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

Contents

 1History
o 1.1Foundation
o 1.2Construction
o 1.3Operation
o 1.4Future expansion
 2Park Layout and design
o 2.1Attractions
 3Visitors
 4Branding
o 4.1Characters
 5Incidents
 6References
 7External links

History[edit]
Foundation[edit]
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[edit]
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 on 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 in October 19, 1995. [4][5][6][2]

Operation[edit]
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 1995-2002, 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 part in Region IV (Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions) from the Department of Tourism.
Domestic visitors comprise the majority of the amusement park's visitors.[4]
In early 2020, Enchanted Kingdom's operations halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

Future expansion[edit]
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.[8]

Park Layout and design[edit]

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 rides and attractions of the park are scattered across seven themed zones. [5] The zones are
Victoria Park, Portabello, Boulderville, Midway Boardwalk, Brooklyn Place, Spaceport, and Jungle
Outpost. 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]
Future zones planned include a zone dedicated to the amusement park's mascot, Eldar, as well as a
zone focusing on Philippine culture, dubbed as the Cultural Zone, which recalls the initial concept for
the park.[2]

Attractions[edit]
See also: Space Shuttle (roller coaster) and Agila: The EKsperience

The Space Shuttle roller coaster.

The Enchanted Kingdom hosts around 20 rides and attractions as of 2013. [6] Among the attractions is
the Space Shuttle, a roller coaster, and the Wheel of Fate, a 39.62 meters (130.0 ft) high Ferris
wheel with 36 gondolas with each gondola having a 6-person capacity.[9]
Among the future planned attractions of the theme park is Agila: The EKsperience, a flight motion
simulator ride scheduled to open in December 2016.

Visitors[edit]
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.[10] In the same year, 1.8 million people visited the
park, registering its largest attendance in its 20-year history. [2]

Branding[edit]

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[edit]
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. [11]

Incidents[edit]
 October 18, 2006: Two workers fell from the roof of a 50 meters (160 ft) high structure while
repairing a lightning arrester in the afternoon. Both were rushed to the St. James Hospital 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.[12]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enchanted_Kingdom