Dinosaurs Island Baguio is the summer capital's latest attraction. It features moving dinosaurs brought back to life using animatronics technology from Italy, the same technology used in other dinosaur islands park (e.g. Clark).

Dinosaurs Island is inside Baguio Ecopark along Marcos Highway near the viaduct and after the tunnel (if you're coming from Manila. Map of Baguio Ecopark is available here (via OpenStreetMap, updated by Tutubi).

Dinosaurs Island Baguio Ecopark (information from official website)


How to get to Baguio Ecopark:

Driving Directions from Baguio:
Drive down along Marcos Highway and take the first right before the viaduct.

From Manila via Marcos Highway:
Take first right after the tunnel before the flyover.

Operating Hours:
Park is Open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Daily!
(please inquire from their contact number or email address if open during Holy Week, and other holidays (Christmas Day, New Years Day, All Saints Day et al)

Dinosaurs Island Entrance Fee/Rates/Ticket Prices:

Adults: PhP 350.00
Children, 4-12 yrs old: Php 300.00
3 years old and below: Free

Labels: Baguio City, Cordillera Administrative Region, Theme Parks

For people looking for cheap family bonding perya style, there's this "old school" carnival that may remind oldies of the defunct Fiesta Carnival in Cubao, Quezon City where you can have a day of fun trying out rides for kids and young at heart. Residents of nearby Quezon City, Pasig City, Cainta, San Mateo and Antipolo can drop by here.

Marikina Grand Carnival at Riverbanks Center:

a view of Marikina River, the Riverbanks park (a favorite of morning joggers and afternoon promenaders) and SM City Marikina. Note too the posts of the bridge of LRT 2 often seen on the news when monitoring Marikina River water levels during rainy season, typhoons and floods.

the Riverbanks Amphitheater where concerts are usually held as well as fireworks displays


the ferris wheel of Marikina Grand Carnival is not safe for very young children as it's not sealed. Try the MOA Eye at SM Mall of Asia for safer ride.



Marikina Grand Carnival Rides Rates and Ticket Prices:

Ferris Wheel PhP30.00
Octopus PhP40.00
Dragon Coaster PhP40.00
Horror Train PhP30.00
Vortex PhP40.00
Kiddie Slide PhP30.00
Caterpillar PhP30.00
Grand Safari PhP30.00
Kiddie Train PhP30.00
Super Bee PhP30.00

same rate for adults and children

Operating Hours:
Opens daily at 4pm (amusement park is opened yearly during the Christmas holiday season in Marikina)

How to Get to Marikina Riverbanks:

Driving directions from Makati, head towards EDSA then C-5 (either via BGC or via Kalayaan Avenue), you will pass by Libis but take the "ilalim" of the Katipunan flyover passing by Monasterio de Sta. Clara, turn right to Aurora Boulevard then take the flyover going to Marikina City proper to A. Bonifacio where the entrance to Riverbanks Center can be found. Lots of parking spaces available (parking fee of P45.00 flat rate)

How to commute to Marikina Riverbanks:

From Cubao, take jeepneys/FX with signboards SSS, Fortune, Parang, Calumpang or San Mateo.

Via LRT 2, get off at the Katipunan station and take the jeepney/FX SSS, Fortune, Parang, Calumpang.


Other places of interest to see in Marikina:
Marikina World of Butterflies
Marikorea
Worlds Biggest Shoe
Marikina Shoe Museum
Marikina Doll Museum

Other Family Fun places:
Circle of Fun
Sky Ranch Tagaytay

Labels: Marikina, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Theme Parks

Tutubi intends to again visit Manila Ocean Park, not the 3D art and Mirror Maze at Seri Fantasy World, but their other main attractions like the oceanarium/Aquarium and sea lion show.

Manila Ocean Park Entrance Fee/ Admission Prices/ Promos/ Discounts


Manila Ocean Park operates like a mall, you can enter the facilities and visit other park amenities (no movie theaters but there are 3D theaters here), restaurants besides the well publicized aquarium. There's no entrance fee to Manila Ocean Park except the main attractions where tickets are required prior to entry.

Manila Ocean Park Package Rates:

DEEP SEA RUSH 5 PhP550.00
Oceanarium, Sea Lion Show, Marine Life Habitat, Musical Fountain Show, Jellies Exhibit

SEA BREEZE EXPRESS 8 PhP700.00
Oceanarium, Sea Lion Show, Marine Life Habitat, Musical Fountain Show, Jellies Exhibit, All Star Bird Show, Birds of Prey Kingdom, Penguin Talk Show

PACIFIC SKY WONDER 9 PhP900.00
Oceanarium, Sea Lion Show, Marine Life Habitat, Musical Fountain Show, Jellies Exhibit, All Star Bird Show, Birds of Prey Kingdom, Penguin Talk Show, Trails to Antarctica

How to get to Manila Ocean Park

It's just a taxi ride away from LRT UN Avenue Station or a short jeepney ride away from LRT Carriedo Station (take jeepney going to Pier, alight near Manila Hotel then walk to Manila Ocean Park)

Manila Ocean Park Schedule

Labels: Manila, Metro Manila, Theme Parks

One of the best theme parks in Metro Manila located inisde the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex (CCP) it features the largest ferris wheel in the Philppines, ended the short reign of MOA Eye at SM Mall of Asia but whose reign cut short by Sky Ranch Tagaytay.

