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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Universal Studios, Singapore

So the boy finally took a day off work in order spend some time with me at Universal Studios Singapore. We were not aware that our friend had a 30% discount off the admission fee, and ended up paying the full $66 per person.

Was it worth the ticket price? If you're talking about the rides, I'd say no. Then again, this is coming from someone who demanded to be let off the rather kiddish Canopy Flyer ride at the last minute. This is also the same person who had been to Universal Studios Osaka and Disneyland Disneysea Tokyo.

If you're talking about spending time with someone you love, well, how can you put a price to that?

Our adventure started with the boy doing the unthinkable and taking the MRT to Vivocity, and from there (level 3) we took the Sentosa Express ($3) to Resort World. Saved us $26 in parking fees.

First impression - it was hot! As in the horrible, please-God-let-it-snow Singapore weather. It kind of reminded me of the hour-or-two-long queues at Disneyland, Tokyo, only this time the queues were almost non-existent. Whoohoo!

Universal Studios, Singapore

Battlestar Galactica Cylon, the star attraction of the resort, stole the boy away from me the moment we stepped foot into Sci-Fi City. His mind and heart were already with the red and blue menance, even as he absent-mindedly pushed his camera into my hands and half-ran through the entrance to get on the ride, leaving me standing alone outside.

Universal Studios, Singapore

Looking at the number of negative (thrilling) sounding words on the warning sign, it made me glad the boy had the sense not to ask me to join him for the ride. Goes upside down 5 times? That's a precursor to a heart attack @_@.

The boy, on the other hand, was adventurous enough to get on the more exhilarating blue track, where he was suspended for the entire minute ride that included several intense corkscrews and a cobra roll.

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

When he got off, he was in good shape, but did mention that he was getting old and felt a little dizzy and wasn't game for Battlestar Galactica, HUMAN. Lol.

Shrek 4-D Adventure was my second favourite attraction. We went to see it twice, not only because it was a really fun, bumpy, ticklish, and wet adventure, it was also a welcome respite from the heat. Beats resting our feet in one of the not-so-cheap restaurants hands down.

Universal Studios, Singapore

The queueing area. Look how empty it is!

Universal Studios, Singapore

Random pictures and photos on the walls.


Universal Studios, Singapore

Returning our ogre vision glasses after the 15-minute show.

Universal Studios, Singapore

I skipped theJurasic Park Rapids Adventure due to the drop at the end while the boy didn't want to get himself wet, which is possible even with a raincoat on. I have to mention that there isn't a need to bring your own disposable raincoat, as the ones sold on site are very reasonably priced at under $2, unlike the ones in Japan which would have cost us $6 each.

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

The only ride I had been wanting to take was the Revenge of the Mummy. Somehow, I was under the impression that it was similar to the Indiana Jones ride which had only 1 short and not very steep drop in the dark, and which I had throughly enjoyed! It turned out that the visuals and effects paled in comparison, and the focus was more on the roller-coastering. There is more than 1 drop on the Revenge of the Mummy, and not only were they longer, they were steeper too! FML. Thank God I couldn't see anything in the complete darkness or I would have freaked out. If you're drop-intolerant, I'd still suggest you go for this. Although the ride is bumpy, it isn't rough in any way.

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

The Accelerator on the other hand is a terribly boring spinning teacup ride with hardly a person in sight. Skip!

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

The WaterWorld show, with its death-defying stunts, is another attraction where you can take a break, rest your feet, and get a few laughs.

Universal Studios Singapore
Note that the benches are color coded and categorised into three not-so-distinct zones - the dry zone, the splash zone, and the soak zone. We decided to be a little more daring and planted our butts onto a green bench. Ten minutes later, the water play started and boy! was I thankful that I wasn't in the soak zone. If you're lucky (unlucky) enough, you get thoroughly drenched by being hosed with water guns and/or pails of water.



Getting the buckets of water ready for audience wetting!


Adventurous and illiterate people getting hosed down.


Storytelling time.

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

Lights, Camera, Action! hosted by Steven Spielberg is a short in the moment experience of a storm creating a massive wreck, features a ship and a plane, and gets you singed and wet as you stand behind the rails as a helpless observer. It was a cheap thrill, but I secretly enjoyed having the plane almost crashing down on me. How often does that happen without you getting hurt?

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

Shopping time! I considered getting this Betty Boop shot glass trio, then decided that I would probably never make use of, nor have the desire to constantly wipe dust off them.

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

I like poufy squeezable bags!

Universal Studios, Singapore

Dream of stardom with these Marilyn Monroe memorabilia.


Delude yourself by bringing a few of these home.

Universal Studios, Singapore

Entertained by performances! We were having a slice of Margherita at Louie's Pizza when I was enticed by the enthusiastic performance put up by these b-boys just outside the restaurant.

Universal Studios Singapore
Members of the audience were randomly chosen to dance with the group and this filipino guy below was extremely sporting, demonstarting moves of his own and getting teased by the boys.

Universal Studios Singapore
He was made to hold this pose for like forever.. lol.

Universal Studios Singapore
A song and dance routine outside Mel's Diner.

Universal Studios Singapore
Another sporting lady doing the cha cha cha.

Universal Studios Singapore
We were excited to finally be able to take photos with the mascots. Unlike those prejudiced and unfriendly creatures at Disneyland Tokyo who think that adults should not dream of candy houses and cats with no mouth, the ones at Universal Studios Singapore were very welcoming. Everybody in the queue got their chance.

Universal Studios, Singapore

Universal Studios, Singapore

Having taken all the rides we wanted to and having nothing else to do, we went to watch the Universal Monsters in a rock and roll musical at the Pantages Hollywood Theatre. I expected it to be kiddy entertainment but I think I fell in love with Frankenstein! The other characters were equally energetic and engaging but somehow the green man had a hold on me. Another good rest stop where the boy actually managed to fall asleep amid the electrifying performance. Lol.


And so our day at Universal Studios Singapore ended, without the fireworks show which takes place only on weekends! Bummer. It was a good thing we managed to catch it during After Hours. You can reasonably expect to cover all the rides and shows (minus the ones for kids) in a day, without long queues, and I'd say it's still worth at least a single visit.

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