Tips on Planning a Family Trip to Universal Studios Singapore

Gone are the days when Pinoys had to fly all the way to the U.S. to experience world-class quality theme parks. Fortunately, they can now be enjoyed in countries nearer home. For instance, Resorts World has brought Universal Studios to Asian shores with Universal Studios Singapore.

The great thing about Singapore is that it’s only a good three- to four-hour flight from Manila, and it’s in the same time zone as the Philippines, so no worries about jet lag. It also helps that there are plenty of seat sales year-round offered by various airlines which parents can avail of to maximize their vacation budget.

Those flying to Singapore via Philippine Airlines, for instance, can present their boarding pass at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore to avail of a 10 percent discount. Discounts will vary depending on the rate (weekends and school holidays are peak dates). To pick out the best date for your visit, check out the 2011 Calendar for Universal Studios Singapore tickets, where peak, non-peak and black out dates are indicated. I flew via Cebu Pacific a few months back and decided to go on a Friday, assuming that it would be a non-peak date.

The theme park is divided into seven zones: Hollywood, Madagascar, Far Far Away (Shrek), Lost World (Jurassic Park), Ancient Egypt (The Mummy), Sci Fi City (Battlestar Galactica) and New York.

There are plenty of rides in each zone, with several options safe enough for young children. You’ll have an easier time choosing which rides to try as park attendants post the average waiting time for each. Must-try rides are the Shrek 4-D Adventure, the Canopy Flyer, Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cyclon and the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. Don’t miss WaterWorld, a free water show where you’ll witness death-defying stunts, explosions and other amazing special effects.

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Several mascots and characters are in specific locations throughout the theme park for photo op purposes, and you can ask park attendants to photograph you using your own camera, or you can also buy the “official” photos from them.

Prepare to shell out about SGD$30-50 per meal for each family member since you can only buy food from stores inside the park, butin case you’re just thirsty, all rides are equipped with water fountains.

There are different ways to get to Universal Studios; you can take a cab, the bus, the MRT, or a combination of these to get to VivoCity or HarbourFront station bus stops. When you get to Vivo Mall, head for the 3rd level of VivoCity where you’ll need to buy tickets to ride via the Sentosa Express to Waterfront Station.

Navigating Singapore is not an easy feat, but it is said to be one of the most convenient and safest countries in the world to travel in. If you have a smartphone, I suggest you download apps that offer street maps and the map of the MRT, Singapore’s transit system so you can study and plan the best routes ahead of time. As always, planning ahead can save you not only money, but also precious time!

I know a few friends who are already booking flights in time for the December break, and if you’re one of them, don’t forget your camera and take plenty of photos! Most importantly, remember to have fun!

Check out the highlights of my trip by clicking through the photos in the image gallery.


Photos by Stephanie Esguerra, Carlo Mallo and Rommel Dimarucut