Kids Will Get a Kick Out of Kung Fu Panda Academy at The Sheraton Macao

Because what kid doesn’t want to spend an afternoon becoming a Kung Fu Master?

Who doesn’t secretly worship Macau as an easy escape from the Hong Kong crazy? Proximity, price, food, hotels, entertainment – there’s no denying that Asia’s Vegas has stacks of aces up its sleeve.

But what happens when you’re travelling with those mini humans you invented (the ones who insist on following you everywhere?). Gambling, sightseeing and luxury shopping are all good when it’s just the girls, but fall flat in the face of the world’s tiniest (and toughest) crowd.

So thank the stars Macau has gone for broke and laid out some awesome family-friendly fun in recent years, much of it originating at the gorgeous Sheraton Macao, which shot to the top of many families’ accommodation wish lists when it opened in 2012.

Why is the Sheraton Macao so fancypants for families?

A pack of reasons, all housed within its two magnificent towers (Sky and Earth). From its cute and spacious DreamWorks-themed family suites, to the signature restaurants serving up delish Asian and international cuisine (Bene, Feast and Xin), to the expansive LA-style pool deck, to the lush-smelling ‘Shine’ spa that I wandered into thinking I was in a George Clooney bouquet – the Sheraton is determined to win over both big and little people alike. As Macau’s biggest hotel with nearly 4000 rooms, there’s also endless carpeted hallways for kids to dart through and expend energy in because, whichever way you turn, there’s always more Sheraton (it’s the planet’s largest!).

 

So what about this Kung Fu Panda Academy thing?

Think 1.5–hours of mini-me goodness based on the hit film franchise Kung Fu Panda starring Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan. Your kids will gladly fill you in on the plot in excruciating detail; basically, in a fictitious ancient China populated by talking animals, a lovable panda called Po dreams of becoming a kung fu master amid the escape of an evil kung fu warrior he’s chosen to fend off. The Sheraton Macao has repackaged the hilarious tale into a fun, five-zone interactive obstacle course that challenges kids aged 4 to 12 to become a ‘kung fu master’. My ankle biter was the youngest contender at just age 3, inviting me to spend most of the time chasing him between all the exciting zones. But for those aged 4 and up, it’s the perfect place to tire them out before or after lunch. Jackpot!

Zone 1: Prepare To Be A Kung Fu Master

Tapping into the mind first, masters-to-be create personalised headbands that express their creativity and reflect their baby badass warrior spirits.

 Zone 2: Kung Fu Courage Training

It’s time to step into action, where littlies in training learn basic kung fu skills from a ‘teacher’, showing off what they’ve learned in a live test. Eeep!

Zone 3: Respect – Mr Ping’s Noodle Shop

Po’s old man ran a noodle shop in the movie, and here the participants can create delectable dishes dreamt up by Po’s ‘father’.

Zone 4: Focus – Leaps Training

Balance, speed and patience are keys to kung fu, and mini masters merge body and mind in this challenge, where they navigate wooden poles of different heights.

Zone 5: Diligence – The Final Test

Moving through an obstacle course, the challengers have to pass one final, secret test before their path to becoming a kung fu master is complete. Bless!

Once the masters have graduated and are kitted out with an adorable kung fu costume, watch their faces as Po (or Tigress) finally arrives to check out their new moves and pose for pics! Afterwards, they can take home a goodie bag, packed with a water tumbler, colouring sheet, Po fan, headband, and certificate.

My wee one Brady was too scared to take a pic, so here’s one with my husband and baby. See, Brady? Po rocks!

We’re kung fu masters! Whoop! But what else can we do at the Sheraton before heading home?

Apart from the obligatory swimming and shopping, make sure you sign up for Shrekfast. Um, can I have this on tap, please? Meals in public places translate to my kids as, “Hey, wanna have a meltdown of legendary proportions?” Except, in this colourful banquet room, eyes popped from their heads as the celebrity king himself and his DreamWorks friends paraded and danced in front of them while they ate. And, who knew, these guys can seriously bust a move!

By this point in the proceedings, Master Brady was open to a happy snap with a giant furry thing. Success!

While you can stay confident that there’s always something for the kiddies at the Sheraton Macao, you might (*cough*) kick yourself if you miss out on Kung Fu Panda Academy before Po packs up his noodle box and totters off back to Hollywood.

All the details:

Kung Fu Panda Academy:

Dates:	Every day, now until 3 January 2016
Times:	Monday through Friday, 1 session per day: 11:00am – 12:15 pm Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays, 2 sessions per day: 11:00-12:15 pm & 2:00- 3:15 pm
Location:	Caspian Ballroom on Level 4 Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central
Price:	MOP200 per child (Complimentary entry for one adult and MOP100 for each additional adult)
Ages:	Children 4 – 12

Sweeten the pot with the Sheraton Macao Kung Fu Panda Package, where kids Stay, Play, and Eat for Free, combined with ferry tickets, accommodation and fab dining or spa offers:

Stay one night from HKD$1,498^++*

Stay:	One night for two adults in a Deluxe King or Twin Room
Dine:	Breakfast or lunch at a designated hotel restaurant
Play:	Redeem two Kung Fu Panda Academy entry tickets OR Redeem MOP200 Shine Spa for Sheraton and restaurant vouchers**
Special offers:	Redeem two, one-way Cotai Water Jet Cotai Class tickets between Macau and Hong Kong or the Hong Kong International Airport OR Redeem MOP200 Shine Spa for Sheraton and restaurant vouchers**
Just for kids:	Kids Stay, Play and Eat for free***

Stay two nights for more treats:

Stay:	An additional night in a Deluxe King or Twin Room
Dine:	Breakfast or lunch at a designated hotel restaurant
Special offers:	Redeem MOP300 Shine Spa for Sheraton and restaurant vouchers**

Also check out the DreamWorks Family Suite Package^{^} from HKD$2,588^++*

Stay:	One night for two adults and two children in a Family Suite
Dine:	Breakfast or lunch at a designated hotel restaurant
Play:	Redeem two Kung Fu Panda Academy entry tickets Receive one DreamWorks Experience Welcome Kit Enjoy unlimited in-suite movies
Special offers:	Redeem two, one-way Cotai Water Jet Cotai Class tickets between Macau and Hong Kong or the Hong Kong International Airport OR Redeem MOP200 Shine Spa for Sheraton and restaurant vouchers**

*This rate does not include 10% service charge and 5% government tax.

**Spa and restaurant vouchers can be redeemed at Shine Spa for Sheraton, Feast, Bene, Xin, and Palms; and can also be used to purchase retail products; or redeem Kung Fu Panda Academy entry tickets; or for an upgrade to enjoy Shrekfast.

***Kids Stay, Play and Eat for Free is a special bonus offer for guests who book this package. When adults dine at Feast or Xin, children can eat for free. Or, when one adult spends MOP300 at Bene, one child can enjoy a complimentary Bene kid’s set menu offer.

Note: One MOP100 voucher can be used to redeem one Kung Fu Panda Academy entry ticket. Terms & Conditions apply.

Shrekfast:

Dates:                        Daily, year-round
Times:                       8:00am – 9:30am

Location:      Urumqi Ballroom, Level 4, Sands® Cotai Central

Price:             Adult – MOP/HKD 238⁺ / Child – MOP/HKD 138⁺ / Family Package (3 Family Persons + 1 Child) – MOP/HKD688⁺
Reservations: +853 8113 7915 / +853 8113 7916, or email [email protected], or approach the DreamWorks Experience Reservation Counter (next to Paradise Gardens, Sands® Cotai Central, open daily from 11:00am to 8:00pm).