Universal Studios Singapore (abbreviation: USS) is a theme park located within the Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort on Sentosa in Singapore. It features 24 rides, shows, and attractions in seven themed areas. It is one of the five Universal Studios theme parks around the world.
It was a key component of Genting Singapore's bid for the right to build Singapore's second integrated resort (IR). On 8 December 2006, the Singapore government announced that the consortium had won the bid. Construction of the theme park and the rest of the resort started on 19 April 2007. It is the second Universal Studios theme park in Asia, the first being Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, and the only one in Southeast Asia. Official plans for the park were first unveiled to the public when Universal Studios Singapore released a map of the entire park on 20 October 2009. Universal Studios Singapore attracted more than 2 million visitors in the 9 months from its opening.
The park officially began operations on 28 May 2011. Over 3 million guests visited the park in its opening year. Since then, Universal Studios Singapore has had approximately 4 million visitors every year. Visitors are made up of local Singaporeans and international tourists. It has been marketed by Universal Destinations & Experiences as a "one-of-its-kind theme park in Asia" and that the park was the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia for the foreseeable future. According to the AECOM Theme Index Global Attraction Attendance Report, Universal Studios Singapore is one of the top visited amusement/theme parks worldwide.
History Park history The construction of Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore began on 19 April 2008. After almost two years of construction, the park opened on 18 March 2010.
Universal Studios Singapore was opened for "sneak peek week" in view of the Chinese New Year Celebrations, from 5 pm to 9 pm every night between 14 and 21 February 2010.Lim, Jessica (2010). Universal Studios opens Sun. Retrieved 7 June 2010 from Stratis Times . Though visitors had to pay SGD$10 to enter the park even though rides were not operating, tickets for the week were sold out in 2 days. On 5 March 2010, it was announced that the park would open its doors at 8:28 am (UTC+8) on 18 March 2010, for a soft-opening phase. From 13 March 2010, the team members of Resorts World Sentosa and their families had a chance to visit the park before it opened to the public.Yahoo News (2010). Sentosa Theme Park opens 18 March. Retrieved 7 June 2010 from Yahoo News Singapore . The park had its soft opening period from 18 March 2010 to 26 October 2010.Resorts World Sentosa (2010). Extension of validity for your annual pass. Retrieved 8 November 2010 from Picasa .
The official grand opening of the park was held on 28 May 2011, along with the "grand opening gala" held on 27 May 2011 evening. It had Asian personalities Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Zhao Wei, and former American Idol judge Paula Abdul making an appearance at the gala event, along with some 1,600 guests.
On 21 October 2011, Universal Studios Singapore began their Halloween Horror Nights events.
On 3 April 2019, Genting Group announced the expansion of Universal Studios Singapore with two new themed areas, Minion Land and Super Nintendo World.
Timeline DateEvent19 Apr 2008Universal Studios Singapore begins its construction.21 Oct 2008Transformers: The Ride – 3D is announced to be a part of the lineup of attractions at Universal Studios Singapore.24 Sep 2009Plans are revealed for Shrek's Far Far Away and Madagascar-themed areas.20 Oct 2009Resorts World Sentosa unveils the attractions, dining options and merchandise outlets at Universal Studios Singapore.14 Feb 2010Beginning of the eight-day sneak-peek period of Universal Studios Singapore.18 Mar 2010Universal Studios Singapore soft-opens, with 16 of its 24 attractions opened and fully functioning.25 Mar 2010Battlestar Galactica dueling coasters is closed due to a technical glitch in the ride. Both rides would remain closed for many weeks thereafter.2 Jul 2010Premiere of the Lake Hollywood Spectacular show, which would be presented to park visitors every Friday and Saturday nights.20 Aug 2010X-ray findings reveal cracks in the welded joint of the seat-post supports within the Human roller coaster car of Battlestar Galactica, which caused the grounding of both roller coaster rides.21 Dec 2010Battlestar Galactica enters its final testing stage with newly reinforced coaster cars for both the Human and Cylon coasters. Both rides are slated to re-open in the first half of 2011.21 Feb 2011Official re-opening of the Battlestar Galactica dueling coasters.16 May 2011Scheduled opening of Madagascar: A Crate Adventure.28 May 2011Official grand opening of Universal Studios Singapore.21 Oct 2011Universal's Halloween Horror Nights makes its debut at Universal Studios Singapore.3 Dec 2011Scheduled opening of Transformers: The Ride – 3D at Universal Studios Singapore.Resorts World Sentosa (2010). "Transformers" To Be Developed As Theme Park Mega-Attraction At Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore. Retrieved 7 June 2010 from Official Site . The ride would have its world premiere at an exclusive evening event on 2 December 2011 with film director Michael Bay present at the event.31 Dec 2011Launch of the park's first parade, Hollywood Dreams.29 May 2012Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase is announced to be the newest addition to the park, scheduled to be open by the end of the year. The ride would replace the Stage 28 attraction, which had been cancelled and would be housed within its premise. The park would go on to introduce one stage show, two street shows, as well as meet-and-greets sessions featuring the characters from Sesame Street.1 Mar 2013Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase officially opens to the public.18 Apr 2013Universal Studios Singapore celebrates its tenth million visitor.21 Jul 2013Battlestar Galactica is closed again.29 Jul 2014Puss in Boots' Giant Journey is announced to be the newest addition to the park. The park would also introduce a new stage show at Far Far Away, with The Dance For The Magic Beans featuring Puss in Boots and Kitty Softpaws, as well as a meet-and-greet right after the show. The new ride would be scheduled to open by first quarter of 2015.19 Feb 2015Debut of the Universal Party Parade, which is a refreshment of the park's 2011 Hollywood Dreams parade, as part of the park's fifth anniversary celebrations.8 Apr 2015Puss in Boots' Giant Journey officially opens to the public.27 May 2015Reopening of Battlestar Galactica again, after another two years of inactivity.24 Jan 2017Universal Studios Singapore celebrates its 25th million visitor.18 Jan 2019Launch of Universal After Hours, which includes nighttime exclusive programmes. Included is the debut of the Hollywood Dreams Light-Up Parade, which is a nighttime version of the park's 2015 Universal Party Parade.3 Apr 2019Announcement of a future park expansion with two new theme areas planned; Minion Land and Super Nintendo World.6 Apr 2020Universal Studios Singapore closes temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.1 Jul 2020Park reopens with limited capacity and operating hours.27 Mar 2022Closure of Madagascar area.26 May 2022Construction works begin for Minion Land.14 Feb 2025Minion Land officially opens to the public.24 Feb 2025Construction works begin for Super Nintendo World.
