If you are looking for somewhere exciting to take your family, you don’t have to look farther than the newest ride at the Amusement Park in SM Mall of Asia (MOA)—the MOA Eye, better known as the giant ferris wheel along the boardwalk behind MOA.
Opened last Dec. 17, it stands 160-ft high and spans 55 meters in diameter. It is the largest of its kind in the country.
My first glimpse of it happened just before Christmas during a gathering of friends at Midas Hotel. Looking out from the balcony of the Pacquiao Suite, we all wondered what the revolving lights were behind MOA. Someone even said it looked a little like a yoyo.
I always knew they were constructing something big there more than a month leading up to its opening, but it was not until I actually visited the amusement park that I got a better appreciation of its size.
The Eye has 36 regular cabins and six VIP cabins. All are air-conditioned with seats, so whether it’s hot and humid or rainy and wet, passengers can enjoy the 10-minute ride to the top that will give them a panoramic view of the entire bayside.
The price to ride the new attraction is P150 for the regular cabin, which can accommodate a maximum of six passengers. The six VIP cabins, which cost P300, have leather seats and are heavily tinted to prevent onlookers from looking in. I guess you have to pay a little more for privacy.
For those looking for a more romantic ride, you can actually rent the VIP cabins for a private dinner complete with food and wine. An interesting option come Valentine’s Day if you still don’t have something set up.
The MOA Eye is the latest addition to the ever-growing number of attractions and rides in SM Mall of Asia’s Amusement Park. There are 16 attractions in the park, including a Grand Carousel. Entrance to the park is free so visitors need only to pay for the ride.
It is operated by SM Prime Holdings, S&T Leisure Worldwide Inc., and Pacific Leisure Group.
The best time to see and ride the Eye is in the evening, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when there are fireworks at the bay, but do come early and expect long lines.