UPDATED: April 2014

Holy Week Schedule of Star City Hours:

April 14, 2014 Monday CLOSED
April 15, 2014 Tuesday CLOSED
April 16, 2014 Wednesday CLOSED
April 17, 2014 Maundy Thursday CLOSED
April 18, 2014 Good Friday CLOSED
April 19, 2014 Black Saturday CLOSED
April 20, 2014 Easter Sunday OPEN 11am to 9pm

Star City Park Regular Schedule

Monday open from 4pm to 11pm
Tuesday open from 4pm to 11pm
Wednesday open from 4pm to 11pm
Thursday open from 4pm to 11pm
Friday open from 4pm to 11pm
Saturday 2pm to 11pm
Sunday 2pm to 11pm

How to get to Star City Theme Park:

the theme park is located inside CCP complex, accessible via the shuttle service from LRT Vito Cruz Extension

Related Holy Week posts:
Enchanted Kingdom Holy Week Schedule Lent

Labels: Pasay City, Theme Parks

Tutubi's recent daytrip to Tagaytay made him stop by on the national road near Taal Vista Hotel to take this picture of a giant ferris wheel in Tagaytay Ridge that will surely offer leisure park visitors a stunning view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, and probably romantic sunset views of Tagaytay.

UPDATED: January 2016

What used to be a vacant lot beside Taal Vista Hotel that was used as a horseback riding with a view by children and kids alike is turned into a leisure park by SM Land.

map of Sky Ranch is available here (via OpenStreetMap much better than Google Map and Wikimapia)

Tagaytay Skyranch's SkyEye: the giant ferris wheel in Tagaytay as of August 2013

Just how will they call the giant ferris wheel: Tagaytay Eye? (much like the MOA Eye :P

It will probably be open during Holy Week when Manila is shutdown on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday only to re-open on Easter Sunday.

Sky Ranch Information (verified by Tutubi when he called SM Land hotline as of April 2014)

Tagaytay Sky Ranch Ticket Prices/Rides:

Nessi Coaster: PhP50.00
Red Baron: PhP50.00
Wonder Flight: PhP50.00
Mini-Viking: PhP50.00
Express Train: PhP50.00
Super Viking: PhP50.00
Sky Eye (Ferris Wheel Ride): PhP150.00
Carousel: PhP50.00

For SkyFun Amusement Park Tagaytay including the ferris wheel and restaurants (for commercial leasing inquiries, get in touch with SM Land)

Sky Ranch Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 3pm to 12mn
Friday to Sunday: 12nn to 12mn

*no confirmed information yet on Sky Ranch Holy week operating hours

Skyranch entrance fee/Admission rates: PhP100.00 regular
Horseback riding rate (children/Adult): PhP250.00 for 30 minutes
Ferris Wheel Ride rate: PhP150.00 for 10 minutes

Telephone Contact Number/Hotline:
Official website:
Twitter:
facebook page:

Related Post:

How to Get to Tagaytay

you may be looking for:
vista ranch tagaytay map sky ranch ferris wheel tagaytay eye in the sky, how to get to sky ranch tagaytay
how to commute to skyranch tagaytay public transportation jeepneys bus to SkyFun Amusement Park

Labels: Calabarzon, Metro Tagaytay, Southern Tagalog, Tagaytay City, Theme Parks

When speaking of giant ferris wheels, London has the London Eye and Singapore has the Singapore Flyer, Manila has MOA Eye, located at the SM Mall of Asia’s Amusement Park in Pasay City.

The giant ferris wheel at SM Mall of Asia, (at the time of construction) the largest ferris wheel in the Philippines (until the bigger one was constructed at the nearby Star City Complex), is 160-ft high with a diameter of 55 meters. It has 42 cabins in all, with 36 regular cabins and six VIP cabins, all fully air-conditioned.


