Day 3 was the day we finally got to visit Universal Studios. The
attractions were split into two main parks: Islands of Adventure and the
original Universal Studios Theme Park. Since we got Single Park Admission
tickets, we had to pick one, so we went with Islands of Adventure.
Rather than do a play-by-play of what we did at the park, I’ll be
doing a run-down of some of the rides and attractions (including special food
and beverages) that we came across in our full day at Islands of Adventure.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
This 4D experience is somewhat similar to Universal’s Transformers ride. The riders take the
role of Daily Bugle volunteer reporters, cruising through New York in a
‘state-of-the-art’ vehicle called the SCOOP to uncover newsworthy details of a
villainous plot by the Sinister Syndicate. The SCOOP bucks, spins and turns as several
classic Spidey villains attempt to destroy it. Of course, Spider-Man comes to
the rescue, and Stan Lee also makes a couple of guest appearances. A fun ride,
especially if you enjoyed the old-school Spider-Man cartoons.
Jurassic Park Discovery Centre
Cue theme music.
Not a ride, but an actual miniature science centre with life-sized
statues of dinosaurs. A good place to hide out from the rain, though there are usually
lots of kids running around, banging away on the various displays and
interactive exhibits.
River Adventure
Another ride that’s found its way to Singapore’s Universal theme park,
the River Adventure is far more exciting than its Southeast Asian counterpart. Rather
than a circular raft, riders are seated four in a row and sent out to explore
Jurassic Park. Things go awry and the ride is diverted to a darkened facility
dominated by escaped raptors. After a T-Rex rears its head, the ride finishes
with a wet, steep drop.
Ripsaw Rapids
Located in Toon Lagoon, this wet and wild ride is guaranteed to get
you soaked. Riders are seated in a log floating on a stream of water. The ride
starts off deceptively slow, accelerating along bumps and drops as it
progresses and ending with a pretty steep drop and a huge splash.
The Three Broomsticks
Butterbeer!
This themed restaurant comes right out of JK Rowling’s beloved
bestselling books, and is situated in Hogsmeade, one-half of the Wizarding
World of Harry Potter. Eating here means getting in line and waiting in a
pretty long queue, but it’s definitely worth it once you get your first sip of
Butterbeer or Pumpkin Juice. Though the food is pricey and in no particular way
memorable, the impeccable décor and highly-immersive ambience make The Three
Broomsticks a definite must-see for all Harry Potter fans.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
The magic begins.
Right beside Hogsmeade stands Hogwarts castle, which, really, deserves
an entry all on its own. But inside the castle is a unique 4D ride which puts
riders on an enchanted journey through the world of Harry Potter. As your feet
dangle above the ground, you are taken on a disorientating trip through
Hogwarts, the Dark Forest and even the Chamber of Secrets. Unexpected dips and
tilts, alongside cinematic graphics combined with real-life moving props make
for a truly engaging experience.
The 8th Voyage of Sinbad
It's like candyland.
This action-packed show about Sinbad's quest to rescue Princess Amora
from the clutches of an evil witch is filled with brilliant stunts, quirky
humour and impressive pyrotechnics. There is a pretty entertaining pre-show, so
make sure you get there early. The acting is decent for a theme park show, but
what’s really great about this show is their use of the set to create some
uncanny effects.
There are definitely other rides and attractions in the park, many of
which I did not personally experience. The highlight of Islands of Adventure
has definitely got to be the Wizarding World, so if you’re a Harry Potter fan
and are looking for a one-of-a-kind HP experience, that’s the place to be.
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