Family Staycation: Our Hotel H2O and Manila Ocean Park Experience (Part 2)
This is Part 2 of my post about our Family Staycation, where I'm going to document our Manila Ocean Park experience.
If you want to see my review of Hotel H2O, you can read Part 1 of my post HERE.
MANILA OCEAN PARK
We spent the afternoon at Manila Ocean Park. We had Deep Sea Rush tickets which included 6 MOP attractions (a ticket costs 580php if you buy at the ticket booth, but only 550php when you book at the hotel):
- Oceanarium
- Back of the House
- Jellies Exhibit
- Sea Lion Show
- Sharks and Rays Dry Encounter
- Symphony Evening Show
The hotel gave us a list of the exhibits and their corresponding schedules, so we were able to plan our day. I think you can also get a list from the ticket booth, but I've listed the schedules here too :)
It's easy to get around since there are directional signs all over, so you won't get lost. Here is the map of the place...
Our first visit was to the Jellies Exhibit, where you enter a dark room and there are a variety of Jellyfish behind the glass. They looked like they were glowing in the dark.
It's easy to get around since there are directional signs all over, so you won't get lost. Here is the map of the place...
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| Click to enlarge |
Jellies Exhibit Schedule:
Weekdays: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Weekends & Holidays: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
We visited the Oceanarium next, and we loved it! The kids where pointing at all the fish and saying "fish! fish!" every time. It's fun to see excitement and wonder in their eyes.
This is the highlight of our visit since you get to see a lot of different sea creatures here.
This is the highlight of our visit since you get to see a lot of different sea creatures here.
Oceanarium Schedule:
Weekdays: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Weekends & Holidays: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
First, you are welcomed by an outdoorsy aquarium with big and small fish, star fish, and crocodiles...
First, you are welcomed by an outdoorsy aquarium with big and small fish, star fish, and crocodiles...
You cross the bridge to enter a room of little aquariums full of more fish and sea creatures... Though there weren't seahorses, and Kiel was asking me where they are. Maybe MOP should consider putting seahorses next time :)
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| We saw a lot of fish and sea animals. In this photo there are Rock fish, Clown fish a.k.a. Nemo, Nautilus, Lion Fish, and Sea Garden eels. There are tons more kinds of fish, but I won't spoil you too much with their pictures :) |
Next, you enter a room of large aquariums with the sharks and swordfish...
This is our favorite part, the big dome in the oceanarium, as if you were under the sea too...
Those are stingrays overhead...
Next we went to the Back of the House, which was disappointing because no one really toured us to what was supposed to be a view of how MOP takes care of their marine life and maintains the place. We just passed by the "back of the house" literally. So I have no pictures to show here...
To make up for such disappointment, we went to Trails of Antarctica (Penguin Exhibit & Snow Village) next. This attraction was not included in our tickets, so we paid for the entrance fee separately, which was 200php/person.
Trails to Antarctica (Penguin Exhibit & Snow Village) Schedule:
Weekdays: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Weekends: 10:00am to 8:00pm
Trails to Antarctica (Penguin Exhibit & Snow Village) Schedule:
Weekdays: 11:00am to 8:00pm
Weekends: 10:00am to 8:00pm
There were only a few penguins, but the kids enjoyed seeing them live anyway, and you can pay separately if you want to feed them. Penguin feeding is 300php for 2 persons, 100php per additional person, comes with free 6R photo.
We enjoyed our freezing time inside the snow village too. They give out jackets, but it's better if you have your own, and a scarf would be helpful too, since it's really cold! The kids wore their jackets plus the jackets from MOP, double layers, because it's that cold.
Next, we waited for the Sea Lion show to start. We watched the 3:00PM show, so it was hot. Good thing we had our own water bottles and fan. There were also roaming vendors selling popcorn and drinks.
Daily Show Schedule: 11:00 am, 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm
After that, we rested back at our hotel room. We woke up just in time to watch the Symphony Evening Show, which shows every night at 6:30PM. I recommend you seat at the top back, because some of the water effects splashes and reaches the seats. We got a little wet where we were seated.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to try the Sharks and Rays dry encounter because they had a sudden change in schedule because they were having a video shoot. Besides, you aren't allowed to take pictures there too.
Other helpful information (Park Guidelines):
- KIDS 2 FEET BELOW are FREE OF CHARGE. (My one year old got in free, since we carried her, they did not check her height, but she is a little bit taller that 2 feet)
- MOP will not be liable for any lost or stolen tickets. MOP will not be liable to any injury due to negligence.
- As a gesture to other Park goers, guests are requested not to have obscenities or lewd gestures during the staging of the shows. Likewise, No running, horseplaying, pushing, dunking, shoulder riding or other inappropriate behaviour shall be allowed.
- Children under 10 years old must be supervised by their parents.
- NO REFUND POLICY shall apply. However a CHANGE SCHEDULE shall be entertained. Occasionally, during severe weather conditions, shows may need to be delayed or suspended. MOP reserves the right to NO REFUND POLICY. However, guests can use their attraction tickets on another day or show schedule. They may also exchange a show ticket with another attraction.
Overall, we enjoyed our stay there, it was a one-of-a-kind experience and the kids loved it too. My son wouldn't want to leave the next morning when I told him we had to go home, he insisted that was his house now with the fish!
Interested in spending your staycation and family field trip here too?
For booking information and ticket purchases:
Address: Luneta, Manila, Philippines 1000 (Behind the Quirino Grandstand)
HOTEL H2O
Website: https://www.hotelh2o.com/
Tel. #: (02) 238 6100
Reservation: reservation@hotelh2o.com
Hotel Inquiry: inquiry@hotelh2o.com
Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotelH2OPH
MANILA OCEAN PARK
Website: https://www.manilaoceanpark.com/
Tel. #: (02) 567 7777
Email: inquiry@manilaoceanpark.com
Like on Facebook: Manila Ocean Park (Official)
10 comments
they already made several improvements since they opened it years ago. Manila Ocean Park is one place that kids will never be tired of visiting and even adults can enjoy it as well.
ReplyDeleteManila Ocean Park talaga is on my bucket list! Sayang we weren't able to visit it when we were in Manila. Hopefully we can go back soon!
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Manila Ocean Park several times due to my children's field trips when they were young. Haven't had the opportunity to try staying at Hotel H20 though.It seems a lot more convenient to catch all the attractions while staying in the hotel.
ReplyDeleteI can see they added a few more attractions to MOP :)
ReplyDeleteMy two older kids and hubby have all toured Manila Ocean Park years ago on field trips. However, our youngest son and I have only been to the pool area when we went swimming one time. We got to see the Sea Lion show and Symphony Evening Show because they're staged right at the pool area. Would be nice to go back there soon.
ReplyDeletewow.. Manila Ocean Park has really improved through the years.. A little bit more, and add in some rides and they could be in the competition with the international ones like Ocean Adventure in Hong Kong. :)
ReplyDeleteWhoa! I've only been there once. It had just opened at the time. There are so much more stuff to do there now! I really have to take my family there soon! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteWe're planning to go there with the kids before school starts but everything else is so hectic. Sayang. Anyway, looks like you had fun! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, (despite some minor disappointments) this is really fun! Visiting these places is actually one of my family bucketlist which I hope to achieve this year or early next year. This post really encourages me to work on our budget na! hehe :)
ReplyDeleteWanted to stay here too! Soon, may be!
ReplyDelete