5 impressive features of Genting Highland's 20th Century Fox Theme Park

September 2013 marks a new chapter in Genting Highlands Resort as they bid farewell to their old theme park. This park, with 6 roller coasters* and 5 water rides has been demolished after thrilling millions of fans for decades. However, what is about to come is even more exciting - the world's first 20th century fox theme park. This 300 million dollar investment will pack a whole host of surprises, though I anticipate 5 features that are particularly interesting.

Artist rendition of the 20th century fox theme park

1) The park might host Southeast Asia's first B&M Roller Coaster

In the world of Roller Coasters, B&M (Bolliger and Mabillard) is regarded almost as the Ferrari of the pack. This manufacturer is responsible for some of the world's most iconic roller coasters, and judging from the concept art, 20th Century Fox theme park is going to have one!

The middle of the picture depicts a pink tracked roller coaster with what looks like a dive loop followed by a zero G roll. In fact, the way the track is depicted is very similar to a winged coaster - one where there is no track above or below you. If it is, this is a real blessing, as there are no such coasters in the region. 

The Winged Coaster (like this one in Germany) is the newest product of famed manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard

2) 1/3 of the theme park will be indoors.

If we look at the top left hand corner of the picture, it is clear that there is a large building with lighted corridors. As far as I know, this area is where Rolling Thunder Mine Train used to stand, which means it is still part of the new theme park.

I think an indoor section is very important for a resort at 6000ft since the weather is really unpredictable and having a large indoor component will ensure that the park can stay open regardless of the conditions outside.

Some rides I will want in the indoor section include a dark ride roller coaster (like Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts), an interactive show and a large, multi-attraction kids section.

3) The park will be centered around a big Bellagio style musical fountain

While smaller than its Vegas counterpart, the streams of water in the center of the park is almost too difficult to miss. This musical fountain is going to be the focal point and a navigational landmark. Even more importantly, it provides an excellent avenue for guests to relax at their own pace.

Imagine strolling along a beautifully themed broadwalk in a European-like climate, listening to music and watching the water flow with the songs. It is almost a fairytale experience.

The world famous Bellagio Fountain

4) The Go Kart is now bigger, taller and possibly faster than before

Remember the old Go-Kart? Just a simple flat circuit under Corkscrew roller coaster. Well, the new one will be on an elevated track with multiple levels and varying elevations. There are also long, straight sections where drivers can really push the pedal to the metal.

5) (and yet) 20th Century Fox Theme Park will be built for 1/4 the cost of Universal Studios Singapore

Alright, this is really quite unbelievable. In spite of the logistical difficulties of bringing so much stuff to the mountaintop, in spite of working in comparably tough conditions of strong winds and unpredictable weather, and in spite of having more attractions (25) than Universal Studios Singapore (19), this park is somehow going to cost 300 million opposed to 1,400 million to build USS.

So, should we expect that the quality of park will be lower than USS, or does it just follow the mantra that "Everything is cheaper in Malaysia"?.

Anyways, indoor attractions like Genting Skyventure and Euro Express will also be closed due to the building of this new theme park.

*The 6 coasters are Corkscrew, Flying Coaster, Cyclone, Rolling Thunder Mine Train, Flying Dragon and Super Toboggan

Will Harry Potter come to USS?

Harry Potter is one of the most popular fictional stories in Popular Culture, from books, movies, and even theme parks. In fact, when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in 2010, the attendance at Island's of Adventure in the United States exploded from 4.6 million to 5.9 million, or an over 30% increase. Universal even had to impose an additional entrance fee for the Harry Potter section due to excessive crowding.

With Wizarding Worlds slated to open in Japan in 2014 and  Hollywood in 2016, Singapore will be the only park left out. Nonetheless, I am convinced that plans are already on the way to add the Wizarding World in the future (perhaps long term) as it can really spike up the park's below-expectation attendance.

I think given the available land, there are 2 possible options for USS to add Harry Potter. Please first take note that I am not affiliated with RWS or USS.

