Just a wild idea but perhaps the Philippine Department of Tourism’s marketing campaign can include bringing tourists to experience the six dimensional “Agila” (translated as eagle) ride in Enchanted Kingdom. Essentially, viewers experience a simulated eagle flight and are brought around beautiful spots in the Philippines through a short video clip with corresponding special effects such as moving seats and water sprays.
Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa, Laguna has taken the initiative to support the preservation of the Philippine eagle, thus the connection with the “Agila” theater ride. This special feature is housed in a separate building and requires a short walk from the main amusement park.
The trek to the main theater is dotted with inconvenient stops and is thus, an area for improvement. Viewers, especially more senior visitors, who have to walk under the hot sun normally, seek immediate relief. Unfortunately, one has to walk a few meters more upon entering the gate only to be greeted by staff saying that big bags still need to be stuffed in a locker.
Upon entering the air conditioned building premises, the audience is led to a dark room with a video introduction from Enchanted Kingdom’s wizard called Eldar, making one believe that the show has finally started. The audio system is muffled that only a few sentences can be understood.
Then the people are led to three more dark rooms until they are shown the lobby, only to be told to wait for another 15 minutes. As it appears, they use this time gap to take pictures and show a short video clip about the eagle sculpture found in the lobby, among other things. It is also at this point that it becomes apparent that the air conditioning is not sufficient, at least for some people.
Finally, the viewers are called to enter the movie theater. For the third time, they are asked to show their tickets. It doesn’t look like a well-planned system because normally, guests only have to show their ticket once upon entering the gate.
As we reach the entrance to the theater, the guests are again asked to stop and watch a security video. Remember that at this point, the place is not that cool. Anyway, everyone’s patience pays off after the crowd finally enters a perfectly cooled theater venue.
The main show was memorable albeit, a very short one. The audience can be heard reacting to the water sprays and other effects. According to one staff, it was a six dimensional experience but it is unclear how much different it is (except for moving seats that give the illusion of flying) from their older theater Rialto that offers a four dimensional experience of “Ice Age.”
Nonetheless, the multimedia show that ran for only six minutes is enough to bring thoughts of patriotism and love for country that perhaps is the goal. After watching and flying like a Philippine eagle, the viewers are likely to conclude that indeed, this country is incredibly beautiful.
