Not far from the city, just a few hours away from where I live is Enchanted Kingdom, one of the popular theme parks in the Philippines if not the most famous.
I was in high school when I first heard the news that we will have our very own Disneyland here in the Philippines. I didn't care if the one being built is really Disneyland, in my mind, anything bigger than the usual town fairs where you get to ride a Ferris wheel is absolutely amazing. But since I live in an island province that is really far from the Manila, going to a theme park like the one being built in Laguna is a dream that wasn't going to happen until much later.
I was already in the university when I first visited EK. I can barely remember the trip because I was too dead tired, and didn't have enough sleep when I went there with my friends. I do remember getting on a rollercoaster ride though, and getting wet while on a rubber boat as it rushes over the manmade rapids called Rio Grande. I didn't have change of clothes and had to ride the bus going home wet. Mind you, that was not a very good feeling.
Fast forward to the present year. Red and I didn't really have anything to do on a weekend, wanted to have fun, didn't want to go hiking, and I didn't want to drive for long hours just to get to the beach. And since both of us have not been to EK for years, we decided to pay the theme park in Laguna a visit. And we were not at all disappointed. The park still holds that charm that makes you giddy-like-a-kid. I love how Eldar the Wizard greets you with a big smile as you enter the gate. Makes you feel that you are about to enter a magical place where you can have fun and be a kid again.
Rides & Attractions
The park is huge, about 62 acres, almost as big as Disneyland Hong Kong, and has a lot of rides and attractions for visitors to enjoy. There's the Rio Grande Rapids which takes you to a river adventure. Make sure to bring with you extra clothes as surely you'll get wet when you ride this rapids. If you're up for a quick thrill ride, and you're brave enough to get on a rollercoaster that'll make you go upside down, then you definitely need to also try the Space Shuttle. Don't worry, this ride will only make you go breathless for no more than a minute - easy-peasy!
Check out the Space Shuttle ride behind me.
If you want to watch a movie on 4D, then the Rialto motion simulator theatre is for you. But be ready for a long wait in line. Once you're inside though, you're in for a treat. The movie is a short clip that lasts for a few minutes but the experience is quite enjoyable. Be ready to feel the wind on your face, the thrill of a race, and the more. Yep, you can also get sprayed with water while watching.
The line to Rialto theater is effing long!
Red and I are huge fans of horror trails, so we definitely had to experience the Ghostbuster Live Adventure. This attraction is an immersive experience where you get to walk through a trail designed to give a fun startling adventure. Be ready to experience the iconic Ghostbusters NYC Firehouse HQ that appears on all three movies, and some fantastic scenes from the latest 2016 Hollywood blockbuster! We were with a couple who brought with them their kids to go through the dark tunnel. Unfortunately, middle of the trip, the family had to take the exit because the kids were to scared to continue, so we ended up finishing the trail on our own.
Behind us is the second part of the Ghostbuster Live experience.
A few meters away from where we were is a huge dome-like structure. We were told that this is the latest attraction, and that to get in you need to buy a separate ticket. The big structure houses Agila the EKsperience. Named after the Philippine's national bird, the Philippine Eagle. This extraordinary attraction is the first of its kind in the country, where you get to experience the feeling of flight that can take you to a thrilling adventure to see the wondrous, breathtaking mountains and beaches, including the beautiful islands of the Philippines. See the beauty with stunning clarity, feel the wind on your face when you fly just like the mighty eagle. The experience we had was truly exhilarating. Don't worry if you're afraid of heights, you'll be fully strapped on your seats when you fly!
We were waiting for the Wizard Eldar's orientation inside the Agila dome
Test your Skill
How else should one enjoy EK? How about trying Jungle Ladder. This game was really a test of balance and core strength. I was suppose to keep my balance steady, test my coordination skills, and reach the end of the ladder without being thrown off. After paying 100 pesos, I started climbing the ladder with some ease. The first three steps were pretty easy, and there were eight or seven steps I think. But I moved my foot to the fourth step, the ladder started to wobble, I toppled a second later. I tried again, but still I couldn't do it. It looked really simple, but why was it so hard! :-(
I should have watched this Youtube Video first, and I could have won a teddy. I didn't know there's a trick to it. Drat!
Finally, our last stop
How else should we enjoy our trip to EK? Definitely with a bump car ride. Nothing beats that feeling where you can drive senselessly, and just hit everyone you see in front like crazy. Super FUN!
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