OPTION 1: Behind New York (Diagon Alley)

There is actually an unused piece of land in between Transformers The Ride and Sesame Street in USS. While not the largest plot, I think it is large enough to fit more than 1 single ride, so a scaled down version of Diagon Alley will fit well there. Potential opening: 2016

This set of doors looks almost like a prepared entrance to a future attraction 

 Site of available land at New York

Schematic of a possible USS Diagon Alley

Advantages

+Do not need to eliminate any existing attractions

+Much lower cost due to the small area and fewer features, estimate SGD60 million

+It is too wasteful to commit such a large area to a single ride (vs a themed land)
+Escape from Gringotts is a less common ride (only 1 vs 3 for Forbidden Journey)

Disadvantages

-Not much variety, only 1 ride and a couple of shops

-Transition into the themed land will be far too sudden as it is directly tied to New York

-Escape from Gringotts is almost a too similar ride system to Revenge of the Mummy

OPTION 2: Get rid of Madagascar

Madagascar themed area is a big waste of space to me. The main attraction, A Crate Adventure is not very popular (there are many empty boats) and the park puts only 2 rides in such a large area. A Harry Potter world here will most likely be themed to Hogsmeade and will include a family ride (Forbidden Journey), 2 thrill rides (B&M flier and drop tower) and a kids section (Softball play area). This makes the Singapore version of Harry Potter the most family friendly and diverse targeting version. Potential opening: 2018

Map of the current Madagascar 

Schematic diagram of Hogsmeade at USS

Advantages

+It will be the best version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with the broadest target audience

+Addition of Owl's Flight means it is alright for Battlestar Galactica to go and make way for a more reliable ride

+Much more immersive experience with genuine Hogsmeade Main Street and a forested area leading to Hogwarts and the thrill rides

+USS does not currently have a drop tower, robotic arm ride nor children play area

+For coaster fans, it will have South East Asia's first B&M Roller Coaster

Disadvantages

-Bad news to all Madagascar fans - it has to go

-May take longer before completion due to the need to demolish then build

-Definitely very, very expensive. We are talking about a SGD200 million range at least

I know that most people would rather see Harry Potter come to USS, so please share this link with all your friends so people will know. If enough people are aware and have a desire for The Wizarding World, RWS may just well decide to bring it here. To be honest, I really, really prefer option 2. Please reply and tell me which option you prefer.

Welcome to Second Drop - The Attractions Blog

Welcome to the all new SECOND DROP!

Before we begin, though, let me first share with you why "Second Drop". Basically, I was brainstorming for ideas to brand this blog and several come to my mind, including second drop. The main significance of this title is that I think the "first" or "most xxx" ride may not necessarily be the best, so I want my blog to be a post where I explore genuine ride experiences, rather than just chasing records. The "Second" also comes to represent the smallest unit of time, and it reinstates the rapid rate of progress in the theme park industry.

"Second Drop" ended up with 10 votes, 1 vote shy of the winning name. However, I ultimately chose this name as it sounded more professional and because a wider demographic of people cast votes for this name. Once again, I thank all the 37 people who has participated in my inquiry. Among the seven other names I considered include Coaster Kingdom and CAN'T (Coasters Are Not Terrifying).

Of course, the most intense part of most roller coasters is the first drop. Now, let's kick off with some roller coasters with excellent second drops!

picture of Phantom's Revenge taken from wikipedia

1) Phantom's Revenge, Kennywood, USA
This ride stormed into the top 10 of Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards simply for having a fabulous 2nd drop, which is almost twice as tall as the first drop. It also has excellent ejector airtime. [video POV]

Picture taken from website of Great Coasters International, a Coaster Manufacturer

2) Wood Coaster, OCT East, China
To match the terrain, this woodie has a small first drop which straights out then enters a taller and steeper second drop. It is a good long ride with an excellent view of the surrounding hills. [video POV]

Picture of Supersonic Odyssey taken from wikipedia

3) Supersonic Odyssey, Berjaya Times Square, Malaysia
The first drop of this indoor coaster is actually before the lift hill; the second drop after. It is one of the largest indoor roller coaster drops at over eight stories and the confined space really gives this ride an excellent sense of speed. [video POV]

Remember, first is never enough. Support Second Drop today!

