Universal Studios Singapore!

Finally, finally, finally - pictures from our trip to Universal Studios Singapore!

Daddy took a day off from work to bring Aiden and Mummy to Universal Studios, which was an excellent decision. Why? Because during the weekdays, the crowd is just nice. No extra long queue to go on rides, no jam packed restaurants, no pushing and shoving to get a good seat to watch shows. And not too empty till you feel like you 'own' the park. But just nice. I have heard horror stories about people visiting the theme park on weekends - utter waste of money plus time to queue for rides and shows. Definitely not recommended! Also, the day we picked to go to the the park was the only day out of the week in which we had perfect weather. (It rained everyday in the afternoon, so if you're going anytime soon - bring an umbrella!)

I give Universal Studios Singapore a two thumbs up because it really felt like we were at an overseas theme park. About three years back Hubby and I were at Hong Kong Disneyland for two days and besides nearly dying from heat stroke, we couldn't understand the shows as they were all Chinese and they spoke Cantonese. But about two years ago we were in Los Angeles for a day trip to their Universal Studios Hollywood and we absolutely enjoyed ourselves, even with the short span of time we allocated for the park. Hence, I did not expect to enjoy myself at another local theme park ever again. Therefore Universal Studios Singapore absolutely surprised me! I was impressed with the mat saleh crew who ran the performances flawlessly and confidently. I did not see a single local Asian face in all their shows, except for a few in charge of introducing the performers and managing the crowd. (Doesn't say much for Asians, eh?)

Okay fine. So Mummy and Daddy enjoyed themselves. But did Aiden enjoy himself? Unfortunately, with the newly found expression called 'fear', he obviously did NOT! He hated the heat, he hated the furry penguins and weird Mummies chasing after him, he hated the huge figurines scattered around the park, he hated the loud noises from the shows and performances and most of all he hated that it was infringing on his nap time! *sigh* Mummy needs to take you for a second trip when you're a bit older, Aiden!

For those of you worried about going about the park and getting halal food, fret not! The theme park is right smack on Sentosa Island, which is well connected via MRTs and busses. There are 6 halal restaurants within the park where you can get everything from burgers and fries, Egyptian-themed buffeteria to even pastries and bread! They are also marked halal in the map to help you find them.

Tickets for two adults costed us SGD132. However this includes a SGD10 voucher for food and another SGD10 voucher for souvenir. So in reality, you pay only SGD46 for entrance, which is about RM110. Kids are charged SGD48, but don't know about the vouchers and stuff. And note that these are the weekday rates yea! Add an additional SGD10 for weekends or Google for other options like the two day pass or the express pass. The theme park has 7 uniquely themed zones, namely the (typed in order of visit): Hollywood, Madagascar, The Lost World, Far Far Away, Ancient Egypt, Sci-Fi City and New York.

The opening hours for Universal Studios Singapore are between 9am till 7pm. Make sure you're there bright and early! (This feels like a pot calling a kettle black because I am giving advise which even I didn't follow - we were there only between 12 till 7pm and regretted this considerably as we could only khatam the performances but were only able to go on 2 rides, considering the short queues and all.) And don't be complacent and assume that just because you're in line at 650pm that they will let you on the ride. Because Hubby queued up for a roller coaster ride at 640pm, waited for 20 minutes - and sharp at 7pm, he was just a few people away from boarding the ride when they claimed that the ride had a technical malfunction therefore told everyone remaining in the queue that they had to leave. Boy, was he frustrated. And I honestly believe that it was a made-up malfunction, they just wanted to close by 7pm!

Anyway, enough words. Time for pictures!

Daddy and Aiden posing with the (revolving) Universal Studios trademark.

Check out Aiden's face. All excited. And yes, wearing the same Gap ensemble Daddy purchased.

Aiden beckoning for us to follow him to the ticket line. Little did he know that he was going to regret his excitement to go in.

Queue wasn't long, so we got tickets in no time.

After walking through Hollywood, we made our first stop at Madagascar!

The Madagascar crew were singing and dancing. Aiden was starting to sweat from all the heat.

