Family Fun at Resorts World Manila: Kid-Friendly Things To Do

The Newport Theater Lobby where mass is held.

Sometimes we stumble into unlikely comfort zones. We visit a place once, then a second time, and a few more times, and before long, we inevitably establish routines with the frequently visited place as we come to know its ins and outs. That happened to my family with Resorts World, an unlikely place to take my kids to because it is well known for it's main attraction: the casino. Of course it also has other things besides, like a few stores for shopping, some dining options, two salons, a performing arts theater, and cinemas. I've been bringing my kids a lot to Resorts World lately, thanks to my parents, who are addicted to the place.  They're NOT gambling addicts, mind you. But they are addicted to many things like freebies (free parking, free buffets, free movies).  They are also addicted to the process of saving up. For decades in their married life, they saved up for cars, a house, our education, travel funds and so on. And now that they've retired, and are committed to enjoying every minute of their retirement, they find in their Resorts World card, a daily dose of "savings" through their accumulation of gaming points.  This in turn, they religiously use to treat us to simple joys: a family meal; a movie date; and always, free parking.  As their invitations became more frequent, I realized how convenient our trips has been for me, even with my kids around. Here's my list of kid-friendly things to do at Resorts World.

The priest, taking time to talk to churchgoers - as though
in a usual parish church. This doesn't feel like a casino!

1) SUNDAY MASS. It was a pleasant surprise to experience a solemn Eucharistic Celebration just above the casino.  On Sundays, at 11 am, the large foyer/lobby of the Newport Performing Arts Theater is converted into a place of prayer. Cushioned stacking chairs are arranged in rows, an altar is set up, and a choir and other mass servers are imported from a nearby church. The place is secluded, with no disturbance from foot traffic.  It's really comfortable, with the strong air-con, and the good acoustics.  The carpeting also helps absorb sound, so the place is quieter than a usual church.  If one could get past the flashy light fixtures, and the multi-colored carpet, one could really concentrate on the mass here. An added plus for moms: there are elevators for strollers; and there's a little "holding room" of sorts, a lounging area to the side, with nice, long couches, where a crying baby or fussing toddler can be appeased out of view while the parents still get to attend mass.  

Lolo and Narra at the entrance to the Game Zoo.

2) GAME ZOO: On the fourth floor, across the cinema ticket counter, is the newly opened Game Zoo withe usual arcade games for older kids.  While my kids are too young to play with most of the games, Narra had fun at the entrance where a strip of liquid-filled tiles changed color when stepped on. 

Narra jumping on the liquid lava/liquid motion tiles.

She enjoyed jumping on those squares.  She spent many minutes just playing by the entrance.  And inside the arcade, there's more of that kind of flooring, a bigger cut of liquid-filled/liquid lava/liquid motion tile mounted on an elevated section.  

Inside the squeaky clean and shiny new Game Zoo.

One thing I like about the Game Zoo is the sparkling, shiny floor.  The layout is stroller friendly and spacious - and not cramped like most other arcades which tend to be packed with too many machines.  The place looks, feels, and smells clean, and I hope they keep it that way.

One of the seating areas outside the cinemas.

3. CINEMAS: Newport Cinemas have the earliest show times in town. As early as 9:00 am, they already have movies playing.  This means the theaters are almost empty.  I like taking my young kids and their yayas to movies here early in the morning, to avoid the crowd. This way, it feels like we have the whole place to ourselves, as though we are at home. The kids can make noise without disturbing anyone.  The theaters also seem squeaky clean, so I'm not too scared of germs and bugs. I recently took the yayas there, because they wanted to see John Lloyd Cruz's latest flick.  The tickets, were of course, free, thanks to my parents and their religious accumulation of game points. 

Grandparents with their grandkids.

Even the posh Ultra cinema is part of the Resorts World Rewards program.  For 100 gaming points, one can enjoy the ultimate viewing experience, with extra wide seats, super ample leg room, fully reclining seats, unlimited popcorn, and drinks, all served by a butler.  Sigh (a nice, super contented kind of sigh).  I feel spoiled whenever I watch movies there.  The generous and comfy seating areas outside the cinemas are also kid-friendly.  There's ample room for running on carpeted floors, and the couches and nice lounge chairs offer much needed rest from carrying my baby around. Our family gatherings on weekends involved a lot of waiting time.  Most of the time, waiting is done in discomfort. But not here! It's fun to lounge around here, it's almost difficult to get everyone to stand up and leave. It's precious, seeing my parents bond with my children here, as though they were on a park bench in some plaza somwehere. In many ways, Resorts World functions like a town center, or community center for us. A place to go to, for relaxation and recreation - which is what the developers intended all along, it seems to me.

                          

4. WHOLESOME SHOWS. There are a lot of family-friendly events going on as well. From free concerts, to ballet recitals, and of course, the most popular musical of all time - The Sound of Music! a show which has extended its run so many times, from December, extended to February, then to May. I watched it with my sister and Oliver last year - back then, Narra was still too young, but by May, she will be three, which is the minimum age requirement to enter the theater.  My sister, her ever generous ninang, asked me if she could bring Narra to see the musical. 

There are also "Meet-and-Greet" sessions with all sorts of characters, for holidays, or in sync with the opening of a new movie.  Yesterday, March 10, for instance, there was a Meet-and-Greet session with Dr. Seuss' "the Lorax".  We didn't get to bring Narra to this because we had a birthday dinner to attend.

Sunday lunch at Johnny Chow's...two long tables full of Serranilla kin.

5. FAMILY DINING.  And then of course, there are the restaurants. Most of the establishments have high chairs (a clear sign that kids are welcome), and smoking and non-smoking sections are clearly delineated. What's nice about the restaurants on the second floor is their arrangement, surrounding a nice, wide, central "plaza" with a fountain. Kids can stroll around, and even run, before or after the food is served, a good way to keep them from fussing in confined spaces.  There's an option to dine inside, in the enclosed section, or outside, somewhat "al fresco" (though still in air conditioned comfort).  When my kids are sleeping, I prefer to stay indoors, in a quiet corner way at the back of the resto; when they are awake and active, I prefer to stay outside, so they can stroll.  I like the size of the plaza. Big enough to feel like a wide open space, but small enough to see my kids even if they're at the other end of the plaza.

So Resorts World has become something of a comfort zone. A small place to go to where I don't have to deal with crazy crowds. Where I can go to watch a movie with my kids! Where I can enjoy some quiet catch-up conversation with my sister, minus the usual circus at busier malls. Where my retired parents and young kids can enjoy each other's company in comfort and cleanliness. I really hope this place remains well-maintained in years to come.