Universal Studios Singapore – Update 11/2011

UPDATE 2!
Transformers: The Ride is now open for technical rehearsal.
For the review/report and photos of the attraction, please go this entry.

UPDATE!
Transformers: The Ride
Previews for all Annual Passholders

On 25th and 26th November 2011
During Park hours (10am to 9pm)
No reservation is required.
All annual passholders will be able to visit both dates and enjoy unlimited access during park hours.

(For more info please click on Read More and scroll to the bottom)

TTR - The Poster!

This month’s update to the new stuff at Universal Studios Singapore include:
Christmas Decor at the Park
Transformers: The Ride Entrance
Transformers Supply Vault (Retail Store)

Christmas Decor at the Park


Hollywood Christmas Decor

USS Christmas Tree (Hollywood)

The Christmas spirit (or some hints of it) has arrived at the Studio. A wreath at every lamp-post at Hollywood and slightly more impressive baubles at New York. It’s still rather minimalistic for now, or they ran out of ideas and funds after a very elaborate Halloween overlay? The zones are accompanied with a nice selection of Christmas songs (better than last year, I would say!)

New York Christmas

New York Christmas

Once again, the 10-metre tall tree took over the Universal Fountain at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. There are 4 “half” trees at the New York Library. I guess I will have to return to the park at night to see them lit up nicely.

Annual Pass Ad
Once again, the park is getting even more aggressive with the Annual Pass programme. There are several signs placed at different zones to encourage guests to upgrade their day tickets. All the signs are themed to the zones they are placed in – a nice touch.

Transformers: The Ride

Okay, I’d admit that there’s nothing fantastic for now (review and photos of the ride will be available here soon!), so let’s take a look at what they have at the entrance:

Transformers Entrance

Transformers Entrance
The queue system will be like Revenge of the Mummy, split 3-way into: Universal Express, Single Rider and Normal/Standby Line.

Transformers Minimum Height
Guests will need to be at least 102cm tall to ride, due to the ride safety restraint system. Children between 102cm and 122cm tall will need to be accompanied by a supervising companion (what a long way to say ‘adult’).

Transformers Safety

Quite a handful of people have asked me, what kind of ride is Transformers? Roller-coaster?? 3D Movie? The answer is… well, it’s pretty hard to say. Technically, it is an indoor dark ride, using a motion-base vehicle which travels through the ride’s scenes on a track. Transformers: The Ride creates an action-packed experience with a mixture of 3D projection screens (yes, you will need to wear 3D glasses!) and animated props/scenes/animatronics combined with high-speed movement (and jarring actions). The motion-base vehicle is basically those sort of “Motion Simulator” ride, except it isn’t enclosed. The vehicle can move the same way, with tilting, turning and dropping – mixed with elaborate scenes, it can, as a whole, produce the illusion of dramatic movement. Considering that you can bring bags on board and will be wearing 3D glasses, this is physically not as intense as a typical roller-coaster ride.

UPDATE: Ride Details!

Each ride vehicle can seat 12 guests, 4 per row.
Blue 3D glasses will be handed out.

UPDATE2: Teaser Video!

Transformers Supply Vault

Transformers Supply Vault

Transformers Supply Vault

Some TARDIS-like thing in the middle.

The Supply Vault is perhaps the most awesome retail store in Universal Studios Singapore. It is about 2/3 the size of the retail store in Far Far Away. There are a LOT of items here and dangerously, a lot of good stuff. There is just so much variety that you will most definitely find something you like – Girls included (look for the “bedazzled” t-shirts). I’ve included the price of some items so you can think about what to buy (or whether you should skip the Corndogs, Churros and Turkey legs at the park).

Toys!

Bumblebee Beach Towel

Transformers T-Shirts
T-Shirts for Adults, S$33 each (Children T-shirts go for S$26 each)

Tumblrs
Tumblers for S$13 (Same as the ones they sell at Starbucks, but according to a friend, these can’t be used at Starbucks)


Transformers - Conflicting Crocs
Transformers Crocs!! for S$39. Only available in children’s sizes (obviously!)

Transformers - Flip Flops
Transformers Flip-Flops. From S$4. Also only available in children’s sizes.

There is a good mix of merchandise, about 3 general themes in the store:
– New/unique items for Transformers: The Ride
– General items from the Transformers film franchise
– Vintage Transformers (the classic, boxy type of Transformers) reinterpreted (or simply reproduced)

DVDs

Not your ordinary store displays at the Supply Vault!

Transformers Supply Vault - Buttons

Transformers Supply Vault


Flashy Cashiers
Definitely cool-looking decor at the payment counters.

Monitoring Screens
I’ve no idea what the screens are displaying but it’s some cool clips of the Transformers robots in action. And I’m thankful it’s not the generic video being shown everywhere else at the park.

Transformers Supply Vault
A general look at the store- Blue lighting near the ceiling, almost everywhere in the vault.

Transformers Supply Vault
The crew member here is certainly enjoying his Bumblebee mask.

