By Fung Yu

Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Click the images to view the 360-degree VRs. Adobe Flash 10 or higher is required. Average VR size is 2.2Mb each.

Eldar’s Tent was filled with soap bubbles reflected against multi-colored stage lights, the interior was made to appear like an underwater scene. The play was a summer special entitled “An Under the Sea Experience” which showcase the talents of EK’s cast members and select GMA artists.

Dressed in colorful costumes, cast members serenaded the audience with songs and dance that told the adventures of the sea creatures with the surface dwellers. The musical play captured everyone’s imagination, and for a brief moment, it can truly be described as magical!

Together with a group of select bloggers, this writer was invited to experience Enchanted Kingdom’s many attractions, foremost being the newly launched “Magicalympics.”

Magicalympics is a team building activity that fuses certain tasks with the park’s rides in order to accomplish a team’s goal in the least amount of time. Call it ala Amazing Race with a little twist.

It was meant to foster camaraderie amongst the participants while being immersed in the challenges of a competition–all in the spirit of goodwill.

Notable challenges include catching tomatoes with a net while swinging in the Anchor’s Away ride; retaining the most amount of water in a cup atop your head while taking a precipitous slide aboard the Jungle Log Jam; capturing flags in bumper cars with sentries blocking your way; singing your lungs out in the karaoke competition; and identifying landmarks atop the Wheel of Fate.

Prior to the start of the Magicalympics, all of us were treated to a 4D showing of “Journey to the Center of the Earth” starring Brendan Fraser. 4D being, apart from the 3D visual effect, the viewer gets to experience added new sensory sensations with the upgraded 4D Theater.

The day ended with a 5-minute fireworks display and with the satisfaction that our team won 2nd place in the Magicalympics, but more so in the relief that I survived the various thrilling rides, without screaming like an eight-year old kid!

All VRs taken on May 10, 2009. Enchanted Kingdom’s website: www.enchantedkingdom.com.ph. Article archive at: www.virtualjournals.net. The author can be reached at: fung@firefly.ph