Movie Animation Park Studios(MAPS) @ Ipoh, Perak: Live Your Dreams on the 1st Day (26th June 2017) of Soft-Opening

Last Monday was the country's festive public holiday, Hari Raya (Eid for the Muslims). 

So, da boyz suggested to visit this theme park a week earlier and to my surprised, he pre-purchased the tickets (costed RM131/person at promo price for this soft-opening week that comes with free 1 day visit/person for the next visit that has a due date by 30 Sept 2017) almost immediately! :D 

Then only he decided to inform me on that~ Yayy~ My mixed reactions were half excited, half disbelieved and feeling cool. LOL~

This is Asia's First Animation Theme Park which costed around RM520 million for the construction of the theme park in Ipoh (capital city of Perak) to attract tourists and locals to it. It was supposedly scheduled to open in 2016, however there was a delay and had to postpone to 26 June 2017. 

Anyway, here it is, the much anticipated theme park has opened its door. :)

All pictures are without filters. The weather was so fuming hot and sunny, so, there isn't a need for a filter ;)

On the day itself, we decided to drive down early in the morning at 7-ish from Penang to Ipoh! Luckily there wasn't any traffic :)
We reached there around 9am. The journey took us around 2 hours by driving with an average speed limit.

Here we are! We've reached MAPS @ Meru, Ipoh!
Upon exit the Ipoh toll, drive around the bends for 2min before reaching. It's really at nearby the highway.

The sign says it all! ;)

The queue before the counter opens.

Literally with the map about the MAPS and the Smurf entrance ticket!

After entering into the theme park, one needs to go through bag checking point. I usually just equiped myself with a pouch, my identity card, some money, a pack of tissue papers and my mobile phone. I'm there to enjoy and play not to go for some shopping! :P 

If you would to bring a big bag, it would cause you a lot of hassle as the staff may need to check your belongings thoroughly.

Next, exit checking point and you would walk past a bridge surrounded by an artificial lake before reaching the Animation Square Zone.

You can see the centre stage once you stepped into the Animation Square Zone.

Another view of the Animation Square Zone.
As it was a soft-opening, the operation of the theme park wasn't 100%.

First we tried this 4D Adventure Theatre. It's a motion theatre with D-box seatings whereby when the animation comes to live, your seat will move according to the animated movie, they featured #Boboiboy , a local kid's cartoon..
One needs to wear their 3D glasses too which will enhance 3D film effect while watching the screen with physical effects such as water splurting at your face when the spaceship immersed into the water, wind blowing and something sweeping or hitting your legs. :D

Do you have a need for stunt? Something interesting and extraordinary whereby legal mat rempits will be showing off their moves: cars screeching and motorcyclist doing stunts professionally at Stunt Legends, Live Action Zone.

Mini Coliseum Water Play at Fantasy Forest Zone.
Picture effect was perfecto with its sunny bright day without any filter! ;)

Overlooking the artificial man-made lake from the tree house at Fantasy Forest Zone.

A painting of the Pharoah at the Upside Down Pyramid(Fantasy Forest Zone).

Teamwork table board game whereby we need to team up with 4 people and then try to roll the metal ball from the starting point into the centre hole with teamwork along the maze @ Upside Down Pyramid.

A kiddy and adult ride. Zugo's Crystal Quest @ Fantasy Forest Zone.
We even spotted a senior citizen lady and uncle sitting on this roller coaster. 

Variety of animals carousel @ Fantasy Carousel, Fantasy Forest Zone.

Red Baron @ Fantasy Forest Zone.
Looks like a kiddy plane ride but it was pretty fun as you get to choose when to fly higher, above the ground or lower by pressing the yellow button. You could get to honk like a kid too. ;)

The Frog Prince & I :)

Had our late lunch at Coral Kingdom.

Late lunch: Blueberry Velvet.
Remember to request for discount if you happened to go during this time. The guy forgotten to give us a 20% discount.

Sea-like decorations on the ceiling.

A huge Starship! It's actually a restaurant but yet to open.

It a sunny day! #nofilter
This Asteroid Attack is a thrilling ride where it could turn 360 degrees. We were supposed to try it out before we were stopped by the staff as he was concerned on our spectacles and belongings. For safety reason, you're not supposed to bring them along. Luckily he stopped us. Otherwise, we would have peed in our pants during the turning. LOL~

So real yet so unreal with the hugeeee Starship! #nofilter

Hyperspin! My kinda relaxing swinging coaster. #nofilter

Smurf Theatre.
A very much kiddy theatre for interacting with the kids. Apart than that, i love singing the Smurf song, "La la ....la la la la...la la la la la...la la..la la la la...la la la...la la.".

The Adventurous Bumper Blast @ Blast Zone. I love this although had to queue for like 1 hour.  The legal hit & run! hahaha~ The only time you could hit and then run without being committed of any offences.:P
They closed a few rides especially the Wormholes and Dream Zone. Thus, the crowd mainly will focus at certain rides at certain zones.

