Sadat Osman
Image credit: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
Chinese New Year is on the horizon, and while the preparations can be arduous for most of us, coming up with a list of ways to spend Ang Baos can take the edge off all the hard work. And while physical knick-knacks can cost a bomb in the Lion City, we suggest a short road trip across the border and make our money’s worth in Johor Bahru.
The Ringgit-Dollar exchange rate has always been in the favour of Singaporeans and with a whopping 1:3 ratio now, there’s no better place to spend-less-and-get-more than in Malaysia. We’ve rounded up the things to do in Johor Bahru this Chinese New Year – only the most prudent ones for our thrifty friends!
Get the new LEGOLAND Annual Pass
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort | Image credit: Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort has rolled out its new Annual Pass tiers and to truly get your money’s worth ahead of Chinese New Year, grab the Triple Park Pass. This will entitle the holder to unlimited admissions to all three LEGOLAND Malaysia parks – the Theme Park, Water Park and SEA LIFE Malaysia – with no blackout dates.
On top of that, a Triple Park Pass will entitle you to massive savings all around LEGOLAND Malaysia. These include discounts for retail goods, food, equipment rentals, photo-taking, LEGOLAND Hotel stays, free parking and loads more.
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Annual Passes | Image credit: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
From now until SEA LIFE Malaysia opens in April 2019, LEGOLAND fans will enjoy an early-bird rate for the Triple Park Pass – simply pay for a Double Park Pass (Adult: S$80, Child: S$64). Single Park Passes are going at S$67 for adults and S$53 for children. There are huge savings to be made no matter how frequently you visit LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort!
Price: From S$53
Location: LEGOLAND Malaysia
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Engage in a laser tag battle
Image credit: Laser Battle Johor Facebook Page
Do you have a competitive edge? Then head over to City Square for a (not so) friendly battle of Laser Tag. Round up your best shooters and choose from 40 different game modes including Capture The Flag, Power Ball and Midnight Madness where the arena is pitch dark!
Price: S$12-15
Location: Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Bahru City Square
Feed wildlife at the Johor Zoo
Image credit: Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi
Perfect for families with children, the Johor Zoo is loaded with a melting pot of wildlife, and for a super-cheap entry fee, this is a must-see and must-experience. From demure deer to majestic tigers, there are over 100 species of animals on show. The kids (and adults too) are allowed to feed camels and elephants, keeping everyone in the family busy all day long.
Price: S$0.40-0.70
Location: Jalan Gertak Merah
Live seafood at Senibong
Image credit: Emran Kassim
Seafood is no doubt a premium indulgence in any part of the world, but across the Causeway, it’s a whole new world thanks to the superior exchange rate. Head over to Senibong, a Halal seafood establishment teeming with a variety of marine life to munch on – prawns, crabs, groupers, mussels and more! Everything is fresh and you’d even a get view of the ocean along with the restaurant’s fast service.
Price: S$12-17 per pax
Location: 1 Jalan Persiaran Senibong
Experience a NINJAGO hotel stay at LEGOLAND
Image credit: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
NINJAGO is a huge favourite among LEGO fans and the good people at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort have heard your cries. LEGOLAND Hotel has updated more of its rooms to exhibit the much-loved NINJAGO theme.
Bring a family of five (2 Adults, 3 Children; or 3 Adults) into the mystifying world of LEGO ninjas and spend nights with Cole, Nya, Kai, Lloyd and all the other cool oriental brick-y friends. Kids will love their own sleeping area that’s decked with a bunk bed, a pull-out trundle bed and an entertainment unit.
Image credit: LEGOLAND Holidays DK & LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
And for the special LEGO touch of hospitality, those who book a stay at the NINJAGO-themed rooms will get a LEGO brick to build!
Price: From S$270 (Further discounts for Triple Park Pass holders)
Location: LEGOLAND Hotel Malaysia
Go fishing at Damai Fishing Village
Image credit: fugm10
Damai Fishing Village is stocked with saltwater game fish and the best part is that you don’t need to be a pro to get a decent catch. Choose from a selection of ponds based on the type of fish you want to target and these include giant trevallies, red drums, goliath groupers, barramundis and more. On some days, you can participate in mini competitions and win cash prizes.
