Party Time in Jungle Zone
Last night we attended the party of our friends’ son as he turned one year old. The venue was at Jungle Zone Theme Park in Hyatt Plaza. The party started at 7 pm. You’ll think it’s a bit late for a children’s party but our friend told us that it is actually the best time to reserve your party as it is the last of the several schedules they have during the day. Getting this schedule will give you the actually more time than the usual 2 hours that they a lot for each party. Meaning, if the theme park closes at 11pm, you can stay from 7-11pm and that gives you 2 hours more. For all those who are pondering on giving their kids a fun-filled party without the hassle of to much preparation, this is the way to go.
A week before the party, we received the invitation which comes with the Jungle Zone birthday package. Attached to it is a stab, and upon entry to the theme park, you present the invitation. The staff cross-checks your name in the guest list provided by the host. After that your child gets a sticker which is worn around the wrist and will later be useful when it’s time to take the rides. You’ll pass by the rides before you reach the party room, which is at the innermost part of the park. For a kid, seeing all those rides can be very tempting, you have to constantly remind your child that he has to go to the party first. The room is located upstairs, the front of which has a veranda thus giving you a good view of the whole park. Inside the room, which has a capacity of more than 100 persons, all the party decorations and seats have already been arranged. All you need to do is wait for the party to start.
The Juggler and the Magician
At the start of the party, you’ll be entertained by a couple of performers. First, the juggler, who can juggle almost anything- from batons (of all sizes), hats, ring and balls. My daughter liked this one, I saw her laughing for the most part of it. On the other hand there’s the magician, who makes things, like handkerchiefs, flowers, balls, money appear and disappear. I think the magic thing kinda freaked out Xianelle a bit. This one is better appreciated by bigger kids and adults. Both performers are Filipinos and both guys also do the PA/ sound system. I bet they also helped decorate the place. All-in-all, the show was entertaining.
Parlor Games
Then it was time for parlor games. First was the “putting the Smarties in a cup game”, here 2 kids compete with each other and the one who placed the most Smarties, using a spoon, in cup wins. All the other smaller kids including my daughter surrounded the table as they watch the 2 bigger kids play against each other, as if wishing for those Smarties to be placed straight into their little mouths instead of the cups. Then there was the merry-go-round, I don’t suppose they call it “Trip to Jerusalem” here. I found this game quite dangerous for my kid and all the other younger kids. In the game, kids go around chairs that are placed side by side to form a circle while the music plays. When the music stops, they each should sit on the chair. The one who doesn’t get a chair gets eliminated. Next in line was the “longest happy birthday contest”. Here, each kid has to greet the birthday celebrant the longest time they can. The one with the longest time wins. Surprisingly, our little girl joined and won in the girls division with a record of 12 seconds! The last on the list was the “bring me” contest. Here the emcee asks for an item (a black wallet, the smallest shoe, etc.) and the first one to bring it wins a prize. There were 3 siblings whose parents arrived late that night, so during the game they tried to ask the items from other parents in order for them to win prizes. Smart, aren’t they!
The Guest and the Food
According to our friends, they were expecting around 85 (adults) and 50 (children) guests that night. Although there were a lot of guests who weren’t able to come due to some reason or another, the guests still totaled around 70 for the adults and 40 children, with some guests bringing along friends. But I wasn’t a concern at all for there was a lot of food that night. There were 5 viands catered by Orient Express, (for inquiries you can call 444 1255 or visit their main office at Al Sadd Street). The hosts and a few friends also volunteered to cook other viands like kare-kare, kaldereta, bopis (which was the bestseller that night) and estofado (which I personally cooked). My friend also prepared baked macaroni and I brought the good old pancit. There were all sorts of sweets, deserts and pastries such as puto, kutsinta, empanada, maja blanca, leche flan, gelatin, strawberry and chocolate cupcakes on ice cream cones, fruit salad, 3 chocolate moist cakes and an ube cake. Everyone was in for a delectable treat that night, except me, who being on a diet had to control myself. Even after everyone has eaten, there was still a lot of food enough to feed 30-50 more guests, not until the host gave the signal for the “take home”. In a matter of seconds the buffet table got surrounded by the guests, looking like bees swarming a bed of flowers. Much to my surprise, everyone was charging at the table, as if men going into battle with the shining aluminum foil and containers as their weapons, which was of course all provided for by the hosts. I just sat there and watched. It was quite a funny watching those people doing their thing with much gusto and seriousness. I just sat there for I didn’t want to get caught in the battlefield. Thanks to our friend we were still able to bring home some food without going through the same ordeal, hehehe… My only regret was not trying the cakes before they vanished into thin air.
The Rides
The Jungle Zone theme park, definitely gives you the “jungle” feeling. Children will surely have fun with all the rides. Most of the rides can be taken by kids 5 and up by themselves however, the younger ones, would need an adult around. With a band around her wrist that she was given upon entry to the park, Xiane could take all the rides she wanted. The good news is that each parent could accompany his/her child to the ride. Xiane had to try everything. First she took the “Elephant Jet” with her friend Princess and Uncle Nonoy. Then, she and her dad went to “The Mountain Coaster” which kinda scared her a bit because of the mummies inside the cave. Finally it was my turn with her. I took her to “The Wild Flume” ride and got ourselves wet as we plunged into the water. Xiane and I had so much fun at “The Crazy Jump”. We really went nuts every time we dropped. After this ride, my tummy felt like I had a hundred stomach crunches which I got trying to stop myself from screaming and laughing. And for the finale, I took her to “Honey Swing” which is like a bit of a cool down. This ride is somewhat relaxing, a perfect way to end the night. A warning to those who easily get dizzy spells though, this might not be too perfect for you. In all those rides, Xiane has shown how bold and brave she is for her age, unafraid to try new things though they maybe unknown to her … to this I proudly say “that’s my girl!”
