2018-03-06

Hello, this is my first post. I personally enjoy writing diaries. Singapore is probably an easy place to go, many people have been there many times. This time we went to USS for the first time. I was impressed, it's worthy of being a world-class theme park. So here's a review.

Unfortunately, some of the photos on my camera were lost, so I am unable to share all of them.

The front of the USS, with its iconic rotating globe, is a landmark that everyone recognizes.

Universal Studios Singapore: A World-Class Theme Park in Asia

Universal Studios Singapore draws inspiration from its sister parks in Hollywood and Orlando, USA. Following the successful launch of Universal Studios Japan, the first in Asia, this park opened in 2010, captivating audiences across the region.

Boasting 24 thrilling rides, including 18 unique creations, Universal Studios Singapore has become a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors to the vibrant city-state. As the second Universal Studios theme park in Asia, it offers a world-class experience, following the footsteps of its renowned Japanese counterpart.

To fully explore Universal Studios and Sentosa Island, a minimum of one day is recommended. However, with two days, you can truly immerse yourself in the diverse attractions and experiences offered across the island.

Universal Studios Singapore tickets cost SGD 66 on weekdays and SGD 72 on weekends. You can buy them at the gate or from the Sea Wheel Travel agency in Singapore's Chinatown, where they are usually cheaper. We bought ours for SGD 62, which was less than the price in Thailand. The staff are Thai, and the tickets are valid for one year. Once you buy them, you can use them for all the rides at Universal Studios without paying extra. If you buy your tickets online, they will be sent to you by email. You can print them out and use them directly, without having to exchange them for another ticket.

On weekends, there will be many tourists visiting. Some rides require long waiting times. However, if you don't want to wait in line, in addition to the admission ticket, you can purchase an Express Pass for another 30 SGD. All rides and shows will have an Express Pass lane, which will be much shorter than the regular queue. But if you come on weekdays, you don't need to buy an Express Pass, it's not worth it. We came on a weekday, there weren't many people. First of all, you need to know that Universal Studios will be open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Getting to Universal Studios Singapore and Sentosa Island

Take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to HarbourFront Station (the terminus of the North East Line). There are four ways to get there:

The Sentosa Express is the most convenient and popular way to reach Sentosa Island. From Harbour Front Station, walk to Vivo City mall and go up to the 3rd floor. At the Sentosa Station, board the Sentosa Express train. The fare is SGD 4 per person. If you have an EZ-link card, simply tap and go. Alternatively, you can purchase a ticket for SGD 4 at the ticketing machines. While you only pay for a one-way trip, the return journey is free. The Sentosa Express is a quick and efficient way to travel around the island. There are three stations on Sentosa Island, and you can travel between them without incurring any additional charges. However, the island is not very large, and you can easily walk to most destinations if you have time.

MRT Route (Vivo City Level 3) <–> Waterfront Station <–> Imbiah Station <–> Beach Station

Waterfront Station is home to Universal Studios Singapore, Water Cove Park, S.E.A Aquarium, and a casino. Unfortunately, when I visited, Water Cove Park was closed for a major cleaning.

Imbiah Station is home to Merlion Park, which features the Merlion, the largest Merlion statue in Singapore. The park also offers panoramic views of Sentosa Island. During my visit, there was a performance of "Wings of Time," but I did not attend due to fatigue.

Beach Station is home to various beaches such as Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong, and is the venue for the Song of the Sea show. It also houses a World War II-era gun battery (Fort Siloso) that has been converted into a gun museum. An entrance fee is required, but we did not visit.

2. The cable car is suitable for those who are not afraid of heights. The view from above offers a clear view of Singapore. It is not very popular because it is expensive. We went on a weekday and did not see anyone using the cable car.

3. The Sentosa Bus is a public transportation service that connects HarbourFront to Sentosa Island. The fare is SGD 1. Passengers can disembark at the casino stop and board bus lines 1, 2, or 3, depending on their destination within Sentosa.

4. Boardwalk: A 1 SGD fee applies to access this walkway, which features automated sections and stretches where walking is required. The route offers scenic ocean views.

Regardless of your mode of transportation to Sentosa, you can enjoy complimentary Sentosa Express and Bus services throughout your stay on the island.

Restaurants in Vivo City are more affordable than those on Sentosa Island. It is recommended to eat before going to Sentosa, as the day will be tiring and filled with activities.

Universal Studios offers a variety of shows and attractions. The show schedule is available at the entrance and may change daily. Please check the latest schedule for updates.

