We spent two full days at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park in Kuala Lumpur with our three boys, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip to Malaysia. If you’re wondering whether this park is worth it for families with older kids and teens, here’s our honest take after staying inside the park at a Lagoon Villa.
Our full Sunway Lagoon review will cover our favorite rides and some tips to get the most from your visit.
Here’s a quick overview of the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park:
Sunway Lagoon got its name from the lagoon that the park surrounds. Originally a hole dug for mining, the Sunway corporation turned that hole into a lagoon and built the park and resort hotels around it.
There are 2 sections to the park – the upper section, where you enter the park, has the dry rides and is home to the night park shows. A series of escalators takes you down to the section of the park surrounding the lagoon, which includes the wildlife park, the water park attractions, a zip line, the new water coaster, and the world’s largest surf pool!
Both sections are included in your admission ticket, and you can move between them as often as you’d like.
As you can see from the park map, there’s plenty to do at Sunway Lagoon
Quick Tip: If you’d like some variety from the escalators, the Wildlife Park has a path to lead you between the top section and the bottom section – depending on how hot your day is, start at the top and work your way down rather than walking the wildlife park uphill.
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Quick Summary – Sunway Lagoon Review: Worth It for Families?
Yes, Sunway Lagoon is absolutely worth it for families with school-age kids through teenagers. We visited Sunway Lagoon in Kuala Lumpur with our boys (ages 16, 14, and 11 at the time) and stayed a night at a Lagoon Villa inside the park, which gave us access for two full days.
There’s genuinely something for everyone in the tween-to-teen range. The water slides, surf pool, wildlife park, and amusement rides are excellent, and having 2 days meant we didn’t feel rushed. We couldn’t have gotten to everything in a single day.
We saw plenty of families with preschoolers and younger kids, too, and there were sections of the park specifically designed for all ages.
Two days were enough time to hit the major rides multiple times, explore the Wildlife Park, see the bird show, catch the Night Park in the evening, and still have downtime at our private villa pool. We didn’t feel like we missed anything, and we rode everything we wanted to at least a couple of times. Enjoying a park two days in a row means you can rush to try everything the first day and take it a bit easier the second day by enjoying a show, relaxing in one of a dozen pools, and revisiting your favorite rides.
Our verdict: families with kids in the tweens and teens who enjoy water parks and theme park rides should definitely put Sunway Lagoon Theme Park on their Kuala Lumpur to-do list.
Pricing and opening times can change from season to season. Always check the Sunway Lagoon website for current information ahead of your visit.
Essential Facts About Sunway Lagoon Amusement Park, Kuala Lumpur
Sunway Lagoon is located in Bandar Sunway, Selangor, about 25–30 minutes by Grab from central Kuala Lumpur. If you’re coming from KL airport, expect around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
The exact address is 3, Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor. Operating hours are typically 10am–6pm, with the night park events (lit up rides and late-night shows) from 6pm-11pm. The park is usually closed on Tuesdays except during Malaysian school holidays and public holidays. We’d recommend checking the official Sunway Lagoon website before your visit, as hours can change.
Your ticket to Sunway Lagoon Malaysia typically covers multiple themed areas:
- Water Park (the main water park with slides and wave pool)
- Amusement Park (dry rides: roller coaster, wagon wheel, pirate ship, and more)
- Wildlife Park (animals, shows, petting zoo area)
- Sunway Lost Lagoon (themed water area – yes, there are multiple water areas around the lagoon)
- X Park / Extreme Park (adventure activities, some at extra cost)
- Scream Park (haunted house and indoor themed attractions)
Some activities in the Extreme Park are pay-per-ride activities, including things like the bungee jump, go-karts, and G Force. These aren’t included in your base ticket, but there was plenty to do included in our ticket that we didn’t feel the need to add on.
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Hotels Near Sunway Lagoon
One thing that makes Sunway Lagoon convenient is that it’s directly connected to Sunway Pyramid Shopping Centre. The mall has restaurants, a cinema, ice skating, and plenty of food options. Several hotels sit right next to the park with covered walkways, making this easy to treat as a 3-4 night getaway, with the first night at the Lagoon Villas in the park.
