I’m Gay, Got a Problem With That?

Bloggers Magicalympics at Enchanted Kingdom

A few weekends ago, 50 bloggers were invited to Enchanted Kingdom (EK) for an experience that was truly one of a kind – EK’s Magicalympics!

We were divided into five color groups: Blue, Orange, Yellow, Purple, and Green. I was assigned to the Blue Team (which we renamed Swine Blue since we were required to come up with an animal). I was assigned as the team leader which did not really seem like a tall order since I always love a good race. Besides, I know that I’m competitive enough to help my team win the race. I carried our team flag throughout the race with pride! Charot!

The Team Leaders (photo by Nina Fuentes)

I’m a big fan of The Amazing Race so when I found out that Magicalympics is something like that (there are no “Detours” or “Roadblocks” or “Yields” though), my competitive spirit jumped for joy.

The goal of the race was to complete all tasks in all “Pit Stops” with the lowest possible time. What makes it different from The Amazing Race is that teams will not be scrambling against each other (running is not allowed) because all teams have their own pre-determined paths. The challenge, then, is for the teams to be able to complete the tasks without penalties (and possibly with bonus points at each stop) and the fastest. This is because there may be a possibility of two (or more) teams meeting at one pit stop.

Team Swine Blue was composed of myself, Nina, Gail, Fitz, Jonah, Jonel, Abbie, Don, Fran, and Jenn. We came up with a buddy system strategy to ensure that everyone was present at each pit stop. All pit stops/task areas had Purple Flag route markers so it was not quite difficult to look for them. Plus, we had Nina on our team, who seemed to know every nook and cranny inside EK!

Swine Blue! (photo by Nina Fuentes)

Here’s the list of our Pit Stops and the respective tasks at each:

• Anchors Away: The team was divided into two groups – each group seated on either side of the Anchors Away ship. The goal was for one side (the catchers) to catch at least 15 tomatoes being thrown by the other side (the throwers) using the hula-hoop baskets. We only got six tomatoes and were given a two-minute penalty (which would be deducted from our final running time at the end of the race).
• Dodgem: This was one of my favorite pit stops and tasks. I LOVE bump cars! The goal was for our team (divided into five pairs of two) to gather all the flags from the other side of the bump car game area – in under five minutes. Two professional “blockers” were deployed to give us a difficult time. We finished with flying colors and got a bonus of two minutes (which canceled out our penalty earlier).
• Wheel of Fate: The team was divided into two groups and both groups answered ten questions while riding on different gondolas of the humongous Ferris Wheel (I’m not a big fan of Ferris Wheels, btw). The goal was for the team to get a combined total of at least 16 correct answers. The questions were all about things, signage, billboards, areas, and places in and around Enchanted Kingdom.
• Flying Fiesta: All members of the team had to ride the Flying Fiesta (one of my favorites) then get off and answer two different Brain Twister puzzles (you know those yellow plastic chips you used to play with back in high school?).
• Arcade: This was one of my favorites! All team members had to sing one song from the Videoke Machine inside the arcade. The goal was for us to get a minimum score of 98 to avoid a penalty. I love Videoke and I know how to manipulate it to give me high scores – so I ended up hogging the mic while my teammates sang with me. The song? One of my biggest videoke challenges: Gold by Spandau Ballet. And yes, we got a 98!
• Grand Carousel: This was the only “Roadblock” of the race. This time, only six members of the team were required to perform the task. The goal was for all six members to find (and ride for the duration of a carousel ride) the horse shown on our respective pictures.
• Rio Grande Grand Rapids: I was elated when I found out this was where we were headed. Rio Grande is my ultimate favorite ride in EK. Unfortunately for me, we did not perform the task aboard the floaters (but I made sure I rode it and got really wet after the race). Instead, we played charades where half of the team (guessers) was on one far end of the Rapids and the other (the actors) on the other far end. The goal was to guess two movie titles in under five (or was it two?) minutes. Our movie titles? 17 Again and The Fast and the Furious 4!
• Jungle Log Jam: This was one of my least favorites (if not the least)! All team members must ride the Jungle Log Jam wearing headbands glued with plastic cups filled with water. The goal was for the whole team to retain as much water as they could to fill a certain line on a pitcher. Fortunately, we completed this task.
• Rialto: After getting soaked in water at the previous stop, we were then headed to the Rialto where we were required to watch a film and correctly answer at least six (or was it eight?) out of ten questions about the film.
• Junior Kart Track: I was excited to find out that the next stop was the Kart Track, only to be dismayed that we were not riding the karts. Instead, we had to do a Longest Line challenge where we lined up all articles of clothing and other things on us (the bags and the contents were not allowed to be used) from one end to another. The goal was to reach the other end in under five minutes. We failed. I think no other team completed this task. When I saw the Purple team finishing ahead of us, I assumed that it was their last stop so I asked my teammates if we all could just fix ourselves (put our shirts on, organize our stuff, find our money and everything else that we used for the longest line) at the final stop. This, I was sure, could help us save time and win the race!
• Bandstand: This was the final stop. At every pit stop, after completing the tasks, we were given clue envelopes to tell us where our next stop was. These envelopes also had some letters that served as clues for our final stop. We had to complete all tasks (and bring all envelopes with us) for us to form the name of the final pit stop. We actually already knew where the last stop was so it was not difficult for us.

