SIDE STORY: 

It was no secret that our children love visiting Universal Studios Singapore (USS) so much that the hubby splurged in an annual pass for the whole family in December 2016. When our 365 days of fun at the theme park and Adventure Cove ended last December, they were so sad and begged us to get our annual pass renewed but their almost forty year old mama (that happens to be me bytheway, LOL) begged them in return to give her a break from all the mad rides.

To be honest, USS helped strengthen my bond with my teenager because she literally dragged me to every single adrenaline pumping ride and that includes not one but three of the most exhilarating albeit life-threatening (at least in my own opinion, I am almost 40 years old remember? LOL) rides at the whole theme park namely Revenge of the Mummy, Human and Cyclon. If you have a list of the craziest things you do for your kids/love ones, I have mine too and that includes risking my life in one of the scariest ride I have ever tried in my life; The Cyclon.

I shan't bore you with my rant how I lost my soul for the second time around (I once lost my soul at theme park in Taiwan after trying an equally scary ride with my bestfriend) but I want to emphasize that it is worth risking my life riding the Cyclon with K because it was the reason why I bagged the titles "coolest mom on earth" and "best mom in the world". Not that I care so much about those titles but I do care a lot about filling my kids' love tank.

MAIN STORY:

Speaking of which, I can't possibly decline an invitation to check out USS and S.E.A. Aquarium Lunar New Year highlights knowing my kids would really love to, right? Imagine their excitement when I broke them the news!

K: "Moooooom! Let's ride the Human and Cyclon again okaaaaay? Okay, mom?"

Mom-me: "Hoookaaaaay, but no Cyclon for me anymore. I will throw up if you'll force me one more time. Human and The Mummy are exhilarating enough for me. I don't wish to risk my life for the 3rd time. You know I love you anyway, right?"

K: "What's wrong with Cyclon? It's the Best. Roller. Coaster. Ride. Ever!"

Mom-me: *Rolls eyes and mumble, teenagers and their weird choices in life blah blah blah.

LOL

G on the other hand looked forward to his usual safe favourite rides like Dino Soarin' at The Lost World, Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase at New York, Treasure Hunters at The Ancient Egypt and King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round at Madagascar. Apart from the rides, he always look forward to the Sesame Street show at the Pantages and Shrek 4D Adventure at Far Far Away.

So yesterday, we skipped sleeping-in on a weekend morning and off we went to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Visiting the place has always been a happy experience for us.

TRIVIA: Hubby was part of RWS planning, development and construction process all the way to its completion. Whenever we pass by some of the hotels and areas at RWS where he was directly involved in planning, drawing and building a couple of years back, he develops a renewed sense of pride. 

MAJESTIC Dragon TRAIL


Universal Studios Singapore presents an all-new Majestic Dragon Trail featuring favourite characters from all seven zones in the theme park namely:

With Woody Woodpecker

With Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee

With Shrek and Fiona

With Puss in Boots

With King Julien

With Gru and the Minions

A reimagined spectacle based on the traditional dragon dance, guests can enjoy the pulsating beats of the drums as the auspicious dragon makes its way around the park, interacting with characters such as the the Sesame Street friends, Minions and Puss in Boots - all decked out in traditional Lunar New Year attire. With almost 20 character appearances in one visually stunning performance, the 20-munite trail is set to create the best festive photo moments with your family and friends.

Guests can soak into the spirit of Chinese New Year with Mel's Dinettes - the singing and dancing waitresses of Hollywood's famous drive-in restaurant - as they bring to life the hits of the 50s and 60's', rounding off with popular  Lunar New Year tunes in their modern cheongsam!

Catch the the lovable red monster as he directs his own TV channel in this new resident show! Guests can join Jim Magigination  and the Sesame Street friends as Elmo creates comedy shows, action hits and a reality talent competition that showcases entertaining remixes of popular songs. 