And the crying began. The penguin tried to hug Aiden, and guess what he did? He tepis the arm of the penguin okay! And started bawling his eyes out.

After trying to console him at a merchandise shop, outside the heat, we tried again with Alex the Lion. Aiden wasn't fooled! Of course, he cried again!

Next stop, The Lost World. Here we watched Waterworld - a live water show which definitely gets my 4 thumbs up (including my big toes okay?) If you ever visit Universal Studios, make sure you MAKE time to check this one out.

Beware of where you sit though. You just might get soaked. Consider yourselves warned!

Real life machine guns, boats, fire, explosions, stunts!

Told you there was fire and explosions!

Mummy and Aiden (yang bogel) ternganga watching the show.

After the show, we posed for photos. These are the bad guys.

My poor baby is such a putera lilin.

After that action packed show, Aiden finally dozed off in his stroller. So we walked to The Lost World.

We were mighty hungry but did not want to spend our dining vouchers on food just yet. So out comes Mummy's special (instant) nasi goreng! Lovingly prepared by Mummy just for this trip.

Delicious! (Mummy perasan) And yes, bring your own food at your own risk because they did not frisk my bag upon entering the park.

With Aiden still asleep, we made our way to Ancient Egypt.

Amazing view!

Aiden woke up just in time for a picture with the Mummy. Well I think he is the Mummy. Hmm.. I thought a Mummy would be wrapped with toilet paper from head to toe? Hmmm...

Fine, if Aiden doesn't want a picture with the creature, Mummy will gladly take your place.

In front of the Mummy's tomb.

My son, the scaredy cat. Asyik melepekkk jer with Mummy!

Next stop, Sci-Fi City! This also houses their biggest attration - Battlestar Gallactica, the world's tallest dueling roller coaster. It has two separate tracks - the Cyclon (inverted blue track) and the Human (seated red track). Dueling means that both tracks will feature several near collisions mere inches apart.

Aiden didn't cry at this one. He simply stared.

As the roller coaster wasn't open to public yet, Daddy tried the trial Cyclon seat at the entrance.

Muka Aiden stressed. I wonder why!

Aiden posing with the official drink tumbler. If you buy this tumbler (for SGD 11 including landyard, if without it is SGD8), you can just keep buying refills all day long for only SGD2!

Anyone interested to go to Universal Studios on a shoestring budget can borrow this tumbler from me!

Facade of the Sci-Fi City.

These long legged creatures were always ready for a pose. But Aiden cried his lungs out. What else is new???

When he calmed down, I walked backwards towards this red creature so that Aiden couldn't see him, and posed for an acceptable picture.

Aiden was not only scared of moving creatures, but stationary figurines as well!

We then stopped for lunch! One burger set (with drink and fries) and one ala-carte burger was only ~SGD23. With the SGD20 voucher we received with the ticket, we only had to top-up another SGD3!

Yummy big fat fries, teriyaki chicken burger, beef burger and iced Milo with a straw.

And Aiden simply loved those big fat juicy fries.

In the theatre for Monster's Rock. Thank god Aiden behaved and watched the show quietly.

Playing with fake (cold) smoky stuff wheezing from the ground.

Exploring the back lanes of New York.

Finally! A genuine smile!!!

Aiden is back. And he isn't scared anymore!

My handsome boy.

Enjoying the streets of New York.

Even falling over.

Posing beside the subway tong sampah.

Aiden in a better mood.

Look at those dangling legs.

Just across the street, was a group of BBoys.

Great show!

Aiden and Daddy's turn to ternganga pulak.

Waaaaahhhhh....

Well done!

Finally, it was Daddy's turn to pose for pictures, solo!

Tried to get Aiden to run around the Kowabunga Kove. Of course, he freaked out.

Until he saw a couple of other kids doing the same. And he warmed up.

Okay, second tawaf around the park. First round was just for the shows. Now for the rides. Back towards Madagascar!

Aiden didn't cry. He simply whimpered.

On the Merry Go Round we go!

Quick, grow up Aiden! Mummy wants you to enjoy, not pout!

Posing in front of the Shrek castle, in Far Far Away land.

And finally, it was time to go home.