We stayed near the park on our second night so that we could use as much of our second day as possible without a long trip to a hotel afterward. At 12 noon checkout time from the villas, we stored our luggage at the nearby customer service desk and spent the day enjoying the park, then picked up our luggage as we were leaving.
There are only 4 Lagoon Villas at Sunway Lagoon, so plan your trip and book early!
Our Lagoon Villa Stay: Why We Chose to Sleep Inside the Park
We booked one night in a Lagoon Villa inside Sunway Lagoon so we could have two full days in the park without rushing. This also gave us access to the Night Park after regular closing time and a private pool area that was exclusive to villa guests.
The Lagoon Villas sit in a quiet corner of the park, reachable by buggy from the main entrance. There are only four villas plus a small camp-out area, all clustered around a shared private pool. It felt secluded even though we were inside a massive theme park.
Here’s what was included in our Lagoon Villa package:
- Two days of park access (from arrival day through the following day) for our family of five
- Access to all main park zones during regular hours
- Dedicated check-in and buggy transport to and from the villa
- Access to a private, guests-only pool area directly in front of the villas
- One set dinner at the villa, breakfast the next morning, and access to the Sunway Lagoon Night Park
The villa itself had a deck that looked through the trees to the lagoon, a small outdoor soaking area, an air-conditioned bedroom, simple seating, and a bathroom. It felt more like glamping than a full luxury resort, but it was comfortable for one night and the location was unbeatable.
This setup worked well for our family because the teens could rest mid-day at the villa when the park got hot and crowded. Our youngest could cool off in the private pool whenever he wanted. And we didn’t have to leave the park to find food or deal with commuting back and forth from a Sunway Lagoon hotel in the city.
This option is best for families who want to do “open to close” plus night activities and are okay paying more than a regular hotel nearby for the convenience and experience.
Read our review of the Sunway Lagoon Villas
Our Arrival Day at Sunway Lagoon
We arrived at the park around 11am (in hindsight, since the park opened at 10, we could have made use of that extra hour). We took our luggage to the villas and changed into swimsuits. We were hot after carrying our luggage, so we decided to start with the water slides which turned out to be some of our favorite Sunway Lagoon attractions.
We tried all of the water slides at the water park area, then went back to the water rides on the other side of the park, opposite the wave pool – it seemed like there was a new slide to try in nearly every direction.
After a quick snack (ramen provided in the Villas) we stopped at their new water coaster, walked through the goat section of the petting zoo in the wildlife park on our way to the 3pm bird show, headed to the water park again to enjoy the lazy river, and settled in for BBQ dinner included in our overnight stay.
After dinner, we went up the escalators to the amusement park section, then around 10pm, we went back to the lagoon villa, changed into swimsuits again, and relaxed at the private pools reserved for the villa guests.
Amusement Park & Our Favorite Sunway Lagoon Attractions
The Amusement Park at Sunway Lagoon is near the main entrance and houses most of the classic dry attractions, including one end of the suspension bridge (which crosses the lagoon to a tower on the other side).
The vibe here is Wild West and frontier themed, with classic rides spread across the area. It’s a good option to start the day since it’s less busy right at opening and you’re not yet wet from the water slides.
Here are the specific rides we did and what our kids thought:
Lost City of Gold Scream Coaster: This became our oldest son’s favorite dry ride. It’s a compact roller coaster but surprisingly fast with rip-roaring twists and turns. Height requirement is around 1.4m, so younger kids and some tweens won’t be able to ride.
Pirate Ship: Our middle son loved this one. The Pirate’s Revenge does full 360-degree loops, swinging riders completely upside down. It’s intense, but one worth talking about.
Tomahawk: Like the pirate ship, but in two halves. Riders are single-file, and each half rotates independently of the other. If you’re a little unsure of the pirate ship, this one is enclosed so even though you’ll rotate upside down, you’ve got a roof.
