Last Easter Sunday, Enchanted Kingdom formally launched Zoori’s Adventure, an interactive museum where kids can learn more about lions, their habitat and survival skills. Guests can also have their picture taken with Zoori, a white lion.

Another new feature that kids and adults (well, those weighing 130lbs or less anyway) can try is the Bungee Fun. It’s basically jumping on a trampoline while harnessed to bungee cords. The thing allows you to jump and roll as much as you want without the fear of missing the trampoline on the way down.

Zoori!

Also coming this summer is Dora and Diego at the 4D theater, and the EK Biki Waterworld. The latter is a new installation just outside the park of six giant inflatable pools with water slides, games and rides. The waterworld will be formally launched on April 18, 2010, and will have a separate admission ticket.

In between rides, you can listen to stories narrated by celebrity storytellers at the bandstand. Story tellers include Winnie Cordero (April 10), Bearwin Meily (April 11), Jose Manalo (April 17), Candy Pangilinan (April 18) and Eugene Domingo (April 25). As you wind down the day in the park, take a rest in the airconditioned comfort of Eldar’s tent as you watch the “Electrifying Kiss of Summer,” a musical extravaganza that features EK’s very own VP for sales, Ms. Cynthia Mamon.

Electrifying kiss of summer

Enchanted Kingdom have a couple of treats for students and Mercury Drug Suki Cardholders. Students with valid school IDs can get a Regular Day Pass (ride all you can) for only Php 335 (regular price is Php 500). This already includes admission to Zoori’s Adventure (admission ticket is Php 60 on top of the day pass), and is only valid until June 6, 2010. Suki Cardholders can avail of Enchanted Kingdom’s 3+1 package, wherein they can buy 4 Day Passes for only Php 1,500 on weekends and Php 1,200 on weekdays. This promo is only valid until April 30, 2010.

Once again, huge thanks go out to Enchanted Kingdom for having us over last April 4. Enchanted Kingdom is open daily this summer until June 6, 2010. The park opens at 11am on Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm from Monday to Friday. If weekend’s the only time you can visit the park, it’s best to go on a Sunday, as the park is usually packed every Saturday. For more information, visit www.enchantedkingdom.com.ph.

Waiting for the go signal

Upon Ms. Myla’s invitation, we found ourselves headed south to Sta. Rosa, Laguna once more to check out Speed Month at Enchanted Kingdom. For the entire month of August, the park is the venue for races and activities geared to pump the gas and adrenaline of all race enthusiasts of all ages.

Pep talk

The 5th leg of the Magnolia Karting Series was one of the first racing events held at the theme park’s Kart Trak. Karters from the Formula SL Novice, Expert, Heavy, Cadet 60CC and Mini-Rok divisions were present, vying for the top positions. I knew we were there to watch the races, but I wasn’t expecting to see kids!

Rain? What rain?

There were plenty of adults milling around — tinkering with the go karts, giving pep talks, showing support, but none were driving. Kids as young as 7 were walking around wearing colorful racing jumpsuits, whizzing by in their custom-made karts. Never mind that it drizzled and eventually poured: the kids donned their raincoats over their jumpsuit while the adult change their kart’s wheels to rain tires for better traction on the wet asphalt. They roared through the tracks, spraying fine mist in their wake.

Before

In between races, we went around the park, enjoying our favorite treats and rides. I was just at the park last July with my family, so when Myla invited us back to the park, I was very hesitant to accept. I finally relented, and I dragged myself to the assembly point in Makati that Sunday morning. I felt different as soon as I stepped inside the park though. There’s really something about EK that gets you excited. All at once, I felt glad that I went.

After

The great thing about going to Enchanted Kingdom during the rainy season is that the park is fairly deserted. Aside from the racers and their support group, there are still families and group visiting the park, there aren’t as many people. This means no lines at our favorite rides! We chanced upon the Rio Grande Rapids just after it opened at 2pm. We raced through the queue, boarding the raft less than 8 minutes upon joining the short line. The rapids ride was fun, as always. Since there weren’t a lot of people going on the ride, we queued again for another round in the rapids. We were already soaked anyway.

Faster, faster!

As we were wringing out the excess water from our wet clothes, we were called back to the Kart Trak. The final races were starting. Back to the pit stop we went, angling for the best spots to take photos of the the participants as they raced through the tarmac. It was the perfect opportunity to practice panning, but at the same time, it was the best way to feel the excitement of the race as each young driver maneuver through each tricky turn at top speeds.

Roby Benito pulling out of the pack

In the end, it was Roby Benito of Ready2Race who bagged the ROK Jr. and Overall class titles. When asked about his strategy, Roby attributed his win to meticulous preparation before the race, which includes a daily 5km jog on top of making sure that his grades stay above average. Pfft, kids these days.

Eldar and Princess with Enchanted Kingdom’s President Mario O. Mamon & Marketing AVP Richard P. Burgos with ROK Jr. winners Joey Orduna, Roby Benito and Andres Calma.

Speed Month ’09 will also feature autocross, slalom and underbone competitions plus a spectacular display of classic and customized cars in the next coming weekends. Licensed drivers can avail of EK’s Regular Day Pass at P350 by simply presenting their valid local or international driver’s license the whole month of August.

Huge thanks to Ms. Myla of Enchanted Kingdom for the invite, and to Ms. Claire for the opportunity to meet the Ready2Race team.