Jerudong Park Playground

Jerudong Park, or Jerudong Park Playground, is the only amusement park in Brunei Darussalam that used to be the largest and most expensive in Southeast Asia when it originally opened in 1994, with free entry and rides that time. There were many rides that operated as for the original park, and then was removed for its current look. So the park has been re-launched and remodelled several times until its current, official opening in 2014, together with its ticket entrance. The park is owned by Jerudong Park Country Club (JPCC).
The park also features an amphitheatre, a garden, fountains, a McDonald's franchise, Pondok Sari Wangi Seafood Restaurant and food courts, and the iconic 'Crystal Arch' or the 'Diamond Roundabout', which is the park's monument located in the roundabout.
== Amphitheatre ==
The amphitheatre is a venue that was first opened on 16 July 1996, in conjunction with the Sultan's 50th birthday and the 2-year anniversary of the park. It started off with a special concert by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. He performed again in the same venue for his HIStory World Tour. Other well-known musicians such as Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson had their concert here as well.
== Food Court ==
The food courts in Jerudong Park have been operating since the opening of the park. On a night in December 2021, a fire burned the main food court down, as well as the units. Luckily, the remaining food court was spared from the fire and continued its operation normally. It is known as Phase 3, and is the largest food court in the country.
The newer version of the main food court, which was the site of the burned food court in 2021, opened to the public on 21 May 2024. It is air-conditioned and is indoor for the new look, featuring many vendors.
== Garden ==
The Jerudong Park garden is a venue for many events and festivals. The garden includes a monument in the centre and a musical fountain.
== Phase 1 ==
Phase 1, also known as the 'Wonder Park' underwent numerous times, which was the main part of the playground. It was then reopened on 2014, as part of the 20th anniversary of Jerudong Park. It features rides mostly aimed for small children, mainly 'juniors'.
These attractions include rides such as Ferris Wheel, Junior Coaster, Junior Pirate Ship, Double Decker Carousel, Pedal Boats, Bumper Cars and Skydiver. The phase also has a mini playground 'JP Town Playground', mini golf course, shooting gallery, Laser Maze and Lazer Tag, and its very own Waterpark. Three new attractions were then added in the phase in December 2023: Blaze Blaster, Loop-de-Loop and VR-X.
== Phase 2 ==
Phase 2 of the amusement park opened in July 2017 by His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah, and was called the 'Adventure Park'. It features two water rides, simulators and the Adventure Kingdom. The area was part of the original Jerudong Park.
Attractions include the 4D Cinema, Ice World Arctic Rapids, Plunge Lagoon, Adventure Kingdom, Little Kingdom Petting Zoo, a kids' indoor playground, as well as the updated creations of former rides, such as the Pirate Ship, Telekombat, Scary Drop and F1 and F2 Supakarts. Kiddie rides are also displayed in the Adventure Park.
== Waterpark ==
The Waterpark was part of the official reopening in 2014. It is one of the current attractions of Jerudong Park Playground. It consists of huge, colourful water slides and two huge tipping buckets.
== Little Kingdom Petting Zoo ==
The petting zoo opened its doors at the Adventure Park area of JP on 15 August 2022, with a display of animals from around the world and a gift shop at the entrance.
== Residence ==
The housing estate within the park is called Jerudong Park Country Club Sdn Bhd. The housing comprises of 150 units of different type of houses and flats.
== Trivia ==
* Jerudong Park will celebrate its 30 years in 2024.
* The park was built and is funded by the Brunei Government, including Prince Jefri Bolkiah.
* The Junior Coaster is designed to look like a 'mine train'.
* The triceratops, one of the dinosaur statues displayed in the park, was repainted by Guerilla Artchitects, a studio known for its graffiti, murals and art.
** Guerilla Artchitects also turned three JP gazebos into a candy theme.
* The dinosaur statues once came to life in the 90s, which became the one of the park's icons.
* Jerudong Park's bear mascots are only displayed in the Wonder Park.
** The mascot's name is JayPe.
* McDonald's opened its second outlet here in 2016. It is the first McDonald's drive-thru in the nation.
* Pondok Sari Wangi opened its unique seafood restaurant near the Jerudong Park Food Court the same year as McDonald's. It is one of the largest local restaurants, with a larger area and seat capacity.
* The notable concerts in the amphitheatre are mostly considered a special significance.
** Michael Jackson's first concert on 16 July 1996 was for the Sultan's 50th birthday celebration.
** Whitney Houston performed on 24 August 1996 for the wedding of Princess Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah.
** Janet Jackson's one was in 1998 for Princess Hamidah's 21st birthday, also part of her Velvet Rope Tour.
* The new ticket system by JPCC for the amusement park was introduced in 2009.
* The park used to create many programs and activities target for family and kids.
** GIGGLES was launced in August 2006, a group specialised in family entertainment.
** A program, Family Night, featured local acts targeted for children.
*The roundabout monument was designed by an Australian design firm.
*Its roundabout leads to a road, an entry to a nearby Istana Nurul Izzah.
*Jerudong Park has a red-coloured obstacle course called Big Red Warrior, located between the garden and the amphitheatre.
*The Little Kingdom Petting Zoo, was launched by the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism and chairman of JPCC Board of Directors, Abdul Manaf bin Metussin.
*An exhibit 'Story of Lights' was in December 2018, featuring fairytale characters, from Aesop's fables, being displayed in the park itself.
*Jerudong Park Playground had a music video that was posted on social media called 'Dekat JP', which was produced by the company, Caffeine & Beats.
*The waterpark has the same design as the one of the waterparks at Splash Out in Langkawi, an archipelago in Malaysia.
*Two camel models that are displayed in the park used to be in the playground area within the Jerudong Park Colonnade.