Parking Problems Finally Solved in time for the 2012 Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark Philippines
Good news to commuters from Manila planning to drive out of town to Pampanga as well as residents of Angeles City planning to attend the 2012 Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark in February.
Along with poor queue management at the gate causing long lines to purchase admission tickets to enter the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta site, the two other biggest complaints heard from past Hot Air Balloon Festival events in Clark were (1) poor food and beverage services and dirty dining facilities and (2) parking.
Last year visitors driving up from Manila to attend the Clark Hot Air Balloon Fiesta encountered great difficulties in finding suitable parking at a convenient location. Many visitors spent half an hour going around Clark in search for a parking space only to park their cars in a place far away from the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta site. A lot of visitors had to walk 15 to 30 minutes to get to Hot Air Balloon Festival site and back afterwards. Those families with small children suffered the most inconvenience and hardship which caused serious disappointment to their Hot Air Balloon Festival experience.
Each year in February, thousands of visitors arrive in Clark for a weekend of festivities surrounding the hot air balloons that gather up in the same location inside Air Force City near the Clark International Airport called DMIA. The large volume of arrivals strains the infrastructure of Clark past its limits. As the Hot Air Balloon festival approaches its climax on Sunday, support facilities and services start to buckle under pressure and complaints from participants mount.
HOT AIR BALLOON PARKING FACILITIES OPENED IN CLARK WINE CENTER
Sites of Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and notable establishments in Clark Philippines
Addressing this parking problem for the 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark in 2012, the Clark Wine Center opens a portion of its property for parking. Clark Wine Center is conveniently located near the Hot Air Balloon Site.
Parking is now available at Clark Wine Center a flat day-rate of php150 until 7pm. Overnight parking is php150 from 7pm until 6am next morning.
Situated conveniently near to the Hot Air Balloon site, visitors not only can park their cars at the Clark Wine Center parking area but can also purchase tickets to take a lunch break and enjoy a fine meal before rejoining the hot air balloon festivities nearby.
Tickets to this special Hot Air Balloon Fiesta lunch at Clark Wine Center must be purchased in advance. Ticket price is php550 for adults and php250 for children. Only a small number of seats are available and once tickets are sold out, no more will be made available. Payments can be made through bank deposits or Paypal. Ticket holders may validate their parking tickets.
Don’t let problems put a damper on the thrills and excitement of the 2012 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga. Set up the trip well in advance and enjoy this famous annual festival in style and comfort.
Click here to purchase your tickets for Hot Air Balloon Lunch at the Clark Wine Center in advance
For hotel reservations, questions on good restaurants and hotels in Clark, please contact:
Yats International Leisure Philippines
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
Hot lines for purchasing of tickets to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark are:
0917-540-3626
(045) 841-4006
(632) 633-1566
0917-826-8790
(045) 599-5949
0917-530-6242
0917-520-4403
HotAirBalloon@ClarkPhilippines.com
Smart tourists would probably choose to avoid the weekend and check in on Wednesday or Thursday instead. Although the programs for those two days may not sound as exciting as that on the grand finale Sunday or the penultimate Saturday lead-up, many can probably approach the balloons and the crew with less obstacles on Thursday and Friday. Rooms may still be available but many tourists and local residents travelling north from Manila are booking them fast.
Clearwater Resort and Country Club
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo, Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177 Joanne, Jeremy or Marilou
www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com
Clark Wine Center, Philippines’ largest wine shop is located in Clark Freeport, at a location that is very near the place where the balloons are parked. This is considered the best vantage point to watch the hot air balloon take off and return to earth. Pre-dawn breakfast is served to the lucky few who got tickets in advance to a ring-side seat at this venue, on Saturday and Sunday morning at 5am to 8am.
Clark Wine Center
MA Roxas Ave corner A Bonifacio Ave, Clark Freeport, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
0922-870-5173 0916-542-6602 Ana Fe or Nikki
www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Most of the complaints heard from previous Hot Air Balloon Festivals in Clark Philippines had something to do with bad quality of food and unacceptable facilities to consume the meals. This year, visitors might consider taking time off to enjoy a good meal at these fine restaurants, pubs and cafes in Clark, Pampanga:
Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa, Clark Freeport, Pampanga
(045) 599-5600 0922-870-5178 0917-520-4401 (632) 584-4085 Errol or Len
http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
London Pub
Mimosa Drive past Yats Restaurant, Mimosa Leisure Estate, Clark, Pampanga
(045) 499-1177 0922-870-5176 ask for Glennda
If you are wondering how you too can make your trip to Clark to attend the 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival more enjoyable, just log on to http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
and click on Hot Air Balloon in Clark Philippines to get all the assistance you need.
This is one event in 2012 that no one should miss but it is also one festival that you should not presume to enjoy without being smart about making advanced arrangements and bookings well before you arrive in Clark Philippines.
Other Clark related web sites that might offer information and tips of interest to visitors and tourist to the north, Subic and Pampanga include:
For information about other hotels and resorts in Clark, visit
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
For general information about Clark Freeport, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
Those looking for a good outdoor venue for a garden wedding reception and a beach wedding ceremony in Pampanga, Angeles City and Clark Philippines might want to log on to this web site for more information:
http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com
Those who are interested to either look for a job or look for candidates in the Philippines to fill a position in Manila, Subic, Angeles City or Clark, Pampanga should log on to this web site: http://www.yilp.com
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