Our teabreak before leaving the place. With burning Hotdog and Coke Zero @ Pit Stop Cafe.
Inside here, the lady told us that we got to enjoy a 20% off because of our day pass ticket.

Before driving back at 8pm, we went to have our dinner, steamed chicken rice, beansprouts and fishballs and porkballs soup at Lou Wong, Ipoh! It is about equivalent with HotBowl's steamed chicken rice too, located in Penang. I approve of this. ;)

I journey back took additional 1hr 30min on top of our 2 hours drive. >.<

Live your dreams with Asia's 1st Animation Theme Park~

Verdict: It was a bright, sunny hot day at the first day of the soft-opening! Wish that there was a cold windy weather just like in Hong Kong and Britain during summer. hehe~ 

I would say that it was better than the Lost World of Tambun, Perak. Quite comparable to other international themeparks (of course, it is franchised from international la) but on a smaller scale. However, I still do prefer the large Alton Towers in Britain and Disneyland Hong Kong. However, maybe after all of the zones and rides have been fully operational, then we could review on it again. 

We didn't expect to have a delay at the ticketing counter when we presented our print out receipt as we pre-purchased out tickets from the online website. Anyway, the staffs seemed clueless to whether to let us pass the counter and they did discuss among themselves what to do next. Probably, as the day goes by, after this first few days incidences, they did realise and improve on this. Expect some technical errors happening to the rides and my Dream Zone that has more interesting thang inside was close on the first day (Casperrrr....where are you friendly ghost) T.T

Anyway, I felt awesome to be one of the first few thousands to get to enjoy the soft-opening of this theme park although not all zones are fully operational! 

I hope by the time when I'm back again, all other rides and zone that weren't operational have begun operating~

All in all, this theme park creates jobs opportunity for the locals, increases tourists visit to Perak state and also allows families and friends to live up to their dreams of having fun in here! Killing all 3 birds with 1 stone. ;D

How to get here:

MAPS 

@ Persiaran Meru Raya 3,

Bandar Meru Raya 3,

30020 Ipoh, Perak,

Malaysia.

Opening hours:

10:00 - 18:00 (Mondays to Fridays)

10:00 - 22:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays & School Holidays)

2016: Valentine's Day Celebration

Walked out frm the house to the front gate today (14th February 2016) and got a surprised Santa standing in front of his car with a bouquet of flowers under piping hot sun.  

I was giggling at heart from a far while walking towards him as my right hand was holding a pair of sandals and another hand was holding my handbag with a pump of lotion in my palm as I needed to moisturise up my skin. 

I wasn't able to greet him properly but deep down I was smiling. 

I was a bit nervous and shy with such treatment and I hurriedly opened the passenger side of the front door and went inside to sit. hehehe~ 

He wasn't the swift talking kind of guy but rather a shy and quiet type. *I thought to myself that he should have greeted me with "My love...tis flowers are for u..." in order to attract my attention* *but then, only a Casanova would do that right? -----LOL*

But he just quietly put the flowers back into the back seat of the car. *aaawwWW* 

What else could I ask for, such a sweet, humble and the quiet kind of guy who always give a smiley face. *smooch*

Honestly, this was my very first time being pampered.

I guess 3 stalks of roses representing "I Love You" and 3 stalks of Ferrero Rocher chocolates. 

After moisturised up myself, I quietly sneaked to take the bouquet of flowers and started selfie with it. ;)
*all smilesssssssssssssss* :D

After he parked the car, we got down the car. I went over to the front of the car while looking at him to remind him to lock the car. However, he went over to the back of the car so slowwwwly giving me that grin in his face.
I told him to hurry up and he told me that he would want to take the bouquet of flowers to the restaurant?! *palm face in embarrassment* LOL~
Luckily, he was just kidding, Then he brought out this little cute paper bag engraved "Pandora" just like a Santa Claus. So many things are hiding at the back of his car.

  Officially today, I've been spoiled, I've been spoiled! 
My first Valentine's Day bouquet of flowers (flowers bought nearby or during this day are crazily expensive) and the lucky charm bracelet gift set surprises~ 
Though I am not a fan of Pandora. No, never have I hinted him on Pandora or walked nearby the shop at the mall. Probably some of my friends are crazy in it. Hehe~ 
But in general, I just love everything. ✌😊
Thanks my sweet cutie!

We ordered Tiramisu @ DCOVA Cafe, 4 Bishop Street in the city centre.
It was so good, the next best tiramisu I've tasted after I tried at Roma, Italy with a hint of alcohol, bitter coffee and creamy too. Not cloying at all as a dessert.