8 ways to save money at Universal Studios Singapore

With a flat rate admission of $74 $76 (2017), Universal Studios Singapore is easily one of the most expensive tourist attractions in already expensive Singapore. By following these few simply tips, find out how to save money at USS.

1) Visit Tour Agency Ticketing Sites or RWS Promotions Page

Since the tickets are the most expensive part, it is only fitting that I start by showing you how to get cheaper tickets. Generally, the best online deals are offered by tour agencies. For example, Voyagin offers 20% off USS tickets. Plus they are the only online travel agency the offers Universal Express Passes at the moment. Also, Klook Travel gives you access year round discounted tickets for USS tickets - including seasonal offers that comes with meal or shopping vouchers! The best part of buying tickets online? You don't need to queue 30 minutes at the park entrance to buy tickets!

There are also seasonal deals on the Promotions Page of RWS Website! However, from my own experience the deals by the tour agencies are better!

2) Purchase the tickets with an RWS Invites Members Card

RWS Invites  has a 20% rebate for Universal Studios Singapore, SEA Aquarium and Adventure Cove. If you know any friend/relatives who is a member, you can purchase a 1 day pass at just $59.20. However, please note that this is limited to 6 tickets per card per day.

You will also gain access to special discounts exclusive to RWS Invites Members! However, please take note that the discounts are actually Invite$ Rebates, so the rebate amount is actually credited into your RWS invites card to offset your future purchase/parking.

Caution: RWS Invites is for Singaporeans ONLY.

3) Eat at Harbourfront Food Centre before going into USS

A typical set meal at USS will cost about $12 per pax, ala carte about $10. This adds up to almost $50 for a family of 4. So, instead of having a late lunch inside the park, why not eat an early lunch before going into the park? Surprisingly, just across the road from Vivocity, there is a cheap hawker center that sells food at heartland prices. For example, Hokkien Prawn noodles is $3/$3.50 and a small serving fried carrot cake is only $2.50. Of course, do not expect the same good quality that some USS food outlets has to offer.

Caution: Food at Vivocity itself is NOT cheaper than USS. Meal will cost $5, Side $2.50 and Drink $2.50, whereas USS typical set meal is $12 with Drink and Side, and better quality.

4) Walk into Sentosa

Taking the Sentosa express will cost you $4, so why not take a leisurely stroll down the beautifully landscaped Sentosa Broadwalk instead? It is only $1, and you avoid all the crowding on the trains!

UPDATE 2017: Up till 31 December 2018, there will be FREE ADMISSION for walk ins via Sentosa Boardwalk EVERYDAY!

5) Bring the necessary items

A 500ml bottle of coca cola in USS costs $2.50. Since there are so many water coolers at every toilet entrance and in the queue of every ride, why not just use the free service? Singapore public water supply is potable. (ie. drinkable) You can also borrow a USS water bottle from your friends, so you can top up soft drinks in the park for just $2. Most USS bottles are larger than 500ml FYI.

Also, bring along a plastic bag to keep all your stuff when taking Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. Trust me, the $4 "life saving" ponchos do not really work in this ride. You will still get soaked!

6) Buy a 6 month season pass

1 ticket to USS costs $74. However, for an extra $24, you get to have unlimited access to USS for 6 whole months. This means even if you visit only twice, you would have made back your investment. If you plan to visit once a month, you would have saved a whopping $74 x 6 - $98 = $346. You will most likely want to go with a different group of friends each time.

Not to mention, a Season pass gives you 10% discount on F&B and Souvenirs. University and polytechnic students will love the season pass as it is the same price as the children's ticket, even if you are over 12 years old!

UPDATE OCT 2014: RWS now offers an RWS Invites Attractions Pass that combines the rebates of RWS Invites and privileges of an Annual Pass

7) Buy Sentosa Islander Membership (for Season/Annual Passholders only)

This $25 membership allows you to have unlimited access into Sentosa for 1 year. If you are a passholder and is lazy of walking, if saves you a big deal as entry by Sentosa Express costs you $4, so you just need 7 admissions to break even. (I have entered USS more than 11 times within 4 months of my season pass)

The price is cheaper if you purchase as a family since the price is $50 for up to 4 people, regardless of children or adult! That's a full 50% discount if you have 4 family members!