BONUS TIPS:

Ways to truly enjoy and maximise your  visit at Universal Studios Singapore:

• Don't forget to bring raincoats or extra clothes, you'll need one so as not to get soaked at Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure and Waterworld wet zone, two of the many attractions you shouldn't miss! Of course there are raincoats and shirts for sale at the theme park but you can save $$ if you bring your own.
• Some attractions doesn't come with shelves to leave your things when you go for a ride but you can use a locker for free (max 45 mins, charges apply thereafter). 
• If you have extra budget for an express pass, splurge on it especially when you don't have an annual pass and you only get to visit USS once. The express pass will save you so much time especially during weekends where waiting time for every attraction can get pretty long up to 45mins to an hour or so. 
• If you don't have extra budget for express pass, fret not. Plan your visit ahead of time, arrive on the dot when the theme park gate opens and save all the rides before the park closes as the waiting for rides before closing time are mostly either just 5 mins or no queue at all. 
• Save your time watching shows at the peak of the scorching sun. Air-conditioned indoor shows include Sesame Street show at Pantages Hollywood Theatre, Shrek 4D at Far Far Away and Lighs, Camera, Action! There are indoor rides that are quite cooling too like The Revenge of the Mummy and Transformers The Ride in 3D. Kiddie indoor rides include Spaghetti Space Chase and Madagascar; A Crate Adventure.
• No outside food and drinks are allowed inside the theme park so do have breakfast before you come to save time queuing for food. There many restaurants to choose from for lunch and dinner at the theme park premises but our family enjoys food more at the Malaysian Food Street, Insadong Korean Town and Chillis all located just outside the them park gates. Restaurants we tried inside USS are Mel's Drive-In, Loui's NY Pizza Parlor, Goldilocks and Discovery Food Court. 
• If you are a family of four like us, it is advisable to split up depending on your kids' show and ride preferences. K and I usually go for the WILD rides whilst G and the hubby go for the MILD rides. LOL
• Make time for the Hollywood Dreams Parade and Lake Hollywood Spectacular fireworks.
• Always take a map and the white rectangular theme park schedule as it shows and opening hours varies from time to time.

Universal Studios Singapore's Lunar New Year celebration is included with paid park admission. Park hours are extended till 8pm and 9pm on select night for guests to soak in the festivities, in addition to adrenaline-pumping rides and world class attractions at the theme park. Singapore residents enjoyos savings on admission at S$72 for an adult one day ticket (U.P. S$76), along with a complimentary S$5 meal voucher. 

S.E.A. Aquarium celebrates Lunar New Year in its own unique way, with an underwater dragon dance performance at either the Ship Wreck or the Open Ocean Habitat. A returning favourite, guests can catch divers in festive costumes performing traditional dragon dances alongside 40,000 marine residents such as majestic manta rays and zebra sharks. This year, the performance is back with new characters, costumes and a storyline that will delight young and adults alike. Watch the video and be mesmerised by the Sea Goddess as she guides the underwater dragon through various marine habitats.

THE SEA GODDESS SHARES (STORYTELLING SESSION) 

Catch the The Sea Goddess at the Ocean Dome as she will regale the story of the Fish of Fortune and encourage guests not to eat endangered fish and sea creatures. With her captivating goddess voice, it was quite an entertaining educational experience both kids and adults would enjoy.

SHARK EXHIBITION

Do you know what this colourful hammerhead shark structure was made of? Amazingly (and sadly - how could we bear to leave so much hazardous waste in the ocean?), it was made from recycled flip flops collected from beaches and water ways in Kenya. Hence, this shard actually saved marine life that would otherwise be harmed by the uncollected footwear polluting our marine environment.

It always help when we reduce, reuse, and recycle! Best of all, let us do our part to save the ocean. When we spend time with nature, let us leave nothing but our footprints and let us bring back nothing but good memories made with our love ones. Also, let us say no to shark fin soup no matter how auspicious it may be during this time of the year.

TRAIL OF FORTUNES

Embark on a trail and uncover fun facts about marine life considered auspicious in Chinese culture, such as the leafy sea dragon. Visit the 3 Fortune Stations and collect your Chinese New Year stamps! Received a special gift (clue on the photo collage above, it came in a red packet) when you have collected all the stamps!

As part of the Lunar New Year festivities, kids can look forward to meeting the aquarium's adorable mascots - Mai the manta ray and Sam the hammerhead shark - all decked out in Chinese-inspired garb. Singapore residents enjoy discounts on admission at S$34 for an adult one-day ticket (U.P. S$39), and S$22 for a child/senior citizen ticket (U.P. S$29). Guests can also sign up for S.E,A. Aquarium's Annual Pass at a special rate of S$168 for two adults to enjoy wonders of marine realm 365 days a year.

I hope you get to visit the two attractions with your love ones this CNY. Here's wishing everyone a very prosperous Lunar New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Huat Ah!

xoxo,
Cherryberry