Jun04TOPFECs

This year IAAPA invited FECs from around the world to enter its inaugural Top FECs of the World awards program. Eleven winners were chosen, and each issue of Funworld this year will feature one of the winners.

A story is always being told at Storyland. Opened in 1996 as the first world-class indoor amusement center in the Philippines, Storyland operates as an ongoing stage production, in which each member of the staff plays an important role in maintaining the enveloping theme.

Storyland rotates themes and special events on a monthly basis. More than mere marketing ploys, the themes are carefully integrated with Filipino cultural events so as to add an educational element for guests. For example, in August the park hosts its “Heritage Festival,” which features ethnic and Filipino products, educational events, and a weekend bazaar. September is the Filipino Month of Grandparents, and activities are filled with relationship-enriching activities for the entire family. In November and December, Storyland celebrates a traditional Filipino Christmas.

Along with its themeing, Storyland’s calendar is packed with special events and offerings. For the Chinese New Year, dragon- and lion-costumed dancers are invited to the park as an offering of good luck. Later in the year, a Duet Singing Contest attracts enthusiastic participants, a Mommy Fair offers free makeovers to mothers, McDonald’s holds its Fun Day at the park, and an Art Exhibit features nearly 500 paintings from a children’s art workshop.

Storyland’s strategies work. The FEC’s attendance exceeds 1.1 million visitors per year. Of those guests, 75 percent come as part of a family group, and Storyland aims much of its regular entertainment at this market. For example, two large arcades are featured in an area called The Game Zone. Fourteen video games and 14 token-operated redemption machines challenge players and reward both winners and losers with prizes. The area also offers three karaoke rooms. The karaoke’s variety of choices, from classic rock to the latest hip hop, lets a wide range of ages enjoy the music together.

Eight customized family rides can be found in the park, including the Silver Streak roller coaster, the Atom Smasher bumper cars, the Barn Stormer Airplane ride, and the Magic Beanstalk carousel. The Storyland train takes passengers on a trip around the mall. Young children are offered special opportunities—for example, the Fun Paddler ride consists of small boats made from molded plastic with little paddle wheels at the side. Situated next to the adult-sized Cotton Blossom steam boat, which adds to the seafaring theme of the area, the Fun Paddler lets children enjoy safe fun on the water.

Other kiddie rides are scattered throughout the park area and come in appealing designs such as castles, cars, animals, and cartoon characters. And for special occasions, the park operates three party rooms. The largest room can accommodate 120 guests and the two smaller rooms can be combined to fit 200 guests. The rooms feature glow-in-the-dark cosmic designs, and at birthday parties the lights are turned off for a UV-light effect that creates an out-of-this-world feeling.
Perhaps the favorite area for dads and teenagers is the Grandslam Shootout—two basketball shooting ranges equipped with electronic scoreboards and shot clocks. Players can choose from three categories of difficulty when they compete, and prizes are given to anyone who reaches a minimum score. For the top scorers of the day, however, special awards await, and they qualify to compete for the weekly and monthly championships in which cash prizes are given. For special events such as Father’s Day, children and dads team up to play for the annual Father’s Day title.

With so much well-planned variety, Storyland guests can be sure that no matter when they visit, they’ll be offered education and excitement suitable for the whole family.