We’ve only scraped past the first half of January, and some of us are already counting down to this year’s first long weekend so we can hop on a plane to escape the countless work-related pings. Unfortunately, unlike getting all caught up with Squid Game season 2, we can’t run life on 2x speed to fast-forward to public holidays in 2025.
But, planning what spots to visit on your future vacations can be quite the motivator for you to lock in for Q1, and you can’t go wrong with a day at the theme park when it comes to planning itineraries. As such, here are 10 new and upcoming theme parks near Singapore to get you all excited once the holiday season hits.
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You don’t even have to leave the country for the little ones to have a whale of a time, those with tots in tow can pay a visit to the revamped KidZania in Sentosa. The facility shuttered back in 2020 due to the pandemic but welcomed families once again early last year.
In case you’ve not had the chance to visit just yet, KidZania is an indoor theme park modelled after a replica city where children can try their hand at real-world occupations through role-play. There are over 40 activities for curious minds to have a go at, which include landing a plane via a flight simulator, fixing leaking faucets as a handyman, and even designing their own video games.
For maximum immersion, the children will also be awarded faux currency called Kidzos for each activity completed. They’ll be able to spend their hard-earned money at Kidzania Department Store to walk home with toys and stationery to cap off a day of honest work.
Image credit: Universal Studios Japan
It goes without saying that Japan will remain as one of the top holiday destinations amongst Singaporeans going into 2025, so you’ll want to swing by the new Donkey Kong Country on your next visit to Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan.
It’s a Jungle-inspired area that’s themed after one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, Donkey Kong. Inside, you’ll get to snap pics beside DK himself at various photo spots, chow down on banana flavoured snacks at the Jungle Beats Shakes cafe, and mess around with bongo drums to awaken an animatronic rhino.
You’ll definitely want to hop on the Mine Cart Madness ride; it’s a roller coaster that’s inspired by one of the levels from the games, as it takes adrenaline junkies through a perilous ancient temple. Before you go, don’t forget to snag some merch from the Funky’s Fly n’ Buy gift shop, which includes keychains, pouches, and hats featuring the whole Donkey Kong cast.
Image credit: Yicai Global
Another recently opened themed area that you’ll want to scurry over to is the Zootopia zone in Shanghai Disney Resort. Visitors will feel like they’ve stepped right into the wild world of Zootopia, as mascots and lively animatronics of iconic characters such as the Hopps family and Flash the Sloth go about their day in the park.
Image credit: 许静怡同学 via RED
Drop by the Zootopia Police Department Recruitment Center, where you can grab Judy and Nick for a photo op. You’ll also be able to join the duo on an exciting police chase on the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit ride, which will see visitors zoom past the various neighbourhoods of the city to track down a crafty criminal.
Afterwards, wind down with sweet treats from Jumbeaux’s Café and the Zootopia Market. Goodies on the menu include refreshing frozen Pawsicles and the Officer Clawhauser-approved The Big Donut.
Image credit: KKday
If you’re looking for a cooling respite from the heat, a new spot you can add to your day trips in Selangor is the Splashmania water park. It’s just a 35-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur, and it’s equipped with 39 different slides and attractions for you to get your daily dose of adrenaline.
Highlights include the snaking 78m-long Shaka Waka slides that are fitted with LEDs for a trippy experience, as well as the Maniac Racers slides, on which you can race your mates by zooming down while riding mats. The latter ride even has an electronic scoreboard which tracks the time and position of each racer.
But, the thrillseekers will want to make a beeline for the Sumaumeira Drop, a water slide that’s located on the top deck of the huge Amazonia pirate ship. It’s said to be the tallest water slide drop in all of Malaysia, plus it’s angled at a staggering 75°, which makes riders feel as if they’re free-falling for a good 5 seconds before splashing down into a pool spectacularly.
You can also tackle the waves at the Surf Maniac surfing simulator, while the kids are bound to have a blast wading at the Treasure Tower water playground. Food-wise, SplashMania has an open-air food court where you can enjoy plates of chicken rice, nasi lemak, and pizzas.
Joining the ranks of must-visit attractions in Hong Kong such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park Hong Kong is JOYPOLIS SPORTS Hong Kong. This 5-storey indoor playground opened in December 2024 and is decked out with 3 distinct themed zones, each with its own set of activities that will have you scampering all over the premises.
You’ll find the Ninja Dojo on the ground floor, where all sorts of ninja-inspired games and challenges await. Put your nimble feet to the test at the Ninja Mission: Break In obstacle course, or see if your reflexes are quick enough to conquer the Ninja Blade Master minigame. Of course, you’ll get to try your hand at throwing ninja stars too at the Ninja Trainer dart boards.
The SONIC Stadium is located on Level 2, where visitors can participate in various Sonic-themed sporting events. Challenge your friends to find out who’ll emerge victorious in the SONIC Athletics as you battle it out on a virtual track powered by treadmills.
There’s also the SONIC Stadium Kidz playground for the children to run riot in. This vibrant play area features a ball pit, climbing frames, slides, and an interactive projection wall, so expect them to spend hours exploring every corner of the playground.
Last but not least, Level 3 plays host to the Future Arena. Try your hand at AR games that involve your whole body for inputs, or take part in a round of Red Light Green Light that uses motion trackers to detect movements, much like the one in Squid Game, albeit with much lower stakes.
