DreamPlay in City of Dreams Manila

I've been wanting to bring my kids to DreamPlay ever since I saw pictures of the place in social media.

But side kwento first. We went on a weekday to avoid the crowds and planned to take the free shuttle from SM City BF.  I had already taken this shuttle before with a friend when we had a girls' lunch out at City of Dreams and didn't encounter any problems. The shuttle could fit 10 people including the driver and left every hour and a half starting from 10am.

However, it wasn't so hassle-free this time. We were 3 adults and my 3 kids. When we got to the 10am shuttle, there were 3 seats left but the driver said it wasn't allowed for the kids to sit on our laps. So fine, we said we'll just take the 11:30am one. We had lunch first and I saw that they were selling tickets for DreamPlay in the cinemas. So I decided to just buy there so we wouldn't have to line up anymore when we got to DreamPlay.

Anyway, we went back to the shuttle area before 11am just to check if the van was already there. Well it was, but lo and behold, it was FULL already (as in 1 seat left na lang)! Of course, we were understandably upset since how could the 11:30 shuttle be full already when it wasn't even 11? When I took the shuttle before, my friend and I boarded just 10 minutes before the departure time (11:20am) and there were plenty of seats available. Needless to say, we just took our car since we had already bought tickets so no choice. And we didn't want to get delayed again going home just in case all the shuttles were full na naman. But the funny thing was, a few days after when we passed by SM BF, we saw that they had upgraded the shuttle from vans to mini-buses and there were even 2 in the waiting area! Aba, nagwork ata ang reklamo namin! ;p

Sorry for the long intro, I just had to get it out there since it kinda started our day on a bad note. And this is also a warning to those who want to take the shuttle service. Just be sure to have a back-up plan for transportation.

Anyway, like I said, the one good thing about what happened was that I was able to buy our tickets in advance at the SM cinema outlet where there were no lines. We just got the 2 HOUR PASS, as recommended by my other friends who have already visited the place. There are height requirements kasi for some areas so my kids wouldn't be able to do all the activities naman. And besides, you can extend naman if you want to as stated in their rules: Once the 2-hour and 4-hour pass has already expired, guests may still enjoy the attractions. Charges for extensions shall just be billed at the check-out counter.

KIDS: 100cm up to 17 years old

ADULTS: 18 years old and above

- Children below 100cm are free of charge. Adult with no child will not be allowed to enter DreamPlay
- Adult non-participants and kids 99cm and below may enjoy DreamTales Library and Dream Theatre

If buying your tickets right there in DreamPlay, here's the ticket process:

Since we already had tickets, no more lining up when we got to DreamPlay. The portion where you have to "encode details through tablet" (basically just name and contact number) was also done beforehand in SM BF. So we were just ushered to the DreamShop entrance at the side where all we had to do was sign the waiver and we were given our wristbands at once. I highly recommend getting tickets in advance at any SM cinema outlet since when we left at around 3:30pm, the line was sooooo long already. And I've read lots of complaints about the ticket process being so slow at the main entrance, sometimes people having to line up for an hour up to 2 hours!

this is where we entered, through DreamPlay's souvenir shop

our wristbands: RED (Kung Fu Panda) for KIDS, GREEN (Shrek) for ADULTS, and ORANGE (Madagascar) for babies or kids below 100cm

Anyway, here were the different attractions:

KUNG FU PANDA

Kung Fu Lighting Fast as Lightning
Height Requirement: 100cm
No special clothing requirement

Join in the Kung Fu Panda Dojo and become a Kung Fu master alongside Po and The Furious Five! Ready your Fists of Fury and prepare to kick the dumplings out of your enemies as you train with these KFP legends. Who knows, you may even become the next Dragon Warrior!

Wall of Destiny
Height Requirement: 120cm
Clothing Requirement: Rubber shoes/closed shoes and sleeved shirt required, long shorts preferred

Test your warrior skills and buckle up to climb the Wall of Destiny, where you'll see the Valley of Peace from a dragon's eye point of view!

Thread of Enlightenment
Height Requirement: 140cm
Clothing Requirement: Rubber shoes/closed shoes and sleeved shirt required, long shorts preferred

We weren't able to try any of the attractions in this part since my kids were a bit scared pa. But I think older and more adventurous kids will definitely enjoy the thrill of the rope course and wall climbing


SHREK

Shrek's Swamp Stomp
Height Requirement: 100cm
Clothing Requirement: Socks required for ball pit

Get ready for an ogre the top experience as you tour Shrek's swamp house. Shrek is home to greet you, but he can't seem to find his keys and needs your help to look for them. Just be sure to stay away from his outhouse or you just might get an unpleasant surprise.