Apart from a wealth of nifty Transformers memorabilia and toys (parents beware), the store is elaborately decorated and there’s a lot of stuff to see:


Transformers Supply Vault

Transformers Supply Vault

Transformers Supply Vault
The REAL vault here.


Transformers Ride Exit

This is the other entrance to the Supply Vault – from the Transformers ride exit. It’s two long ramps, which means it could also be the exit for wheelchairs. Does anyone find it interesting… that this suggests that the unload platform could be at the second level? I know it doesn’t really make sense for an unload on a second level when the loading is on the first level.. or is it? (Unless this is simply the “go up the stairs and down” sort of exit, which is done for: Platform 2 of Revenge of the Mummy, Enchanted Airways, Madagascar: A Crate Adventure)

In other news, the resident robots of Sci-Fi City has finally recognized that humans do visit their futuristic home. There is a new F&B outlet called Starbot Cafe: Human Refueling Center. It has been ready for a few weeks – with those fancy blue lighting – and will be finally open on 18th November 2011. There is a dessert station/window right outside so you may be pleased to know that they sell soft-serve ice-cream here. No need to walk to Friar’s at Far Far Away anymore!


Starbot Cafe
Of course, digital panels for menus here.


UPDATE! Annual Pass Preview Dates!

ttrAP_edm

Apart from preview entry to the ride, Annual passholders will enjoy discounts at some F&B outlets on 25th and 26th November:

Superstar pass holders get to enjoy 35%# off KT’s Grill™, Hollywood China Bistro™, Starbot Cafe and Celebrity Cafe & Bakery™ on the 25th and 26th November 2011.
Fun pass and Action pass holders get to enjoy 20%# off KT’s Grill™, Hollywood China Bistro™, Starbot Cafe and Celebrity Cafe & Bakery™ on the 25th and 26th November 2011.
# Excluding alcohol and souvenir items


Subscribe, bookmark and stay tuned to the Transformers: The Ride trip+photo report coming really soon!

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15 Responses to Universal Studios Singapore – Update 11/2011

  1. Luke November 14, 2011 at 11:59 pm #

    I visited the park today too!I

    I just want to add that….I asked one of the staff in Starbot Cafe and he told me the restaurant will be open from 18 Nov, this Friday!!!!!

    • Dejiki November 15, 2011 at 12:00 am #

      Thanks for that info! Added to the entry 🙂

      • Luke November 15, 2011 at 1:50 am #

        HAHA That’s fast.

        Will you be there on the annual pass preview day? (Of course you will.)
        I would love to have a chance to meet you!

        • Dejiki November 15, 2011 at 11:23 am #

          Sure! 🙂

          • Luke November 15, 2011 at 1:32 pm #

            Could you e-mail me your phone number please?

            • Dejiki November 17, 2011 at 9:27 pm #

              Hi Luke, check your Facebook messages!

  2. Raleigh November 15, 2011 at 3:09 am #

    @Luke: Just curious…when is AP preview day? I’m anxious to hear some reviews on this ride!

    • Luke November 15, 2011 at 11:22 am #

      AP preview will be on 25 and 26 Nov..

  3. Luke November 17, 2011 at 9:25 pm #

    Well, another thing just came cross my mind….
    According to the interview here…
    http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201108/2603/

    “The adversity was that we didn’t have enough real estate. The idea that we could go vertical created an opportunity to create a media silo, a 60-foot-high silo that we would really be able to explore the full scale of the characters. So we solved the technical problem of real estate by creating a double-decker, or two-story, attraction.”

    Well, I think this answers your question~
    Anyway, I am really excited about how I am gonna be elevated to the second floor~

    • Dejiki November 17, 2011 at 9:34 pm #

      Thanks for the link! Although it has been known for a while that the ride takes place in two levels, it’s interesting to hear that they initially had ideas for a 60-foot-high installation.

      Actually, I was wondering why the exit is coming from the second level, or at least an elevated level. 🙂

      • Luke November 17, 2011 at 9:47 pm #

        I think it makes sense that the ride will end at the second floor…..

        PS, I didn’t receive any message on facebook…

        PPS, I will go and check out the new restaurant tomorrow.

  4. dhana November 18, 2011 at 7:05 pm #

    hey dejiki. the transformers ride will be like The Spiderman Ride then right? i’m really looking forward visiting singapore again just to try this. waiting for the review!

    ps: great blog!

    • Dejiki November 18, 2011 at 7:17 pm #

      Hi there! It uses similar ride technology from Spiderman but it’s very much updated and improved.

      • Luke November 18, 2011 at 7:55 pm #

        I just wish that my 5 months’ wait is worth it…

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Transformers: The Ride - More Inside News : Transfans Malaysia (TransMY) - November 18, 2011

    […] While we were amazed with the introduction of Evac and some video featuring awesome snippets of what Transformers: The Ride had to offer, there is more updates from Screamscape and Dejiki. […]

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