New Sesame Street Ride Will Open at Universal Studios Singapore This Fall

A brand new attraction is coming at Universal Studios Singapore, it will open in less than four months from now and it will be a "Sesame Street" attraction! Located inside the Stage 28 of the New York Street area it is rumored to be a ride with an overhead track, i.e with a vehicle suspended under the track like in Peter Pan's Flight or E.T Adventure... which, in 2007, was still envisioned to be part of USS, precisely in this location.

So, exit E.T and welcome to this brand new Sesame Street ride. It will be interesting to see how good it is as i have the feeling that Universal might bring it, after Singapore, in other Universal Studios theme parks, just like they did with the Transformers ride. As a friend of mine told me "They're really smart at Universal to create a ride on Sesame Street, Disney might have the rights on the Muppets but the Muppets are less on TV when Sesame Street - which was also created by Jim Henson - still can be watched on TV all around the world!" Personally, i won't be surprised if this Sesame Street ride will come next to Universal Studios Osaka and may be then to Universal Orlando.



But for now let's see if we can learn a bit more about the storyline itself. Two weeks ago a big construction wall - picture above - appeared, partly to hide the future entrance and the works behind but also to let USS guests know about this upcoming attraction opening this fall. But there is more hidden in this big artwork as there are plenty of clues - about the ride storyline - hidden here and there as revealed by USS marketing to Screamscape last week. So, let's have a closer look at it!









Now, let's get closer to see these clues and as you will see it's seems that the storyline will not only involved Elmo - Sesame Street famous character - but also Super Grover and some "missing spaghettis" abducted to outer space! Here is what i suggest: i let you have a look at these different fun clues and you let me know in the comments what you think the storyline of the ride might be, okay? So let's go and feel free to enlarge each picture to read well what is written.













Now, to make sure that Universal Studios Singapore guests know that this Sesame Street ride is coming they can find already Sesame Street merchandise all around the NY street area.











The Brown Derby shop, designed like a hat - and originally selling hats - has been completely re-themed and is now selling exclusive Sesame Street merchandise as you can see below.



















As you've seen, at least on a merchandise point of view, everything is ready for the opening of the attraction. The ride is expected to open before the end of the year - some are saying on October 21 as we can see this date repeated on some of the clues - and you can count on me to give you fresh news about this new attraction as soon as available! In the meantime check the new theme parks updates on Disney and more front page HERE.

Universal Studios South Korea Almost Confirmed

After one in Osaka, Japan, one in Singapore, and one eventually coming in Moscow, it seems that Universal will soon begin the works on their project of Universal Studios Korea - South Korea of course. According to the latest news a bill for government funding is going to be presented in the South Korea congress and apparently they are hopeful that it will pass.

Many different artwork was released since the announcement of the project five years ago but some elements remain the same.

On the artwork on the top and on the closer shot below we can see the entrance (top center) and that the park should have a N.Y city streets land (top center right) - you can even see a statue of liberty - a Revenge of the Mummy ride (on the left, where you can see a giant Pharaoh head), a Waterworld show (bottom left), a whole Jurassic Park land (bottom center), and a big coaster partly going over the center lagoon on which you can see 360 degrees floating projection globes. Although these are recent concept-arts, there is no doubt that the design will have some changes and improvements before the park open, an opening schedule apparently for 2016 although some are saying that Universal would be pleased to open the park before Disney open Shanghai Disneyland.



On the older artwork below, most of the elements described above are already there but with another big "dueling" coaster on the right of the Revenge of the Mummy building. Note that i wouldn't be surprised if it was not part of the final park as Universal realized in Singapore that Asian people were a bit too impressed when they see the Battlestar Galactica coaster and don't ride it that much.



About hotels, it's also interesting to notice the Venetian resort, located just outside the park as you will see on the artworks below, as well as another hotel (with a red roof) and what seems to be a City Walk dining and night entertainment area. The area on the right, behind the venetian resort, on the other side of the main road, might be a water park.





While we talk about Universal Studios some news about the Harry Potter Wizarding World coming to Universal Studios Japan. According to Screamscape HERE and quoting an article HERE "Universal Studios Japan will increase the theme park’s footprint by one fifth (to build the Potter land)" and "the new Wizarding World will feature several attractions, including a school for wizards as well as a recreation of Hogsmeade Village". If it's well done the "school for wizards" might be fun!

Artwork: copyright Universal Studios

Universal Studios Indoor Park in Moscow in 2018 ?

After a Universal Studios in Japan and one in Singapore - and probably one in South Korea - it seems that a new Universal Studios park will come in Moscow with works expected to start in 2014 and an opening date scheduled (for now) in 2018. And it's not apparently a rumor as Universal has confirmed the project. Like they did in Singapore it will be probably a licensed park, i.e that Universal won't rule the park directly but that's not the problem. And because it will be built in Moscow the whole park would be an "indoor" theme park, which, considering Moscow's winter temperatures might be a good idea.



The whole project will be located in the south of Moscow and is in fact called Galactic Park. It will include much more than the Universal Studios as an aquatic park is also planned as well as an area for sports activities, shows, a musical theatre, a cinema, exhibition halls, restaurants and a shopping centre. In addition to that are also planned two hotels, a congress hall and a huge parking space. The project leaders said that the project will cost 2.8 billion US dollars with the theme park alone costing $500 million. It’s the first Universal Studios park which will be built indoor, in a closed space.



According to minyanville.com: "Experts, however, say that the real cost of construction will actually be $11 billion, as the transport infrastructure around the proposed 22 hectare site in south Moscow requires a massive upgrade. Universal doesn’t have to worry though as the universal is reportedly not putting any of its money into the project."









