally ended operations after the land was sold to a developer, with nothing of the place remaining except for memories.
5. Mines Wonderland
For kids who visited Mines Wonderland during its heyday, it was like visiting a whole other world – one that was quite magical to behold.
Just a short distance away from KL, the park often drew families on the weekends, with its many attractions catering to both adults and children.
Among these was a winter-house with artificial snow, a zoo featuring albino animals, and a recreation of Admiral Zheng He’s flagship.
Performances were also a highlight of the park, with a regular procession of brightly lit aquatic floats and musical fountains drawing attention from everyone around.
While The Mines Shopping Mall lives on, the theme park that once brought joy and cheer to kids is no more, with only few remains visible today.
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