In Universal Studios, the walking path is a circular loop that can be followed either clockwise or counterclockwise. The first zone encountered is Hollywood, which serves as the entrance area and does not feature any rides. However, it is beautifully designed and offers numerous photo opportunities.

Before entering the park, we took a quick look at the map and show schedules to see where each zone was located and what time each show was playing. This helped us plan our day and decide which rides we wanted to go on. We ended up focusing more on the rides than the shows.

Single Rider lines at amusement parks allow guests to skip the main queue and fill in any empty seats on rides. This significantly reduces wait times for single riders, as they only need to wait for the next available seat instead of waiting for a full row to be filled.

* For those who bring their belongings and want to play the machines but are worried about the inconvenience, there are lockers available. They are yellow lockers located in every zone. To use the locker, simply follow the instructions on the screen. It's very easy. Remember the free deposit time limit. After that, you will be charged according to the exceeding time. This locker does not give change, so please try to insert the exact amount of money.

Hollywood

The Hollywood zone is very crowded.

This zone is the first one in Universal Studios. It features shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants, replicating the atmosphere of various Hollywood buildings with a focus on photo opportunities. We took a few photos to mark our visit and then quickly moved on, as we were more interested in the adventure rides.

In front of the studio's theater.

The Hollywood Theater is a live performance venue with a capacity of 1,500 people. During my visit, I attended a Broadway musical titled "Monster Rock." The performance featured a combination of acting, dancing, and rock 'n' roll singing, accompanied by special effects. The actors were dressed in Western-style ghost costumes. The show lasted approximately 40-50 minutes and did not include any adventure elements.

The stage is currently empty, with no performances scheduled at this time.

The Universal Studios Store is a multi-item store that sells Universal Studios merchandise, such as toys and clothing. The prices in this store are expensive.

Shops are available in every zone along the walkway.

Madagascar

This zone is based on the cartoon Madagascar. Join Alex and Marty on an adventure. The rides in this zone are suitable for children, not scary, not thrilling, and have a fairytale theme.

This zone features the Madagascar: A Great Adventure ride, where you'll sail with Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria. You'll board a boat with 20-30 other passengers and drift through the waterways of Madagascar, as seen in the first film. The interior is brightly lit, and there are moving figures along the way, although they may not appear very realistic. This ride is suitable for children, but one highlight is the waterfall. At first, you might think you'll get wet, but as the boat passes, the gate opens, and the water stops flowing. This is a visually impressive moment.

King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round: A carousel featuring various animal figures situated on a simulated beach. While seemingly intended for young children, adults are also observed participating. The ride offers a pleasant experience, lacking significant thrills but providing a touch of amusement.

The Madagascar zone features a show called "Madagascar Boogie!" where characters from the Madagascar movie dance to the song "I Like to Move It, Move It." After the performance, the characters remain available for photo opportunities. The show is considered charming and enjoyable.

A long time ago and far away

Zone entrance

The building is beautiful. May I take a picture?

There is also a theater.

This zone features the Shrek Castle, which resembles the one at Disneyland. Inside the castle, there is a 4D movie theater that offers a visually stunning and memorable experience.

The Shrek 4-D Adventure begins with a pre-show in the first room, where the Magic Mirror and the Three Little Pigs introduce the story. While this introduction may not be as exciting as the main 4D film, it is important to stay for the entire pre-show as it sets the stage for the immersive experience that follows.

The plot revolves around Princess Fiona being captured, and Shrek sets out to rescue her. The audience needs to wear 3D glasses. When wearing glasses, the picture will appear to be close to us. The fourth dimension of this film is the movable chairs. In the scene where Shrek rides a horse, the chair will shake accordingly. There is real wind blowing and water spray, making it feel like you are in the real event. It's fun and realistic in 4D.

Enchanted Airways is a dragon-themed roller coaster with a low track that provides a gentle ride with minimal thrills. Suitable for both children and adults, the ride features a single moderate drop that adds a touch of excitement.

The Lost World (No Image)

The Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure is a popular attraction with long wait times. To avoid the queue, consider using the Single Rider Lane. This ride involves getting wet, but not excessively so. Some guests bring raincoats, but they are available for purchase at the entrance for 2 SGD. The ride begins with a gentle rafting experience through the Jurassic Park landscape, with dinosaurs on either side. Guests board circular boats that hold up to 8 people and are carried by the current into a dark cave. Inside, they encounter dinosaurs and make a thrilling escape, culminating in a drop that may leave one side of the boat wetter than the other.

