If there is ever a reason to go to Singapore, it is to visit Universal Studios there. As far as I am concerned, no other place in the entire island-city, except maybe for the Underwater World, is worth visiting more that this.
Table of Contents
Background
Donkey and the Gingerbread Man
The construction of Universal Studios Singapore started on April 19, 2008 and lasted for nearly two years when it was finally had its soft opening on March 18, 2010. The grand opening was a star-studded affair on May 28, 2011.
It covers about 20 hectares and is part of the 49 hectare area of Resorts World Sentosa. And when you arrive, it does feel rather big. However, the close proximity of the buildings make the area feel a little cramped.
Since it is part of Resorts World, you may actually have the option of staying in one of their hotels while in Singapore. One the more interesting rooms has a window to the aquarium so you feel like you are at the bottom of the sea.
Puss in Boots and Donkey
Since much of the space is maximized, you don’t need to bother bringing an umbrella for the sun. With the buildings so close to each other, all you need to do is duck under a roof for some shade.
Rain is a totally different matter though. Moving from one structure to another requires that you cross open spaces like the street. So bringing an umbrella for that purpose would be a good idea.
Despite all the attractions, restaurants, hotels, and people, the place is immaculately clean. In fact, just like the rest of Singapore, with the cleanliness being up to clinical levels.
How to Get There
You need to ride the Mass Rapid Transit, or MRT, to Vivo City. As you board the MRT coaches, you may notice that the tracks for all the stations are separated from the platform by half or full height platform screens and a second set of sliding doors.
Far Far Away Store
I was told by some of the people I met that the platform screens were recent additions because some of the local citizens have been known to jump on the tracks to commit suicide. These screens have been a big help in preventing any further loss of life.
Since it is part of Sentosa Island, getting to Universal Studios means you will need to ride the monorail from Vivo City. The monorail ticket costs S$ 4 and cannot be paid with a regular MRT card. You will need to purchase a ticket from the counter before being allowed through the turnstiles to board.
Far Far Away Castle
If you don’t have any cash with you, don’t worry as you can pay for everything by credit card. Just make sure not to forget your card as you might be in a rush to board. You’ll need your card for the entrance fee to Universal Studios once you get to Sentosa Island.
As I was riding the monorail, I noticed several bridges with tourist buses filled with people. I understand that they come from the Choa Chu Kang Interchange or the Woodlands Interchange on the main island. The bus fare is somewhere around S$ 2 the trip.
Attractions
Universal Studios Singapore is divided in to the following zones:
- Ancient Egypt
- Far Far Away
- Hollywood
- Lost World
- Madagascar
- New York
- Sci-Fi City
Far Far Away Store
Since you are already inside Universal Studios, you get to ride everything for free. The not so good news is that you have to queue up behind some long lines to claim your ride. The good news is that the lines are a lot shorter than comparable amusement parks in the United States. Plus most of the people here get to line up in the shade.
A word of caution though… if you are expecting each of these zones to be divided by sprawling areas of open space, you will be disappointed.
With just 20 hectares to work with, much of the zones are packed tightly together and it can be difficult to pin exactly where one zone ends and where the other begins. This was the case with New York City and the Sci-Fi City zones as it took a while for us to realize they were more or less part of the same set of structures.
Ancient Egypt
As expected, one will things associated with an Egyptian theme harking back to the 1930s.
Ancient Egypt
This is probably the most intricately designed zone in the entire park. The outside resembled what ancient Egypt would look like, at least as far as I was concerned.
Everything from the statues to the real live people forming the Army of Anubis was convincing.
The most notable thing to do is to get on the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster. Sadly, I was not able to ride it as my wife was worried she would end up sick. Not wanting to spoil our day, I opted for the rides in Sci-Fi City and the Lost World instead.
Perhaps the best photo opportunity here is to get a picture of the Army of Anubis. Composed of live actors, their costumes are quite elaborate and some walked on stilts to add a sense of enormity to their presence.
Far Far Away
Far Far Away Castle
The castle in this zone is just like the one in the cartoon, only it is a little bit smaller. What it lacked in size was compensated for in detail, though. The place looks very convincing, I was beginning to actually feel like I was in the cartoon. Throw in a guest appearance of life-size model of Donkey and the feeling was complete.
[All I needed to hear was that annoying voice of his…]
While there attractions for this part, they were geared more towards the kids in the shape of a 4-D theater. But the one thing that captured the interest of children and adults alike was the souvenir shop.
And while the Ancient Egypt zone was the most intricately designed zone, the Far Far Away souvenir shop was perhaps the most intricately designed store in the entire park, making it a great place to take photographs.
Sci-Fi City
And now we come to my favorite ride – Transformers The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle.
Transformers – The Ride
Under no circumstances are you to leave Universal Studios without trying this ride out. You can skip the Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon rollercoaster and the Accelerator, but you should not miss the Transformers ride.
[Even if your wife or girlfriend threatens to break up with you and take all your earthly possessions with her… get… on… that… ride.]
It will blow your Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure wet socks off.
The All Spark
Everyone in my group was yelling. And I mean everyone, including yours truly. So make sure to check this ride out because it is worth the long line.
[I would have yelled louder if not for the fact that my wife’s screaming was making me deaf.]
Incidentally, stash your camera in its case or a bag. Part of the ride had smoke and water being sprayed on us. It wasn’t like the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, but it was enough to do some damage.
After you finish the ride, go out and buy yourself a Bumblebee Head mug at an outrageous price. It may cost a bit but it looks good and is worth every darned cent as it’ll remind you of that ride.
Oh, and when you’re done, make sure to get a picture of the moving Bumblebee a few steps across the entrance. Not the car, silly, the actor that is moving and looks convincingly like a real Transformer.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, the the one ride that you must take when you are visiting Universal Studios Singapore is Transformers The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle. Do not leave Singapore without trying this ride.
Optimus Prime
Well, this article has gotten longer than expected so I have to break it up in to two. I hope you can join me for the second half of this series.
Before I go, you might want to bring all your credit cards when you visit this amusement park. I realized too late that MasterCard-affiliated ones offered a 20% discount for purchases over S$20.
Don’t worry if MasterCard ends its discount period when you arrive. Other credit cards might take up the slack and you will be able to save quite a bit on the entrance fees and on the outrageously priced souvenirs.
[Which you don’t need but want, anyway.]
Well, that’s it for me. If you have the time, please join me for the second half of this article. It’s entitled Universal Studios Singapore, Part 2 – Lost World and is already out.
Do’s
- Pack your camera and electronic equipment in a water repellent bag.
- Wear clothes that can get wet then dry quickly.
- Bring all your credit cards as there may be discounts for particular ones.
- Carry and umbrella in case it rains.
- Make sure your camera and batteries are fully charged.
- Bring a towel.
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