Universal Studios Singapore – Park Update 05/2016

It’s been a while. What’s new at Universal Studios Singapore?

Wow so clear.. Where did that classic box for park maps go?

After the audacious Easter Eggstravaganza Event, the middle year period is usually a lull period because the school vacations around the region naturally draw in the crowds.

In April 2015, the park opened a new attraction – Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey, its first expansion beyond the park’s original boundaries. Then a month later, the renewed Battlestar Galactica roller coaster launched again with much fanfare (and longer lines!).

So what about this year? Well, we can’t expect new attractions all the time. But at least there’ll be a new event!

Universal Studios Singapore Soak Out

This year, Soak Out Water Party will be held at the park from 13 June to 10 August 2016. This splashin’ party parade will be held at the park at 3pm (5:30pm on Saturdays, because of Hollywood Dreams / Universal Party Parade).

Soak Out Water Party

According to Universal Studios Singapore, the Soak Out Water Party will start with two floats from Far Far Away and Sci-Fi City. You can definitely expect a cast of original characters performing at this show, reveling with water guns and possibly buckets of water.

Something like that in USJ:

This sort of… attraction show is a novel idea that has already been done (and even retired) at some major theme parks worldwide, but let’s give USS a chance since they’ve not done something like that before – and at least they’re doing something.

The two mini parades will converge at the park’s lagoon stage, where the main party takes place. For 30 minutes no one in the party zone will be spared by the splashes.

Soak Out After Party

On Fridays, Saturdays and select nights, the Soak Out After Party will be held from 6pm to 9pm. Some of the park’s attractions will be open all night, while there are some live entertainment exclusively after dark as well.

Here’s the full list of After Party Nights:
24, 25 June
1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 29, 30 July
5, 6, 7, 8, 9 August

Guests that are already at the park can stay back to enjoy the extended hours, while other guests can purchase tickets for entry from 5pm at $55. For that price, why not be at the park for a full day instead?

A Walk around the Park

The park map is updated with both Waterworld and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure reopened after maintenance.

This season’s park map and times guide. Notice how the top part (with the date) has been cut off again?

The facade of Pantages Hollywood Theatre is undergoing refurbishment.

It has a rather cool all-blue look in the meantime.

Mel’s Drive-In looks like it had a paint job recently, with its cyan roof looking very clean and bright.

We now have a limited time to enjoy the New York zone in its original look.

Expect to wait at least an hour for Transformers once the school holiday crowd rolls in.

Even with the sign (which has its sharp edges and corners addressed), some park guests still try to walk into the queue for Battlestar Galactica with all their belongings.

Small Funko display at the Battlestar Galactica ride exit shop.

Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI) has taken over Fujifilm as the official imaging partner at the resort’s attractions.

I’ve noticed this for quite a while but never mentioned it: There’s been a ‘retail revamp’ at some stores, with the most drastic at Carter’s Curiosities. It’s a common shift at most theme parks. Stores that used to sell very niche items eventually stop doing so, because those ‘special’ items just don’t sell.

There’s even a Sunglass hut stall there now.

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure reopened without much fanfare. Guess it’s just a routine maintenance.

The show building facade could’ve looked nice though. All those streaks around the panels…

And we’ll end the update with a photo of the still empty Waterworld queue. This will be yet another haunted house during Halloween Horror Nights 6 (HHN6) from September this year.

Halloween Horror Nights 6 (HHN6) Auditions

Have you auditioned? The first week of auditions have passed, but there are two more dates in June. Auditions are held at *SCAPE, The TreeTop, Level 5.

Date: 28, 29 May and 11, 12 June 2016
11am – 8pm, last registration at 7:30pm

Apart from being able to scare people during Halloween Horror Nights, another benefit would be the free photography that scare actors will get from many photographers during the event, including the one right here.

All the best, scare actor hopefuls!