Before my LEGO obsessed firstborn had the Legends of Chima open up to him, he plunged head in into the World of Star Wars first.
Thanks to his father’s influence, he grew curious about the weird inhabitants of all the different characters living in the various planets in Star Wars, and even earned his own keep to buy this book – which he ploughs through religiously – from a secondhand bookshop.
Ben sharing a moment with Nat, explaining the characters of Star Wars from his Visual Dictionary
I am not a big fan, and have only watched Episode VI on big screen, and so my knowledge of Star Wars is limited to only Darth Vader (and the ‘wa si lin lao pei’ Hokkien jokes), Anakin Skywalker and Natalie Portman. Oops, is she some Queen Padme of some strange planet called Naboo. Always can’t control myself when I say ‘Naboo’ out loud.
But this boy, he knows so much more. He hasn’t watched every single episode, but he’s sure learned a lot from the extremely hilarious LEGO Star Wars Cartoon series. Which is great because he doesn’t think the baddies are scary; they are always portrayed as losers in the cartoon, and he gets to enjoy slapstick humour as a child appreciating what could otherwise have been complicated story plots and developments in an epic film series predominantly meant for adults.
So imagine how very stoked he was when he scored an invitation to preview the Star Wars™ Miniland Model Display at LEGOLAND Malaysia.
It’s not something that happens every day; and this boy from Singapore skipped kindergarten for a day to be one of the two littlest invited guests to turn up at the media preview of this attraction, which is the first of its kind in Asia.
Just look at the beaming five-year-old when he got to LEGOLAND Malaysia. So much happiness.
Hanging out outside the Miniland Model Display before the official launch
Absolutely no qualms making friends with Darth Maul.
“At last we shall reveal ourselves!”
Or the Jedi Master of High Council, Mace ‘Uncle’ Windu.
Young Jedi Wannabe with the Master
But the boy was actually looking high and low for a picture with Count Dooku. Hurhurhur. He just thinks his name is too funny.
The LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display is housed in an octagon building with a floor of 900m² that have been divided into 8 areas – 6 for each Episode of Star Wars, with the 7th featuring a scene from the animated film, ‘The Clone Wars’, and the 8th featuring an amazing array of retail products, read: all LEGO Star Wars merchandise.
Outside the LEGO Star Wars Miniland where we also met some young Jedi knights and storm troopers
The place, besides being a welcoming respite from the heat (air-con!!!), is a place that’s guaranteed to make you drop your jaws. And make you drop it 8 times.
And scream “WOW!” like what Ben did walking through the Miniland.
We took a chronological walk through the Star Wars timeline and had fun pressing the interactive buttons that activated animatronics within each scene.
Episode 1: The Phantom Menace – The Battle of Naboo
Episode II: Attack of the Clones – Geonosis
Ben having an intense conversation with the Star Wars Miniland Guide
Here, the battle between Count Dooku’s droid army and the Grand Army of the Republic
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – the planets of Kashyyyk and Mustafar
Episode IV: A New Hope – looking at the Tatooine and Han Solo’s famous Starship, the Millenium Falcon, which takes 40 seconds to take off and land!
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – taking refuge in icy planet, Hoth
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi – Battle of Endor
Star Wars: The Clone Wars on the planet of Christophsis
With more LEGO-modelled Star Wars characters
Add to the whole experience, retail therapy!
8,000 man hours. Over 1.5 million bricks. For this entire experience that will make any Star Wars fan hyperventilate.
More details:
The LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display opens its doors on 6th September 2014 (today!). Entry to the Star Wars Miniland is free and included in the admission ticket.
Throughout the month of September, various LEGO Star Wars activities have been lined up to commemorate LEGOLAND Malysia’s second anniversary. These include:
- a free entry promotion for children dressed up as their favourite Star Wars characters (from 6 – 30 Sept)
- special birthday fireworks on 15 Sept at the Resort starting at 8pm
- characters ‘Meet & Greet’ sessions at The Beginning (Theme Park) and Hotel Lobby (LEGOLAND Hotel) from 6 Sept onwards
Check out more exciting activities here if you’re planning to head down to LEGOLAND Malaysia this September holidays!
Disclsoure: Ben and I were invited to preview the LEGO Star Wars Miniland Model Display. No monetary compensation was received for this post, and all opinions here are own. We endured tired jaws to bring you this jaw-dropping awesomeness. You’re welcome.
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