I was contemplating to divide this post into several parts as I have too many photos to show. However, after considering the readers might lose their patience to wait for part 2 or even part 3, I decided to make it a photo-intensive post and feed the readers with load of information. Universal Studios just has too much to show. By the way, you may jump straight to my Useful Tips When Visiting Universal Studios post if you’re looking for practical tips.

I visited Universal Studios in Singapore few weeks ago with full excitement. I haven’t been to any Disneyland so Universal Studios is the biggest theme park to me, for the time being. I wanna conquer bigger theme parks in near future! Anyway, since Universal Studios Singapore is the second Universal Studio in Asia after Japan and it’s closer to my country, it has been listed in my must-go list this year. Despite being the smallest Universal Studios in the world at 20 hectares (49 acres) in size, I remained unbowed in my determination to visit the place.

Universal Studios is located in Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island. It opens at 10a.m. and closes at 6pm-10pm, depend on the daily schedule. Bear in mind that their operating hours vary from day to day. You may check the schedule here http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore/VisitorInfo.

I took a cab from my hotel to Harbour Front station. The cab driver told me to either take a public bus or Sentosa express to the island. So I went to the concierge to ask for the details and I was told to take the public bus from the entrance of Harbour Front. She gave me the bus number that would bring me to Sentosa Island. I further enquired where to purchase the bus ticket and she told me the conductor in the bus would collect money from me. So I proceed to the bus station and hopped on to the bus. All the passengers in the bus were young people in their 20s and they did not look like tourists at all. They all looked quite bored as if they were going to school or college. I was very doubtful whether I rode the right bus and I felt so puzzled when there was no one collect money from me. After about 15 minutes ride, the bus drove into underground of a building. I had no idea at all what building was it, but at least I was sure that I was in Sentosa Island already. I was extremely confused at this point of time as the underground didn’t look like a tourism place. I kept looking around to look for the signboard that would at least show me how to get to Universal Studio but with no harvest. Everyone else in the bus seemed to know what to do, they all headed the same direction where a small entrance was secured with security barrier gates. They all have a card to tag to access the gate!

With million of question marks in my mind, I asked the security guard how to get to Universal Studio.

“Do you have the card to tag in?” asked the guard.

“No, I don’t have.” I said.

“Are you coming for interview?“ asked the guard.

“No, I come to play.” I said.

“Oh.. you’re tourist!” The guard then showed me the direction to the escalator which would lead me to Universal Studio. It looks like the bus was a staffs bus and it explains why I did not need to pay and everyone in the bus looked so bored. The query is that why did the receptionist in Harbour Front told me to take this bus? Anyway, I was happy that I saved a few bucks :-p

It was already 10:30a.m. when I reached Universal Studio ticket counters. Much to my surprise, there weren’t many visitors in the Universal Studio. In fact I didn’t even need to line up to purchase the ticket. Perhaps it was weekday and it was still early, the best time to beat the crowds.

The staffs at the entrance were all very young like the crowd in the bus that I rode with. They were very friendly and energetic which made me feel 10 years younger as well.

This is the first building that you would see once you enter Universal Studio

The first thing that I looked for was the locker as I carried a big bag that keep Don’s clothing. Don would only join me in the evening as he had an important interview to attend.

There were plenty of different sizes of lockers and they were all computerized. All you need to do is to follow the instructions displayed in the computer screen to make the payment and to lock and unlock the locker.

You’re not even troubled to carry along the key as there isn’t any key at all. You’re only required to answer some security questions in the computer to unlock the locker, how convenient!

For those with little kids, strollers are available for rent here also. Single stroller costs SGD 10 per day while double stroller costs SGD 15 for a day.

I know we shouldn’t waste time in drinking coffee or dining in Universal Studio. I know we should have breakfast before going to Universal Studio so we won’t get ripped off by the tourism price of the food in Universal Studio. But enjoying an aromatic coffee peacefully in a beautiful morning especially in an environment surrounded by themed buildings that you can only admire in the cartoons is something I simply can’t say no to. So I decided to pamper myself with a nice breakfast in this Celebrity Cafe & Bakery. We work freaking hard to enjoy life but not to refrain from enjoying life, right? But the cafe was actually empty with only a mother and a little son who had just finished their meal and was about to leave. I was sitting alone enjoying my breakfast while looking at the tourists strolling around through the window.

Maybe because I was the only customer in the cafe the staffs there were extremely friendly and helpful. One of the older man even handed me the timetable of the shows in Universal Studio. He patiently introduced me the theme parks in the Universal Studio and recommended me which show was not to miss. Later on when he saw Kungfu Panda cartoon, he immediately came to inform me. I was so excited and finished up my coffee and ready to take a photo with Kungfu Panda. The waiter was like “It’s ok, you don’t have to rush. I will keep an eye on the Panda. You can continue to sit here”. Quite hilarious that he wanted me to waste time in the cafe but I actually felt fatherly love at the same time too :-)

My favourite Betty Boop! She is so gorgeous!