If you want to enter Sentosa in style, you can even opt for the $39 Faber License, which is essential Sentosa Islander plus unlimited Cable Car rides. Though I don't think I want to call that saving money.

Note: Sentosa Islander and Faber License is for Sentosa Admission only and does not include USS ticket!

8) Ask your company/interest group to buy tickets together

Finally, USS bulk discount tickets are available if there are just 40 tickets in 1 order, and the tickets are open dated (you can go any day you want). The last time I checked, the bulk discount tickets are about $50 each, less if in a very large group. If you can get, say 7-8 colleagues to bring their families or friends to USS (at any date of their choice), you have access to this ticket.

Fixed date tickets are available at a slightly lower price ($5 cheaper), though it means all of you have to decide and agree on when you want to go.

Useful Links

I know 8 ways is quite a mouthful, so here are some quick links that you may find useful in your quest to save money at USS:

• Voyagin Travel (USS Day pass)
• Voyagin Travel (USS Express Pass)
• Klook Travel (USS Day Pass/Seasonal offer)
• RWS promotions
• USS Annual/Season Pass

Know of more ways to save money at USS? Please post them in the comments. Also, don't forget to like our facebook page to receive new and better theme park guides! You may also like How to Save 2 Hours of Queue Time at USS or 8 ways to save money at Hong Kong Disneyland.

This airplane ticket will cost you $25000!

When we imagine a typical First Class seat, we think of a large sofa-bed like contraption, perhaps with some blinds or a small wooden wall for privacy and a TV not larger than 20 inches. Guess what? Etihad Airlines has blown apart the traditional wisdom of First Class with the introduction of The Residence on its new Airbus A380.

Living room of The Residence

Bedroom of The Residence

Deck plans of Etihad A380

This 6 Star Hotel room in the sky includes a bedroom, living room and full bathroom. Goodness! 90% of all business jets do not even have such luxuries. To double the indulgence, there is even a personal butler to cater to the passenger's every whim and desire. This is not the usual flight attendant that will merely serve you meals and sell duty-free goods; the butler serves NO ONE ELSE except you and your partner.

While the ticket price of USD25,000 from Abu Dhabi to London sounds like a lot, do not forget that this suite is for double occupancy. Also, consider that chartering a private jet with such luxuries could cost you upwards of USD100,000 per flight, the Etihad Residence is actually quite a bargain (if you can afford it)!

Nonetheless, I cannot believe that someone will be so desperate that he calls for DONATIONS for an air ticket on the Residence. Luxuries really spawn eccentric behavior.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2625526/Etihads-The-Residence-suite-Blogger-appeals-donations-pay-15-000-ONE-WAY-ticket.html

Even the Apartments in Airbus A380 are a step above standard first class travel, with separate beds and seats, a large 24 Inch TV and private vanity. However, there are very limited amenities beyond the seat. There is just a small longue-bar, unlike A380s of comparable airlines like Emirates which provide full bars and lounges. Also, if we look at the plan carefully, it appears that some seats in the Apartments are facing BACKWARDS! Not sure if that's a comfortable arrangement.

Etihad Airbus A380 First Apartment

Etihad Boeing 787 First Suite

However, I think that the Boeing 787 First Suites are little better than the first class offered by Singapore Airlines, Emirates or, as in the picture below, Air India.

First Class Seat from Air India. It is closer the Etihad's Boeing 787 First Suite

For those of us who cannot afford the sky high costs, not to worry. Etihad is also introducing new generation economy Smart Seats, though I must admit that the only real development over current airlines is the larger In Flight Entertainment (IFE) screen. The business class is a slight improvement in terms of comfort, but I think that the Fishbone Seating used by Air New Zealand can offer the same comfort while using less space.

 Etihad new Business Studios vs Air New Zealand's Business Premier

Etihad Economy Smart Seats vs Singapore Airlines Economy Seats

More information can be found on Etihad's website
http://www.etihad.com/en-sg/experience-etihad/flying-reimagined/

Copyright of all images belong to the respective airlines