MOA Eye ticket ride prices:
regular cabin: PhP150.00 (maximum of six passengers)
VIP cabins: PhP300.00 (with leather seats and heavily tinted for privacy)


You can reserve a VIP cabin on Valentines Day for a private, romantic dinner with food and wine (just reserve in advance, contact MOA Eye management through their published telephone contact number)

The best time to ride the MOA Eye (giant ferris wheel) is during Friday and Saturday nights to view colorful fireworks in Manila bay (but come early and expect long lines)

SM Mall of Asia Amusement Park entrance fee: none, as in free, pay only for the ride

SM Mall of Asia’s Amusement Park
Ferris Wheel ride duration/length: 10 minutes
MOA Eye Rates: Regular PhP150.00/VIP:PhP300.00
MOA Eye Schedule: open daily
Giant Ferris Wheel ride, giant observation wheel, big wheel
(have to confirm MOA Eye Holy week operating hours/schedule and other holidays (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday which usually fall in March or April), Christmas, New Years day, and All Saints/All Souls day) SM Mall of Asia Holy Week mall hours schedules

Labels: Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Pasay City, Theme Parks

Was able to buy several coupons for this new attraction inside Manila Ocean Park driven by his curiosity with the 3D art "museum" where you can take wacky pictures with classic art pieces on display. Here's a nice "photo-op" place inside a small room with 3D art works painted by Korean artists.

Seri Fantasy World, Manila Ocean Park

Seri Fantasy World is theme park inside Manila Ocean Park

(photos taken using iPhone 4s, it's quite dark inside for photography, try using a flash as the place has white ceiling where you can bounce flash :)

the entrance of Seri Fantasy World (Seriland) on the left wing of Manila Ocean Park (after the escalator)

the floor of the "3D art museum" is an art by itself. can be appreciated from an angle just after entering the place

Help Luke Skywalker fight Darth Vader with your own light saber

the large tiger at a corner is a good spot for family portrait

Tutubi waited for this cute toddler to be on position to look as if he's about to be snatched by the giant Philippine Eagle. You can also try posing as a kung fu master with a cobra hands a la "Snake on the Eagle's Shadow" movie :)

Other artworks on display:
Floor is a river fed by a waterfalls with two wooden bridges
Manila City Hall
Chiaroscuro Amorsolo-like painting of a damsel taking a self-portrait with a mobile phone
Tumbang Preso (a native Filipino street game using flip-flops and tin can)
Fishermen with fishes off the picture and fishing net
farmer with carabao-pulled cart
Philippine Eagle
ET (the movie as in "ET phone home")
Forest Gump (with sitted on his bench waiting for the bus)
Star Wars (with Darth Vader and his light saber)
Mona Lisa (you can tear it off and the funny tickle finger)

Seri Fantasy World Entrance Fee: PhP150.00 (admission fee for each attraction)
You can bring cameras, even DSLR, and video cameras as it's really designed to be used for photo-sharing. Don't bother going there if you don't have a camera.

Other attractions of Seri Fantasy World:
3D Mirror Maze: P150
3D Theater (with several schedules every hour, one is a short film of dinosaurs)

Seri Fantasy World is open everyday, Monday - Friday 10am to 7pm and Saturday - Sunday 10am to 8pm.

please contact Seri Fantasy World directly via their official website or published telephone contact numbers for inquiries, promos, vouchers, reservations, group tours, field trips et al

Related Posts:
How to get to Manila City Hall

Labels: Art, Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Theme Parks

Quezon Memorial Circle, in Tutubi's home city, is cool these last few months! In addition to the regular jogs around the Quezon Monument and Museum, the dance classes, Sunday mass at 7am, stalls selling clothes, rows of restaurants, Muslim worship during Islamic holidays (e.g. Eid Al-Fitr, end of Ramadan), Circle of Joy children's playground, Pedal and Paddle boat rides, bicycle rentals and bike tracks, dancing musical fountain, hassle-free, ample parking, zipline, and other activities and crowds especially on weekends.

UPDATED: April 2014

Then there's Circle of Fun, a theme park for families to enjoy bonding time!

the entrance gate of Circle of Fun, Tutubi was "caught" by "old school" security guards taking this picture but he just ignored them and walked away

Tutubi was not able to get the information as he was irked by the "old school" security guards for not allowing picture taking of the theme park even if he's just using an iPhone. Such old school mindset in this age of information. Tutubi has yet to actually enter Circle of Fun, though one of these days he will.

Circle of Fun Information:

Circle of Fun Entrance fee: PhP20.00
Senior Citizens/Children: PhP10.00
Children below 3 feet: free

Operating Hour Schedules: Tuesdays to Friday: 4pm to 10pm
Weekend schedules: 10am to 10pm
Monday: closed, except if it's a holiday (no information yet if open during Holy Week (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, and Easter Sunday usually March or April 17, 18, 19, 20, 2014), Christmas day, All Saints day, All Souls day)

Prices/Rates for Rides: varies, range from PhP30.00 to PhP50.00
Rides include boat rides, roller coaster (this is small, not the thriller type that can really turn your gut upside down)

Telephone Number/Contact Information: TBD
Official website/email address: TBD

At one time, Tutubi saw a Holcim family day celebration at Circle of Fun on a saturday morning (or was it Sunday?). Please try to get in touch with Circle of Fun directly by calling their published contact number for party inquiries, group tours, reservations and other information.

