Enchanted Kingdom

Enchanted Kingdom (abbreviated as EK), is a theme park in the Philippines. It is located in Santa Rosa, Laguna. It has a land area of 25 hectares (62 acres). The park is managed and operated by Enchanted Kingdom Inc.

Enchanted Kingdom

The front gate of the theme park
LocationSan Lorenzo South, Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines
Coordinates14.2819473°N 121.0953936°E / 14.2819473; 121.0953936
StatusOperating
OpenedJune 1995 (1995-06)
OwnerEnchanted Kingdom, Inc.
Slogan"The Magic Lives Forever!"
Operating seasonYear-round
Attendance1.8 million (2015)
Area25 hectares (62 acres)
Attractions
Total31
Roller coasters3
Water rides2
Websiteenchantedkingdom.ph

Enchanted Kingdom is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).

History

Foundation

The theme park was founded by Mario and Cynthia Mamon. Their family frequently visited local theme parks such as Boom na Boom, Big Bang sa Alabang, and Fiesta Carnival, all of which inspired the couple to open a theme park of their own.[1] While they were visiting Ocean Park in Hong Kong in the early 1990s, they attended an amusement conference being held in the country where they were then introduced to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Realizing the group can help them enter the amusement park industry, they joined the association in 1992 following their first trade show attendance in Dallas, Texas.[2]

Aside from being the founder and President of Enchanted Kingdom, Mario Mamon is the first Asian and first Filipino to head the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions or IAAPA.[3]

Construction

The IAAPA assisted the Mamons on getting consultants, contractors, and suppliers to set up Enchanted Kingdom. Gary Goddard, who was then with Landmark Entertainment, designed and planned the park while Cincinnati-based firm International Theme Park Services, Inc. consulted the Mamons regarding amusement parks, especially on topics such as safety and operations, for the first three years. Construction on the park began in August 1994 on a property covering 10 hectares (25 acres). Construction was rushed to surpass other potential competitors seeking to establish their own amusement park in the Philippines, and the park opened on June 1995.[2][4][5][6][7]

Operation
The theme park in January 2015, with the Wheel of Fate, a Ferris wheel in the background.

Operations of Enchanted Kingdom were with difficulties during its first years from 1995 to 2002, with the 1997 Asian financial crisis affecting the business significantly only recovering from the financial breakdown in 2003.[1] When business stabilized, the management began introducing two entertainment units per year. Business grew and was later registered the highest daytime visit to an amusement park in Region IV (Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions) according to the Department of Tourism. Domestic visitors comprise the majority of the amusement park's visitors.[4]

In early 2020, the park's operations were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Its operations has been resumed and halted multiple times due to the pandemic,[9][10] last reopening on June 5, 2021.[11] The amusement park's operations was suspended again from January 5 to February 24, 2022 due to the increase of Omicron cases.[12][13][14]

Future expansion

In 2016, Enchanted Kingdom began a 10-year expansion which includes the redevelopment of the existing theme park and addition of new zones, a regional convention center, a water park and a lifestyle center.[15]

Layout and design
Aerial view of a portion of the theme park in October 2019, as seen from the Wheel of Fate.

The initial design of the park, which was presented to the Mamons by the consultants they brought in, was heavily inspired by Philippine architecture. The concept was not chosen since the Mamons preferred a fantasy-oriented design. Mario Mamon stated that if the initial design was used instead, it would result in visitors seeing what they see "outside in their normal lives" which he remarks would "sort of break the magic".[2]

The park currently has nine themed zones that host various rides, shops, restaurants, and event venues.[5] The zones are Victoria Park, Portabello, Boulderville, Midway Boardwalk, Brooklyn Place, Spaceport, Jungle Outpost, Eldar's Village, and Cultural Village. Victoria Park, which includes the main entrance, is patterned after the Victorian era. Boulderville is a small ride area for children which is similar to the fictional town of Bedrock from The Flintstones. Midway Boardwalk is based on 1930s Coney Island and features the most rides. Jungle Outpost is based on the Amazon Jungle in South America. Spaceport is dedicated to the Space Age. Brooklyn Place is based on 1940s New York and the silent film era. Finally, Portabello is based on the Caribbean/West Indies.[2] Eldar's Village is a child-centered area dedicated to the theme park's mascot Eldar the Wizard and twin princesses Victoria and Madeline.[16][17] The Cultural Village focuses on the culture and heritage of the Philippines.[2][18][19][20]

Attractions
See also: Space Shuttle (roller coaster) and Agila: The EKsperience
The Space Shuttle roller coaster.

