Fantasy World (theme park)
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Interactive map of Fantasy World | |
| Coordinates | 14°00′56.7″N 120°52′24.9″E / 14.015750°N 120.873583°E |
|---|---|
| Owner | ECE Realty & Development Inc. |
| Theme | Fantasy medieval |
| Area | 195 ha (480 acres) — planned |
| Theme park never operated as intended. | |
Fantasy World is an unfinished theme park in Lemery, Batangas, Philippines. With no operational rides, the site functions as a photo park.
History
Fantasy World was initially intended to be a members-only club[1] but was changed into a resort-theme park open to tourists coming from Metro Manila and Calabarzon. It received an endorsement from the Department of Tourism in 1997.[1] Land acquisition started in January 1999 while site development began in October with ECE Realty & Development Inc. as the project's initial developer.[1][2][3] In 2001, it was granted pioneer incentives by the Board of Investments.[1]
It was touted to be the "Disney World of the Philippines" and was envisioned to dwarf Enchanted Kingdom.[3] The project was expected to cost ₱17 billion and was to be fully operational by 2005.[3] However, due to financial issues and illness of ECE Realty head Emilio Ching, development of Fantasy World halted in the mid-2000s.[4][5]
Fantasy World was then open to the public in the early 2010s as a site for photoshoots.[6] The site then was bought by new owners.[4]
Facilities
Fantasy World is a medieval theme park which was projected to cover an area of 195 ha (480 acres) if completed. This includes the 85-hectare (210-acre) main area of the theme park, a 35-hectare (86-acre) water park, a 45-hectare (110-acre) golf course and a 30-hectare (74-acre) country club and resort.[3] The existing developed includes non-functional rides. A Bavarian-inspired castle serves as the centerpiece of Fantasy World.[6][4] The planned hotel was to have 504 rooms.[2]
In popular culture
ABS-CBN's fantasy anthology series Wansapanataym was filmed at Fantasy World for the episodes "Sine-World" and "Rapunzel".
GMA's 2006 television series Majika was filmed at Fantasy World. Likewise, some scenes of Fantastica of Star Cinema and Viva Films were shot at the theme park.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "ECE's P1-B theme park gets perks". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 16, 2001.
- 1 2 Go, Marianne (April 16, 2001). "Fantasy World project gets BOI perks: P1-B tourism facility soon to rise in Batangas". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 Salazar, Tessa R (February 8, 2000). "Fantasy World's fairy-tale castle almost complete". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
- 1 2 3 4 Pastrana, Kathleen (December 31, 2018). "Fantasy World: The abandoned fortress". Sunstar. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- ↑ Domingo, Katrina (May 21, 2017). "6 things to do at the 'abandoned castle' in Batangas". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
- 1 2 Uy, Sasha Lim (October 17, 2017). "The Unfinished Mystery of Fantasy World in Batangas". Esquire. Retrieved November 16, 2021.