On our second day, we planned to go to Universal Studios. The trip to Singapore will not be complete without visiting the famous park. Universal Studios is a theme park located within Resorts World Sentosa in Sentosa Island. Although we woke up late (as we were tired, really) and disappointed because it was dark and raining (of all days!); but in the end, it turns out to be a great and fun day. Universal Studios opens to the crowd at 10 AM. Our initial plan was to wake up at 8:00 AM to get there early (like an early bird) to enjoy the place as much as possible, but it was a blessing in disguise as we were just in time for the opening (no waiting in queue, God is really good!).
The park consists of seven themed zones which surround a lagoon. Each zone is based on a blockbuster movie or a television show, featuring their own unique attractions, character appearances, dining and shopping areas. The seven themed zones (counterclockwise) are Hollywood, New York, Sci-fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away & Madagascar.
The Hollywood zone is the main entrance area of the park. Its only attraction, a broadway-style theatre, is accompanied by several restaurants and a variety of flagship shops. Merchandise store like the "Universal Studios Store", "Star Character", "The Dark Room", "Silver Screen Collectibles", "Superstar Candies", "The Brown Derby" and "That's a Wrap" flocked the Hollywood zone. Being a replica of the Hollywood Boulevard, this zone is flanked by dynamic architecture and palm trees. It also features a replica of the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame where we took photos of the "walk of fame stars". We also took photos of the character appearances including: Po from Kung Fu Panda, Frankenstein’s Monster, Woody Woodpecker, Winnie Woodpecker and Betty Boop. Unfortunately we haven’t seen Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Bettlejuice which are part of the appearances.
Then we proceed to the New York zone, its attraction is the Live, Camera, Action! It is hosted by none other Steven Spielberg. It is a show that features how filmmaker’s do incredible special effects as an empty sound stage becomes the setting for a major hurricane about to hit New York City. We are directed to one of 3 smaller lines which lead to 3 separate rows in the pre-show room. Once inside, Steven Spielberg, appearing on a video projection screen, gives a brief introduction to the use of sound stages and special effects in movies in movies. We were amazed when we saw how they did it and it was really fantastic and creative. I salute them for a job well done. Although we waited for at least 20 minutes, the attraction was worth the wait.
We continued to the Sci-Fi City zone, we saw the famous transformers character replica such as Bumble bee and Optimus Prime. We rode the Transformers The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle and I was a little motion sick (it was good that we haven't eaten our lunch) but I enjoyed it (better that I tried it than never, at least I felt how it was to ride that attraction). The waiting time was at least 45 minutes (queue time). When we enter their "base", we were "oriented" as a "new recruit". We were like role playing as we waited for our turn and after the ride, Optimus Prime thanked and commended us for a job well done.
After the ride, we were starving, so we went to Mel's Drive-In restaurant (located in Hollywood zone) to order a lunch. While we were seating and eating our lunch, one group of band started performing live. They invited crowds and it was a good performance. They did about 5 songs.
So when we finished watching them, we proceed to the left side of the park (we started on the right side, but we have to go back because the diner is close to the Hollywood themed zone). The left side starts with Madagascar themed zone. The attractions of this zone are the Madagascar: A Crate Adventure & King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round. We tried the first one as it is a boat ride (I don't want to ride the carousel or I will throw up) and we were like children, as we experienced this attraction. At the completion of the ride, Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien and the penguins mascots have a photo shoot and perform a short dance to the tune of "I like to move it, move it" (remember King Julien).
Far Far Away zone is inspired by hit Shrek franchise by DreamWorks Animation. The zone consist of many prominent locations from the film such as Shrek's swamp house as well as the Far Far Away's glamorous Romeo Drive which contains the nightspots of the town such as the Hook's Knight Club. The highlight of the zone is the 40-metre tall Far Far Away Castle which is the world's first. There are several attractions in the castle such as the Shrek 4D Adventure, Enchanted Airways, Magic Potion Spin and Donkey LIVE featuring the voice talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. We really enjoyed the Shrek 4D Adventure, it was a17-minute 3D film where we experienced a totally-in-your-face fairy tale adventure to help save Princess Fiona through the miracle of OgreVision, we can see, hear, and feel the action right from our seat. It was a totally different level of experience.
Moving on, we came to The Lost World zone where we experienced the Jurassic era. We took a picture of the Dinosaurs replica and rode several rides in that zone. Attraction includes the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, Canopy Flyer, Dino-Soarin', Amber Rock Climb and the Waterworld. We rode the Canopy Flyer, it is a prehistoric bird's eye view as you soar over Jurassic Park and I felt that it would be my first and last (I felt terrible, feels like my stomach is turning upside down). After that, we watched the attraction in the Waterworld, it was a live water show. Be ready to get wet as entertainers are spontaneously spraying water; so if you don’t want to get wet, sit in the benches that indicate that you don't want to get wet (benches has color code). It was a nice entertainment and full of fun. The live performance was action packed as the male and female lead fights the antagonists. The actors are very good and entertained the crowd with their stunts, awesome explosions and fireworks. It was sensational.After an hour live show, we proceed to the our last zone, the Ancient Egypt from the popular series of "The Mummy". Here we rode the Treasure Hunters where we drove our own desert type jeep through an abandoned Egyptian excavation site. I can say that it was not as exciting as the other attractions, but it was a nice break. Other attraction is the Revenge of the Mummy, it is an indoor roller coaster (not again!) where you come face to face with warrior mummies and scarab beetles (I didn't tried this). We also took photos of the Egyptian statues like we were in Egypt.
At around 5:00 pm, we headed back and passed by the Sci-Fi City zone, New York zone and Hollywood zone. On our way, we were taking more pictures of the things we missed during the day. We went to 7/11 Store and looked for anything to eat for dinner. After we’re done eating, we continued to The Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium also located in the Resorts World Sentosa (near the Universal Studios), it was a free pass so we took the opportunity to see the museum. This museum was built to house the Jewel of Muscat and some of the 60,000 artifacts salvaged from the Belitung shipwreck, an Arabian dhow wrecked off the Coast of Belitung Island. At around 7 PM, we were exhausted and waited for our bus. On the way back, we bought food for our dinner. Our day was full of fun and enjoyed it. I thank God for this wonderful experience.
Watch out for our last day, day 3.
God bless us more,
Psyche
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