Showing posts with label Manila Ocean Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manila Ocean Park. Show all posts

Manila Ocean Park 2016: Symphony Evening Show

13 October 2016

We are nearing the end of these posts about Manila Ocean Park.  Our last attraction for the day was the Symphony Evening Show.  It is a musical show featuring huge water fountains that shoot water straight up in the air, light displays on water and fire and fireworks.

The last show started at 7:15PM, although there was one before that at 630PM.  It lasts around 30 minutes.

Manila Ocean Park 2016: The World of Creepy Crawlies

13 October 2016



We now arrived at the World of Creepy Crawlies from the Jellies Exhibit.  So, from the 2nd Floor, we just took the escalator to go down, past the stores and another Food Court.  At first, I didn't want to go to this attraction because I just had the fright of my life at the All-Star Bird Show and I was still reeling from it.  I didn't want to subject myself to seeing more reptiles up close.  Dana, also didn't want to go in if I didn't want to.

But, this was part of the package we paid for and I felt that it would be a waste if we didn't go.  So, mustering my strength and courage, we all trooped in :)

Funny enough, we took around 30 minutes to go through all the creatures in this exhibit, despite our fear of some of the animals.

The World of Creepy Crawlies opens at 10AM (M-F) or 9AM (Sat, Sun and Holidays) and last entry is at 6:15PM.


Manila Ocean Park 2016: The Jellies Exhibit



13 October 2016

This is one of the most relaxing attractions in the park, the Jellies "Dancing Sea Fairies" Exhibit.  Again, we were the only ones in the exhibit and it was great! :)  This attraction contains several species of Jellyfish in large tanks viewed through changing lights and accompanied by soft classical music.

This attraction opens at 10AM (M-F) and 9AM (Sat, Sun and Holidays) and closes at 7PM. Last entry is at 6:15PM.

We spent around 15 minutes touring the place.  On hindsight, this is perfect for your last attraction because it kind of calms you down and lets you slow down from the other exhilarating and exciting attractions.  It's the perfect thing to wind down your day.

Manila Ocean Park 2016 : The Birds of Prey Kingdom

13 October 2016

By the time we arrived at the Birds of Prey Kingdom, it was already 5:00PM and most of the students on their field trip have gone home.  That meant there were no more long lines at the entrance :)  This attraction was actually the first thing you'll come across when you enter Manila Ocean Park so it's inevitable that people will start with this attraction.

Coming from the All-Bird Show, I didn't really know what to expect (again!) so I was nervous about entering.  But, wow! You'll be surprised when you get inside :)

The Birds of Prey Kingdom features Brahminy Kites or Lawin in Tagalog.  They are perched on a hanging bridge over the Manila Bay and they are free to fly around the area.  You'll see them in action and can even be up close and personal with them :)  We took 10 minutes here.

The Birds of Prey Kingdom opens at 1030AM and last entry is at 5:30PM.

Manila Ocean Park 2016: The All-Star Bird Show

13 October 2016

After 2 hours and a half of walking around and visiting 5 different attractions at the Manila Ocean Park, and after a 30 minute break, we headed to the All-Star Bird Show around 4:00
PM and was surprised that not many people were watching.  I suppose birds aren't as interesting as the Sea Lions :)  But, we did enjoy it and had an extra surprise at the end too :)

Catch The All-Star Bird Show: 1:15PM and 4:15PM.  It lasts about 20 minutes.

Manila Ocean Park 2016: Amazing Stories of Yexel's Museum

13 October 2016

We only found out that we'd be going to the "Amazing Stories of Yexel's Museum" when we bought our tickets.  Apparently, the Sharks and Rays Dry Encounter was not available and this was the replacement attraction.  We weren't told why the Sharks and Rays Dry Encounter was not available and for how long.  I haven't heard of this exhibit before so it was a pleasant experience when we got to see everything it had to offer.  This exhibit showcases the toy collection of Yexel Sebastian, including his own life-sized reproductions of popular TV and Movie characters.

The Amazing Stories of Yexel's Museum opens at 10AM and last entry is at 6:15PM.

We took around 30 minutes to finish the attraction.  But you can definitely stay longer if you have the time.

Manila Ocean Park 2016: Trails to Antarctica

13 October 2016

Our next stop happened to be the Trails to Antarctica, but technically, it wasn't on our list.  However, we needed to pass through this hallway to get to the other side (took us 5 minutes).  This hallway showcases the Penguin Exhibit and leads to the Snow Village.  You'll actually see the hallway being divided into two lanes as you walk further.

The 'Trails to Antarctica" is open 10AM to 8PM (M-F) and 9AM to 8PM (Sat, Sun and Holidays).  Last entry is at 7:15PM

Manila Ocean Park 2016: The Back of the House

13 October 2016

The Back of the House is a "behind-the-scenes" look at how Manila Ocean Park operates.  This is where you'll learn how animals are taken care of, how the water from the Manila Bay is filtered to make it suitable for marine operations.

It may not seem interesting at first because you don't really know what's going on, so a walk-through may take you only around 5 minutes.  But this attraction is actually very educational.  I just wish that someone was there to explain things to us as we went around.

It opens at 11AM and last entry is at 5:30PM.


Manila Ocean Park 2016: The Fish Spa

13 October 2016

From the Oceanarium, you take the stairs to reach the 2/F to get to the Fish Spa.  The Fish Spa is an attraction where you dip your feet into a pool of doctor fishes and leave them to feed off of the dead skin cells on your feet.  The Fish Spa is only available with the Sea Breeze (P750 for 11 attractions) and Marine Voyage (P990 for 13 attractions) packages.

You can take as long as you want here and maximize the opportunity.