His order:
 Bacon Al dente with a raw egg in it. A bit similar to Miam Miam's @ Gurney Paragon but I would prefer Miam Miam's as there will be more ingredients in it. hehe~

My order:
 Ebikko Alfredo @ DCOVA Cafe, 4 Bishop Street, Georgetown.
Slightly creamy alfredo taste that went well with the flying fish roe and shredded seaweed (fusion of Western meets Japanese). Therefore, the taste wasn't too creamy as compared to Bacon al dente, in my opinion. *yummmmm yumm*

While waiting for our movie to be called. Lucky charm wanted to selfie too. :D
Nice anot? ;)
We went to watch a Cantonese movie entitled From Vegas to Macau @ Gurney Paragon, acted by lots of famous Hong Kong actors and actress such as Chow Yun-Fatt and Carina Lam.
The movie was lame and funny. It was just for the sake of entertainment. ;)

Chinese New Year decoration at the mall.
Valentine's Day coincide on Day 7 (Chor 7) of CNY. Ths the redddd decoration.

Tea break time: Love Potion 31 and Love Potion Dark Chocolate @ Baskin 31 Robbins. 

*rawRRRRR* dragon ball love background I asked him to pose. haha~ So cuteee....

Dinner was eating mee sua as his tummy was suffering from indigestion. *poor boy*.

It was truly such a memorable day in my entire life that I couldn't ask for more. Actually, everyday is already a Valentine's Day. Just the difference is, got gifts surprises :*
#everydayisValentinesDay

Salon Du Chocolat @ Gurney Paragon, Penang

Fancy for a cholatey craving waffles? Visit Salon Du Chocolat @ Gurney Paragon when you're in Georgetown, Penang island. ;)

Let's attack this salon! Jeng jeng jeng~

Boot camp army and pirate figurines wanna eat chocolates too. Get readyyyy........~

Aim......~

The menu

Shoot.....~

Half Moon Chocolate Waffle drenched with Dark Chocolate at one side and another Milk Chocolate at another side. Thus the half moon name for it.

It was sinfully delicious. However, I would recommend for sharing with a friend or partner in crime ;)

We wanted to order Profiteroles, but we were told that it wasn't available and the staff recommended us this instead. So we tried it.

Menu for the Baked Stuff like Pain Perdu. 

Not sure about the meaning to the toasted bread drizzled with chocolate. Looks common from the menu however.....when we were served with this....it was really good and yummy. I think they have re-designed the decoration to the toasted bread.

 Pain Perdu. 

Toastes warm and slightly crunchy bread drizzled with choco and caramel and topped off with a scool of vanilla ice cream. The ice cream somehow neutralises the sweetness of the choco overload.

  

                                              
                                         Busy entertaining boot camp army and pirate miniature.

Verdict: Too yummy to describe on words and would just show a pic on this :D

Sweet tooth for the sweet souls :) 

Caffè Bene @ Ground Floor, Gurney Paragon: Sweet Tooth for the Sweet Souls---> Desserts :)

Caffè Bene, a famous Korean coffee house chain outlet has reached Georgetown, Penang. Yayyy~
The popularity of this coffee house outlet in Korea is similar to the US Starbucks Or Coffee Bean.
I think I prefer to refer to it as dessert house cause they are selling a whole range of desserts, apart than coffee.
If I'm not wrong, one could find this kind of outlet at almost everywhere when one visits Korea.

The newly opened dessert house outlet.

So, this coffee house has just started its operation exactly 3 weeks at Gurney Paragon mall, the latest happening mall in town which is located at Gurney Drive.
Besides selling coffees, they also sell desserts like ice-shaved dessert, the Korean style, waffles, tea and ice cream.
If one is S.T.R.E.S.S.E.D out in life, all you gotta do is have some D.E.S.S.E.R.T.S :)

The queue. Since it's still new and I guess that there were lots of stressed out ppl, I had to queue for like 10-15 min in order to get to the cashier counter to place my order. lol~

Since it's about desserts, I went to check this outlet out last week.

This is a display of their ice-shaved dessert called Bingsu. This shall be my next target when I visit them again next. I want the green tea Bingsu!! XD

The ice-shaved dessert.

The desserts for the sweet souls. Are your souls considered as sweet?
Then, you're at the right page. LOL~ ;-)

Currently they are doing a promo for their latte.

 I ordered their special latte, which didn't have any relation to any coffee flavour. Mmmmm.....one must be wondering about it. Well, I'm not a coffee person, so, the name doesn't bother me much.
Their lattes are sooo special and they are called the Misugaru flavour and the Sweet Potato flavour.
And currently they are doing a promo for this latte for customers to try them out or to test out their drinks. Buy 1 free 1 latte (until 30 September 2014).

Misugaru latte (left side) and Sweet Potato latte (right side)

The drinks were really fragrant and extraordinary, unlike the normal tea flavour. Misugaru flavour is made from the Korean multigrain which has rice, sesame and soybean in it. And the other sweet potato drink has the sweet potato smell and taste in it. Both drinks tasted creamy with some melted marshmallow flavour, I think.
Overall, it was tasty and me likey!
If you think that you may need some water to drink after having your sweet desserts or drinks, there's a corner prepared with a jug of water for you to self-service.

That's all for this week. Good night!