Genting Theme Park, Genting Highlands - Malaysia

Nestled in the mountains and lush forest of Pahang is Genting Theme Park. It is not only a theme park, but it is home to one of the larger casinos in Asia. You can travel to Kuala Lumpur and take a Taxi up the mountain, or take a coach which is available from the main cities in Malaysia. If you are from Singapore, catch a very comfortable VIP Coach for a 6 hours ride to Genting.  Some may decide to park midway and take the Genting Skyway, which is a 3.4 Km cable car ride to the Genting Theme Parks and Casinoes.

There are a number of hotels placed together on top of this mountain. The wonderful thing is that they are all connected and well covered. There is the First World Hotel which is one of the largest hotels with the most rooms. Room prices range from USD40 (low season) to as high as USD100 (during the peak season). A good majority of adults who visit and spend most of their time in casinos do not spend long hours in the room, thus a cheap and simple accomodation will do. Other hotels which have much bigger rooms with two queen size beds include the Genting Hotel, Resort Hotel, Theme Park Hotel and the Highlands Hotel. Great rooms and very spacious - particularly great for small family sharing a room (to save on accommodation).

The Genting Theme Park is a very popular place for young people and children during the public holidays and school vacation. You can expect big crowds during such peak periods. The room rates will go up, the queues for the theme park rides are very long (waiting time as long as an hour), the queue for food and looking for an empty table to seat your family are also challenges to expect. My family choose to go during the off-peak seasons. My children get to enjoy the rides without waiting too long in the queue (the longest time is a about 10 minutes) and sometimes totally no queue at all. We did not have to queue for food and it is really free and easy.

You can expect the best of gourmet and as well as fast food to be found in this theme park. Food stalls and restaurants are found almost everywhere you make a turn. You get to find fast food like Pizza Hut, McDonalds, KFC, Marybrown Chicken, Kenny Rogers, Burger King... there is Starbucks also. There are restaurants serving elaborate international cuisines - Chinese, Indian, Western, Italian, Japanese, etc..... You will be spoilt for food and snacks. For a simple decent meal, prepare to spend as low as USD5.00. I think it is still affordable... why stinge when you are on a holiday?

If you are thinking of a NO FRILLS holiday in Genting Theme Park, you can have it too. Coach ride to Genting Highlands from Singapore is about USD30 one way, if from Kuala Lumpur it is likely about USD10. Book into First World Hotel's standard room - about USD40 a night (go during the low season). Have a heavy late breakfast (usually the room package may come with breakfast for 2 - ask for it). With a heavy breakfast, you will likely not eat your lunch early. You may wnat to buy your own cup noodles, buns or puffs to eat for a light meal in the mid afternoon and then go for a good delicious dinner during the evening. This is really a budget trip. Entrance fee to enjoy the rides both indoor and outdoor is about USD15 for the whole day pass. Children about USD12 and senior citizens about USD8. very affordable indeed....... enjoy your trip!!!!