Park Profile
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Universal Studios Singapore Movie-themed fun at Resorts World Sentosa
Far Far Away Castle and Enchanted Airways
An integral part of the S$6.59 billion
(US$4.9bn/€3.7bn)
Resorts World Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore brings the magic of the movies to this small but significant island nation. The concept for the park may not be
new, but several of its attractions are, as Owen Ralph reports
R
esorts World Sentosa occupies a prime 49- hectare (121-acre) slice of Sentosa, giving a shot in the arm to this tourist island that already attracts around 5 million Singapore visitors a year. Genting International, the Malaysian conglomerate behind the Resorts World concept, hopes that Resorts World Sentosa will now attract around 13 million annual guests, 4.5 million of whom will visit Universal Studios.
The development is the largest yet from Genting to carry the Resorts World name, following the original Resorts World Genting outside Kuala Lumpur (previously known as Genting Highlands) and Resorts World Manila, which opened in the Philippines last year. “All three are what we would call integrated resorts,” explains Robin Goh, assistant director of communications for Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). “In terms of content each has a gaming component, they have hotels, and they also have some family entertainment thrown in. As Resorts World Sentosa is the biggest development yet, we've got three mega attractions alongside the hotels and casino.”
Sold Out signs - a familar sight this summer
26
The Singapore resort debuted this January after an almost three-year construction period. First to open were four of the planned six hotels, Crockfords Tower, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael and Festive Hotel Singapore. Together they offer 1,350 rooms and 10 restaurants. A City Walk-style entertainment district called Festive Walk provides additional recreation, food
and beverage opportunities including the Lake of Dreams light show. Voyage de la Vie, a Cirque du Soleil inspired theatre spectacular, plays five nights a week. Located inside Crockfords Tower, the RWS casino opened on February 14 to mark the start of Chinese New Year. Along with the gaming rooms at Singapore's new Marina Bay Sands development, it is one of two new casinos in a city that had previously imposed strict anti-gambling laws. Locals must pay a S$100 a day levy to enter, which shouldn't stop the high rollers, and the new casinos are also expected to play an important role in attracting foreign visitors. “People come to Resorts World Sentosa for different reasons,” notes Goh. “Some may come overnight by coach from Malaysia, those with families might just want to just visit Universal, but for visitors who prefer gaming we could throw in a park ticket to sweeten the deal.” Universal Studios Singapore entered an extended soft opening phase back in March. The second Universal park in Asia, after Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, it will eventually be joined at RWS by the Maritime Xperiential Museum and marine life park, based around tales of Asia's legendary seafarers, opening in 2011.
Integrated Resort
Guests at Universal Studios are reminded they are part of an “integrated resort“ thanks to RWS branding on all staff uniforms, maps and other literature. Even the park's online presence is restricted to the Resorts World website. However, just as Genting could not have built the resort without the casino, it would also have faced a challenge developing a theme park without the support of a major operator like Universal. “Universal has got a very strong brand internationally and that's something that Singapore has lacked for a long, long time,” acknowledges Goh. “Rather than creating a generic park we wanted to bring in a brand in that would get people excited. Now there is no need to travel eight hours to Osaka or 15 hours to Hollywood to enjoy the Universal Studios experience.”
The Universal globe spins outside the park AUGUST 2010
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