Gingy's Kitchen
Height Requirement: 100cm
No special clothing requirement

At Gingy’s Kitchen, you’ll earn how to make a gingerbread man from Gingy himself! Just don’t be surprised if Shrek and Donkey catch a whiff of your delicious treats and make an appearance too!

Warning, the line could get pretty long and they only allow about 15 kids per class. We didn't make the cut the first time so I had to line up for the next batch (while the kids explored the other areas) and waited for about 30-45 minutes. But it was worth it since this was the activity my kids enjoyed the most. I also like how they allow the parents/companions to enter as well to help and take pics. :)

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

How to Fly Your Dragon (Dragon Slides)
Height Requirement: 100cm
Clothing Requirement: Long Sleeves Shirts and Trousers, Socks Required

Again, my kids didn't want to go on the slides since they were scared. But it definitely looks cool! Maybe when they're a bit older na lang. :)

MADAGASCAR

Whatever Floats Your Boat
Height Requirement: 100cm
No special clothing requirement

Here you make and assemble your own boat and sail it down the river. Our boat didn't even make it halfway through hehe! ;p

AfroCircus
Height Requirement: 100cm
Clothing Requirement: Socks Required

My kids wanted us to join them inside this multilevel play area, but apparently, our wristbands were for non-participating adults. Good thing they just allowed my hubby to step inside and sit in the corner where the kids could see him. There are sudden bursts of loud noises and smoke though, which scared the kids at times.

DINOTRUX

Dinotrux
Height Requirement: 100cm
No special clothing requirement

Join the DinoTrux at this construction site millions of years in the making. Learn how to build and pilot your very own Reptools. Then enlist the support of Ty and the other DinoTrux to create a world unlike any other!

DREAMWORKS

DreamStudio
Height Requirement: 100cm
No special clothing requirement

I liked this activity where they teach you how to make your own animated film. No picture taking allowed inside the studio though, but basically it's just filled with touch-screen computer screens. You can stay for the maximum 15 minutes but you can also leave anytime when you're done.

Dream Theater
Adult non-participants and kids 99cm and below may enjoy the Dream Theatre
No special clothing requirement

Too bad we weren't able to try this 4-D theater, but we were able to experience the one in Universal Studios SG which I think is pretty much the same.

DreamTales Library
Adult non-participants and kids 99cm and below may enjoy DreamTales Library
Clothing Requirement: Socks Required

I love this library area which had lots of comfy beanbags strewn around for lounging or reading (books are provided). However, I was with my baby Skyler (who I'm still exclusively breastfeeding at 1.5 years old) and he must have been hungry already since he started tugging at my shirt. So I dragged one beanbag to the corner and naturally started nursing him. However, the attendant who was tidying up near me noticed I was feeding him and told me that breastfeeding wasn't allowed there. He said they had a mother's lounge outside so I would "be more comfortable." Well to be honest, I was super comfortable there already on the soft beanbag. And I told him that my baby was already hungry (and cranky) so I had to feed him at that moment already. And when I tried unlatching Skyler, he kept crying and making a fit. I was being discreet naman as always and unless you came near me, you wouldn't even know I was breastfeeding. Especially since the library was dark and we were in the corner facing the wall. I looked around and there were only 2 other people in the library just reading and minding their own business. In my mind I was thinking, if he asks me to leave I will really let him have it! Good thing he left me alone na lang. Ugh, can't a mom just breastfeed her baby in peace anywhere she wants to?!

CHEZ GINGY

This is the food court area. We didn't eat here anymore so I don't know if the food is good. But personally, I find it a bit pricey.

We also saw all the character appearances of Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda! Po even had a dance number with other DreamPlay employees.

Other reminders:

Other notes:

- I think the 2 HOURS was enough for me and my kids since they weren't allowed in the other attractions anyway. And personally, they were a bit scared since the place was a dark and loud. I think na-overwhelm sila hehe. We definitely have to go back when they're a bit older pa to fully enjoy the place.

- Go on a weekday, in the morning, if you can. Aside from the rates being cheaper, there are less people. The line was so long already mid-afternoon when we were there on a Monday.

- Definitely get your tickets in advance at any SM cinema ticket outlet or online at www.smtickets.com. This will save you a lot of time when you get to DreamPlay since the lines at the main entrance can get pretty long.

- There was no senior citizen discount given to us when we bought our tickets in SM Cinema. The attendant said it was only for walk-in guests, meaning when you buy your tickets at DreamPlay. I find this weird because shouldn't this be implemented regardless of where you buy your ticket?

- You cannot go in with your kids in the other attractions unless you have a RED wristband meaning you're an "adult participant". This means you have to pay the KIDS rate if you're an adult and want to experience all the attractions. We didn't know about this so we couldn't enter in the other areas and join our kids. Just take note of this, especially if your kids are quite small pa and would want you around.

