June 10, 2015

A Day at DreamPlay City of Dreams Manila


 City of Dreams Manila recently opened the door to it's latest attraction "DreamPlay". 

DreamPlay is an interactive play concept, where kids and adults alike can play, create and learn with their favorite DreamWork's characters.


(image taken from Wikia.com)
 
Let me help you in planning your family day out, by sharing with you tips from our own experience, visiting DreamPlay.
 
1.  Get your tickets at an SM cinema ticket outlet.  We got ours at SM Aura before heading to the theme park. It proved to be a wise decision as the line queue outside the park is quite long.  I must have saved 30+ minutes waiting time.
 
You can buy tickets via SM cinema online, but these would need to be exchanged for the actual tickets in an SM cinema outlet.
 
 
 
 
 

2. Weekend/Holiday ticket rate is more expensive.

If possible go on a weekday and save money on your tickets.  I am assuming it is also less crowded on a weekday, so you can get the most out of your money.

(please read through above the themepark's general policies)
 

3. You ask, how many hours does one need to visit DreamPlay? 

Well, the answer depends on the following:
a. the age of your children
b. what activities you want to do
c. volume of guests/visitors inside the park


It is a relatively small park and very easy to navigate, especially if for older kids.  I got my family, two (2) hours adult and children's tickets.  I figured, I can easily get a top-up/upgrade (should we decide to extend).  The extension hours though is a tad more expensive, but only by a few pesos.


4. There is separate queuing for guests with pre-bought tickets.  We were asked to enter the back door via the DreamPlay souvenir shop entrance. Look for the guest services.

Entrance was a breeze and only took us 5 minutes tops.


 
At the guest services, I was asked to sign a parental consent form for my kids.  I only used one form for my 2 boys.
 
The attendant got our names and assigned us each an RFID wrist band.  
 
 
 
5. What's inside DreamPlay? The park has six (6) mini-zones.
 
a. Kung Fu Panda's  Wall of Destiny and Furious Academy
 
 
 
 

 
 
My youngest is too small to try the Wall of Destiny and opted for the Furious Academy. The concept is much like a Wii game were participants are asked to follow the actions of the characters.
 
 

 
 
b. Shrek's Swamp Stomp. Younger children would love to play around Shrek's swamp home.  They also may register for free for a cooking class at Gingy's Kitchen
 
Cooking looked fun and kids looked adorable in their chef's costume, unfortunately Gingy's filled up early and the next available time slot is at 8:30pm.
 
 
 

 

c.  How To Train your Dragon. My boys made their own dragons and had the chance to make them fly. 

 




d. Madagascar's Whatever Floats Your Boat, guests make their own boats and test-floats them. 
 
  
 

The Afro Circus is a play area for smaller children.

 


e. Dinotrux. You can build and pilot your own reptools in this zone.

f. DreamWorks - Dream Studio, Dream Tales Library and  Dream Theatre

Learn to create your own animation.

Watch a 5 minutes 4D movie.
 
 
Spend hours inside the Dream Tales Library, where occasional story telling and puppet shows are held.



7. Hungry? There are food outlets inside DreamPlay, but quite expensive.  Good, we had heavy lunch before heading to DreamPlay, so we were still too full for merienda. We did get the kids fries and drinks before leaving, which left a 300+ dent in papa's wallet.


(P140 bottomless cup and P90 for the fries)

Note, eating also consumes your DreamPlay time.  I suggest having a hearty meal elsewhere, before heading to DreamPlay.

6. Remember to check your time, excess time is rounded to an
extra hour, even for a fraction of time exceeded.


VERDICT
  • There are ample free indoor parking.  You only need to take an elevator and exit to the upper ground floor to get to the park, really convenient.
  • Unlike most theme parks, DreamPlay does not issue park maps. We were actually lost for a good 10-15 minutes wondering what to do and where to go.  I recommend you research first on the activities they offer, to plan your visit well.
  • DreamPlay is relatively small and is designed for kids 6-13 years old.  Activities for toddler guests is quite limited.
  • Souvenir items were as expected expensive.  They were pretty cute though... but, yeah still pricey!
 





