Universal Studios Singapore – Park Update 04/2015

BREAKING: Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey has been full revealed! See the ride’s beautiful theming here first!

Also, Vin Diesel‘s in town. Check out photos of the new Fast & Furious 7 display and Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey in this new park update!

NEW: Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey – FULLY REVEALED (4 April Update)

After more than a year, the walls at Far Far Away are finally removed. I’m very pleased to reveal the completed entrance of Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey. The quality of the theming here is quite something.

Behold, the new Romeo Drive!

The Tower – we finally get to see how the beanstalk sprouts from the ground. With lush greenery surrounding the stalks, it looks good.

The Legend returns!

The queue splits right at the beginning into two lanes – the normal attraction entrance and Universal Express. There’s a gentle incline as both lines go deeper into the attraction.. and right into the Giant’s Castle.

To the right side of the tower, beside the queue, is what I assume the ride’s exit, or an alternate entrance. The foreground is also the stroller parking zone. If you look carefully in my other photos, it’s a gosling on a stroller. 😀

I’m quite pleased with the theming outside so far – it’s simply beautiful. Now I hope that the queue inside, and the ride itself, is just as amazing.

Notice how the coaster track supports are painted to blend in with the tower’s wall?

On the left of the tower – there’s a new wall. Also, notice the track. This is likely the segment right before the spiral lift hill.

It’s full of posters referencing characters from the Shrek Universe.

Some crew members are now stationed at the attraction entrance. Sporting the new uniforms, the crew has been informing guests that the ride will open soon. Please be nice to them!

The park has not publicly announced an opening date yet. All I can say is that this ride will be opening very soon. Meanwhile, you may want to scroll down to see the previous update which has some area music and audio from the roller coaster vehicle.

Update on Puss in Boots attraction (1 April Update)

There are more signs – literally – that this Puss in Boots-themed suspended roller coaster ride will open soon.

First, the ride has been testing very regularly in the past weeks – but this time, with sound effects and area music. Have a listen:

This video is recorded during the period of national mourning. As the Far Far Away area music is disabled during that period, the audio captured are entirely from the Puss in Boots attraction. The speakers are pretty far, but if you turn up the volume you might hear some familiar motifs. Yep, they’re from the Puss in Boots film, of course!

The second half of the video is an interrupted take so that you can hear the area music. It also shows that the ride system can dispatch vehicles in 40-second cycles. If each vehicle seats 9 guests, what is the Theoretical Hourly Ride Capacity?

The ride vehicles for Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey will have an on-board sound system (at least 9 of such speakers, for the 9 guests) for music and sound effects.

The Puss in Boots figure, which is part of the ride’s beautiful signage, was finally complete (a few weeks ago).

Next, the park has removed those tall palm trees lining Romeo Drive! That gives a much better view of the tower.

Remodeling of the flooring happened a week ago, and it will blend with the rest of the street eventually.

A clearer view towards the Castle Forecourt at Far Far Away is coming soon.

Fast & Furious 7 Display at Universal Studios Singapore

Guess who’s at the park? Vin Diesel.

Well, Vin Diesel isn’t really in Singapore, but his wax figure from Madame Tussauds is now on display at the New York zone. It is part of the Fast & Furious 7 display at Universal Studios Singapore, accompanied with two cars used in the production of the latest film.

1973 Cuda

Fast Attack

I was surprised to only see three exhibits tucked underneath the marquee of the ‘Palace’ theatre. These will be displayed until 16 August 2015, and it is unclear if there will be a rotation of displays months down the road. Meanwhile, check out some details of the production vehicles here:

Vin Diesel is of course, still the main highlight of the display. Come get your photos with Dominic Toretto!

A similar display can also be found at Universal Studios Hollywood. That park will also be opening its new Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction soon.

Park programming adjustments during period of National Mourning

During the period of National Mourning for Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, there were some adjustments to the park’s programming.

Most, if not all of the outdoor performances were not performed during this period. This includes shows at Mel’s Stage, the Universal Party Parade, night-time fireworks show and the outdoor segment of Royal Lunch at Eggingham Palace. Some of the performances were substituted with character meet and greet sessions.

Stage shows, such as Sesame Street in Pantages Hollywood Theatre, Donkey Live, and Waterworld continued to operate as per normal.

Park music was also disabled outdoors, meaning the only place you could hear any area audio would be inside attractions’ queue areas. Taking away the music drastically affects the thematic experience of the park, so we’d have to commend USS for doing this as a mark of respect.

Easter Eggstavaganza

Easter’s this weekend, so if you’re thinking of checking out Easter Eggstravaganza, this is the last week!

It’ll be another year before you see the park’s iconic characters in colourful Easter garb.

Also, don’t miss the Royal Lunch at Eggingham Gardens – a show that’s too deliciously zany to miss.

We’ll be back throughout April with more updates from Universal Studios Singapore!