Wagon Wheel: A Ferris wheel styled like a western wagon perched on a roof for great views. These are calmer warm-up options if you have time or if you have younger kids in your group who need something gentler.
Water Coaster: This was our youngest son’s favorite. It’s technically on the dry side (a traditional roller coaster, not a tube water slide) but there’s a water splash at the end that makes getting wet unavoidable; Great for kids who love roller coasters and need to cool off.
Riding the Wild Chase water coaster at Sunway Lagoon
We also walked across the suspension bridge, which holds a Malaysia Book of Records title for its 428-meter length. It’s a good family photo spot with bird’s-eye views of the Water Park and Lost Lagoon about 60 feet above the lake.
Our timing tip: do these dry attractions between 10am and noon to avoid afternoon heat and queues, then head back to your villa or changing area to switch into swimwear for the afternoon, or focus on the wet attractions during the day, and save the dry attractions for the “Night Park” from 6pm-11pm.
Extreme Park
Zip lining, ATV rides, and bungee jumping from the suspension bridge are all available as part of the Xtreme Park experience. The zip lines were included in our tickets, so Celine and our oldest two loved that. Our youngest was tall enough, but didn’t weigh enough for the zip line, so he and I enjoyed the DJ in the Surf Pool toward the end of the day and watched the zip line overhead.
Scream Park
The Scream Park at Sunway Lagoon is a dedicated area for those who love a good scare and live-action haunted house experiences. It’s fully enclosed and indoors, so while you’ll walk by it near the front gate, you won’t see into it or be startled by it.
It features Zombie Lockdown, which immerses visitors in a “Zombie”-style environment, complete with realistic zombie actors that bring the thrills and chills to life. Themed with elements inspired by various horror and thriller movies, this haunted house offers a unique and spooky adventure for older kids and adults alike. It’s an exciting part of Sunway Lagoon for thrill-seekers (like Celine and our middle son), but it is not recommended for younger children or adults who are chickens (like me, Adam) due to its intense scares and jump moments.
“Some of us” were brave enough for Scream Park in Sunway Lagoon
Water Park Highlights for Tweens & Teens
The main water park was the clear favorite part of Sunway Lagoon for our whole family. We spent most of both days here, and the boys would have happily stayed longer.
Here are the water attractions we did and each family member’s favorite:
Dark Tunnel Tube Ride: This was our oldest son’s favorite water ride. It’s a multi-person tube slide in total darkness with surprising twists and drops that you can’t anticipate. Perfect for thrill-seeking teens who want something more intense than a standard water slide.
4-Person Family Raft Rides (like Jungle Fury): Both our middle son and Celine picked these as their favorite water attractions. All four of us (or four at a time) could ride together, which made it great for family bonding instead of everyone going off on separate slides. The river rapids ride style is exciting without being terrifying.
Drop Slide (Monsoon 360): Our youngest son’s favorite water ride involved a near-vertical drop where you step into a capsule and the floor drops out beneath you. It looks intimidating, but it’s over quickly. He went back for multiple runs.
Adam tried a mix of everything and found the shared-raft slides best for family groups, especially with teens who still want to do things together.
Surf Beach is the world’s largest surf pool and wave pool area, and it’s a good place to rest between slides. You can watch the kids play, regroup, and cool down. Note that the sand can get hot midday, so finding shade is valuable.
Practical points parents should know for visiting Sunway Lagoon Theme Park:
- Height requirements are often 1.1m or higher for the big slides
- Many slides require 2 or 4 riders per raft, which works well for families of 4 or 5, but can be awkward if you have exactly 3 people. There is often someone else there looking for another rider if you don’t mind sharing.
- We sometimes paired up 2+3 or waited to share rafts with other families in line
Quick comfort tips: wear rash guards or swim shirts for sun protection since you’ll be out for hours, bring your own waterproof phone pouch if you want keep your phone with you (not allowed on some rides), and plan for mid-afternoon breaks back at the villa or in shaded seating.
The wet park can wear you out fast in the heat, but there are plenty of shaded spots to cool off, even in the water itself.