Attendance Year Attendance 20102,000,00020113,411,00020123,480,00020133,650,00020143,840,00020154,200,00020164,100,00020174,220,00020184,400,00020194,500,00020201,098,00020211,200,00020222,100,0002023
Park layout
Universal Studios Singapore is in size, making it the smallest of Universal's parks, and occupies the easternmost part of the Resorts World Sentosa. There are a total of 17 attractions, of which 10 are original or specially adapted for the park.Resorts World Sentosa (2010). Unveiling the Best of Universal Studios at Universal Studios Singapore. Retrieved 7 June 2010 from the Official Site The park consists of seven themed areas surrounding a lagoon. Each area is mostly based on movies and/or television, featuring their own attractions, meet and greet locations, over 30 restaurants and food carts, and 20 retail stores and carts located around the park.
Themed areaNotesHollywoodThemed after the real Hollywood Boulevard of the 1970s. Framed by "dynamic" architecture, palm trees and a replica of the Hollywood 'Walk of Fame'.New YorkThemed after post-modern New York City. Features replicas of New York landmarks. The area is enhanced by neon lights and flanked by street façades.Sci-Fi CityThemed after what cities and metropolis "may look like in the future", according to popular science fiction franchises.Ancient EgyptThemed after the Egyptian architecture and artifacts found during the "Golden Age of Egyptian Exploration in the 1930s".The Lost WorldThemed after two franchises, Jurassic Park and Waterworld, which each have separate zones within the area.Far Far AwayThemed after The Kingdom of Far Far Away featured in DreamWorks Animation's Shrek.Minion LandThemed after Illumination's Despicable Me franchise.
Hollywood
Hollywood is the main entrance area of the park. Its only attraction, a broadway-style theatre, is accompanied by several restaurants and a variety of shopping locations. The area is filled with Hollywood-inspired architecture and palm trees, including a replica of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. NameTypeNotesStatus(September 2026)Lake Hollywood SpectacularLive Show/PerformanceA fireworks display that takes place at night on select dates.Not showing until November 2026Trolls Hug Time Jubilee (Pantages Theatre)Live Show/PerformanceA live performance featuring characters from the Trolls films, taking place inside Pantages Hollywood Theatre.ShowingTurntablesLive Show/PerformanceAn interactive live performance featuring various dances. It did not reopen after its initial COVID-19 closure on 6 April 2020.Permanently closedUniversal Studios StoreRetail OutletA retail store selling Universal Studios-themed collectibles, toys and apparel.OpenHello Kitty StudioRetail OutletA retail store selling Hello Kitty-themed merchandise.OpenHollywood China ArcadeRetail OutletAn arcade that allows guests to win e-tickets to redeem Universal Studios Singapore merchandise.Temporarily closedMinion MartRetail OutletA retail store selling Despicable Me-themed merchandise.OpenThe Dark RoomRetail OutletA retail store that allows guests to have their pictures taken for memorabilia.OpenThat's a WrapRetail OutletA retail store located outside the park entrance that sells Universal Studios-themed merchandise.OpenSilver ScreenRetail OutletA retail store that sells merchandise from blockbuster films.OpenThe Brown Derby / UNIVRSRetail OutletA retail store that originally sold Sesame Street-themed merchandise under the name "The Brown Derby". After its initial closure during COVID, it returned under the new name "UNIVRS", selling exclusive apparel and merchandise inspired by Universal characters.OpenMel's Drive-InF&B OutletAn all-American diner that serves gourmet burgers, fries and milkshakes. Halal-certified.OpenStarbucksF&B OutletThe premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Halal-certified.Open
Parade Hollywood Dreams Light-Up Parade - This parade features themed floats, characters, and performers based on the Woody Woodpecker, Madagascar, Shrek, Jurassic Park and The Mummy franchises.
New York City