A Pantastic Schedule to the Pantastic Party

Animal encounters, activities booths and light attractions- so many activities, so little time.

Written by Y.S. Chia

Singapore's Resident Panda Cub, Le Le has turned 1 this year. Cool right?

To celebrate, River Wonders has put together a month-long celebration - A Pantastic Party that takes place from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm and goes on till 11 September. With $20 tickets, the event boasts animal encounters, mascot meetups, activity booths(of course need pay more) and some pretty chio light exhibits.

Ironically because the event is held at night, you won't get to see the pandas - a bit funny ah.

The event is catered to kids and I guess those who say "I'm a kid at heart" but if you're deadset on trying out everything, I have to say the activity timings are abit tight. Nevertheless, we the Honest People went down and have come up with a schedule for you and your kid - IF you hardcore want to do everything.

What We Did

7:30 - Let Sparks Fly

If you are kiasu(in which case please chill out) you can book a 7:30 entrance session and join the staff in singing happy birthday to Lele at the entrance.

It was here that I realised I really am too old for this.

7:45 - 8:15 A Light Stroll Your destination is the Boat Plaza, but as you walk there you can admire the small panda-themed light artworks.

If you think it's okay only - then wait till you see the bridge that screams make a music video with me.

The row of lanterns with the Pen-A-Wish for Lele, was very inviting, and you can send our little Kung Fu Panda letters for $2.

8:15 - 8:45 A Wild Animal Meet Up Has Appeared!

While the Pandas are asleep you can still kaypoh their unlucky neighbours at the Boat Plaza's Amazing Encounters with River Stars. There River Wonders staff will introduce you to Capybaras, Palm Civets and other furry friends.

Source: (This is just a pic of the Capybara. You won't get to feed them)

845 - 915 Get a Glo Up

If the animal charm has worn off, head back across the bridge and try some fringe activities! For $10 each you can try Glo- Art Jamming, Tote Bag Glow Stamping, Acrylic Box Art, Glo-Terrarium, Oil Painting or Play dough(heh?). Honestly right - If I were you I would just go for the Acryllic Box Art or Glo-Terrarium. Oil Painting maybe? Not sure whether the Terrarium is supposed to glow though because mine doesn't.

Keep in mind, that these are activities meant for kids so it won't take u too long.

915 - 945 Light It Up

If you thought River Wonders was done with their light stuff - they weren't - and that's great! The Bamboo Forest is a bit of a letdown - just some walls of bamboo built around the Lantern Tunnel, so more like a Bamboo box.

The Lantern Tunnel, however, was damn chio. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors reflect a myriad of colours emitted from various lanterns held in the air.

Honestly feels like an Art Science Museum exhibit sia. On your way out, you can see the Pantastic Shadow Trail, a simple series of adorable light projections of the pandas. Feels like the Mr Bean end credits if anyone remembers...

1000 - A Finale Under the River

If you've managed to reach the Amazon Flooded Forest by 10 pm, or 10:10 pm, then thumbs up man!

You could stone in the comforting sight of Manatees drifting around - or if you're very ons and got some dough - join the Shadow Box Light Art workshop ($30) or the LED Canvas Art workshop($20)!

I say first though, it gets very crowded on weekends and school holidays so these activities may not be available when you visit. If you're kiasu, you can always pre-book this one.

Honest Opinion

By no means Pantastic, but not painful either. - 3.5/5

As I said before, we are too old for this already - not the target demographic. We may see this plan as the best way to "maximise" our $20 ticket, but our 9-year-old neighbour could care less. Xiao Hua might just be happy seeing a Panda mascot(didn't write because adults could care less), writing a note to lele and figuring out what came out of the Manatee at the aquarium(Its poo.) He doesn't need to do everything- he just wants to have fun. That said right, I think the light exhibits were really pretty, especially The Lantern Tunnel and the lights at River Wonders Bridge.

The Glo-Terrarium and Shadow Box Light Art Workshop are also interesting activities.

This event ain't Pantastic, but it's pretty cool to me.

You can celebrate Lele's Pantastic Party at River Wonders from 7:30 -11:30 pm from 17 August to 5 September.

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About the Writer: Y.S. Chia(he/him) is our 20-year-old Honest Agent who loves going on adventures - be it hiking nature trails or checking out Singapore's latest festivals. When he's not out and about, you can find him being a potato watching netflix or on the rare occasion - at the gym.