Genting Highlands

Theme park, movies, arcades, bowling, karaoke, shopping and late night stay in Starbucks with a cup of Java Chip Frappuccino while people watching. What's not to hate about Genting? You'll most likely love everything about it, especially the cold misty weather if you're coming from a country near the equator.

A very family-friendly place where you'll never get lost no matter where you go. All the places are within walking distance from one another, being linked together with passageways and escalators.

If you're there for the fun, then a 3 days 2 nights trip might suffice. I have no idea what else you can do with a stay longer than that, unless you're going there for casinos or going to take a trip down to KL and back up.

Genting Highlands is easily accessible by different means; buses, airplanes, car and even the cable car. For me, my only mode of transportation was the 21 seater coach via Five Stars. They offer one of the best coach and room packages from as low as S$85 with free breakfast for two days. Avoid the June and November-December period and public holidays because the hotels prices will skyrocket since it's the holiday season.

Now, let's move on to my story with Genting.

The road up to Genting is very windy and steep. Best to drive when you're wide awake and not in the verge of dozing off. Just an advice.

The First World Hotel is a favorite hotel among families and groups of friends, it's cheaper than other hotels around and covers all the basic amnenities with buffet breakfast and just a lift down to the shops, cinemas, casinos, bowling, snow world and etc.

Buses usually depart at 0730am from Singapore and will reach approx. around 1300hours. Check in time at the hotel is 1400hours but they may let you check in earlier if rooms are available.

One of our favorite things to do in Genting is a Bowling Showdown! Remember to bring your socks or you'll have to buy one.

Next up, karaoke... sing-a-long and go crazy in your own little cubicle with two microphones and many many songs to choose from. To pay, you have to 'rent' a card from the arcade and insert money into the card which turns into points. Each song is two points by the way. So choose your song carefully.

Release your inner child and get yourself ready for arcade mania. One of the best to win coupons is the basketball game and the water shooting game which is located outside a KFC if I'm not wrong, in the Theme Park Hotel where you redeem your prizes.

Midnight movie is a must in Genting. You don't ever sleep in this place.

Our favorite past time, cam-whoring! And sleepless night in Starbucks; people watching, endless conversations and girls' stuffs ;D

A day dedicated to the Themepark

On a misty and cold day.

Some of the rides are closed due to the weather, better to check first which rides are open before buying the tickets to avoid disappointment.

Hate No.1: The Viking.

Hate No.2: The Solero shot.

Least Hate: The Flying coaster.

Although I screamed the most riding the Flying coaster, it ended fast. The Viking was annoyingly and frighteningly swinging from low to high, hate the feeling that I might just fly off the seat. The worst ride is the Solero shot, slowly moving up then just shoot down then up, down, up and down... thought my head was going to fall off. Promised myself never to take that ride again.

Other rides that we took was the go cart (long queue), dragon coaster (nice ride), the mine roller coaster (not scary), and a favorite is the Swing just right infront of the main entrance.

For a more relaxing ride, take the boat and paddle at your own pace. No adrenaline rush just tired feet.

And more cam-whoring!

Next up, the indoor themepark.

Didn't take much pictures but the best ride is the indoor roller coaster and bumper cars. If you're too tired and just want to sit, then ride on one of this. The automatic boat ride around the internet cafe, starbucks or the hanging cart right on top.

There's this Believe It or Not ghost house inside the compound and you need to buy a ticket (RM30 or so) to enter. Never did enter it since I didn't want to scare myself anymore. The casino is just right infront of the escalators on the 2nd floor. There are lots of food to choose from. Had a bad lunch at Pizza Hut though, never going there again. There's other fastfood, coffee shop and restaurants to choose from and the price is of course more expensive than your usual.

Check out is at 1200noon. You just have to slot in your room card into the many check out machine located at the first floor lift lobby, there are hotel staff stationed there if you need help.

Departure time is at 1430hours so you have at least two hours to walk around. You can either leave your bag at the hotel luggage area (chargeable and long queue) or carry them with you. Make sure you buy some prawn crackers back home, from the stalls along the way from the bus terminal to the hotel which sells snacks and such.

In summary,

Fun: Yes, especially if you go with your bunch of crazy friends. Themepark, bowling, movies, karaoke or just a night of slumber party.
Food: Nothing special and at a higher price.
Shopping: Not a good place to shop.

Conclusion, I've been there twice and it's best to go with more people, like they say, the more the merrier. I will go back if there's a good offer packages and for a weekend trip out of town.

Scream when you're in Genting :O