Author Archive | Dejiki

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Hong Kong Disneyland: Toy Story Land

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It’s play time! Toy Story Land “shrinks” guests down and transports them to Andy’s backyard, where the lovable Toy Story characters are out to play. Based on the successful Disney-Pixar franchise, this themed land uses oversized versions of real world toys. Toy Story Land opened in 2011, and was the first of three new themed zones for the major expansion project at Hong Kong Disneyland.

I feel that Toy Story Land is a great addition to Hong Kong Disneyland. It’s a simple playland with rides designed for children, but yet enjoyable for all ages. Theming is attractive and impressive. The area music is well chosen and re-arranged from Randy Newman’s memorable score. I expected this area to be boring with nothing much to see or do and I was very pleasantly surprised and proven wrong. It is amazing how Disney could combine some simple rides with an imaginative franchise – and turn it into a charming experience.

For the older crowd, stepping into Toy Story Land could be nostalgic. There are many classic toys to be spotted here, which are bound to trigger some childhood memories.

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Hong Kong Disneyland: Main Street, U.S.A.

Gateway to HKDL

Hong Kong Disneyland is still one of my favourite theme parks. It’s not as large as Tokyo Disneyland, but still has Disney’s magical atmosphere. There’s an abundance of great theming, suitable area music and a lot of things for guests to see and do.

With the crazy amount of photos I took at Hong Kong Disneyland, I will write a series of features called Hong Kong Disneyland – 2012 Photo Tour. Each themed area will have its own entry, so you won’t need to sift through hundreds of photos in one post. For the first (or actually second, if you count the Mystic Point post), we’ll get to Main Street, U.S.A.

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Hong Kong Disneyland: Mystic Point – under construction

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Mystic Point is one of the new themed areas at Hong Kong Disneyland. Slated to open in Mid 2013, the themed zone features key attraction Mystic Manor and a play area called Garden of Wonders.

I’m very excited about Mystic Manor and had a chance to see the area under construction when I was at Hong Kong Disneyland recently. While I cannot comment (critically) about its architecture, I’m amazed at how it looks in reality. There is a lot of detail everywhere and the colour scheme reflects the area’s adventure, mystery and occult character well. Enjoy the photographs and read about Mystic Manor as you go along.

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Guide to 2013 Countdown parties in Singapore

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Note: Click here for the latest guide on 2013-2014 Countdown events. This page is outdated and only has last year’s events.

Not sure where to party this New Year’s Eve? Here is a handy guide to the 2012-2013 countdown parties in Singapore!

This entry will be continuously updated as new information is available. Do bookmark this page and check regularly for updates.


Quick Links

Siloso Beach Party (Sentosa)
Supernova Countdown 2013 at Universal Studios Singapore (USS)
Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2013
Celebrate 2013 (The Float @ Marina Bay)

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Marine Life Park – dolphins from the air

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Marine Life Park opened to the public last Thursday, 22nd November 2012. While there is no further construction taking place at the park, the from the air series will continue as we take an extended look at Marine Life Park’s Adventure Cove Waterpark in operation.

The opening of the world’s largest Oceanarium was blemished with the unfortunate passing of Wen Wen, an Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphin. This dolphin died en route to Singapore. A candlelight vigil and memorial service will be held for the dolphin on 2nd Dec 2012. The remaining 24 dolphins (from the original group of 27) are now at the Dolphin Island section of Marine Life Park, acclimatizing to their new home.

The loss of another captive dolphin has stirred up the angry nest of animal activists, causing Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) Facebook Fan page and local news websites to be flooded with comments, urging for the release of the remaining 24 dolphins in captivity.

Note: My blog entries on Marine Life Park are here to provide coverage and share content that other sites do not offer. These entries are produced for documentation purposes and as personal reviews and trip reports of Marine Life Park. I do not get paid by RWS. While I enjoy taking photos and blogging about attractions, my entries are not direct endorsements for Marine Life Park. I am not oblivious to the issue of dolphin hunting and dolphins in captivity, having viewed campaigns and research findings by activist groups as well as the responses by the Marine Life Park.

