Here’s how to enjoy the new Star Wars Miniland

JOHOR BAHRU — Legoland Malaysia is marking its upcoming anniversary (it turns two on Sept 15) with the opening of Star Wars Miniland.

The event was graced by Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng, the Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, who declared the attraction open after a fun-filled ceremony that saw a galaxy of Star Wars characters like young Jedis, Darth Maul and stormtroopers accompany the guest of honour in.

“Legoland Malaysia is a game changer in family fun,” said Datuk Ong. “Since its opening, Legoland has contributed significantly to Johor Bahru’s position in attracting tourists — especially families with children.” Datuk Ong is also confident that with the new Star Wars Miniland, the theme park will grow from strength to strength.

Legoland Malaysia Resort General Manager Mark Germyn explained that Star Wars was chosen due to its “multi-generation appeal and strong draw”. There are seven scenes from the Star Wars franchise and over 2,000 models created for this Miniland. We recommend you do the following to get the most out of your Star Wars experience.

DRESS UP AS A STAR WARS CHARACTER

We mean it. How else will you feel like you fit into the Star Wars universe? Besides, you can pose with life-sized models of C-3PO, R2-D2 and a 2.7m-tall Darth Vader before entering the exhibition area. Your pictures will look cooler than everybody else’s if you’re in costume.

Other photo opportunities include the super cute 85cm-tall models of popular characters like Boba Fett, Yoda, Han Solo, Wicket the Ewok, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia (although we wish they weren’t behind a glass door). You Even if you refuse to dress up, get your kids do so - children in Star Wars get-up get free entry to Legoland Malaysia throughout September.

GET CLUED UP

This will ensure you know enough about everything on display at Star Wars Miniland. Legoland’s Model Builders team has painstakingly created each scene in every room right down to the last detail. Most scenes took more than 1,000 man hours to get right. By getting your Star Wars cred up to speed, you won’t be saying things like, “Where’s Naboo?” or “Is Episode 1 is the one with Han Solo?” or “What’s this spaceship called?” and drawing the ire of Star Wars diehards around you.

You’ll ooh and ahh over the models of Theed Palace, the Clone Turbo Tank and the famous battle scenes, appreciating the uncanny resemblance to the scenes in the movies; and you can point out little details like “Look at Chewie in the AT-ST” (which stands for All Terrain Scout Transport, by the way) with authority. If you have no idea what we are talking about, you need a Star Wars movie marathon, stat.

BE AN OVER-EXCITED FAN

The Star Wars Miniland is equipped with cool special effects. Make sure you press those green buttons located at the different displays to see the Millennium Flacon take off and land as well as Obi Wan Kenobi fighting Darth Maul. (But don’t be such an annoying brat and press the buttons repeatedly.)

BRING A SELFIE STICK

Well, besides the obvious reasons, the selfie stick will help take those impressive aerial shots — especially when there is a crowd gathered in front of each display and refusing to move. And yes, you can expect crowds. Even better, bring a drone if you have one (although we can’t guarantee you’ll be allowed to fly one there).

BRING YOUR CREDIT CARD

At the end of the seventh room is a “dedicated retail section for Lego Star Wars products”. Cue The Imperial March: This is where you could end up spending lots of money because it carries prized collector sets which are hard to find like the Death Star, R2-D2 and the Ewok Village. Trust us, even if those are out of your budget, you’ll end up buying something from the array of tees, caps, magnets and keychains. We did.