Freaking hot Marilyn Monroe!

Woody Woodpecker’s girlfriend??

Errm… what cartoon character are they?

You know actually there was no line at all to take photos with the cartoons. I just approached the cartoon and passed my camera to the cameraman, the staffs who escort the cartoons, and posed and got my photos. So easy, no waiting time! Even if there was line, there was probably just few people in front of me. Love the best timing to visit Universal Studio.

All these cartoons will walk around at different time so just keep an eye on them.

Universal Studios Singapore consists of 7 themed areas: Hollywood,  New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar. Just follow the sequence to visit each themed area and you will be able to cover all of them without walking to and fro.

Hollywood

Pantages Hollywood Theater – infamous Universal monsters in rock-n-roll musical. Dancers cum singers dress up as different monsters and perform rock-n-roll. Not to say very great, but since you’re already here, just don’t skip any show.

Hollywood is basically made up of all different stores. If you love shopping this is the place to satisfy your desire.

Yeah, I was wet, coz it rained!!! Hate the rain. The Water World show was forced to cancel due to the rain!

Dance performance in this small stage. I really love looking at these three beauties, they are so witty and gorgeous. How I wish I can sing and dance like they do.

Not bad, but I still prefer the ladies group :-p

New York

I don’t know why, but since everyone took photo here I took photo here too. After all, free hats (only for photograph:-p).

Don joined me very late at 4p.m.!

The only attraction here in New York is Lights, Camera, Action, which is a real-time movie production hosted by Steven Spielberg. We were prohibited to photograph in the show so no photo here. Anyway, this is one of my favourites, at least it’s something different that I haven’t encountered any similar show during my visits in South East Asia. You will be blown away by the use of sound stages and special effects in movies to demonstrate a major hurricane about to hit New York City.

In this attraction, you will enter the main sound stage, which is modeled after the interior of boathouse in New York City. Then be ready to be hit by storm and all sorts of unexpected disasters. You can google for the details or even watch the Youtube online. But I don’t encourage to do so if you actually plan to visit Universal Studio. What’s the reason to read the full story of Transformer 3 if you actually plan to watch it in cinema?

Some other random photos…

Sci-Fi City

All youngsters gathered here in Sci-Fi city for thrilling ride. This is the only attraction that brings the vitality to the whole theme park by emitting the shrill screams to every corner of the park. Themed after the hit television show Battlestar Galactica™, the world’s tallest pair of dueling roller coasters propel thrill-seekers on several inversions, a zero-g roll, a cobra roll, corkscrews, vertical loops and near collisions mere centimeters apart. There are total 2 different types of ride, Human and Cylon. The blue ride is Cylon and the red ride is Human. Cylon has more vertical loops but unfortunately I just got to ride Human due to the rain. Once you overcome the longest drop of the ride, the rest of the inversions were just peanut. The drop is always the most thrilling part to me.

There is another ride in Sci-Fi city, which is Accelerator. It’s the ride that keep spinning until you feel dizzy. Didn’t take any photo of it as it wasn’t fun at all. It’s more like ride for kids. These are the 2 main attractions in Sci-Fi City.

Ancient Egypt

Step into the golden era of ancient Egypt, you’ll be greeted by humongous Egyptian statues. Look at the size of the tourists, we are just the height of the statues feet. There is this indoor exhilarating ride at The Revenge of Mummy. Initially I thought it was just a normal indoor ride and since it was so dark, I didn’t expect much from the ride. Perhaps just some statues or pictures along the railway. It was totally out of expectation that within a narrow tunnel with limited space inside the chamber, the ride was able to give us so much surprises with… err… ok, I’m not going to tell you the details, it will ruin your excitement. My two cents, a must try ride if your heart can take sudden thrilling motion when you can’t see anything at all.

There is another attraction called Treasure Hunters which was designed for children. The children can drive their own vintage motor car for an exciting visit through at an abandoned excavation site.

The Lost World

There are total 5 attractions in The Lost World:

Water World, based on the blockbuster film, “Waterworld”, we get to witness a tidal wave of death-defying stunts, along with thrills and spills from real explosions of fire and water at this sensational live water show. The friendly uncle from Celebrity Cafe specifically reiterated how fantastic the show is and that I must not miss the show. But guess what? I missed it all. It rained so heavily during the last show at 6:00 p.m. that it was cancelled for safety purpose :-(

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, as depicted in the picture below. I believe most of you have ridden it before and it’s a great activity for family with kids. For those who hate getting wet very much, you might purchase poncho from merchandise store, it costs only SD3 each.