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- Riding the Wild Chase water coaster at Sunway Lagoon
Sunway Wildlife Park: A Nice Break from the Rides
We used the Wildlife Park as a slower-paced break between rides, and it worked especially well in the late morning, right after breakfast, before the sun got too hot.
The Wildlife Park is a compact zoo-style area with quite a few animals—over 150 species – including tigers, birds, small mammals, and reptiles. Shaded walkways and viewing platforms connect the different areas, so it’s cooler than standing in line for rides.
The petting zoo area was the surprise hit. Interacting with the goats turned out to be the favourite part of the Wildlife Park for all three of our boys, even the teenagers. They could feed and pet them, and it felt more personal than just looking into the other animals’ enclosures.
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Other Wildlife Park highlights:
- Aviary walk-through area with birds flying around you
- Daily animal shows and feeding times (check the schedule when you arrive; times can shift, so ask at the entrance in the morning). We caught the bird show the first day; well worth the stop!
- Smaller exhibits with reptiles and mammals
The Wildlife Park is smaller than a stand-alone zoo, but it’s not meant to be the only attraction in the park. There was plenty to see and do to fill an hour for variety and offers a nice contrast to the noise and adrenaline of the Water Park.
Night Park & Evening at the Lagoon Villas
Our Lagoon Villa package included access to the Sunway Lagoon Night Park (6pm-11pm) after regular closing time, and this turned out to be a surprising bonus for our boys.
The Night Park has a completely different feel from the daytime activities in the water park. Captain Quack’s Land comes alive with evening-specific shows and performances along the main streets and stages. It’s not a separate park—it’s the same areas lit up and programmed differently.
Some rides continue operating at night, and the cooler temperatures make walking around much more pleasant than the midday heat. The attractions have staggered operating times (some running in the morning and some later afternoon to evening) so plan ahead when deciding what you’d like to visit during your stay.
Our first evening at Sunway Lagoon:
- BBQ dinner is included with the lagoon villa package – we went here after the water park. Thanks to a February early-evening rain shower, we just went for dinner in our wet swimsuits rather than risking changing and getting caught in the rain with our dry clothes.
- Night Park exploration with a few priority rides the boys wanted to repeat – the gold coaster, pirate ship, and wagon wheel in the dark were on the to-do list.
- Evening shows and walking the lit-up areas (our favorite was the fire juggling show)
- Back to the private pool area, where we could swim and relax into the night
Night Park access is most worthwhile if you’re staying at the Lagoon Villas or one of the nearby hotels. If your hotel isn’t near the park, plan to stay for the night park rather than leave the park and return the same day.
Food, Lockers & Extra Costs to Budget For
While Sunway Lagoon entry prices are the main cost, there are several smaller extras families should plan for so the day doesn’t feel constantly “nickel-and-dimed.”
Outside food: Outside food is technically not allowed, but sealed water bottles are usually fine after bag checks. We recommend having a good breakfast before entering and bringing reusable bottles to refill inside.
Sunway Lagoon food inside the park: Options range from fast food like burgers and fried chicken to local Malaysian dishes like nasi lemak, plus snacks, ice cream, and coffee. Prices are reasonable by big theme park standards. Sunway Pyramid next door has food options for dinner if you have particular dietary restrictions, but the park itself has plenty of options – both chains and restaurants unique to the park (we loved Fire & Slice for BBQ dinner our first night, and an afternoon pizza snack on our second day)
Gear rentals: Tubes, cabanas, and certain equipment may carry extra fees. Check current prices on the official site or at the main entrance and set a budget with older kids before entering, so there are no surprises. We didn’t feel the need to rent additional equipment.
Where to Stay: Lagoon Villas vs Nearby Hotels
The main choice is between sleeping inside the park at a Lagoon Villa (as we did) or staying at one of the connected hotels, such as Sunway Resort, Sunway Pyramid Hotel, or Sunway Lagoon Hotel.
Lagoon Villas are best for families wanting a one-time special experience, two full days at the park, private pool access, and included meals. They’re more expensive per night but include two days of day tickets, plus hotel, dinner, and breakfast, in one package.
