Across the Universe(al)

Christopher and Gru

He was so excited to get his annual pass

One of the things that Christopher is most excited about while in Singapore is unlimited access to Universal Studios. We each have an annual pass including front of the line for Universal and also annual passes for the SEA Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark. It’s a combo ticket and a very good deal. We can easily get to Sentosa Island, where they are all located, on a direct bus so Christopher and I can go to one of the parks for a few hours at a time. 

Oh no!!!

Shrek's Castle

Brian and Christopher on the Jurassic Park ride

Universal is smaller than in the US (which is nice because it’s so hot here). Two of the areas have covered streets so if it’s raining you can stay dry under cover. Many of the rides are the same as in the US: Transformers, The Mummy, Jurassic World, and some roller coasters. One area I enjoy that is unique here in Singapore is Shrek Land with its castle and fun background music from the movie.

The TERRORcotta Empress

Brian at the Halloween Horror nights

We went to the Halloween Horror Nights, as we had never been to one in the US so we wanted to check it out. It was different and kind of cool being at Universal at night.  We went on some of the rides in the dark (which was fun) and went through one of the five haunted houses. We stood in line for about 45 minutes to go through the TERRORcotta Empress house. The costumes were exotic and gory, but right in the middle there wasn’t good air circulation and the stink (stench?) was definitely the worst we have smelled since being in Asia. We also realized while in line that Brian and I were at least 20 years older than everyone else in the park. Singapore is so safe that the kids can go to the park on their own so there weren't many adults. With Brian taller than everyone there we really stood out. It was fun to do, but we don’t think we will do that again.

The aquarium has a huge tank call the Open Ocean habitat.  It’s my favorite large aquarium that I’ve seen mainly because of the large rays that swim past. They are mesmerizing and I like to sit and watch them along with the other large fish.

The Open Ocean Habitat 

White tip reef sharks

The water park is fun and has a very long lazy river to float on.  It takes over 45 min to go all the way around and you go through tunnels, go under a shark tank, and you go by the tank where people are feeding rays. The rays like to suck up to the glass so you float by looking at their white underbellies-- really cool. They have water slides and a wave machine too.  We’ve only been once so far but we will go back. I didn't take any pictures in the water park because all of my stuff including my phone were in a locker while we were there.

--Julie