- If you're a group of adults, you need to be accompanied by a child/children (up to 17 years old) to be allowed entry. Adult visitors with no kids will NOT be granted entry. There's no ratio naman for the number of kids to adults. Like you can be 4 adults and just have 1 kid, that should be fine.

- Credit cards are accepted.



DREAMPLAY, City Of Dreams
Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard,
Entertainment City, Paranaque, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 800 8080 / +63 2 808 0909
Website: www.cityofdreams.com.ph/entertainment/dreamplay

My kids at Universal Studios SG!

If you remember, the kids went on their first out of the country trip in Singapore last October. And of course, one of things on our itinerary was to go to Universal Studios! Hubby and I were also there in the early part of 2012, and I said that I couldn't wait until the kids were older so we could bring them here. And now, that dream has become a reality. :)

The newest addition to the park was Sesame Street which wasn't around the last time hubby and I visited. So it was exciting to experience the new ride and see all the characters even if the kids didn't want to have their photos taken with them! I think they got shocked to actually see them so big and life-sized. Check out poor Sabe crying and screaming his heart out haha! But he couldn't stop talking about Elmo after. ;p

Here we are going around the different areas of the park...

In Far, Far Away...

at Jurassic Park

The kids had a lot of fun checking out the stores with the different merchandise. Of course, they wanted to buy everything - and that stuff ain't cheap! But they ended up getting a stuffed toy each from the Sesame Street store (Abby Cadabby for Miley and Elmo for Sabe).

Sabe loving the Shrek toys

Meanwhile, Miley had so much fun on all the kiddie rides! I love how excited and brave she was to try almost everything. Well, she just didn't like Ancient Egypt zone where "The Mummy" was since she got scared with the characters roaming around (like those Pharaos on stilts). But here she is having a blast on the Madagascar carousel and the Potion Factory ferris wheel.

Sabe on the other hand was still a bit apprehensive to go on some of the rides, even though he loves all the movies like Shrek, Madagascar and Transformers. We rode the Madagascar Crate Adventure and he got scared as soon as we entered the tunnel since it was dark. We also tried watching the Shrek 4D movie but as soon as they turned off the lights, he started crying! So we just waited outside hehe. Hopefully, he'll be more game when we go to Disneyland. :)

A lot of kids were also holding these Universal Studios balloons so naturally, the kids wanted one too. I just didn't expect them to cost SG$10 (about P350) each! Ang mahal! But it was worth it since the kids held on to it the entire time we were there. We even tried bringing one home to Manila, but it deflated inside the luggage hehe.

If you also recall, I was about 6 months pregnant here so I was basically just watching everyone's stuff while they went on the rides haha! But the weather was so hot when we went so I was happy just sitting in the shade or inside an air-conditioned place. Good thing I've already been here before and rode almost everything so I didn't feel like I was missing out. ;p

It was such a great experience for the whole family and I can't wait until we are able to go to Disneyland! Keeping my fingers crossed it'll happen this year. :)

Universal Studios Singapore!

Of course, a trip to Singapore nowadays would not be complete without going to Universal Studios! Actually, I've already been here before during our company outing in 2010 but it was pretty new so some rides still weren't open. Plus, Vins hadn't been here yet so we had to go.

We went on a Monday thinking that we were going to have the whole park to ourselves. One of my best friends from high school who is now based in SG came with us (she's actually been to Universal soooo many times since she always accompanies friends who visit). When we arrived, there were so many people! Turns out it was a school holiday haha! But that didn't stop up from having fun. =)

Of course, first up was the newest ride Transformers 3D. The line was about 40 minutes long but we were so excited we hardly noticed it.

Next was Battlestar Galactica. Now, you have to understand - I HATE ROLLERCOASTERS. Vins is the exact opposite of me, he once rode Space Shuttle in EK 30 times in 1 day back in high school. So of course, they were pressuring me to get on this thing. Well, I didn't want to be a bore and besides I wanted to try everything at least once. So off I went and of course we had to sit in the front row pa... but I survived! The ride is actually 2 rollercoasters - Cylon (blue) and Human (red). We first rode the blue one since my friend said it was scarier haha! Your feet are actually dangling from the seat which I think made it worse. But in fairness, the ride was so smooth I actually even found the courage to open my eyes at some point. I think its because the seats and harness were so comfy, not like in Space Shuttle where you feel your whole body being jerked and twisted around. But I was screaming the whole entire time (you should have seen my picture after!). In the red one, you're seated normally but there are parts where the ride zooms so fast! I actually don't know which one is worse. Vins rode this like 5 more times by himself! So sulit na un entrance fee namin. ;p

We practically rode all the rides and tried to get our picture taken with most of the characters we saw. Here are just some of the highlights from that day.

It was great feeling like a kid again! I can't wait until the kids are older and we can bring them here so they can enjoy all the rides too. =)