Singapore Updates 2012

[Gazza]

Finally have started to get these photos up. The first area I'll focus on at Universal Studios Singapore is Far Far Away: Newest pics begin here (pg 544) > http://www.parkz.com...rs/page544.html And the entire collection of USS pics is located here > http://www.parkz.com...otos/page1.html

Edited February 19, 2012 by Gazza

[Gazza]

Turns out the park has a Parade too, be warned it only runs on Weekends, and "Selected Holidays". I think this would correlate with the times they are charging peak rates for tickets, so keep that in mind when deciding when to visit. The parade was pretty good actually, similar standard to the floats seen in the Spongebob parade at SW, with animated bits and bobs. Add to this a number of choreographed characters moving along with their respective floats. Some included Jurassic Park, Madagascar, Shrek, Mummy, as well as generic Hollywood/Film/Glitz and Glamour type ones that you would see at MW. One such group I of street actors I thought were cool were a group of 4 1930s journalists in trenchcoats and with hats with a press ticket tucked into the band. They all had big flashbulb cameras and would all prance along, and then occasionally freeze in tandem and flash their cameras. Bottom of this page, onwards> http://www.parkz.com.au/photos/members/page550.html

[Gazza]

http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/SG/Sentosa/Universal_Studios_Singapore/photos/page10.html .....Bottom of that page onwards for pics of Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Dino Soarin' and Canopy Flyer in the Lost World section of the park.

[Gazza]

I've added 60 pics of the New York and Hollywood Themed areas of the studio. At the park you can spend a fair bit of time just admiring the facades, and looking through the shops if that is your thing. From the bottom of this page onwards: http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/SG/Sentosa/Universal_Studios_Singapore/photos/page17.html

[Gazza]

Pics of Egypt and Madagascar from this page onwards http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/SG/Sentosa/Universal_Studios_Singapore/photos/page30.html

[strop]

Thanks Gazza for all of the detailed reviews and fantastic photos. The park looks to be very well themed with lovely attention to detail and I would absolutely love to visit. Now to just find the excuse (and funds) to travel to Singapore....

[Gazza]

I did a quick search and airfares can be got for $700....Though certainly if you are heading to Europe chances are that will involve a stopover in Singapore, so adding an extra day or two is an easy thing to do. The last of the pics are uploaded: http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/SG/Sentosa/Universal_Studios_Singapore/photos/page37.html For quick access to the Transformers ride pics try: http://www.parkz.com.au/photos/SG/Sentosa/Universal_Studios_Singapore/1314-Transformers/page1.html , and for 60 pics of Battlestar Galactica see http://www.parkz.com.au/photos/SG/Sentosa/Universal_Studios_Singapore/1316-Battlestar_Galactica_Cylon/page1.html Something some of you might not know, but on any theme park profile page, eg http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/SG/Sentosa/Universal_Studios_Singapore/ look on the right hand side between the ads, and it says Universal Studios Singapore Scenery Photos or whatever the park in question is. What this does is filters to show pics not tagged with rides. (In other words, photos not of rides) This applies to any theme park and is how you can find pics of theming, buildings, food outlets etc.

[WalleyWorld]

This park looks stunning! Thanks for the pics Gazza. Probably not the perfect selection of rides, but everything looks like it's themed well. I love the New York/Hollywood street sections of the park. Just because of the attention to detail within the buildings and shops. Not specific to just USS, but what are your thoughts on the Waterworld stunt show? I've looked at some utube vids and I love what I see. Great use of special effects everywhere....Especially the water plane launching over the wall. Anybody know how they reset that effect?

Edited February 23, 2012 by Luke

[Gazza]

I would have thought they could just tow the plane back round. Re the selection of rides. I thought it was bang on, and all the bases are covered, youve got an extreme inverted coaster, well themed dark coaster, good general one with BSG human, a family coaster, plus an oddball with canopy flyers. Theres your big water ride, a couple of dark rides appropriate to all age groups, plus a few flats for good measure. I could imagine NYC getting a shooting dark ride in the future with an MIB clone possibly, Too bad the park probably cant fit a Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

[Gazza]