I am not sure my kids will be begging to come back anytime soon. It was a good experience, but my kids have been to better parks before, so it was a hard comparison, with the size and limited activities a bit of a let down. 

DreamPlay is located at the City of Dreams
Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Entertainment City, ParaƱaque Manila
 

25 comments:

  1. I've been meaning to visit Dreamplay but I always read about the long queue. Thanks for sharing other option. Can you enjoy the park for 2hrs?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Michi buying via an SM cinema outlet was very helpful.

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  2. Mukhang okay pa kahit na aged 10 and up na kids ko!

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    1. Hi Rowena, the place is perfect for active kids. Unfortunately my boys prefer thrill rides, they don't think the activities at DreamPlay as exciting.

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  3. We were there earlier this week. I have not blogged about it. Will do a review before the week ends.

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

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    1. Hi mommy, I have seen your blog. You daughter looked like she had fun. Were you able to get senior citizen discount for your parents?

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  4. Everyday we pass by dreamplay, I would often say to myself, pupunta din ako one time. Buti you mentioned that there's a limited activities for toddler. I think my son would enjoy the colors of his surroundings pero baka hindi pa sya mag participate on games kaya siguro ide delay ko na lang ng slight ang pagpunta. hehe =)

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    1. Naku, kami we were there na then backed out kasi nga nalaman namin na hindi naman mageenjoy daughter ko since she's super small pa. Mas ok for us kidzoona

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    2. Kidzoona is also more affordable. DreamPlay is a bit expensive.

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  5. We were there earlier this week, too! My kids had fun there.

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    1. Hi mommy, it was a fun place, unfortunately my kids are more into thrill rides and games. It was just okay for my boys. For a cheaper active play alternative, for young kids I would recommend Active Fun at BGC.

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  6. The first time we visited COD di pa siya open, and when we went there naman, sobrang dami ng tao! I will take this as a tip not to go on a weekend and buy na lang tix over at sm cinemas. :)

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    1. Hi Millie, buying tickets at SM is a clever choice. I would have dropped out at an instant and left DreamPlay seeing such a long queue at ticketing - disheartening. Pre bought tickets was like a having a Disney fast pass!

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  7. My mommy friends asked us to join them here but I declined since I'm not sure if it's worth it (for those with younger kids). Seeing your photos, mukhang it's something my 4 and 2-year olds will like (I hope!).

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    Replies
    1. Yes it is quite expensive. Active kids will love it there. Our 2hours stay was just okay, We did not extend anymore since my boys got bored after a while.

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  8. I wanted to go there with my girls but I heard from friends it's not advisable for younger kids. We'll try siguro one of these days. Thanks for sharing! :)

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    1. Hi Ayi, how old are your girls? It depends really on what your children loves doing. Dreamplay is a fun place for kids, but not your typical themepark.

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  9. We've only seen Dreamplay from the outside. It was already too late for us to go in when we went there. Actually we're still thinking if it's worth going because our son's only 4 years old. But we also have 13 and 12 year old daughters who might enjoy it.

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    1. Hi Janice, you might want to try the 2hrs minimum first to see if they will like it. Though take note that there are no rides and activities are learning activities like cooking, making stuffs. If your older kids like that then they would probably enjoy. My boys are more into thrill rides and games, so the place was not really their idea if fun. 2hours was more than enough to see the place.

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  10. I haven't been here! sana mapuntahan din namin ito soon!

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  11. Ang saya kaso my son's small pa, pero thanks for this review, I think we'll wait nalang before we bring him there para sulit!:)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jhoanna, for smaller kids Kidzonia or Active Fun I think are better options.

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  12. I want to visit this one but some activities not yet fit to my kid maybe next year or this December. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anna, have you visited yet? Check out also KidZania is you have not yet visited. In my opinion it is way better than Dream Play.

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Would love to know your thoughts!