“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” – Arthur C. Clarke

[Written by Jimmy S from Projects]


It was said that good things come in small packages. And some say that they come in pairs. That’s definitely true for USS Sci-Fi City. Arguably one of the smaller zones in USS, Sci-Fi City currently boasts of two attractions – the Battlestar Galactica (BSG) and the Accelerator – due to be opened early 2010 (with another one planned to debut the year after). Not only that, the BSG are duelling coasters and currently the tallest pair in the world.

As a brand new attraction based around the TV series of the same name, the BSG dueling coasters claims many titles. It is the world’s tallest pair of dueling coasters. With both a red conventional coaster signifying the Humans and a blue suspended coaster signifying the Cylons, they will be a pair of the most thrilling rides in USS. With all the twists and turns of the tracks, my legs get all jelly-like just by looking at it. Well it will definitely be in my USS to-do list, that’s for sure! And please, you do not want to puke into the lagoon.

Night view of the BSG from across the USS lagoon

Now something less intimidating but possibly no less exciting is the Accelerator. Now with all the hype surrounding the BSG (after all, it is hard to ignore), we should not forget about the less well known little brother of the Sci-Fi City. Now, what is this Accelerator? As its name implies, it will accelerate you. But the fact is you’ll be accelerated to crazy, dizzying spins. Again, caution to those who cannot handle these, please do not consume food and drinks before hopping onto either this or the BSG.

The Accelerator - looking nice and spiffy - just inviting you to hop on.

For all you collectible junkies out there, don’t forget to visit the Galactica PX where you will get all forms of merchandise from the Battlestar Galactica universe as well as other science-fiction related accessories. Now as part of the conspiracy, there are NO F&B outlets in Sci-Fi zone, since I doubt the Operations people would be happy to clean up people’s puke on a daily basis. So, share some thoughts for the poor souls and please try not to ingest anything that you cannot keep down before taking those rides.

Now we are speeding into the finishing line, I can’t wait for the IR and specifically the park to open. I am eagerly planning getting onto all these rides and go nuts. As I am sure you are as well.

This ain't for the faint-hearted

[Written by Grace K from Entertainment]


Once every so often, I make a trip up through the misty clouds into the mountains of Genting Highlands to visit Resorts World Sentosa’s sister company, Resorts World Genting, so that I can observe and understand how they organize their events.

Now that Resorts World group has three resorts : Sentosa, Genting and Manila, we try to collaborate on a few big events across the three venues, which makes sense from an economical standpoint, as well as in branding and marketing.

End of November, I was up again to check out their National Lion Dance Championships as RWS is interested in alternating this event with Genting. A bit of history – every odd year (eg.2009), Genting organizes a National Lion Dance competition where the various states in Malaysia compete to be the National Champion. The champion then goes on to participate the following year in the World Lion Dance Championships (every even year). This event is recognized internationally as one of the top lion dance competitions worldwide, attracting teams all the way from UK, Australia, Mauritius and USA. The grand prize for the top team is USD30,000.

I’ve always liked lion dance during Chinese New Year. It’s noisy and fun and it’s something I never get sick of, like fireworks. However, I ain’t never seen anything like this before. A special X structure with poles of different lengths and distance is designed and the specifications are given to the troupes a year in advance. Each team builds its own structure accordingly and practices for a year to perfect its ‘dance’. This is serious stuff. The judging is based on a few criteria – footwork, the coordination between the head and tail, harmony between the lion and the music, the expression of the lion and the degree of difficulty.

In fact, when you look at a really good performance, you can almost ignore the fact that there are 2 persons under the costume. It looks like a real lion from the way it cocks its head, winks, scratches its ear, prances around.

The stunts performed by the teams can rival Jet Li as Wong Fei Hong in Once Upon A Time In China. The lions leaped from pole to pole on hind legs, flipped their front legs halfway down the pole to pluck the cai qing attached at an angle and sprung off the end pole into an immediate roll on the ground. It was a stunning display of martial arts and discipline. Winning team from Muar even had the lion coming out of a box that opened up with colourful flashing lights and pyros . Damn drama.

It was not easy though. Some of the stunts performed were quite difficult and many of the “lions” fell from the poles. But bravely, all got up & went straight back up to complete their performance. There was only one performer that did not. He simply walked off the performance zone in a daze. The judges considered disqualifying him but decided to give him a chance after he explained that he was in such pain that he only thought of looking for help. He also lifted his shirt to show his chest area which had turned a deep black-blue from the bruising.