Canopy Flyer, a dino-proof flying vehicle that allow you to enjoy a prehistoric bird’s eye view of Jurassic Park. Suitable for kids as well but the kids under 122cm must be accompanied by adult.

Amber Rock Climb, rock climbing that incurs extra charge so we didn’t go.

Dino-Soarin, flying dinosaur ride for children. I saw adults rode on it too, maybe they were garnering the courage to challenge Battlestar Galactic later.

Far Far Away

It’s my favourite theme! I love the castle and Shrek so much!

Shrek 4-D Adventure is my favourite show in Universal Studio, I watched it twice! It’s about Shrek and Donkey save Princess Fiona in a totally in-your-face fairy tale adventure. You know, 4-D, means not only we get to watch and hear from the movie, but also to actually FEEL the action right from our seats! Yeah, I know it’s not something new, but this Shrek movie is simply fantastic, the 4-D effects are excellent. Don’t tell me you didn’t watch at least twice. Oh yeah… Universal Studio Singapore is meant to make us wet, not only did we get wet in Jurassic Park Rapids Ride, the pouring rain further turned us into drowned rat. As if we weren’t wet enough, simply by watching Shrek 4-D movie could get ourselves drenched as well!

We also went for Donkey Live show, it’s an interactive live show where guests get to sing along and even talk with Donkey in an intimate theatre setting. Just be more engaging and dance cheerfully together with the Donkey you will enjoy the show.

Enchanted Airways and Magic Potion Spin were for kids so we skipped them completely.

Madagascar

Funny, just realized I didn’t take any photo of Madagascar and I didn’t see any Madagascar cartoon as well. Gonna go back to Universal Studio once again.

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Also read my Useful Tips When Visiting Universal Studio post if you’re looking for practical tips.

GETTING THERE

MRT

Take the North-East Line and alight at the HarbourFront MRT Station. From there, you may either go to the 3rd level of VivoCity shopping mall, transfer onto our Sentosa Express or you may take a leisurely stroll down the Sentosa Boardwalk. Train fares vary.

Sentosa Express

The Sentosa Express, located at VivoCity (Lobby L, Level 3), provides easy access to Sentosa, HarbourFront Center and St. James Power Station. Click here for more details.

Singapore Cable Car

The Singapore Cable Car has now been enhanced to offer our guests a World-leading experience in terms of comfort, design and technology. Visitors may board the cable car from the Singapore Cable Car Station at HarbourFront Tower Two and alight at Imbiah Lookout. Click here for more details.

Public Buses

Take a bus and alight along Telok Blangah Road. From there, you may either go to the 3rd level of VivoCity shopping mall, transfer onto our Sentosa Express, or you may take a leisurely stroll down the Sentosa Boardwalk. Bus fares vary.

By SIA Hop-On Trolley

The SIA Hop-on is a convenient tourist bus service that offers passengers unlimited air-conditioned rides to 23 of the most popular attractions located within the shopping, dining, cultural, and entertainment areas in the City.

SIA Trolley passengers can hop on to the Sentosa Rider to get to Sentosa at 4 connecting stops – Marriott Hotel (tour desk), Heeren (opp Mandarin Orchard Hotel), Raffles Hotel (Bras Basah Road) and Singapore Flyer. To find out more please click here.

Sentosa Rider

Hop onto the Sentosa Rider from Orchard Road, Marina Bay or Chinatown for a hassle-free journey to Sentosa. From S$8 for a full day pass, be brought straight into the heart of Asia’s Favourite Playground. What’s more? Beat the queues by purchasing attraction packages on board and enjoy great savings before you reach Sentosa! Make Sentosa Rider your link to Sentosa today! Click here for more details.

For more information, check out Directions to Resorts World Sentosa

OPENING HOURS

10:00 am – 7:00 pm Daily
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm Fri & Sat Hollywood After Hours

TICKETS
One Day

• Adult – SGD 66 (Weekday), SGD 72 (Weekend)
• Child (4-12 years old) – SGD 48 (Weekday), SGD 52 (Weekend)
• Senior Citizen (Over 65) – SGD 32 (Weekday), SGD 36 (Weekend)

Two Day

• Adult – SGD 118
• Child (4-12 years old) – SGD 88
• Senior Citizen (Over 65) – SGD 58

Where to Get The Tickets

• Buy Online at Universal Studios Singapore Official Website
• Call the reservation number at (65) 6577-8899 or email reservations@rwsentosa.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

Address: Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
Phone: (65) 6577-8888
Email: enquiries@rwsentosa.com

Check out Visitor Information page for Universal Studios Singapore for additional contact information.

RESOURCES

Official Websites:

• Universal Studios Singapore Official Website

Other Websites:

• Universal Studios Singapore on Wikipedia