How to get there:

Commute: Buses on EDSA going to Fairview (and jeepneys from Manila) pass by Quezon Memorial Circle and Elliptical Road, alight in front of Quezon City Hall cross Elliptical road using the pedestrian underpass. You may also take MRT Quezon Avenue station then transfer to jeepneys going to Philcoa/Fairview/UP.

Driving directions to Quezon Memorial Circle: from Makati, easiest is via EDSA Cubao, take "ilalim" of EDSA/Kamuning flyover, turn right to East Avenue, enter Elliptical road and look for the park entrances slowly going into the inner lanes, one of them is in front of East Avenue and the other is right across Commonwealth Avenue. (P15.00 single entry parking fee for cars)

Labels: Metro Manila, Quezon City, Theme Parks

Among the many new attractions of Enchanted Kingdom that intrigued Tutubi, it's the 4D Discovery theater that piqued his interest.

4D movie theaters, as opposed with common 2D (two dimensional deals only with length and width like moving pictures) and 3D (adds a perception of depth, usually attained with specialized glasses to view the movie like iMax), adds a fourth dimension in the form of moving seats that go with movie scene (similar to Rialto ride) plus the addition of water squirts and sometimes scents to let viewers "believe" they're part of the movie itself.

Enchanted Kingdom's 4D Discovery Theater...sorry no photos/videos allowed inside the movie theater as usual, as if you can capture the whole 4D experience using a 2D camera

So how would Tutubi review Enchanted Kingdom's 4D Theater? Let Tutubi.Jr.'s own experience tells it all. He liked the movie, an episode of Dora The Explorer, for he's also a fan of the Nickelodeon mainstay (besides Barney, his favorite). He enjoyed much of the ride, even the sudden, quirky movements of the seats (he's seated on Tutubi's lap throughout the whole show) but the one thing that almost made him cry, good thing the show's almost over, was the squirting of water on his face whenever Dora and her friends pass over water to simulate splashing of waves, rain and the waterfalls.

Did you know, Tutubi Jr.'s first movie experience was at the 4D theater?

Labels: Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Theme Parks

The first time Tutubi visited Enchanted Kingdom was in December 1998 with his friends, this time it's a company-initiated family day where all employees' families trooped to the theme park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna with families in tow all expenses paid.

So what are new attractions/rides at Enchanted Kingdom since the last time he's there? There's the Zorb ball on the water, Bungee fun which is like a trampoline and bungee jumping combined, the large swimming pools/wave pools (require separate entrance fees/tickets), go cart race track, 4D Discovery Theater et al...

the entrance of EK opens at 10am in the hot summer sun

besides the carousel, what's a theme park without the ferris wheel?

the Rialto, used to be Tutubi's favorite but now eclipsed by the 4D Discovery theater

The Rialto ride featured "Speed Racer" that's not really a good one since the point of view is of the spectator and did not feel like you're the one in the cockpit. Tutubi prefers the ride to be a simulation that he's the one driving and not the one watching the race.

Space Shuttle Max (not The Zyklon Loop as earlier posted, a roller coaster like ride, picture taken shortly before dusk, the only time Tutubi was able to roam around and take pictures due to the demands of Tutubi, Jr.

The floating Zorb on the water

Did Tutubi enjoyed the latest facilities of Enchanted Kingdom this time? He only got to experience the 4D Movie theater and the Rialto, beyond that, he merely stayed at a bench near the ferris wheel playing with Tutubi, Jr., who's too young to even ride the carousel

Family day ended with a musical titled "Electrifying Kiss of Summer" then capped by a fireworks display at 8pm (that scared Tutubi, Jr. and made him cry).

It's family day, bonding with family doesn't have to be expensive even if Tutubi has an unlimited day pass ride-all-you-can ticket.

--

Enchanted Kingdom Entrance Fees(admission prices/tickets), shuttle service schedules, and other information can be found on Enchanted Kingdom's official website or by calling their published contact numbers.

How to get to Enchanted Kingdom?

The easiest way is to ride the Enchanted Kingdom shuttle service (fare: P250.00) at Ayala Terminal to and from the theme park. directions to Enchanted Kingdom If you're coming with your own car, from SLEx, take Sta. Rosa exit, turn left after paying the toll fees at the toll gate, drive past over the SLEx bridge then turn right to the road where the ferris wheel is visible. The same corner is also the spot to take tricycles to Enchanted Kingdom for those commuting there.

Enchanted Kingdom promos on Mother's day is free entrance for mothers on Mother's day, no information if an equivalent free tickets for fathers on Fathers Day June 20.

Labels: Laguna, Southern Tagalog, Theme Parks