Last year, I won five ride-all-you-can tickets to Enchanted Kingdom (EK) thru Byahilo.com's My Most Memorable Christmas Experience contest. I was finally able to use them during Albie's post birthday celebration held at EK in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna last Sunday. We were a group of 10 (eight are first-timers to EK!) and we sure had lots of fun inside the first and only world-class themed park in the Philippines.

EK is a huge amusement complex divided into seven park zones. Each park zone boasts of various rides and comes complete with basic amenities and food stalls. Wikipedia has this to say about the park zones:

Spaceport - a zone inspired by sci-fi films and the NASA space program of the 1960s.


Portabello - a replica of Portabello, a place in Panama in the Caribbean Sea where the riches of the Incas were shipped by the Spaniards.

Brooklyn Place - a theater and shopping zone designed after 1940s Brooklyn, New York.


Victoria Park - inspired by the era of Queen Victoria's rule

Boulderville - a prehistoric cartoon zone designed to capture every child's imagination.


Midway Boardwalk - inspired by Coney Island.

Jungle Outpost - designed after the Amazon jungle.

Sunday is definitely a busy day at EK. As early as 10:30 a.m., people had started filling the lines to the cashiers. The scorching heat of the sun at the entrance gates was unbearable, though. Good thing we went directly to the air-conditioned Guest Relations Office to claim my 5  ride-all-you-can passes which I happily shared with Nice and my three siblings.


group pic in front of EK


inside the Guest Relations Office while waiting for our passes

Map is your best friend when it comes to exploring the entire EK complex by foot. We got ours at the Guest Relations Office. Actually, it's not just a map. It also contains valuable information to make your stay at EK more fun and satisfying.


ready to experience EK for the first time!


let's volt in!

We tried most of the rides except for the water rides. But we brought extra clothes, just in case. Our first ride was Grand Carousel. The twin kids liked it a lot.




As for me, I enjoyed Anchors Away, Flying Fiesta and Dudgem immensely. And I found the ride called Wheel of Fate very relaxing as it gives a great view of the nearby communities as well as the SLEX.


Anchor's Away flying high away


our seats at Flying Fiesta


up in the air on Wheel of Fate
Of course, we tried 4D Theater featuring Dora the Explorer. We also watched Rialto (a 3D cinema) playing a scene from Speed Racer. We were one in conclusion that 4D Theater was the winner between the two.


lining up to experience what 4D had to offer


4D Theater required us to wear these special shades


the long line to Rialto

EK was unbelievably clean and well-maintained during our visit. The restrooms were spotless, with running water and tissue paper to boot. The trees and the benches under them provided shade and rest for the guests that were composed mostly of families and groups of friends.

There are new attractions at EK such as Bungee Fun and Kart Trak but you have to pay additional fees to experience them. We weren't able to try any of them, though.

We're proud to say that we survived the only-for-the-brave ride called Space Shuttle Max! Here's a video Edwin took:




Food at EK, on the other hand, was reasonably priced. The presence of Dairy Queen at Space Port was well-appreciated on my part. When afternoon snack time arrived, I literally flew to Dairy Queen and got myself a refreshing Strawberry Milk Shake (my favorite!). For our group, the popular food stall choices were Karate Kid, Pizza Hut and Hotshots Burgers. Our early lunch was at McDonalds-Waltermart, just before we went to EK.

More Photos:











twins on air






If you're commuting and coming from Manila, EK is accessible via public buses bound for Balibago. Terminals are found at Buendia on Taft Avenue. Get off at Waltermart-Sta. Rosa and ride a tricycle going to EK. Tickets range from P150 (limited ride access) to P500 (ride-all-you-can). Senior citizens, students and children are entitled to discounts. EK opens at 11:00 am and closes at 9:00 p.m.

Thank you so much to Eric Dee of Byahilo.com and EK-Sta. Rosa for everything! Special thanks go to Mike Bolanos of the Guest Relations Office for the kind assistance extended to us. :)

Enchanted Kingdom
(Sta.Rosa Main Office)
San Lorenzo South, Santa Rosa City
Laguna
(+632)584-3535 and (+632) 584-4326 to 29 DL
(+632) 584-4332 FL

(Makati Sales Office)
Unit 1B G/F The Biltmore Condominium
102 Aguirre St.
Legaspi Village, Makati
(+632) 830-3535 and (+632) 830-2112 to 16 DL
(+632) 812-7118 FL

Website: http://www.enchantedkingdom.ph

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