EKstreme EKcitement

Friday, May 24, 2013

EKstreme EKcitement

At the city of Santa Rosa, Laguna, a magical experience can be beheld. Enchanted Kingdom, dubbed as the "Disneyland" in the Philippines offers a great deal of rides, both for kids and adults. It is a great way to have a fun and relaxing day with family and friends, or even a release of some pent up energy. Open to the public on October 19, 1995, the theme park has added different rides and made many improvements to ensure the magical adventure that each person experiences would be taken home with him/her.

An all-ride pass costs Php500 on weekdays, while it's Php600 for weekends and holidays. A junior day pass is available for the youngsters/students - Php320 on weekends/holidays and Php250 on weekdays. You just have to present your valid student ID and you automatically get a discount. The junior day pass is applicable for children 36" to 47" tall, while children 35" and under are free. Senior Citizens get a 20% discount as well. For ticket reservations, click here.

Upon entering, the very first ride you would see is the Grand Carousel, where it gives a very beautiful view at night. Turning to the right is the Dodgem, otherwise known as bumper cars. You don't have to possess the knowledge and skills of a driver to enjoy this ride. Besides, the goal of this ride is to bump at each other, causing the most intense collision you could possibly create.

Entrance

Dodgem

Moving forward, you see the EKstreme, a towering 120-feet ride that gives you a 3-second experience of "death". This is one of the newest rides, just over a year old. Previously, it was not included in the all-ride pass and costs Php80/person, but now it's free. Definitely heart-stopping, the ride up to the top is excrutiating as you wait for that fateful drop which plummets you to the ground (at max speed of 47mph), draining you of strength and voice as you scream at the top of your lungs. The trick here is just to let go and allow yourself to fall, which makes it sound easier but it really is not. I've tried the ride more than a couple of times already, but I still get nervous every time I imagine myself riding the EKstreme.

Beside EKstreme is the Roller Skater, a mini rollercoaster built for the "weak of heart" who can't handle the Space Shuttle. Even though it's a short (10 seconds) and simple ride, a lot of people still have a go at it.

The next ride is one of my favorites, the Anchors Away. You hop on a ship and it rocks you to and fro. Sounds simple? Heck no! The tilt is so intense, with a maximum angle of 70 degrees, that you feel the dramatic rise and fall of the ship. Our favorite spot is on both ends. This way, we would really feel the tilt. If you're daring enough, raising your hands gives an additional thrill. If you have a weak stomach, this ride may not be for you. In one of my experiences, an old guy puked during the ride, and I tell you, it is not a great scene to watch. Good thing, though, that the ride was almost over, so I didn't have to suffer watching him barf all over the place.

The next ride is the Jungle Log Jam. Capable of holding 4 persons per log, it traverses along a "river" and climbs uphill which eventually drops and splashes all over. The first climb is not that high, but the second climb and the second drop is the one you should watch out for. After the ride, you'll be sure to get your clothes (just a bit) wet.

The Space Shuttle is THE roller coaster. The one that would churn your stomach round and round. Getting the first seat gives you an opportunity to see what's to come, but sitting at the back is also as much as fun. As the coaster drops you and twirls you round and round, it suddenly stops. But the fun is not yet over. The coaster then runs in reverse with you being dragged from behind. All in all, you turn upside-down six times in just 2 minutes tops.

View from the Ferris wheel

Moving along, you get to the 3D theater, Rialto. Getting into the movie experience, you watch a featured movie scene for about 5 minutes. With a huge screen and clear sound, it is accompanied by movement which allows you to be involved in the scene.

Outside Rialto

If you did not quite get the thrill of getting wet in Jungle Log Jam, you can have a go at Rio Grande Rapids. An 8-seater raft, it glides along a raging river. The raft collides with the water, making a big splash drenching everyone on board. Once you're thru with the ride, there is no single spot on your clothes that's dry. That's why, it is advisable that if you plan to go to EK, you bring along extra clothes for changing.

The Flying Fiesta is situated right in front of Rio Grande Rapids, and they may have a good reason why. Right after the wet ride, people head over to this ride as it seems that you are drying yourself out as you sit pretty and just allow yourself to be swung around and around. Though you may not get the drying that you sought for, it still gives a break from all the rush.

Light changes color from yellow to red and back as it spins and tilts

The newest of the gang, the Disc-o Magic is much like Anchors Away, with an added twist. People flock to this ride as they would want to try out the new one. Sitting on a round disc facing outside, you are rotated and swayed to the hum of EK's new song. Raising your hands is a must for an added thrill. While I was riding the Disc-o Magic, I was raising my hand the whole time to feel the full effect of the thrill.

Night view - while spinning

If you want to have some chill time, have a go at the Ferris wheel, called the Wheel of Fate. It lifts you 130 ft up and you can see the entire park from the top and even parts of Sta. Rosa. Another ride where you can relax is the Grand Carousel ride. You can choose if you want to ride on the Victorian horses, goddesses or cherub chariots. If you're with your hubby, you can opt for the Swan Lake. You pedal and float around a pond, which gives you enough time to recharge for the next round of fun.

View from the top of the Ferris wheel

Carousel at night

Other rides you can enjoy:

Up, Up and Away - imagine yourself in a hot air balloon ride, rotating and rising for a calm albeit dizzying ride.

Bump n' Splash - if you're not quite done with some water fun, you can try this one out. Round motor-run boats squirt water so you can have an innocent melee with your friends.

4D Discovery Theater - similar as with Rialto, it gives you a different movie experience but with the added sensory effect. This is not included in the all-ride pass, though, so you may have to dig in your pockets to try this one out.

Dinosaurus, Air Pterodactyl - are rides for kids, they rotate counter-clockwise and give the rider full control of the height, from ground level to max height.

Stone Egg - a mini ferris wheel for kids, it lifts at a maximum height of 24 feet and spins for 2 minutes.

Boulderville Express - a train ride for kids, it runs clockwise at a max speed of 7 kph.

Other shows/attractions:

EK Edutainment

Animal Encounters

EK Storybook Live Show

World Pop/Rock Icons Show

With separate fee (not included in all-ride pass)

Boulderville Kiddie Bumper Boats

Bouncing Boulders

Laser Mission

SRR:X The Experience