Tips, FAQs and Review (Including new Waterplay area!)

Maybe it’s mummy and daddy trying to shed off those extra calories from enjoying all that Penang food but one thing for sure, since our first experience at ESCAPE Penang back in 2015, we have always tried make it a point to devote 1 day to spend at ESCAPE Penang. 

This huge forest adventure play park situated deep within Teluk Bahang Penang, has, in a way, becomes a default resilience training ground for our kids and an excellent place for parent and child bonding.  Recently it had added a large water play area (think huge water slides etc…) that one can experience with a single admission ticket, this makes ESCAPE a value-added ‘must-go’ place for families visiting Penang with their kids.

What is ESCAPE Penang

ESCAPE Penang is a huge forest and water adventure play park.  It is tucked right in the heart of Teluk Bahang, around 45 minutes by car from downtown Georgetown (on a good day) and the Hop-on Hop-off (HoHo) Bus. There is generally no age limit for visitors to enter the park but there are age and physical requirements to experience specific activities.  Some of the activities here do require one to be of good physical health and a decent swimmer.

Here are some FAQs and Tips which we gathered from our experience.  Do visit https://www.escape.my/generalinfo  for details.

FAQs and Tips:

• How does it compare with adventure parks in Singapore?

There is no comparison.  The forest adventure play area is huge (many times the one we have in Bedok) and has far more diverse activities for a wide range of age. The closest we can compare to, which we have been, is the forest play area in Bali and Phuket where it is formed right into the jungle areas amidst towering native trees. EXCELLENT!

The new waterplay area is like Singapore’s Adventure Cove but bigger with larger tubes and waterplay areas.  Like Singapore’s it is situated within a forested area making it quite cooling and certainly has a more nature feel than say’ Legoland.  Singapore’s has activities with a bit more ‘G-forces’ while Legoland has more child-friendly activites.  This makes Escape Park Waterplay a good go-between between Legoland Malaysia and that of Adventure Cove here.

• Is there an age limit?

The park has activities for all beginning from age 4 and up. Age limits are specific to the type of activities. In addition to that, certain activities do have height and weight requirements. For teens and adults, as long as you are fit and healthy, you’re game to play.  For waterplay activities, it’s good that participants can swim.

For more info on the activities: https://www.escape.my/activities

• How long should I spend there?

The queue for most of the attractions is not too long averaging around 15 – 20 mins. However due to the diverse range of activities, we would usually spend one whole day there although I think 2 days would be better.

We would normally arrive first thing in the morning and stay till almost closing time.  One of the activities that has the longest wait time is the Monkey Business where participants need to go through a short briefing plus harnessing. Moreover there are participants who may need time getting acquainted to the activities hence slowing the pace down for others.

For more info on the activities: https://www.escape.my/activities

• Can I just buy tickets to a selected part of the park?

No. The good thing is that one ticket price gives you access to all activities and the entire park grounds.

There are also value-added ticket packages for those who want visit beyond one day.  Do also note that admission tickets do not allow for multiple entries.

For more info on tickets: https://www.escape.my/ticketprices

• Where do I get food and drinks there?

No food and drinks from external places are allowed in.  Within the park there are kiosk where food and drinks are served. When buying the tickets you can top-up some credit value to your admission and cite a special code to pay for your food and drinks cashlessly (really convenient!) but keep the code safe.

• Where do I keep my valuables?

Lockers with multiple access are available to rent for a small charge.  However as the lockers are not very large, do limit your belongings to the essentials. From experience, the lockers can hold up to about 2 sets of change of clothes, towels and shoes but nothing too elaborate. 

Do note that lockers are within the park area after entering.  The tickets do not allow for multiple entries hence you may not be able to access your belongings if kept in the car.

• Is it only accessible by car?

Aside from driving there in a car, ESCAPE is assesible by public buses as well as the ‘HoHo’ (Hop on, Hop off) bus.

Read our post here for more info on accessing ESCAPE via HOHO Bus : https://www.lifestinymiracles.com/2015/10/penangattractions/

• Are there a shower facilities?

Yes there are large but basic shower facilities there however no towels are provided.

• Must you be able to swim to experience the waterplay?

It is generally advisable that only those that can swim should participate in ANY water-based activity regardless of venue.

• How do you maximise a 1-day visit?

Well, here are some tips from experience:

• Buy your ticket early or online so you won’t need to queue.
• Go early to avoid the queue
• Plan the activities you want to take.  There are various activities for different age groups and ‘adrenaline appetites.’
• Attempt the dry play areas first before the waterplay as the dry play sites have activities that may take some time to complete e.g. Monkey Business.
• We usually start with Monkey Business early in the day and stay up there till we complete the levels we wanted. Remember that there’s short briefing followed by harnessing session for the activity and it will take time when there’s a crowd.
• Plan to have a simple meal there as no food or drinks from external sources are allowed.
• Bring along sun block and also mosquito repellent. You will need them.
• Smile for their camera! They upload selected photos on FB and you can save them for free if you are featured!

For more info goto: https://www.escape.my/generalinfo