Here are some of my pictures and a video at the event, but for higher quality photos of the competition, check out this blog on lion dance: http://lionarts.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html

Pure magic

[Written by Tania H from Communications]


There’s something magical stirring in Universal Studios Singapore, in the land of Far Far Away. Inside a fantastical store called the Fairy Godmother Potion shop, Princess Fiona’s fairy godmother (if you remember her, she’s the rotund, bespectacled flying ‘witch’ in disguise who’s actually Charming’s mother) is bottling magical elixirs out of an enormous tank.

Step inside this store and you’ll find wooden beams, brick walls, huge doorways and Shrek characters welcoming you as you enter. The space is bound to draw you into the mystical world of Shrek, where fantastical characters come to life: donkeys shoot their mouths off and ogres are actually friendly.

A rendering of the interior of the store

I was awestruck when I saw the store, which is complete and has been fitted out. There are three things you can do there: there’s a retail shop for you to bring home your memories of the park, a counter where ‘potions’ aka fresh juices would be sold and a ferris-wheel kiddies can ride while their parents shop or get a breather. How awesome is that?

At the Fairy Godmother Potion Shop, you’ll find all things Shrek! Personally, I’m in love with Gingy, the gingerbread man but I absolutely love the huge variety of Shrek plush toys, character caps, photo frames and lots, lots more! (Note to fellow fans of Gingy, you HAVE TO look out for the stuffed confectionery character on the shelves, it’s simply a sweetheart! Get the pun?)

At the drinks stand (called Fairy Godmother’s Potion Factory) where fresh juices are served, the best thirst quenchers for anyone are served. Rejuvenating and healthy, the little ones would love it too. The most wondrous thing is that you can ‘brew’ any concoction you desire, and this is limited only by your imagination.

A youth 'elixir' made of beetroot, strawberry and apple juice -- let your imagination run wild as you come up with your own potions!

Last but not least, the Magic Potion Spin ride would delight the tykes who’re ever eager to hop on another attraction. Offering the rider a bird’s eye view of the hustle and bustle in the shop, the ferris wheel will allow its passengers a chance to catch the fun and whimsical atmosphere.

Honestly, words and pictures can’t capture the magic you will experience as you will be transported into another world when you set foot into the store. So I shan’t deliberate because I know you’ll come. You know you want to!

See you soon in 2010!

Easy, breezy times

WE know Singapore is one hot country. That, or it is raining. And cats and dogs at that.

So how have we prepared our guests for this, given that we know there will definitely be snaking queues as excited visitors throng the Universal Studios Singapore park once it is opened?

Look at the pictures themselves for an answer.

Guests can queue in relative comfort in the shade provided; coolers are used to keep temperatures down in queue lines as well. This is one of the queue areas  in the Madagascar zone.



This picture was taken in on a hot Tuesday at midday, when our very hardworking workers get a break.

Of course there are outdoor attractions, such as our blockbuster Battlestar Galactica. However, guests can enjoy the airconditioning in the queue areas while they wait their turn before going on the world's tallest pair of dueling coasters.

Universal Studios Singapore has indoor attractions which are air-conditioned as well, and these include the Revenge of the Mummy, Shrek 4-D Adventure, as well as the madcap animals from Madagascar: A Crate Adventure, amongst several others,  so seriously, we are very serious about you having serious fun while being kept comfortable and sheltered from the elements.

Most of the pedestrian areas in the resort and Universal Studios Singapore are covered with a special canopy, which cuts off the heat from the sun and reduces the temperature in the area below by three to five degrees celsius. We are also using eco-coolers, which use about 20 percent of the energy used by conventional air conditioners to keep temperatures down.

We have an eco-lagoon as well where underground storage tanks are used to collect and store rainfall for our lush landscapes, and which, while saving the earth and her resources, helps us save up to $160,000 in our water bills.

These are but some of the reasons why we got the BCA Green award this year for our efforts in being environmentally friendly.

So don't let the weather be a factor in deterring you from visiting us. Come by and visit when we open our doors!

Resorts World Sentosa's four hotels: Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel, as well as SouthEast Asia's first and only Universal Studios theme park will debut in early 2010. 

For MICE bookings, please call 6577 9977 or email us at mice@rwsentosa.com

Exclusive treats in Universal Studios® Singapore

[Written by Tania H from Communications]


What’s a world-class theme park without food? A situation like this would probably leave tonnes of unhappy guests, famished and frustrated. That’s why Universal Studios® Singapore has a wide selection of dining outlets and food carts designed to complement your theme park experience.