Edit 29/11/2012: Please do not jump to conclusions on the overall enclosure size for the dolphins, or the living conditions in the enclosure, because these details cannot (and SHOULD NOT) be inferred solely from the photos in this entry.

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Louis Vuitton: The Art of Packing

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In the 1830s, a young frenchman walked 400 kilometres from his hometown to Paris. He became an apprentice layetier in Paris, packing luggage (trunks) for wealthy travelers. Eventually, he became famous for his craft and was asked to be the layetier for Empress Eugénie. Years later, he opened his own trunk workshop which over several decades, developed into one of the most iconic makers of fine luxury goods in the world. His name was Louis Vuitton.

Louis Vuitton’s trunks are produced at their historic workshop at Asnières, together with the top-end range, such as special orders. These hardsided trunks are made by hand by master craftsmen. While trunks are not commonly used as luggage today, they are sought by collectors for ornamental purposes or converted to opulent coffee tables.

A few months ago, Louis Vuitton unveiled The Art of Packing, an interactive experience filled with expert tips and how-to guides on packing luggage. It is also a travelling installation at select Louis Vuitton stores worldwide. Recently, it visited the Travel Room at Louis Vuitton Island Maison, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

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Marine Life Park: Adventure Cove Waterpark – review

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Step into a tropical paradise at Adventure Cove Waterpark, a part of Marine Life Park at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Filled with mysteries of the ocean and splashing fun in the sun, this Waterpark also offers its guests opportunities to immerse in marine habitats. In the near future, interaction programmes with Indo-­Pacific bottlenose dolphins will be made available.

Update 20/11/2012: Marine Life Park will soft open on 22/11/2012. Both S.E.A. Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark will be open to the public.

Here is my review and photo tour of Adventure Cove Waterpark, the “wet” and outdoors aspect of Marine Life Park. You can also view my aerial photography series covering the construction of Adventure Cove Waterpark here.

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Marine Life Park: S.E.A. Aquarium – review

With 10 aquarium zones and the world’s largest aquarium viewing panel, the Marine Life Park’s S.E.A. Aquarium is set to marvel and immerse guests in the fascinating world of vast oceans and other marine habitats.

Update 20/11/2012: Marine Life Park will soft open on 22/11/2012. Both S.E.A. Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark will be open to the public.

Here is my review and photo tour of Marine Life Park – S.E.A. Aquarium, a new attraction at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) that will be open to public soon. This is a general review of the Aquarium and will be followed by a series of shorter entries to give each zone a spotlight.

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The new Universal Studios Singapore Ticket and Annual Pass Prices

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Universal Studios Singapore recently revamped its admission ticket structure and annual pass programme. Here is an overview of the new changes in November 2012.

2018 Update

A new 2018 guide is now published for the 2018 Annual Pass programme. Read it now here.


Click to expand and see original Post (outdated information)

Original Article (as of 2013)

1/9/2013: New information on the new Season Pass is now added, along with details on Universal Express Unlimited.

30/3/2013: The USS Annual Pass has been consolidated into the new 2013 RWS Attractions Pass programme. Prices and benefits remain the same, but the card has been redesigned. For more details, refer to this park update.

11/2012: The confirmed list of new USS Annual Pass benefits has been added.

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Incanto – a quick review


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Incanto Logo © Resorts World Sentosa

Mere months after the end of Voyage de la Vie‘s record run, Resorts World Sentosa announced a new show to grace the Festive Grand theatre. Billed as a theatrical magic spectacular, Incanto is truly a spectacle – 90 minutes packed with heart-stopping action, and bewildering illusions.

I caught the show last week during the opening weekend. Here is my (hopefully short) review of Incanto.

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