I like theme parks. I like eating all those theme park junk food, winning myself a doll at the arcade, bringing home souvenirs, but most especially, I just love riding the Ferris Wheel. Maybe because my parents were iffy about letting me ride a humongous wheel, or maybe it’s because of the great feeling I get being so far from the ground. Either way, I’m not one to pass up a chance of an invite to Enchanted Kingdom.

Last Saturday, my husband Marc and I joined a few fellow food and travel bloggers for a day at Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. In collaboration with Elvis Presley Friendship Club Philippines International, the park paid tribute to the famous rock n’ roll star, Elvis Presley.

The celebrations began with a parade of “Elvises” (Elvis impersonators), a dance crew, and a marching band with the park’s mascot, Eldar the Wizard. The band played the Enchanted Kingdom’s theme song, a musical score any child would love—even me, a child at heart :D

The Elvis doppelgangers presented their best impersonations. After a few models showed off the period’s fashion, the winners were announced: Mr. Ed Agbayari and Mr. Jun Capili were runner-ups, while Mr. Eric Alvarez bagged first prize.

A trip to Enchanted Kingdom wouldn’t be complete without getting on the rides. Aside from the cotton candy stand that I seemed to always end up buying from, Marc had to pry me away from the Jungle Log Jam. Good thing he did, or we’d probably end up going home with drenched cameras and equipment :P

I also had to abstain from riding the Space Shuttle (also one of my favorite rides)—I didn’t want to have the misfortune of dumping my lunch and the butt-load of cotton candy at the nearby carting race track. But I couldn’t not ride the Ferris wheel, The Wheel of Fate. The Ferris wheel is the best place to be at sundown—may it be for a romantic experience, or the best photo vantage point for a sunset shot.

Like in HongKong Disneyland Resort, you shouldn’t leave the park early. At around 8PM (every Saturdays, Sundays and holidays), you’ll witness an awesome fireworks display just before closing time.

Be sure to be near the Space Shuttle so you can have a perfect view of the fireworks.

Enchanted Kingdom isn’t just for children—it’s for the whole family.

For more information on how to get to Enchanted Kingdom, visit their website. To date, the current park schedule is as follows:

January 05 – January 11, 2009
Monday to Friday 12:00 NN to 07:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM to 09:00 PM

January 12 – March 22, 2009
Monday to Wednesday PARK CLOSED
Thursday and Friday 12:00 NN to 07:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM to 09:00 PM

Click here for more Enchanting Elvis at Enchanted Kingdom on my Flickr account.