The Lagoon Villas only sleep 4 people each, but two of the Lagoon Villas have a connecting door, so a family of 8 can sleep comfortably. Of course, the other villas are right next door if you’re taking an extended family or a group.
Sunway-connected hotels connect directly to Sunway Pyramid Shopping Centre with covered walkways or escalators right down to the park entrance. These are more traditional hotel experiences with easier access to shops, cinema, ice skating, and restaurants.
Off-site Kuala Lumpur hotels are an option if Sunway Lagoon is just one park on your itinerary. Families staying in central KL can make Sunway Lagoon a full-day trip by taking Grab or tour shuttles, but you’ll miss the Night Park and midday villa breaks (and the private pool areas for lagoon villa guests).
Quick thoughts on hotels near Sunway:
- Choose Lagoon Villas if you want maximum convenience, 2-day park access, dinner, breakfast, snacks, experience the park after hours, and have a private place to take a break or change if needed
- Choose one of the Sunway hotels if you prefer a standard hotel feel connected to the Sunway Pyramid mall with plenty of food options
- Choose central KL if Sunway Lagoon is just going to be a one-day visit and you prefer to base near Petronas Towers or Bukit Bintang
Tips for Visiting Sunway Lagoon Theme Park with Older Kids & Teens
Our boys were 16, 14, and 11 during this trip, and Sunway Lagoon felt particularly suited to this age range. The height requirements and intensity of many Sunway Lagoon activities mean the park is a great experience for older kids and teens. There are plenty of activities for younger kids, but the park is not built primarily for one specific age group.
Height and age planning: Check height charts before buying tickets. Kids under 1.4m will miss many bigger rides. Children ages 10–17 will get the most out of both the Water Park and Extreme Park.
Two-day vs one-day visit: With our three boys, two days felt just right. First day for Amusement Park, Water Park, and Night Park. Second day to repeat favorite slides, and revisiting the Wildlife Park. A single entire day can work, but it will feel rushed if you want to try everything, especially during school holidays when queues are longer.
Rest strategy: Plan a quiet hour at midday—back at the Lagoon Villa or in shaded seating—to grab a snack and refresh. The heat and humidity in Malaysia can be intense, even for teens who think they don’t need breaks, but when it catches up to you, you’ll know it (especially for us Canadians!)
What to pack to visit Sunway Lagoon:
- Modest swimwear and rash guards for sun protection
- Quick-dry shorts for transitioning between wet and dry areas
- Sandals or water shoes (the pavement gets hot)
- Small waterproof bag for phone and essentials
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Lightweight change of clothes for the evening
- Leave valuables at the hotel or use a paid locker
Summary of Our Sunway Lagoon Review:
Sunway Lagoon turned out to be a highlight of our Kuala Lumpur stay. The water slides (variety and quantity) were excellent, the goats at the Wildlife Park were unexpectedly popular with all three boys, and having two full days meant we could balance thrill rides with actual downtime.
Here’s what each family member picked as their standout:
- Oldest son (16): Lost City of Gold Scream Coaster and the dark tunnel tube slide
- Middle son (14): Pirate ship and 4-person family raft rides
- Youngest son (11): Water coaster and vertical drop slide
- Celine: 4-person family raft rides
- Adam: Mix of water slides and the slower-paced Wildlife Park
Our recommendation is straightforward: if your kids are tweens and teens and enjoy water parks and rides, Sunway Lagoon is a strong yes.
We’d personally choose a Lagoon Villa again if our goal was a 2-day park-focused trip. For shorter KL stays where Sunway Lagoon is just one of many activities, a single-day visit from a central hotel would work fine to see the highlights, but not really enough time to explore the entire park thoroughly.
Our favorite photos from around the park while visiting Sunway Lagoon, Kuala Lumpur:
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- As you can see from the park map, there’s plenty to do at Sunway Lagoon
There are plenty of things to do in Kuala Lumpur! Here are some more ideas for your family vacation:
