Universal Studio Singapore

In early April 2010, I went to Singapore, this time without my dear wife and son, since I have to accompany my father for medical consultation in a Singapore hospital for his health problem. After all the hospital, doctor, and insurance things were done, it turned out that we still have a free Saturday. We decided to spend the time visiting the newly opened Universal Studio Singapore.

We departed at 8am, courtesy of free shuttle bus from the hotel. We arrived at 9am, just as it opened. My father and his friend decided that they won’t enter the park and would rather walk around for a while and find some place to sit and talk.

Me, my mother, and my cousin (who worked in Singapore) then bought the ticket at $72 each ($66 for weekdays) which included a $10 meal voucher and a $5 shopping voucher. The weather is cloudy when we entered the park. We first arrived at the Hollywood Theater, but the first show won’t begun until 11am. So we headed to Lights! Camera! Action! where we watched the live presentation of Hollywood visual effect : a hurricane in a boat house with all the wind, fire, flying windows, and runaway boats. The audience standing in the front row behind the blue colored handrail will get wet from the water splash (they announced it just before the show begun).

Universal Studio Singapore

Snoopy World on my mind

It was early March, about two and a half months removed from our Hongkong-Shenzhen vacation. Our son was playing alone in his bedroom when he noticed a Snoopy story book lying on the floor. He picked it up and started to turn the pages, and then he said to himself (in Indonesian) :

“I went to Snoopy’s house in Hongkong. I played there. I rode the canoe there. There were birds, bus, and slides in Snoopy’s house. I want to go to Hongkong again.”

The Snoopy story book

Snoopy World & Ngong Ping 360

Snoopy World at New Town Plaza – Shatin

During our Hongkong trip we also visited Snoopy World at New Town Plaza. Since we stayed at Novotel Nathan Road, we took the MRT from Yau Ma Tei to Sha Tin. At Sha Tin, one of the exit way directly led us into the plaza.

Although the Snoopy World area is quite small, our toddler son managed to spend nearly two hours there. He cheerfully took pictures with various Snoopy, played with the steering wheel in the school bus, and spent most of the time in the playground area. They have slides, tunnels, and climbing area. Too bad several kids in the playground didn’t behave properly. Some just won’t queue, and some just pushed smaller kids aside.

Snoopy World at New Town Plaza

Hongkong Disneyland with Toddler (Day 3)

After spending the first 2 days at the park, we spent our final day at Disney Resort enjoying the facilities at the hotel. First we went to the Prince Eric room at Hongkong Disneyland hotel where we stayed. This room is the indoor children activity room for the hotel guest, free of charge. There are toys in one corner and children books in other corner. They also have scheduled activities such as making postcards, story telling, etc.

Playing at Prince Eric Activity Room

There is also an interesting activity at King Triton room next door, “My Little Princess”. It is a dream come true for little girls. They will be transformed into a Disney Princess with a package of Princess costume and accessories, make up, hair styling, and an 8×10″ photograph. It costs HK$ 580 (for Aurora, Cinderella, and Belle) or HK$ 720 (for Snow White and Giselle).

The Disney Princess Makeover

Hongkong Disneyland with Toddler (Day 2)

Our second day at Disney started with a morning stroll around the hotel while waiting for the breakfast hour to begin. Although a bit cold, the fresh air and scenery was nice. They have nice outdoor and indoor swimming pools, too bad the weather is too cold for us to swim.

Hongkong Disneyland Hotel