Universal Studios Singapore

File:Usss.jpg

thumb|300px|right|Teaser 1: Treasure

Universal Studios Singapore - Something Sunny Coming Your Way (Crumbs)

Teaser 2: Crumbs

File:Sesame Street experience in Universal Studio Singapore

Big Bird and Cookie Monster can be seen in this early promotional model display for USS

Universal Studios Singapore (USS) is the Singaporean Universal Studios theme park located within (and maintained by) Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island. It is the second Asian Universal Studios theme park (Universal Studios Japan being the first) and the first within Southeast Asia. After four years of development and construction, followed by a soft opening period from March 18 to October 26 in 2010, the park officially opened on May 28, 2011.

The New York area of the park features Sesame Street attractions, including three live outdoor shows. Eight walk-around characters – Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Oscar the Grouch, Grover and Abby Cadabby – appear in these shows as well as during meet-and-greet sessions. An indoor ride, Spaghetti Space Chase, opened on March 1, 2013.

Sesame Street debuted at USS on May 28, 2012. A press conference, along with preview performances of the live shows, was held at the park on May 24. Prior to the news announcement, Resorts World Sentosa released two teaser trailers: the first one, "Treasure", on May 17 and the second one, "Crumbs", on May 22.

Live shows

The live shows are performed three times daily on New York street.

• When I Grow Up – A 12-minute stage show featuring Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Grover, Bert and Ernie, performed on the front steps of the Public Library. A trimmed down version of the Sesame Street Live show of the same name (both the original and the updated version).

• Dance with Bert and Ernie – A seven-minute show with Bert, Ernie, Elmo and Grover. Performed outside Rockefeller Center.

• Our Favorite Things – Bert, Oscar and Cookie Monster sing about the things they love in this six-minute show. Performed outside Loui’s Pizza and Union City News Agency.

Showtimes and performances vary on different days. Show schedules are given in the park brochure. (Note: The brochure does not specify which show will be performed.)

Spaghetti Space Chase

Main article: Spaghetti Space Chase

Stores

Sesame Street merchandise, both park-exclusive items and imports, are available in gift shops, including Big Bird's Emporium. There is also a Sesame Street School Bus retail cart outside Rockefeller Center, the former location for The Yellow Cab Co. Taxi (the latter has moved to Water Street, near KT Grill). Additionally, some existing food/beverage and merchandise outlets, like The Brown Derby, have been rethemed.

The Brown Derby, formerly a hat shop, is now a store entirely devoted to Sesame Street (The original Elmo marquee was replaced by Bert and Ernie in 2013).

Brown Derby, interior

Brown Derby, interior

Brown Derby, interior

Store entrance marquee, as of February 2013.

The Sesame Street School Bus

The 5th Avenue Coffee & Waffles stand now bears Cookie Monster's likeness. The cart also sells an assortment of cookies.

Big Bird's Emporium. Serves as the exit for Spaghetti Space Chase and leads to Loui's Pizza.

Sesame Street Character Breakfast Program

The breakfast buffet program, hosted by Loui's Pizza, is available on select dates. The breakfast program is not included in the day-pass to USS; guests will have to reserve their tickets online or purchase their tickets at the ticketing booth upon entering the park.

Special and seasonal Events

In addition to live shows and meet-and-greets, the Sesame Street characters also appear in special seasonal shows and events, and just like at Sesame Place, dress for the appropriate occasion (like Christmas or Chinese New Year).

Following the launch of Spaghetti Space Chase on March 1, 2013, USS marked the event with a Sesame Street Carnival on the New York street until March 3.

The Sesame Street gang cheering on runners during the Standard Chartered Marathon 2012.

See also

• Universal Studios Japan

External links

• Official site
• Nick Sim, "Video: Universal Studios Singapore hints at Sesame Street ride for 2013", Theme Park Tourist, May 18, 2012.