Singapore, The Ultimate Ride

You’ll have a thrilling time with TRANSFORMERS The Ride, one of many world renowned brands recently arrived in Singapore.

With celebrated brands like American designer Michael Kors setting up shop here, legendary chef Joël Robuchon bringing his Michelin star expertise to town with L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Joël Robuchon Restaurant and one of the biggest American megaclubs, Avalon, bringing on the party atmosphere (see elsewhere in this Guide for more on all of these), a visit to Singapore these days is a chance to sample the world at your doorstep. It’s a fun ride and we do mean that quite literally.

TRANSFORMERS The Ride at Universal Studios Singapore® is proving to be a big hit with Singaporeans and tourists. Ever since its opening in December last year, Universal Studios Singapore staff have reported hordes of guests dashing in from the main gates when the park opens, making a beeline for the dramatic four minute long ride.

It is easy to see why. With an estimated cost of more than S$50 million, the attraction boasts the most hyper-realistic, immersive ride experience for motion-based theme park attractions anywhere in the world. It uses cuttingedge high definition 3D media, sophisticated visual effects, and one of the most elaborate roaming flight simulator systems ever integrated into a ride-car vehicle. Nearly four years in the making, Universal Studios Singapore is the first amusement park to have this ride and will be the only one in the world until a second opens in Universal Studios Hollywood in May 2012.

On the ride, guests are transported into the Transformers universe as new recruits, protecting the Allspark shard from the evil Decepticons, alongside the Autobots. It takes them dashing through subway tunnels, down city streets and across rooftops, with the Decepticons hot on their heels.

According to Mr. John Hallenbeck, Vice President of Park Operations for Universal Studios Singapore, the ride has exceeded all expectations. “We have guests and annual pass holders taking the ride over and over again. Their expressions are nothing short of amazement and exhilaration. The interesting thing about this ride is that every time you take it, you seem to notice something new—it’s never the same experience,” he says.

Universal Studios Singapore

8 Sentosa Gateway,

Sentosa Island

Tel: (65) 6577-8888

Nearest MRT: HarbourFront

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore/TransformersTheRide

…..FULL ARTICLE

Joel Robuchon: ‘The best gauge of success is still the number of guests who keep coming back’

Some chefs work a lifetime to be awarded one Michelin star, Joël Robuchon has 26 (and counting) to his name.

In April, the superstar chef became the latest celebrity chef to set up in Singapore, opening L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Joël Robuchon Restaurant at Resorts World Sentosa –- his first restaurants in Southeast Asia –- with a tea salon to follow later this year.

For his Singapore outposts, the “Chef of the Century” –- named by guide Gault Millau in 1990 -– has not tweaked his magic formula of perfection too much ….. FULL ARTICLE

10 June, Charlene Fang, www.cnngo.com

Here’s what you missed at the opening of Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore has finally, officially opened its doors.

While the theme park has been operating since early 2010, May 27 saw its official opening with a grand procession of Asian superstars — Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Vicki Zhao, and former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul — lending star power to the event…… FULL ARTICLE

May 31, www.cnngo.com

Universal Studios’s grand opening in May

UNIVERSAL Studios Singapore (USS) will celebrate its Grand Opening with a bang on Saturday, May 28, with Hollywood and Asian celebrities scheduled to make appearances at South-east Asia’s No.1 theme park.

The launch will kick off with a movie-themed Grand Opening ceremony at the signature 21m tall arch entrance of Universal Studios Singapore. An action-packed stunt show will thrill the crowd and set the stage for a grand procession of the park’s biggest resident stars – Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Betty Boop, Woody Woodpecker, The Scorpion King, Shrek, Princess Fiona and the heroes from Madagascar – with many more surprises and activities yet to be announced….. FULL ARTICLE

April 16, www.straitstimes.com

Jimmy Eat World rock out with fans

FOR American alternative-rock band Jimmy Eat World, playing in Singapore was, well, a dream come true.

In an interview with my paper at Sentosa’s Hard Rock Hotel before their concert last Friday night, the quartet gushed about being able to travel to Singapore – considered by some to be an exotic destination on the world map….. FULL ARTICLE

April 4, My Paper, http://news.asiaone.com

The ‘S-Factors’ of Singapore

The past few years have seen a dramatic rise in Filipinos visiting Singapore.

With very affordable air fares enticing even the ordinary Filipinos to travel, Singapore evolves as one of the more popular destinations for travelers because of its proximity to the Philippines which means short travel time, and its “S-factors”—sights, sounds, shopping and sumptuous food….. FULL ARTICLE

March 15, Ana Marie S. Tiangco, www.mb.com.ph

Battlestar Galactica ride to reopen on Feb 21

AFTER almost a year of being shut, the Battlestar Galactica roller coaster at Universal Studios Singapore will be up and running again from Feb 21. Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) made the announcement on Wednesday after receiving the licence to run the ride from the police….. FULL ARTICLE

February 2, Ng Kai Ling, www.straitstimes.com

The 41 Places to Go in 2011

Singapore – For years, this island country was considered oppressive and humorless. But recently Singapore has started to have some fun with new supersized resorts, design hotels and restaurants….. FULL ARTICLE

January 7, Gisela Williams, http://travel.nytimes.com

Best Place to Celebrate Chinese New Year – Singapore

Few places can celebrate Chinese New Year like Singapore. There’s something about the city, its colour, its throbbing street life, its noise and bustle, that lends itself to these few days, radiant in colours of red and gold, its fire-crackers and dragon dancers keeping the noise level at optimum level….. FULL ARTICLE

January 6, Mari Nicholson, www.suite101.com

A world of culture & style

WHATEVER the season, there is always something exciting happening in the Singapore art scene whether it is a new play opening, an art festival or a fashion show. At Resorts World Sentosa, there is currently an exhibition of over 100 pieces of haute couture garments from renowned Italian house Valentino until Feb 13….. FULL ARTICLE

December 23, Anansa Jacob, www.thesundaily.com