After the Race (photo by Nina Fuentes)

After all the teams have arrived, it was time for the announcement. I knew we were going to place either first or second since we arrived at the final stop a few minutes after the Purple Team did. All that mattered was our penalty deductions and our time bonuses which we have earned in different legs of the race. And by a margin of just 47 seconds, Team Swine Blue won!

Swine Blue Wins!

I must say that this race was one heck of a good ride and I thank Enchanted Kingdom for letting me experience it! I was forced to ride the rides that I never really considered riding before. I was forced to take my shirt off in public (the only time I do this is when I’m at the beach). I got the chance to ride a carousel again without getting embarrassed or humiliated because I’m already an adult. I got wet! My competitive self had enormous fun for I have yet again done a race and finished it with flying colors. I had so much fun. And to top it all off, my team won! We are such a great team!

If you ask me if I’d do it agan, I’d say yes in a heartbeat! The magic is really here!

(See more Magical moments via my Flickr Photoset and read about other magical experiences below:)

Enchanted Kingdom Magicalympics (Aethen)
Magicalympics at Enchanted Kingdom (Aileen)
Bloggers Magicalympics at Enchanted Kingdom (AJ)
In Demand Weekend: The iBlog 5 and Magicalympics (Billycoy)
Enchanted Kingdom Magicalympics with Magical Friends (Bryan Karl)
Enchanted Bloggers (Carl)
Enchanted Kingdom: Where the Magic Begins (Jason)
The Thirsrty Blogger Visits Enchanted Kingdom (Fitz)
Enchanted Kingdom Magicalympics (Kevin)
Enchanted Kingdom: Magicalympics (Marjonelle)
Enchanted Kingdom Magicalympics with Bloggers (Micamyx)
Magicalympics at Enchanted Kingdom (Nina)
Team building activities at Enchanted Kingdom’s Magicalympics (Poyt)
Enchanted Kingdom Magicalympics (Raredog)
A Magicalympic Day at Enchanted Kingdom! (Ria)
Magicalympics at Enchanted Kingdom (Rochelle)
Enchanted Kingdom Magicalympics Photoblogger’s Surprise (Van)

Magicalympics was originally designed by Enchanted Kingdom for their internal staff, and they eventually offered it to their corporate clients and other clients for events like birthday parties and team building.

Enchanted Kingdom is located at San Lorenzo South, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna Philippines. If you do not have your own vehicle, they have shuttle services (for a minimal fee) stationed at the parking area of Hotel Intercontinental, in front of SM Makati.

For inquiries, you may get in touch with them here:

Makati Sales Office:

G/F, The Baltimore Condominium, 102 Aguirre St., Legaspi Village Makati City.

Tel. Nos. (632) 830-2111 to 16. Fax No. (632) 8127118

email: eldarthewizard@enchantedkingdom.com.ph

website: http://www.enchantedkingdom.com.ph

Similar Posts:

None Found