A week before the party, we received the invitation which comes with the Jungle Zone birthday package. Attached to it is a stab, and upon entry to the theme park, you present the invitation. The staff cross-checks your name in the guest list provided by the host. After that your child gets a sticker which is worn around the wrist and will later be useful when it’s time to take the rides. You’ll pass by the rides before you reach the party room, which is at the innermost part of the park. For a kid, seeing all those rides can be very tempting, you have to constantly remind your child that he has to go to the party first. The room is located upstairs, the front of which has a veranda thus giving you a good view of the whole park. Inside the room, which has a capacity of more than 100 persons, all the party decorations and seats have already been arranged. All you need to do is wait for the party to start.
The Juggler and the Magician
At the start of the party, you’ll be entertained by a couple of performers. First, the juggler, who can juggle almost anything- from batons (of all sizes), hats, ring and balls. My daughter liked this one, I saw her laughing for the most part of it. On the other hand there’s the magician, who makes things, like handkerchiefs, flowers, balls, money appear and disappear. I think the magic thing kinda freaked out Xianelle a bit. This one is better appreciated by bigger kids and adults. Both performers are Filipinos and both guys also do the PA/ sound system. I bet they also helped decorate the place. All-in-all, the show was entertaining.
Parlor Games
Then it was time for parlor games. First was the “putting the Smarties in a cup game”, here 2 kids compete with each other and the one who placed the most Smarties, using a spoon, in cup wins. All the other smaller kids including my daughter surrounded the table as they watch the 2 bigger kids play against each other, as if wishing for those Smarties to be placed straight into their little mouths instead of the cups. Then there was the merry-go-round, I don’t suppose they call it “Trip to Jerusalem” here. I found this game quite dangerous for my kid and all the other younger kids. In the game, kids go around chairs that are placed side by side to form a circle while the music plays. When the music stops, they each should sit on the chair. The one who doesn’t get a chair gets eliminated. Next in line was the “longest happy birthday contest”. Here, each kid has to greet the birthday celebrant the longest time they can. The one with the longest time wins. Surprisingly, our little girl joined and won in the girls division with a record of 12 seconds! The last on the list was the “bring me” contest. Here the emcee asks for an item (a black wallet, the smallest shoe, etc.) and the first one to bring it wins a prize. There were 3 siblings whose parents arrived late that night, so during the game they tried to ask the items from other parents in order for them to win prizes. Smart, aren’t they!
The Guest and the Food
According to our friends, they were expecting around 85 (adults) and 50 (children) guests that night. Although there were a lot of guests who weren’t able to come due to some reason or another, the guests still totaled around 70 for the adults and 40 children, with some guests bringing along friends. But I wasn’t a concern at all for there was a lot of food that night. There were 5 viands catered by Orient Express, (for inquiries you can call 444 1255 or visit their main office at Al Sadd Street). The hosts and a few friends also volunteered to cook other viands like kare-kare, kaldereta, bopis (which was the bestseller that night) and estofado (which I personally cooked). My friend also prepared baked macaroni and I brought the good old pancit. There were all sorts of sweets, deserts and pastries such as puto, kutsinta, empanada, maja blanca, leche flan, gelatin, strawberry and chocolate cupcakes on ice cream cones, fruit salad, 3 chocolate moist cakes and an ube cake. Everyone was in for a delectable treat that night, except me, who being on a diet had to control myself. Even after everyone has eaten, there was still a lot of food enough to feed 30-50 more guests, not until the host gave the signal for the “take home”. In a matter of seconds the buffet table got surrounded by the guests, looking like bees swarming a bed of flowers. Much to my surprise, everyone was charging at the table, as if men going into battle with the shining aluminum foil and containers as their weapons, which was of course all provided for by the hosts. I just sat there and watched. It was quite a funny watching those people doing their thing with much gusto and seriousness. I just sat there for I didn’t want to get caught in the battlefield. Thanks to our friend we were still able to bring home some food without going through the same ordeal, hehehe… My only regret was not trying the cakes before they vanished into thin air.
The Rides
The Jungle Zone theme park, definitely gives you the “jungle” feeling. Children will surely have fun with all the rides. Most of the rides can be taken by kids 5 and up by themselves however, the younger ones, would need an adult around. With a band around her wrist that she was given upon entry to the park, Xiane could take all the rides she wanted. The good news is that each parent could accompany his/her child to the ride. Xiane had to try everything. First she took the “Elephant Jet” with her friend Princess and Uncle Nonoy. Then, she and her dad went to “The Mountain Coaster” which kinda scared her a bit because of the mummies inside the cave. Finally it was my turn with her. I took her to “The Wild Flume” ride and got ourselves wet as we plunged into the water. Xiane and I had so much fun at “The Crazy Jump”. We really went nuts every time we dropped. After this ride, my tummy felt like I had a hundred stomach crunches which I got trying to stop myself from screaming and laughing. And for the finale, I took her to “Honey Swing” which is like a bit of a cool down. This ride is somewhat relaxing, a perfect way to end the night. A warning to those who easily get dizzy spells though, this might not be too perfect for you. In all those rides, Xiane has shown how bold and brave she is for her age, unafraid to try new things though they maybe unknown to her … to this I proudly say “that’s my girl!”