STAR CITY

I felt nostalgic

STAR CITY, our very own small Disneyland in the Philippines. If I were to exaggerate, I'm pretty sure almost every one knows this place. A crowded place of our happiness and makes you feel young in every second. The park is only open on certain months of the year and why is it crowded? A lot of teenagers, families spending their holidays, and TOURS, SCHOOL TOURS.

Star City is located at Vicente Sotto St, Manila, Philippines. To make it short and if you are not sure where is that place, it is within the CCP Complex (Cultural Center of the Philippines). It is not that easy to go through public transportation especially for us who are not familiar with the Manila area but you can.

How to go to Star City:
Take the LRT and go down to Vito Cruz Station and take the orange jeeps that will go to the CCP complex and that's it.

Just like what I have posted on my blog last time, we used to go to amusement parks every all saints day but when we grew up, we didn't had a chance to go there again with the whole family.

Before our semester break, my cousin and I planned to go to Star City to unwind but that plan didn't happen because we both don't have money. She told our aunts, uncles, and our grandfather that our plan didn't happen so, they set the date and planned again. And at last, our longtime plan happened and it was yesterday, November 1, like we usually do (old times). My cousins were so excited about it and they always talk about what to ride.

We left our house at around 2 pm, but our trip really started around 2:30 pm since we stopped many times. Since it was all saints day, people mostly went to cemetery so the traffic is not heavy than usual which made our trip fast. We expected many people will come since it is holiday.

Quick tip, the part DOES NOT allow any food to be brought inside, so make sure to bring enough money OR buy your food and eat it before going in (because that's what we did).

After we ate, we rushed in because it is hot outside and people were starting to line up. Since we saw many people outside, we thought the line would be long but it was just crowded at the entrance (you know, waiting for the gang). To save time, LET ONE OR TWO PERSONS LINE UP TO BUY THE TICKET FOR THE WHOLE GROUP.

Ticket prices:
Ride-all-you-can (incl. entrance fee) - Php 450
Entrance fee (without rides) - Php 70
There is also a ticket with selected rides only.
Snow World (has a separate fee) - Php 150 for the people who just bought the entrance fee, and Php 100 for those who picked ride all you can, and that is for the whole day already. I didn't paid anything since my parents paid me for it and also my uncle gave me his ride all you can voucher that he got at his office in exchange with the entrance fee of him and his spouse.

After paying or exchanging the voucher, we entered and did not waste any time. Before you see the rides, you will pass by plenty of shops that sells everything (stuff toys, shirts, bags, caps, toys, etc.). Walk further and you will see the rides and mini games.

All of them only paid for the entrance fee and the snow world and let the three of us (with my two cousins) bought the ride all you can. We started at the airplane we used to ride when we're all young because my other cousin is only 8 years old and we don't want him to be shocked and scared with the rides. The next is the never ending Peter Pan that I love so much but my cousin seemed to not enjoy it (I think I enjoyed it more than him). We bumped to some of our relatives after riding the Wacky Worm (small rollercoaster). They are my father's relatives so they did some chitchat while WE went to ride VIKINGS. I rode it before but it's been a long time that and I've forgotten the experience already. So I was so surprised when I rode it again. It's like my heart and soul were leaving my body.

(Me before the ride starts)

(Me after riding vikings)

Then they asked us to join them in Snow World since it is already hot (I was really sweating a lot after that vikings ride). My grandfather wasn't able to get in because they don't allow people who has hypertension to get inside. While entering, you can buy gloves nearby the Snow World and jackets are of course lend to everyone. Before entering, they will brief about the dos and don'ts and what is inside the Snow World.

Some rules I remember: (it has many but I can't recall it)

People with hypertension and asthma are not advisable to get in because it is -15°
Taking pictures are not allowed (but there is a photographer inside the Snow world and each picture you will take is Php 100)

There are ice sculptures inside the Snow World and also a cafe where you can buy hot drinks to lessen the freeze. There is also a slide that we really enjoyed. It is really cold so we didn't stay for long and decided to come back again later since it is unlimited to the people who has stamp.

Do not worry about being hungry because like every usual amusement parks, there are loads of food stalls inside which are of affordable prices. We decided to eat at food court first before riding again since it is already late. I don't want to puke in the midst of the ride, I didn't ate rice and just ate quail eggs (kwek-kwek) and frappe as my drink.

After that, we rode again at the rides since we don't want to waste the time and our money. We went to Star City Annex where you can see Star Frisbee, Music Express, Classic Carousel, Frosty Train, and Kiddie Wheel.

As the final ride, we rode the Wild River which they call the Jungle Splash now. We expected to be wet with that ride but thankfully we didn't and we entered the Snow World again before really going home. We also took a picture at the Snow World as a souvenir.

There are lot of rides that you can enjoy no matter what generation you came from. I totally enjoyed that day and it was all worth it. I was able to ride 14 rides I think and I was satisfied with it since I don't usually ride those kind of rides and also I am afraid of heights but still, I conquered my fear.