Other than our theme dining restaurants like Mel’s Drive-In, KT’s Grill, Hollywood China Bistro and Celebrity Café & Bakery, you’ll see lots of distinctive food carts dotting the various zones and parked outside certain rides or attractions to satisfy your every craving.

However, be warned if you’re watching the scales, because we’ll be serving wicked snacks to whet your appetite for once you start, you can’t stop!

Of these eye-catching food carts I’d mentioned previously, one which stands out is the popcorn cart, which will be selling an assortment of uniquely-flavored popcorn with flavors like green apple, grape, and lots of others. Personally, I’m looking forward to tasting the churros (Spanish fried dough) from the churros cart, which will be out of this world because they are filled with yummy, velvety chocolate!

Imagine the dark, molten chocolate oozing out of the churro as you take your first bite into the hot confectionery. Yum! I know I’ll be on cloud nine, that’s for sure!

If  savories are more your thing,  sink your teeth into roti-prata wrapped sausages which promise to change your perception of how the local Indian favourite dish should be served. Also, be sure to stop by the pretzel food cart because you’ll live to regret it if you don’t grab one of the mouth-watering cheese-filled pretzels available. Buy a round for your friends and family. I can guarantee that they would be delighted with this treat.

For light snacks, we’ll also have rice-crispy bars, something to keep the kids happy and not be overfed for more exciting rides and adventure for the entire day!

Last but never least, if you’ve never tried turkey legs, I must exhort you not to leave Universal Studios Singapore without trying one, because it’s a truly divine dining experience that tops my snack list anytime. Once you’ve tasted it, nothing else ever comes close.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you with open arms really soon. Think turkey drumsticks. Think churros. Get ready your appetite because you’ll need it. Trust us.

Fabulous Family Fun @ Festive Hotel!

[Written by CY from Rooms]


If you are an avid fan of Resorts World Sentosa, you will probably know which one of our hotels has been creating much interest amongst families. Many can’t wait to bring their children here and the young ones are dreaming to sleep on those loft beds!


Yes, it is Festive Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa. There are many hotels which cater for business travellers, leisure travellers and MICE travelers, and there are also resorts built exclusively to create a romantic getaway for couples. However, how many hotels have you come across that keep young travellers in mind? Festive Hotel is one such example.

The hotel and its staff pride themselves on delivering Fabulous Family Fun because this is what Festive Hotel is all about and what the Festive Hotel team has been tasked to ensure. Besides providing the comfort of a spacious room the staff will also ensure that each and every family member is kept busy with activities available in and around the Hotel and Resort.

The Festive Hotel team has, over the past few months, been cracking their heads to come up with a slew of exciting activities for our young traveler where the fun starts right at the door when guests arrive at the Festive Hotel lobby.

Instead of the typical crystal chandelier lightings you see in most five star hotels, the lobby’s ceiling of Festive Hotel is filled with huge, colorful balloon-like lamps that will instantly ‘light up’ that festive mood in you! It is all jolly and fun in Festive Hotel 365 days a year!

I am sure you would probably overhear a few kids saying: ‘Mummy, mummy, I want those balloons!’

But instead of these ‘balloons’, what we would like to offer our precious little guests are – sweets! Festive Hotel would be incomplete without sweets upon arrival for our young travellers. Besides the sweet treats, the Uncles and Aunties at Festive Hotel team have also been also sourcing for unique amenities for our young travellers. Your children need not fight for them as each would have their very own set. (What exactly are the amenities? we will leave it for you to find out when you stay at Festive Hotel!).

The fun does not stop here. If it is your child’s birthday, be sure to ask for a special treat from us!

Besides catering to the very young, Festive Hotel does not neglect the needs of Mummies and Daddies too. Fancy a spot of retail therapy? Head down to the ground floor of the Hotel, where you can shop to your heart's content in the boutiques there. If you need to keep your kids occupied, you can also drop them off at the Kids Club located within the resort and Mummies and Daddies can then enjoy their private time.

And the shopping and dining belt is not just confined to the hotel itself, for a few steps away from Festive Hotel lies Festive Walk, an enclave of entertainment and retail delights, and which is opened 24/7.

The Festive Hotel Team and everyone in the Rooms Department is upbeat about everything at this pre-opening stage. From the late night shifts to knowing every inch and corner of our rooms, everyone is fully committed and passionate to achieve our goal!

So be sure to check Festive Hotel out when we are opened.

Festive Hotel, together with Crockfords Tower, Hotel Michael, Hard Rock Hotel and Universal Studios Singapore, will open in early 2010. For more updates, please visit www.rwsentosa.com or follow us on facebook.