Universal Studios Singapore set for March 18 opening

(Universal Studios Singapore)

The lucky chosen ones invited to a sneak preview of Singapore's Universal Studios theme park have started building buzz before its official opening on March 18.

The park takes pride of place within the S$6.59 billion (3.4 billion euros) Resorts World Sentosa complex (http://www.rwsentosa.com) and over the Chinese New Year and on a few days before it opens its doors, some lucky members of the public and staff from the resort - and their families - have been allowed in to test out the rides and other attractions.

No surprise to hear from resort management that they all left "raving'' about the park.

"Universal Studios Singapore wrapped up a week of Chinese New Year sneak peeks to great reviews, and we are excited to be gearing up to take our first guests on the rides, which are naturally the highlight of the park. This is the region's only Universal Studios theme park, and it will be a tourism crown jewel for not just Singapore, but Asia as a whole,'' said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Executive Chairman of Resorts World Sentosa.

Universal Studios Singapore has been divided into seven zones - Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar - but it's the rides that have so far grabbed all the attention.

The park boasts "dueling coasters'' on the Battlestar Galactica and a Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure water ride. There is also a selection of themed restaurants and cafes.

Universal Studios currently also operates theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Japan and is building one in Dubai, which is expected to open in 2012. There are also plans to open a park in South Korea in the near future.

Resorts World Sentosa opened four hotels and a shopping and dining district in January and Singapore's first casino in February. Still to be finished are what has been billed as the world's largest marine park, a destination spa and two more hotels.

MS