The Enchanted Kingdom hosts 31 rides and attractions as of 2022.[21] Among the attractions is the Space Shuttle, a roller coaster, and the Wheel of Fate, a 39.62-meter-high (130.0 ft) Ferris wheel with 36 gondolas (each with a 6-person capacity),[22] and the Agila: The EKsperience, a flight motion simulator ride. In addition, the park hosts four event venues.[23]

Visitors

Enchanted Kingdom experienced financial difficulties in 1997, 2007, and 2008 but since 2009, the park has received a steady increase in regards to its number of visitors.[2] However, in 2013, the park experienced a drop in attendance due to bad weather conditions in the latter half of the year which included Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). In 2015, it was reported that 10 percent of the park's visitors were foreigners, mostly Chinese and Koreans.[24] In the same year, 1.8 million people visited the park, registering its largest attendance in its 20-year history.[2]

Branding
Eldar the Wizard, the main mascot of Enchanted Kingdom.

Enchanted Kingdom does not pay royalties to outside sources regarding its characters and attractions, instead coming up with their own characters and other intellectual property. According to company owner, Mario Mamon, the attractions and shows are produced with educational and Filipino values in mind and not solely for entertainment and amusement purposes.[1]

Characters

The main mascot of the park is Eldar the Wizard, who is designed to embody "knowledge and integrity".[1] He is characterized as a jolly, old wizard from the distant land of Marsynthea.[5] Another character devised by Enchanted Kingdom is Princess Victoria.[25]

Incidents
  • October 18, 2006: Two workers fell from the roof of a 50-meter-high (160 ft) structure while repairing a lightning arrester in the afternoon. Both were rushed to the St. James Hospital, also in Santa Rosa, after sustaining injuries from the fall. One of the two workers later died at the hospital. The management of the amusement park clarified that the accident was "not ride-related." The park resumed operations a week later.[26]
  • December 12, 2007: A train of Space Shuttle was stalled on its Cobra Roll element at around 6:00 p.m. All 25 riders, mostly students on an educational tour, were safely rescued.[27] After that, Space Shuttle was temporarily suspended for technical renovation.

References
  1. Ubaldo, Aye (January–April 2015). "A leap of faith, a lifetime of memories". PANA AdEdge. Philippine Association of National Advertisers. 11 (1): 53–55.
  2. "Leading in Asia: The Philippines' Enchanted Kingdom". Blooloop. Blooloop. February 17, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  3. "Enchanted Kingdom president becomes first Asian to chair IAAPA". Philstar Global. September 23, 2013. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  4. Ubaldo, Aye (January–April 2015). "The real magic emanates from middle-class Merlin". PANA AdEdge. Philippine Association of National Advertisers. 11 (1): 44–45.
  5. "Overview of EK". Enchanted Kingdom. Enchanted Kingdom. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  6. Hidalgo, Vanessa (October 26, 2013). "Park created by families and for families to enjoy". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  7. "Philippines: Santa Rosa: Enchanted Kingdom Theme Park". AP Archive. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  8. "Experience the magic at home with Enchanted Kingdom's virtual rides and attractions". BusinessMirror. June 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  9. "Enchanted Kingdom to reopen Oct. 17 under strict health protocols". GMA News. October 16, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  10. Datu, Dennis [@Dennis_Datu] (March 22, 2021). "Sarado muli ang Enchanted Kingdom sa Sta. Rosa City matapos ilagay sa GCQ ang Laguna" (Tweet). Retrieved June 19, 2021 – via Twitter.
  11. BMPLUS (June 3, 2021). "Magical weekends return as Enchanted Kingdom reopens on June 5". BusinessMirror. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  12. "Star City set to reopen after 2 years; Enchanted Kingdom to temporarily close amid COVID-19 surge". ABS-CBN News. January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  13. "Enchanted Kingdom closes doors until January 16". GMA News. January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  14. Garcia, Nick (February 18, 2022). "Enchanted Kingdom reopens on Feb. 25 after closing due to COVID-19 surge". PhilSTAR Life. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  15. Miller, Keith (March 2016). "First Look - March 2016 - The Philippines' Enchanted Kingdom Embarks on 10-Year Expansion". Funworld. International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  16. Talavera, Catherine (November 1, 2017). "Enchanted Kingdom on expansion mode". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  17. "EK reopens June 5, showcases new attractions". Travel Update Philippines. June 3, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  18. "Philippines: Enchanted Kingdom to be Expanded". Magazine - EuroProfessional Amusement. November 17, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  19. Padin, Mary Grace (November 9, 2016). "Enchanted Kingdom expanding". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  20. "Park Map". Enchanted Kingdom. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  21. "Rides and Attractions". Enchanted Kingdom. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  22. "Wheel of Fate". Enchanted Kingdom. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  23. "Corporate Packages". Enchanted Kingdom. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  24. Amojelar, Darwin (February 3, 2014). "Number of visitors to Enchanted Kingdom drops in 2013 amid cancellations". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  25. "Enchanted Kingdom's Eldar, the Wizard & Princess Victoria meet PO1 Bato". Manila Bulletin. August 13, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  26. "(Update) Worker in Enchanted Kingdom accident dies". GMA News Online. October 18, 2006. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  27. Legaspi, Amita (December 12, 2007). "Shuttle ride breaks down at Enchanted Kingdom". GMA News. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
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