The Canopy Flyer is a two-person, open-air chairlift that seats riders back-to-back. The gondola glides along a track, offering scenic views of The Lost World zone. While it's perfect for sightseeing, we were a bit apprehensive due to our fear of heights.

WaterWorld's seating zones are color-coded, so choose your seats carefully.

Blue zone - definitely wet, Green zone - not much wet, just splashed water, Brown zone - not wet

It was observed that the people who came first chose to sit on the brown color.

The show begins with the heroine driving a small boat. She is captured, and the hero comes to her rescue. The plot is not particularly engaging, but the special effects are well done. The performances of the actors and their boat-handling skills are impressive. The special effects, including gunfire and explosions, are used liberally. When the jet ski turns, water splashes onto some of the audience members. There is an exciting scene where a plane crashes into the water. The heroine in this show is muscular and a skilled performer. She performs stunts, fights, and rappels. This show lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Ancient Egypt

Ancient scene, worthy of Egypt

This is a pharaoh, but the photo doesn't capture the whole scene. The Egyptian atmosphere in this zone is inspired by the movie The Mummy. The entrance to the zone features a black statue with guards on either side.

A popular ride in this zone is Revenge of the Mummy, a roller coaster that runs in the dark, escaping the mummy's revenge. The fear lies in not knowing which direction the train is going. Inside, there are beautiful effects, fog, smoke, and a backward somersault. Most people who try it will double it again. It's really fun. There's a thrilling point before the end of the story.

The Treasure Hunters ride is a four-person Jeep that runs on a track. We don't have to drive, and along the way we'll encounter wild animals such as crocodiles, snakes, swarms of insects, and various equipment. One round takes about 5 minutes, like a leisurely scenic ride.

Science Fiction City

The Transformers The Ride, which opened in December 2011, is a thrilling attraction that immerses riders in the world of the Transformers. Guests board moving vehicles and don 3D glasses, becoming allies of Optimus Prime as they evade the relentless pursuit of the Decepticons. The ride features dynamic movements, including ascents, descents, sharp turns, and near-misses with explosions, creating a realistic and exhilarating experience that transports riders into the heart of the action. The storyline is engaging and keeps riders on the edge of their seats throughout the ride. As a fan of the Transformers franchise, I found the ride to be an incredibly enjoyable and immersive experience.

The roller coaster, towering at the height of a 14-story building, is a must-try attraction at Universal Studios.

Battlestar Galactica HUMAN The Red Line roller coaster is a floorless coaster that runs at speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour. It will run through 14 curves, but there are no inversions. Before playing this game, you must deposit your belongings in the locker first.

Battlestar Galactica CYLON: A Thrilling Rollercoaster Experience

The Battlestar Galactica CYLON is a thrilling roller coaster that offers an exhilarating experience for riders. This coaster features a unique design with hanging seats, no footrests, and high speeds on curved tracks. The ride includes inversions, corkscrews, and other exciting maneuvers that will leave riders breathless. Due to the intensity of the ride, all loose belongings must be secured in lockers before boarding.

The Accelerator is a cup-shaped ride suitable for both children and adults, accommodating 2-5 riders. It rotates continuously in a circular motion, providing a mild thrill without being overly frightening. Each ride lasts approximately 5-10 minutes, with a gradual increase in centrifugal force that may cause slight dizziness in some individuals. (Unfortunately, an image is not available for this ride.)

New York (no image)

This zone is perfect for strolling and taking photos. There are classic cars parked for photo opportunities, as well as replica buildings showcasing New York architecture.

This zone features the captivating exhibit "Lights, Camera, Action Hosted by Steven Spielberg," which delves into the fascinating world of filmmaking. Upon entering the first room, visitors are greeted by a video presentation where Steven Spielberg himself discusses cinematic techniques. The room is designed to resemble a film set, complete with a large screen reminiscent of those used on location.

Continuing into the second room, visitors are transported to a simulated studio environment. The scene before them depicts a bustling New York City amidst a heavy downpour. The experience is remarkably realistic, with wind, water spray, and even lightning effects. The heat of a raging fire is palpable, and the platform beneath visitors' feet vibrates convincingly. The climax arrives with a heart-stopping moment as a massive ship unexpectedly emerges, seemingly on a collision course, evoking the dramatic sinking of the Titanic.