"The man behind the project, Gutsiriev, is a big fan of theme parks and in 2010, at the same time he launched discussions with Universal, Gutsiriev also entered talks with Disney to set up a Russian Disneyland, which ultimately did not materialize. It’s not surprising that Disney declined Gutsiriev’s offer as Moscow is a tricky market. Though it is the most populous city in Europe with 10 million people, it is also 1,500 miles away from Western Europe. Paris has a smaller population, but the Disneyland there can draw on the tens of millions more Europeans from nearby cities and countries.

And among the 10 million people, it’s likely that a majority will be unable to afford the entrance fees. After all, Russia is ranked 70th in terms of GDP per capita, according to the CIA World Factbook. Accounting for the low median spending power of Russians, Galactic Park plans to charge an admission fee of about $34, which would be the lowest in the world. Universal’s parks in Orlando and Singapore charge $85 and $54 respectively.

Universal’s entry into Moscow reflects the growing significance of Russia and other emerging markets to Hollywood’s balance sheet. In 2011, the burgeoning Russian box office grew by 20% from 2010 and topped $1 billion for the time ever."

Here is a video from russian TV about the project.



A press conference happened three weeks ago and Michael Silver, president of global business development at Universal Parks & Resorts declared: "Russia is an important and attractive market, and we see tremendous potential for the development of theme park entertainment. Entertainment is an international language, and we will provide the same thrills, excitement and unique family adventure that Universal theme parks create around the world." The Universal Studios Company is not yet ready to disclose and discuss details of the planned theme park, water park, or individual rides and shows".

For those who like proofs this statement from Michael Silver is a good one to prove that it's not one more rumor. That said, what kind of ride will we find at Universal Moscow. Although it's probably a bit too early to say, if we look at the rendering on the top of this article you can see clearly an Egyptian pyramid which would mean that The Mummy ride will be include in the park. In the background we can also see what looks like a raft ride - probably another Jurassic Park river adventure.

Anyway, i think that it's a smart move again from Universal, especially if they just take a license and don't finance the park and little by little they are the first to enter territories in which Disney is not there yet. Just like you i suppose i'm curious to see if it will be finally built or not!

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios, Galactic Park project

Transformers Ride now in Soft-Opening at Universal Hollywood !

If you're living in South Cal and more specially in the L.A area i have a great news for you as according to Screamscape it seems that soft-openings for the Transformers ride have began at Universal Hollywood! So, you might take your chance to ride this incredible ride before its Grand Opening on May 25th and if you do so i count on you to let us know in the comments how awesome (or not) it was! In the meantime you'll find below a new preview video showing a bit of the making of the ride.

The good guys of Mice Age had a special preview and were the first people on the ride when it opened to guests yesterday. In addition, they were allowed to actually walk the entire length of the track last week, before the ride began employee previews. They have some stunning photos you won't see anywhere else and you can read their report HERE.




And for those of you who can't go to Universal Hollywood, here is the on-ride video. And no need to say that if you intend to go at Universal Studios in a near future or simply want to keep the surprise it's better to don't watch this on-ride video!




Picture and video: copyright Universal Studios

Universal Studios Singapore Launches Hollywood Dreams Parade - Full Video

On new Year's Eve, Universal Studios Singapore has launched its brand new Hollywood Dreams Parade, and i've found for you a full video of it, filmed by tabihito7. It's a great parade with animated floats and almost each float refers to Universal Studio Singapore attractions.



Among others themes there is floats dedicated to Shreck, Madagascar, the Mummy and Jurassic Park. And you better don't miss the Jurassic Park floats as they succeed to have on one of them an Audio-Animatronic T-Rex as big a sthe one which is in the ride. With the opening of the Transformers ride on Dec 3 this is the second major addition to Universal Singapore and the park now really worth a visit. However you might want to wait until next february when the Jurassic Park rafts ride will re-open after some months of refurbishment, then the park will be fully operational.



The pictures in this article are coming from Dejiki web site who posted last sunday a long pictorial update about the new parade.




Pictures: copyright Dejiki

Video: copyright tabihito7

Universal Singapore : Transformers Ride Full On-Ride Video

It took a little while to have someone uploading on Youtube a full on-ride video of Universal Singapore Transformers ride - probably because USS cast members were asked to make sure that no one get out of the ride with a video of it - but here it is, the first full ride video of the most awaited ride of the year.

But, before, here is another video filmed for Screamscape by my good friend Stefan "The Theme Park Guy" Zwanzger which is a walk-through inside the Transformers pre-show. So, if you see this one first and then the on-ride video you'll get an idea of the whole thing.




As you'll see there is many pre-show movies and Dejiki has filmed some of them that you can see below.










And now here is the on-ride video. Two words about it: considering that the ride vehicle is moving the filming is not that bad - except that one scene is dark because one of the screens had a problem - but i remind you that all ride projections are in 3D, and that's why you won't have an image as sharp as it it was in 2D. Eventually if you have 3D glasses like the one they use in Honey I Schrunk the Audience you can try watching the video with them, but i can't guarantee you'll have the 3D effects. And no need to say that if you intend to go at Universal Singapore in a near future or simply want to keep the surprise it's better to don't watch this on-ride video!




If you want to read Stefan review and what he think of the ride please jump on Screamscape USS page HERE or on The Theme Park Guy site HERE.

Transformers had its official opening last saturday and on friday evening a opening event happened at Universal Singapore with Michael Bay.





If you're interested by watching a video of the ceremony, here it is.




There was also a press conference with Michael Bay talking about the Ride, as well as Universal's Creatives Thierry Coup on the right, and John Hallenbeck on the left.




Video: copyright Stefan Zwanzger / Screamscape, Patricklove, video2908 and themeparkinsider

Pictures: TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2011 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. © 2011 DreamWorks L.L.C. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Universal Studios Singapore ® & © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.