Visitors can try it out from 10AM to 7PM (M-F) and 9AM to 7PM during Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

Manila Ocean Park 2016: The Oceanarium

13 October 2016

So, the first attraction that we visited was the Oceanarium.  The Oceanarium is one of the world's best public aquariums with over 14,000 marine creatures from the Philippines and South East Asia.  It has several sections, including its main attraction - a 25 meter long, 220° curved walkway tunnel - where you can see marine creatures all around you (left, right and above) as you traverse the tunnel.

It opens at 10AM and last entry is at 7:15PM.  Because of the size, it may take you an hour or more to fully appreciate everything here.

The Manila Ocean Park Chronicles: The Different Attractions for the Sea Breeze Promo Package and other info

13 October 2016

When I learned that Manila Ocean Park recently offered a Birthday Madness promo that entitles the birthday celebrant to free entrance to the park provided he/she comes with 3 paying companions,  I immediately went to their website to find out more details.  There were two packages available:  Sea Breeze Express (P750 for 11 attractions) and "Marine Voyage" (P990 for 13 attractions).  Trails to Antarctica - The Penguin Exhibit and the Christmas Village are the only two added attractions for the Marine Voyage package.


We chose the Sea Breeze Express Package and went on my actual birthdate, although according to the rules, I could have gone anytime during my birth month.  How I wish I could use the privilege over and over instead of just one time :) hahaha  All you have to do is go to the ticket counter and present your valid credentials (I used my birth certificate) and buy your tickets for either package (Sea Breeze or Marine Voyage).

At the Ticket Booth
Anyway, here are the attractions that were part of the package:

Anytime Attractions:  This means you can go anytime at your discretion.  You can do them in any order, but will be limited to one entry per attraction only.


Outdoor Shows:  These are live shows that are held outside.  They follow a strict schedule although you may choose when to come depending on your time.  Although, I suspect that if there are educational field trips scheduled, management tries to encourage you to stick to the schedule that they allot for you.  For instance, when we got our list of attractions, they encircled 3PM for the Sea Lion Show, 4:15PM for the All-Star Bird Show and 7:15PM for the Symphony Evening Show.  We actually missed the 3PM show and wanted to go into the 5PM show but the line was too long because of the students on a field trip.  So we weren't able to see that show.
Penguin Talk Show:  This is the only indoor show at the moment.  Supposedly opens at 10AM and Last Show is at 6:30PM.  But there's a note that you have to visit the venue for the actual schedule.  We weren't able to go to this one as well.  When we got there around 6PM, they said that the show was done.  

Given that this was the first time we're going to set foot at the Manila Ocean Park, we really didn't have any idea what to do first or how long it will take for us to fully appreciate each attraction.  So, in the next posts, I'll give you an idea of what to see or do in each attraction and how long it took us to go around.  Hopefully, you'll get to plan your trip better than we did this first time :)

At the entrance, you'll find this Guide Map and Wrist Band Checker.  I suggest you take a picture of the Guide Map so you know where to go.  They didn't give us a brochure or a map to help us get around the place.  There are signs though, but in our case, where we're planning as we go along, it was kind of hard to plan ahead.


The Wrist Band Checker is there to let you know if you're qualified for that particular attraction.  However, the wrist band checkers that we've tried where either broken or offline.  They do give you a list of attractions that you're qualified for when you pay for your tickets, so don't lose that.



There's also this huge photo standee where you can take a souvenir photo of your Manila Ocean Park adventure.


Now on to the Oceanarium! :)

In between activities

This post is a combination of the small though not trivial activities that happened in between major events in November.

November 04 - We found out that Stevie, Patrick's brother, was rushed to the hospital due to a tummy ache.  His wife, Toni, has been in touch with me during the day because she feared that Stevie was taking the pain too lightly and may not reach the hospital in record time.  Apparently, Stevie was in Bulacan working on a project when he felt that his stomach was giving him pain.  It took a long time for him to get to Manila which left Toni worried.  Around 6PM (by my recollection) he was already brought to surgery for an emergency appendectomy.  His appendix hasn't ruptured but there appeared to be infection around it and so the doctor had to remove it.  We went to the hospital that same day but it took a while for the anesthesia to leave his system so we didn't see him.  We came back on Friday.  Oh and we saw the appendix! hahaha Patrick thought it gross! LOL

November 12 - Both kids did well in their report cards.  Dylan has great improvements.  Dana got awarded the 3rd Top Borrower in School ! :) Guess who she takes after? LOL

November 13 - Happy 16th Anniversary to me and Patrick.  Unfortunately, this was a sore day because we didn't get to celebrate it because Patrick stayed overnight at the Hotel H2O at the Manila Ocean Park for the annual Top Gear Planning.   I could understand it, it's work, it's important, but to not send me a text message (AT LEAST!) that was the worst thing.  He didn't even call us that night!!! okay, enough with the rant, but I thought I'd just shout it out LOL

November 19 - Dana and I tagged along when Patrick went to Mall of Asia to cover a car show there.  We decided to watch Harry Potter 7 because we were at the mall early and I thought there wouldn't be a throng of people in line because school and offices  haven't really let out.  I like it but I knew it would be a tad slow because they had to stretch it to cover one whole film.  There were some highlights and I especially liked the dialogue.  It is recommended that you watch the first movies or at least read the prior books to have a better understanding of the movie.

Since we were there at the mall, Dana and I had a ManiPedi session at the Mint Hand and Foot Spa in preparation for my cousin's wedding.  I was a little worried because I just had a traumatic ingrown infection that took a while to heal.  Fortunately, Gina, the senior technician was able to deal with my toe quite nicely.  It was also the first time I went to that nail salon and I must say, it was a good experience.  It was quiet and clean and the technicians were efficient.  :)