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)

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

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!)

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.

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:

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

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’).

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

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).

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

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

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)

Not your ordinary store displays at the Supply Vault!

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.

A general look at the store- Blue lighting near the ceiling, almost everywhere in the 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:

The REAL vault here.

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!

Of course, digital panels for menus here.

UPDATE! Annual Pass Preview Dates!

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!