Be sure to check weather forecast before your trip. Their forecast are quite accurate since Singapore is such a small country, they need to be on alert at all time to changes in weather.
For 3 days forecast go http://app2.nea.gov.sg/weather_3day.aspx
For 7 days forecast go http://www.weathercity.com/sg/singapore/
Also note that since Singapore is an island, weather can change drastically.
On the appointed day, it did rained in the morning which makes quite a cumbersome walk in Universal Studio Singapore (USS), hence we purchased the poncho / raincoat for S$3 each. The size is really big so I ended up tying the poncho at the bottom.
Most of the Hollywood areas are cover by roof so you can enjoy even when it rains but not the rest.
USS OPERATING HOURS
USS opens from 10am to 7pm but for exact operating hours, click http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore/VisitorInfo#hours
GETTING THERE
To get to USS you must first get to Sentosa Island.
There are 5 ways to get there:-
From Harbourfront MRT station which is under or next to VivoCity shopping centre:-
1) sentosa express (sentosa island monorail) S$3.50
2) bus S$2
3) walk S$1 - it costs S$1 cos there are travelators (moving walkway) along the way.
4) cable car - Adult: S$29 Child: $18*
5) drive
dont worry about getting lost as there are plenty of signboards showing you the way to go.
Note:- you only need to pay to get into Sentosa Island. Once you are inside Sentosa Island, you are free to take the Sentosa Express to all other stations. Basically it runs from (not in a loop):-
Sentosa Station (VivoCity) - Waterfront (USS, Casino etc) - Imbiah Station - Beach Station
Which means when you leave Sentosa Island, regardless how you enter, you can take the Sentosa Express to exit for free!
ONCE THERE
Entrance fee depends on peak, super peak season but do look for occasional offers with Maybank or Mastercard cos apparently Maybank is one of their major sponsors.
Just google Universal Studio Singapore then the ones with offers link will be right on top of the sponsored links. The online purchase site is quite sneaky sometimes cos I was looking at the Mastercard promotion at S$60 but later after looking closely found another page with the Maybank offer of S$58.
You can purchase the tickets online or buy them onsite for same day or different dates.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
As you can see from the map, USS is like a circle.. but make sure you remember to catch a few must watch live shows like Waterworld which is located way up north.
So better to tackle the attractions in a circle so as not to miss anything or tiring yourself out walking to and fro from one end to the other even though there's a shortcut in the middle.
At first I tried to think of a way to avoid crowds and queues but in USS it's quite hard cos new crowds kept coming, even in the afternoon. Maybe from singaporean annual pass holders or tour buses I guess.
BTW the Monster Rock show.. dont bother unless this is your first theme park visit. I nearly fell asleep inside the theater.
There are 3 rides which did not allow any bags / belongings. That's the Mummy and Battlestar Galactica (2 different rides with 2 different queues - human and alien version). Lockers are real easy to use.
Note you dont get to choose your locker number. The machine will assign a nearby locker for you. Just key in your Date of Birth and choose a favourite colour.
Certain rides, you might not want to wear your shoes, so you basically leave it beside the exit area.
WILL YOU GET WET IN JURASSIC PARK RIDE
Yes and no.. cos it pretty much depends on where you sit. It's a circular ride where people sit 3 - 3 - 3. Me and my boyfriend sat at the end of the 3 but across from each other, not side by side, as they want to fill it up to 9. Since we were the last to board, we had to sit whatever seats left.
I didnt get wet at all but my boyfriend was drenched!! So unless you dont like the idea of getting wet, best wear a poncho. Actually he did wear a poncho but he was not mindful to pull it way down to cover his jeans. So he was drenched from backside all the way down to his legs ;p
FOOD IN USS
Foodwise, I read from other blogs that New York Pizza is good but I tried Mel's Drive In.. Loved their double cheeseburgers at S$13.50 with fries and large soda drinks. Comparable to malaysia's Carl's Jr burger.
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| For S$13.50 you get a burger, fries and large drink |
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| S$13.80 for turkey leg combo S$12 for turkey leg only Collectible souvenir bottle from S$8.90 - S$25.90 then refill at S$2 |
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| S$9.80 for cotton candy with souvenir. Bottled drinks are from S$3.30 - S$5.80 Ice cream are from S$3 - S$6. |
WHAT do you do after 7pm?
USS close pretty early so stay back in Sentosa to check out the Resort World Sentosa casino. Just make sure you have your passport with you. Also make sure no sleeveless shirt for guys, no shorts, no slippers or sandals. In other words, no beachwear to enter.
Then make sure you stay for the Crane Dance at 9pm (Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and the eve of Public Holidays)
Link to their calendar http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/EntertainmentNightlife/CraneDance/CraneDanceCalendar
Be there like 15min earlier for higher up seats.
Only available on Saturday nights around 09:30pm (subject to availability and weather conditions) for the Hollywood after Party.
If you did not purchase the USS pass, you can still see the fireworks from outside USS. However it's best viewed from inside the themepark.
SPECIAL NOTES on EXPRESS PASS and etc
a) expect plenty of crowd and from different nationality. Usually people recommend Express Pass only on Saturdays and Sundays.. I went on a Friday which coincides with malaysia's independance day. The crowd was there from malaysia, indonesia, singapore, india and etc...
Even though I arrive at 11plus, I just barely manage to catch all the rides (minus all the kiddies' rides) and a lunch. No photo taking with any characters. Didn't even have time for a 2nd round on any rides.. So I would recommend Express Pass if you can afford it especially when you know it's a public holiday in Singapore or Malaysia or Indonesia.
Those with Express Pass have a certain smug look on their faces as they bypass all those waiting in queue.. guess this kind of privilege is priceless in USS plus you get to do it over and over and over again.. Sigh...
b) no checking of bags at point of entry.
c) there are plenty of water fountains especially near restrooms and some at the start or middle of the queue line for certain rides. Great for those who dont fancy carbonated drinks.
d) you can exit and re-enter USS. Just make sure you get your hand stamped with an invisible ink and show your USS ticket for same day re-entry.
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For more tips on:-
left luggage services in Sentosa Island, click JL Journal/left-luggage-or-locker-services
travelling by public transportation in Singapore, click JL Journal/wallet-friendly-public-transportation
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