Couple of other parks in Singapore too, one open, one not. The closed one is Equarius on Sentosa, right near Universal. The cable car goes right over the park, where you can see a bunch of Proslides. Looks cool, but the park is pretty small. http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/SG/Sentosa/Equarius_Water_Park/photos/construction/page1.html Its looking fairly close to being done, just no water. Some of the start towers had rafts sitting there, suggesting they have done some sort of testing. If you want to visit Singapore, maybe wait till it's open if you were interested? As for the 2nd park. Firstly, apologies to AlexB for not answering where I stayed till now. 2 places, both YHA/HI affiliated. I stayed in private rooms with an ensuite, and about the only thing lacking was a TV. Both places had wifi and breakfast. http://www.hangouthotels.com/singapore/index.php?lang=en was the first. http://www.costasands.com.sg/downtowneast/ was the other. The one at Mt Emily was really well located. Close to Dhoby Ghaut & Little India on the MRT, and close to Downtown and Orchard Rd. Only had to shift because you can only book 6 nights max with YHA. Worked out well because the Costa Sands resort was close to Changi Airport, and it was near the end of my trip. I wouldn't recommend Costa Sands as a base to explore the city cos its so darn far out at the end of the NS line. How is this relevant to water parks? Staying at Costa Sands downtown east got you a free ticket per night stayed to Wild Wild Wet. I knew about the water park anyway, and had no intention of visiting, but at the same time I had no idea you got free admission by staying where I did, so win! Anyway, the park was a bit average (Spoiled by the ones here lol) Nice and al,l and had the necessary basics, the lazy river, wave pool, and kids water play structure with tipping bucket, but then about 4 other water slides which isn't quite enough. If they squeezed in a few more slides, of newer types, then it could actually be a good little park. Spent a couple of hours tops, and lockers being $2 was a bonus. The park is adjacent to the defunct Escape Theme Park, which I got spited by because it shut on Dec 26 for renovations. Pics are here, and proudly continue the Parkz tradition of publishing photos of random water parks nobody else has visited http://www.parkz.com.au/parks/SG/Pasir_Ris/Wild_Wild_Wet/photos/page1.html

[themeparkgc]

Thanks for the pics and reviews Gazza. Just caught up now. It will be interesting to see when Universal Studios Singapore expands and whether they will ever open Stage 28 which was supposed to be an opening day attraction that just seemed to disappear (see New York section of the map).

[ads086]

Bumping an old thread I know - but, is USS a 1 or 2 day park? I'm thinking of heading over the during the second week of October this year.

[Gazza]

1 day, but I spent a couple just cos I love this style of park.

[aussienetman]

Hi ads, I do agree. One day is enough to do everything but could have gone a second day... Looking at heading to Ferrari world in Dubai for 2013 with a stopover at universal Singapore. Looking forward to it !

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

Agree - Universal can be done in one day. Be sure to study the park map carefully - especially near Sci-fi City as theres a few corners you can miss if you aren't careful. I've done the park in one day, with plenty of re-ride prior to the opening of Battlestar Galactica, Madagascar Crate Adventure and i think Transformers is also open now too? Depending on the season, you may wish to get a universal express pass to make it worth it - the only attraction that had solid queues for my visit was the jurassic river rapids. At a pinch one day is fine but as Gazza said - it can be nice to have a second day just to really take your time and enjoy everything.

[ads086]

Thanks so much for the help guys. I think one day will do fine.

[Gazza]

i think Transformers is also open now too?

Pics in post #7 Best thing there IMO.

[jjuttp]

Transformers opened long before Hollywoods....

[mba2012]

I just got back from Asia and I was going to go to Universal Studios but we decided not to. I hope to get back there some time.

[Brad2912]

I just got back from Asia and I was going to go to Universal Studios but we decided not to. I hope to get back there some time.

wow! if that is not a post just for the sake of increasing your post count i don't know what is! While we are on the subject, i was going to go to Movieworld last weekend, but felt sick so didnt. Might go this weekend. Will let everyone know if it go or not later on.

[ads086]

For those who have been to Singapore - what's worth seeing? How many days would you recommend for a trip?

