Also known as Jerudong Park Playground, and now as Jerudong Park Country Club, Jerudong Theme Park is considered as the largest amusement park in Southeast Asia, said to be even larger than Hong Kong Disneyland. It is also the most expensive, funded by the Brunei government itself for $1 billion.
Location
Jerudong Theme Park is located in the Jerudong suburb of Brunei’s capital city Bandar Seri Begawan. Its full address is as follows: Jerudong Park Country Club, Sdn Bhd, Jerudong, BG 3122, Negara Brunei Darussalam.
What to See There
Among the attractions in Jerudong Theme Park is the Musical Fountain Show, which plays from Wednesdays to Sundays at 8:30 and 9:30 PM. The Fountain features the hit songs of artists such as Michael Jackson and Ricky Martin, as well as music from classic Disney films. And as with any theme park, Jerudong Park boasts of kiddie rides such as the Bumper Car, Carousel, Caterpillar, Juniors Pirate Ship, Orbiter, Pedal Boat, and Skydiver. They also have an F1 go-kart ride, the Superkarts, as well as a shooting gallery. There is also the Jerudong Park Amphitheater, a mini-venue that hosts performances by the Giggles, a 7-member group of entertainers hailing from the Philippines.
History
Opening in 1994, Jerudong Theme Park was built by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah as a gift to the citizens of Brunei on the occasion of his 48th birthday. On the Sultan’s 50th birthday in July 16, 1996, the Jerudong Park Amphitheater hosted a free concert by Michael Jackson, with 60,000 people in attendance. The King of Pop would later return for a second show on New Year’s Eve in 1996. The park had come into hard times in recent years, but measures are being taken to revitalize it. Their in-house group of performers, the Giggles, was re-launched in August 2006, and a December weekend program showcasing local artists was successfully initiated. Kid’s Day, a series of events and activities for children, was established in 2007. A further showcase for local talent, the Family Concert Nights, was launched in 2008. The park has recently re-branded itself as Jerudong Park Country Club.
Cost
Admission is free in Jerudong Theme Park. However, visitors to the park will need to purchase tickets in order to have access to the rides and attractions. The tickets range in cost from $8 to $10. The entrance fee to the Musical Fountain is B$2.
Other Info
Jerudong Theme Park can be contacted by phone at 673-2611894/35 and by fax at 2610201/2611086.