Price: From S$25 per pax
Location: 50 Jalan Kassim Noor
Safely wash your car in City Square Mall
Image credit: DariuszSankowski
Johor Bahru may be a notorious city, but that doesn’t mean visitors can’t circumvent the delinquency and get a worry-free car wash. Located in the secure parking space of City Square, City One Car Care Centre is the one-stop shop for all your car grooming needs. From leather washing, cushion cleaning and sterilising – they can do everything to prettify your ride.
Price: Check in store
Location: Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Bahru City Square
Watch the new LEGO 4D movie
Image credit: LEGOLAND.com
Exclusive to LEGOLAND, the new LEGO City 4D – Officer in Pursuit film is must-see for anyone who’s a LEGO animation buff. Guaranteed to have the whole family cramping with laughter, the movie follows the adventures of LEGO City Police Officers chasing down nasty villains through the streets and skyscrapers of the brick-laden metropolis.
Image credit: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
This exclusive blockbuster is in 4D, and that means you will be pulled in for an experience like no other. Think in-your-face action with flying LEGO bricks, ultra-realistic scenes with wind, splashing water and scents, bumpy rides along epic car chases, and bubble effects too! Get ready for a movie night that’ll make you sign up with the LEGO police force.
Price: Entry fee applies (Free for LEGOLAND Malaysia Annual Pass holders)
Location: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
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Indulge in a relaxing massage
Image credit: BANGKOK SPA Facebook Page
Touted as Johor Bahru’s biggest massage outlet, Bangkok Spa boasts a huge team over of 100 qualified therapists trained in Thailand. You’ll be spoilt for choice with their range of services which include foot massages, aromatherapy, body scrubs, saunas and more. If the low prices aren’t attractive enough, the luxurious interior will hypnotise you.
Price: From S$34
Location: Jalan Abiad, Taman Pelangi
Sing your heart out in a karaoke centre
Image credit: TheHilaryClark
For a wholesome time with friends and family, walk into Neway at any time of the day to get your karaoke fix. Choose from timeless classics like Toni Braxton’s ‘Unbreak My Heart,’ to regular favourites like Namewee’s ‘Stranger in the North.’ There’s something for everyone here across all genres. Be sure to check out the available promotions before heading down, cause’ bookings can get really cheap during the earlier parts of the day.
Price: From S$5
Location: Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Bahru City Square
Talk a stroll down Johor Bazaar
Image credit: poya
A haven of bargains await in the dark of a Johor night. Nestled strategically in the shopping district of the city, the bazaar is a great way to escape the walls of the malls and indulge in some cheap buys. Hawkers will cover the streets with their makeshift stalls (more on weekends) and sell clothes, shoes, accessories, food, drinks, toys and much more. Even the brand-conscious shopper can find something they like here.
Price: Depends on individual bargaining skills
Location: Jalan Segget, Near Johor Bahru City Square
Attend a LEGO Movie event day (24 Jan 2019 – 31 March 2019)
Image credit: LEGO Group & Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
LEGO Movie fever is hotter than it’s ever been. In anticipation of the release of LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort has a host of in-park events lined up across two exciting months. To experience the extended universe from the movie, you can rub shoulders with the film’s headliners, Emmet and Wlydstyle, or better yet, grab a selfie with them with cool LEGO backdrops across the park – watch out for those sharp shoulders though!
Image credit: LEGOLAND Global
Are you a closet LEGO-builder, because during the double-movie buzz you have the opportunity to build your own LEGO Spaceship to evade aliens, or create a personalised LEGO Mosaic.
And just for Chinese New Year, the LEGOLAND Malaysia park will be decked out in festive décor along with an apt Garden of Prosperity. Create pandas and Mandarin oranges out of LEGO bricks and welcome the Lunar New Year with a lion dance.
Price: Entry fee applies (Free for LEGOLAND Malaysia Annual Pass holders)
Location: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
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