[aussienetman]

I spent about 4 Days total there and that was more than enough for me. 1 day universal 1 day orchard road and botanical gardens 1 day wandering the different little cultural sections of Singapore. Little India, an Arab area ect ad just doing out best to get lost. And then we spent the last day back on sentosa island wandering around all the tourist traps. We also went to the casino one night which was pretty amazing. Sinapore has one of those hop on hop off buses which we utilised for two days. Very easy way of getting around. When we travelled there the taxis were pretty good. We were warned to be wary of cabs from the airport so we prebooked a hotel transfer. When we arrived at the airport a very creepy man followed us whispering that he would give us a lift to our hotel so steer clever of them. Another thing I was told to be wary of were the organised factory bus shopping tours. Apparently the shops they take u to are very forceful in their selling techniques. It was an enjoyable trip but I won't be heading back to Singapore in a hurry. The only reason I would wander back would be to go back to universal. To be honest I was a little underwhelmed by every thing else.

Edited July 28, 2012 by aussienetman

[tolly1804]

I just got back from Singapore and loved the city. I would recommend looking on Airbnb.com for accommodation. We also splashed out and stayed at Marina Bay Sands on our last night (they have shuttles to the airport, and access to the sky garden) When we arrived we went out to the night safari (we took the SAEx transfers for $4.50 each way), on our second day we went out to Universal Studio's (free shuttle bus for tourists, check their website), after Universal we got an evening "play pass" and rode the cable car, went luging and saw Songs of the Sea (rofl). The following day we went shopping (Bugis Street has a massive amount of stalls at cheap prices), on our final day we savored the casino and hotel. We also checked out Chinatown (be aware it's very comercialised) before returning to the hotel and taking a shuttle out to the Airport. Keep in mind Changi is on of the best airports in the world so dont be afraid to spend a bit of time there (duty free grog is the cheapest you will find), and the MRT (subway) is super easy to use

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

For getting around, it is worth buying a card (like a go-card) for the MRT. This also gives you a half price return trip to sentosa (pay one way, the return is free). The train system is very convenient for getting around. I recommend seeing both the Singapore Day Zoo, as well as the Night Safari. There are tours out of Singapore central that take you out. Don't be put off by the times (I think the day zoo they allow about 4 hours) - you can see the whole zoo in that time - they have a very efficient tram system throughout the park, and they'll drive you around most of the zoo, slow down for each enclosure so you can see the animals without ever getting off the tram. The night zoo safari is very similar and you can see it in the same amount of time. Get the morning trip to the zoo, spend the afternoon in Singapore, and then take the trip back to the night safari. Universal is obviously a must - but there are many other things you can do whilst you're there. Songs of the Sea is a bit 'rofl' but it is still well worth seeing what a non-disney company can do with that kind of show. Naturally - Marina Bay Sands, the casino and shopping are worth your time - but don't expect great bargains - our exchange rate isn't fantastic in singapore, and you don't save much - so save your shopping souvenir purchases to things you wouldn't be able to get in Australia. Sentosa has a number of other experiences which we tried out while we were there - including a parajump (freefall, descender assisted harness jump off a tower), as well as an extremely long zip line that was on a season of amazing race (USA) a few years back. They also have a luge track which in my opinion is worth the ride - a little like a toboggan except the track is a few metres wide - and you can get up some great speed. Seeing the island from the cable car to get to the top of the luge is also well worth it. For those that adrenalin isn't everything - theres always the trek to Merlion - funny photos in strange poses are permitted (and hilarious). Even if you've had one before - in any place (including singapore) you MUST try out Raffles Hotel for the original Singapore Sling. Non-adrenalin junkies may also find a trip to the Changi Prison interesting as well. To be honest i'm of two minds - Singapore is the great, clean tourist mecca of Asia - and Hong Kong is it's dirty cousin - you can get better bargains shopping in hong kong, but cleaner, more sophisticated experiences in singapore. Checking out Marina Bay Sands, SkyGarden (and the pool!), as well as the cultural museums and other things in and around the bay. I'd recommend 4 days to do it nicely, but you can get it done in three if you're efficient. If you have time left over - grab one of the hippo jump-on jump-off bus tours and take a trip around the city - see Little India (from the safety of your upper-deck bus-seat!) but don't get off the bus! Down Orchard Road, there are many Tourist Info centres too - stop by and get some info from them (the privately run centres that do the tours are worth it as well) and give you plenty of ideas on other thigns you could do too. If you stop by the official tourist info desk - they'll also give you a free rain poncho - which (believe me) comes in very handy.

[jjuttp]

And if you're into gizmos of sorts, Sim Lim Square is a MUST. It's a combination of game shops, hobby stores, and a billion IT departments in 1 tower....