Image credit: Universal Studios Singapore
Probably the most anticipated opening as far as Universal Studios Singapore is concerned, the upcoming Minion Land will no doubt be a hit amongst the families frequenting USS. Opening on 14th February 2025, the themed zone will span over 1 and a half football fields, and is projected to sport 3 different areas for fans of the Despicable Me movies to explore
For instance, park-goers can pay a visit to Gru’s Neighbourhood and step into the home of the felonious protagonist, who has to play nanny to 3 little girls while carrying out his devious schemes. You’ll be able to see what he and his minions are up to during the Minion Mayhem ride, which brings guests into the depths of Gru’s quirky laboratory.
Image credit: Universal Studios Singapore
Over at the Super Silly Fun Land, the minions are going wild at a bustling dance party, so join in on the fun by going on the Buggie Boogie carousel. Before you leave, do have a gander at the goods at the shops in the Minion Marketplace. Bring home a minion-inspired outfit, or commemorate your visit with plushies, homeware, and toys.
For more information, check out the Minion Land Universal Studios Singapore website.
The theme park will also be home to 2 hotels to recharge at, the Paramount Grand Resort and Nickelodeon Resort.
Image credit: Paramount
Indonesia is set to receive its first international theme park, and boy are they pulling no stops. Paramount Pictures Theme Park Bali is slated to be up and running later this year in the Jembrana Regency in southwest Bali, and is projected to be the largest of its kind in South East Asia.
There are no news on what rides will be featured in this gargantuan theme park, but we predict that the film production company will base the park’s key attractions on its famous IPs. Expect rides that recreate scenes from recognisable franchises such as Mission: Impossible and Transformers, Star Trek, or Top Gun.
Paramount Pictures also own the rights to Nickelodeon, so we can confidently say that it’ll be a kid-friendly destination in case the little ones want to tag along too. What is pretty much confirmed is that the park will launch with a zone called the Land of Legends that’s themed after Indonesia’s folklore, so you won’t have to stray too far for a taste of the local culture and traditions.
When one thinks of Japan, Okinawa’s definitely not the first city that pops to mind but pretty soon, you’ll have a bonus reason to visit this tropical paradise. That’s because the Junglia amusement park will be hitting its shores come 2025, and it promises to bring dino-fueled action and a nature-infused retreat to soak in the natural beauty of the island.
The amusement park will be built in close proximity to the stunning Yambaru National Park, giving visitors an immersive experience as they step into this seemingly untamed jungle. Based on what we’ve gathered, attractions at Junglia include hot air balloon rides for stunning aerial views of the jungle canopies, a speedy zipline ride, and a frantic safari experience in which guests are chased by a ferocious T-rex.
Image credit: Junglia
Information on accommodation in Junglia is sparse, but there are murmurs that there are plans to include a forest spa to get some much-needed R&R at. Besides, Okinawa has 5-hour direct flights from Singapore too, so perhaps you can give the likes of Tokyo and Osaka a rest for your next vacation to give Junglia a visit.
For more information, check out the Junglia website.
Image credit: 长三角观察 via RED
If you can’t get enough of LEGOLAND Malaysia’s blocky offerings, then book a trip to LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort the next time you’re touring China. Although dates aren’t firmed up yet, what we do know is that the theme park’s grand opening is scheduled for later this year around June, and it’s presenting 8 whole themed zones for families to frolic in.
Image credit: LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort
For starters, LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort’s LEGO City zone will have attractions such as a Junior Driving School, where kids can go behind the wheel to traverse the expansive city in their very own LEGO mobiles. Aspiring firefighters can also make a stop at the Rescue Academy, to pilot a LEGO fire truck to douse flames on a burning building.
Image credit: LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort
Other zones to look forward to include a LEGO NINJAGO-themed area, a palatial LEGO Castle, as well as the China-exclusive LEGO Monkie Kid zone which draws inspiration from the iconic Journey to the West. When it’s time to call it a day, rest up at the LEGOLAND Hotel, whose rooms are decorated with playful LEGO decor.
For more information, check out Merlin Entertainment’s website.
Image credit: The Keystone Group
Sanrio fans can rejoice, as the Sanya Hello Kitty Resort is not too far away from completion. Initially scheduled for a 2024 opening, some news sites state that construction will wrap up some time this year instead.
Although we’ve got to wait a wee bit longer, the main draw of the theme park will undoubtedly be the Hello Kitty-inspired attractions and photo spots. Judging from artists’ impressions of the park, there’ll be an Egypt-themed zone complete with a huge Hello Kitty sphinx, as well as water-based rides, roller coasters, and a ferris wheel bearing Sanrio motifs.
Image credit: Yicai Global
Should you need multiple days to hang with Hello Kitty and friends, check into the accompanying luxury resort at the theme park. It’s expected to house over 221 rooms, 3 restaurants, along with facilities such as a spa, fitness centre, and a bar.
For more information, check out Keystone Group’s website.
There’s a reason why theme parks are a staple when putting together a solid travel itinerary. They’re extremely family-friendly, and are jam-packed with attractions that guests of all ages can enjoy. As such, keep tabs on these new and upcoming theme parks, so you know exactly where to head on your next overseas escapade for the latest thrills in Singapore’s vicinity.
For more theme park-related reads:
Cover image adapted from: 杰哥的旅行日记 & 冉冉玩不嗨 via RED
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