Rekindle The Magic At Enchanted Kingdom

It’s the 580th day of quarantine period in our region and while we’re restricted in our houses, my travel posts at these times are reliant to throwbacks and memories of the past. Therefore, I want to rekindle our magical experience in Enchanted Kingdom from eleven years ago.

Enchanted Kingdom is a theme park that needs no introduction, especially for Filipinos. Located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, which is just an hour away from Metro Manila, Enchanted Kingdom is “the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines”. With unique rides and attractions, it’s a fantastical destination for kids and adults alike. 

Disclaimer: The images posted below do not fully show how Enchanted Kingdom looks like as a whole. These photos were captured thirteen years ago. I still don’t have blog then. We were just casually taking photos of ourselves enjoying the rides so I had no intentions of featuring Enchanted Kingdom in this blog when we took these pictures, hence, we were the focus of each photos. They are also blurry. I’ll show them anyway.

Oh! Of course, we had the mandatory ticket photo! I remember this time when we were outside for too long. Therefore, when going to Enchanted Kingdom, you have to prepared for long lines in the entrance under the scorching heat. I just do not know if there are now online tickets that ease the entry of guests. Nevertheless, you still have to expect lines because each ride has a queue.

Let’s start the review with the facade of Enchanted Kingdom. Unlike the other amusment parks in the Philippines, Enchanted Kingdom embodies how a park appears in the imagination of a kid. I must say that it’s the country’s theme park that is closest to the magical theme of a Disneyland. It exudes fantasy, fun and excitement. As an adult, I personally enjoy the architecture as it something we won’t see in our daily lives. The Victorian village style of the buildings is refreshing in the eye.

Together with the Wheel of Fate, the park’s giant ferris wheel, Space Shuttle is the star of Enchanted Kingdom. It’s a roller coaster that has different thrilling elements like a vertical loop, lift hill and cobra roll. I remember my sister pushing us into the roller coaster without me knowing what it was. I was surprised that I was up there with my feet on air. She told us that Space Shuttle, the most extreme one, should be tried first so other rides will be just easy for us.

More roller coasters are Boulderville Express and Roller Skater for kids and Twin Spin for teens. The adventure continued as our group rode Rio Grande Rapids. It’s a man-made lagoon where circular rafts traverse the raging white waters as they turn and bump into the walls. Each rafts can accommodate eight people, facing each other, so the ride can be enjoyed as a group.

For more bumping cars and water activities, Bump N’ Splash shouldn’t be missed. It’s like Dodgem, Enchanted Kingdom’s bumper car, but in a pool. Another boat ride is the Swan Lake. It’s a slow-paced attraction, where riders can pedal a swan-shaped boat around the large pond. The list of attractions includes Agila the EKsperience, Air Race, Anchors Away, Bouncing Boulder, Bumbling Boulders, Dino Soar Us, Disk-O-Magic,  EKaleidoscope, EKstreme Tower Ride, Fun Kart, Kindermagic, Laser Mission, Stone Eggs, The Grand Carousel and Up Up and Away.

My favorite ride is the Jungle Log Jam as it has the perfect balance of fun and thrill. It’s like racing along a twisting river with up and down chutes! The staff let us sit in a dug-out log, which took us to a lift and down a slope before splashing into the water. It’s something that you’ll ride again and again without minding of getting wet.

After all those water rides, the Flying Fiesta has became our way to dry ourselves up. The sensation was just like riding a swing that is made more intense through gradual lifts, drops, rotations and tilts but the feeling was equally exhilarating. I love how the wind blowed my hair as I explored the whole vicinity from above. For those who are faint-hearted, the Flying Fiesta is the one I’ll truly recommend.

For a chill experience, there are mini theatres in Enchanted Kingdom that plays interactive shows like the Realto that screens 4D versions of short films, and the 7D Interactive Motion Theater, wherein players are equipped with light guns that are used to fight off and defeat on-screen characters. However, it’s our personal choice to skip the cinemas to give time to other attractions.

There are also live shows to look forward at Enchanted Kingdom. There is some kind of concert happening every weekend. Guests can witness a fireworks show, synchronized to Enchanted Kingdom’s theme song. I think, we visited the park on a weekend because I do not remember seeing a vocal group performance. But I got to meet the Uptown girls and the downtown boys after their Brooklyn Beats dance.

After a fun-filled day at Enchanted Kingdom, it’s a routine to end the trip with tummy-filling treats from an array of food stations in the park. They have light snacks and heavy meals to cater different preferences. As you can see, we had coconut refreshment from Buko Delite and some kind of chicken meal. I just wish they also offer themed food like the one Disneyland has. They can have a wizard-shaped ice cream sandwich and witchcraft-inspired drinks, too.