Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park within Resorts World Sentosa. It is one of the five Universal Studios theme parks around the world and started operations on 28 May 2011. The park is a huge attraction in Singapore, not just among travellers but also celebrities. The theme park is packed with adventure rides, shows and fun rides for kids. You can meet your favourite movie characters in the meet-and-greet sessions.
Over 3 million guests visited the park in its opening year. Since then, Universal Studios Singapore has welcomed four million visitors every year. Visitors constitute Singaporeans as well as international tourists.
History
Universal Studios Singapore opened for a sneak peek week during the Chinese New Year Celebrations, from 5 to 9 pm every night, between 14 to 21 February 2010. Even though the rides were not functional, tickets (SGD 10) for the week were sold out in just two days. From 13 March 2010, the team members of Resorts World Sentosa and their families had a chance to visit the park before the general public had a chance. The soft opening was from 18 March to 26 October 2010.
Park Layout
Universal Studios Singapore is on 25 hectares (62 acres) of land and the smallest among Universal’s parks. It takes up the easternmost part of the 49-hectare (120-acre) Resorts World Sentosa. There are a total of 24 attractions of which 18 are original or specially adapted for the park. The park comprises of six themed zones that surround a lagoon. Each zone is based on a movie or television show and features its own attractions. Over 30 restaurants, food carts and 20 retail stores are spread around the park.
Six themed zones are a part of the park. These zones are: The Lost World, Far Far Away, Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City and Ancient Egypt. The Hollywood Zone is reminiscent of America in the 1960s with movie halls, restaurants, cafes, shops and bakeries. You will even find old cars with California 1960s registrations.
The Ancient Egypt Zone contains huge twin sculptures of the Egyptian God Anubis, depicted as a man with the head of a jackal. Anubis reportedly invented the process of embalming. The two sculptures are in front of an enormous building which dwarfs those who walk by.
The Rides
Universal Studios Rides in Singapore include Canopy Rider, Transformers: The Ride, Revenge of The Mummy, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, WaterWorld, Shrek 4-D Adventure and many more.
We reached there at 10:00 am on a weekday. The park had just opened. Still there were crowds everywhere and long wait times for the sought after rides. In one case, the wait time was 90 min. So we ended up doing only 4-5 rides during the day: Transformers The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy, Canopy Flyer and Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey. We were also able to witness the WaterWorld Show which is based on the 1995 Hollywood movie by the same name.
The Transformers ride was where you experienced everything that you were seeing. The synchronisation of the 3D visuals and actual movements of the ride were very good. Revenge of the Mummy is an intense blend of roller coasters, horror movies and scarab beetles. In ancient Egypt, scarabs were important symbols of rebirth and resurrection as well as good luck and fortune.
Highlights Transformers The Ride: This indoor roller coaster was a thrilling experience. Downlights Long wait times for popular attractions (up to 90 min). Many food options and steep prices. Some attractions were closed for maintenance. Tips Get there early to avoid the crowds. Download the Universal Studios SG app where you not only see the park map but also the food carts and restaurants. Besides you can monitor the wait time for every ride. Carry drinking water and sunscreen lotion.
The best rides for kids are: Madagascar, King Julien’s Beach Party Go Round, Treasure Hunters, Magic Potion Spin and Dino Soarin.
Tickets
The admission tickets cost S$ 83 each. This allows access to all rides and shows. Express Pass is S$ 90 which does not include admission but could minimise wait times. Re-admission is illegal. You can book the tickets online.
Getting There
Take the cable car from Mount Faber to the Imbiah Lookout Station. Get off and change to the Sentosa Island Cable Car Line and travel one stop to the Merlion station. From the Merlion Station, it is a short walk to Universal Studios and Resorts World. From the gondola you get superb aerial views of Singapore harbour and Sentosa Island.
Monorail is another option. Travel to Harbourfront station. Then walk to Vivo City Mall, climb to Level 3 and proceed to Lobby L. You are at Lobby L when you see Food Republic. You might wish to have breakfast before going to Sentosa. Purchase a ticket (S$ 4) and board the monorail train. Alight at Waterfront Station. Follow the signs to reach Universal Studios. Journeys within Sentosa and from Sentosa back to the mainland are complimentary.