Universal Studios Doing Universal Studios Singapore

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine media group of Bianca Consunji (Metro Magazine), Harold Geronimo (Manila Standard) and I for The Freeman were treated by the Singapore tourism Board to a day at Universal Studios Singapore. Sitting on prime real estate location in Sentosa Island, Universal Studios Singapore (USS) belongs to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) which also includes the three hotels operating in the resort complex: Hard Rock Hotel (anchor hotel), Michael Hotel and the Resort World Hotel & Casino. Genting Singapore is the parent corporation, a subsidiary of the world-renowned Genting Highlands in Malaysia.

We got to USS by mid morning, in humid summer heat. Tickets to the theme park is S$60.00 of which, while certain rides are still not in operation, S$15.00 can be used for food and drinks. Battlestar Galactica, the “world’s tallest dueling roller coaster,” is still closed after they found a problem when they did a routine pre-opening inspection. Vekoma, the Netherlands-based manufacturer, and independent inspectors are insidiously working to make the star attraction of USS guaranteed safe to open to the public within the year. (Strait Times, June 02, 2010)

A welcome haven was the canopied Hollywood Boulevard where one could see replicas of the facades of shops and cubbyholes of tinsel town. Next is the equally canopied “streets” of New York, ending at the doorsteps of the New York City Library. It’s Manhattan in the late 40s and early 50s…then, Marilyn Monroe coyly wiggles her behind to passersby and barbershop trios sing at street corners. Catch “Monster Rock” at Pantages Hollywood Theater – meet you favorite monsters as they shake and roll.

The Revenge of the Mummy ride in the Lost World, in the recesses of the Ancient Egypt’s monolithic palace, is a ride one can’t easily forget. Take my word for it! I almost choked Harold for convincing me to go with them.

Romantic at heart, I loved Far Far Away the most, with Shrek’s castle at the middle of the fantasy village where witches brews are next door to princesses’ gowns. An Animal Parade will also take place in the afternoon…but we missed this, as it is cancelled when it rains.

It was raining hard most of the afternoon of our visit. We could not get to the rides, nor walk around the sights. People huddled at nearby shops to wait out the downpour.

I truly hope that USS management will make the theme park child-friendly by putting canopies at all the areas. If they can put a canopy at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and New York’s main street, I don’t see why they can’t follow through to all the areas. This way, people are protected from the fierce sunlight and will have a shade in the uncomfortable humidity. 

Overall, our day at Universal Studios Singapore was wet but fun…see for yourselves! The pictures tell it much better than my puny words.