S’pore park slated to open next week

Source : Straits Times – 20 Jan 2010

SOUTH-EAST Asia’s first big-name theme park – Universal Studios Singapore – at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) looks set to open its doors next week, just a week after the resort welcomes visitors to its hotels and shops today.

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman of Genting Group, which owns the $6.59 billion resort, said yesterday: ‘By the end of next week, Universal Studios Singapore will open, and when we officially launch Resorts World Sentosa later this year, it will be another significant and historical milestone achievement for the group.’

He was speaking at the Kuala Lumpur launch of the group’s logo to mark its 45th anniversary.

RWS had previously not been able to confirm the opening date of the theme park, saying only that it would be open by the first quarter. But sources pointed to an opening date of Jan 28 or 29.

When asked about its main attraction yesterday, a RWS spokesman would only say that it was working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs to get the relevant permits.

The theme park boasts 24 rides and attractions, 20 of which are expected to be ready when it opens, according to a prior announcement. Each ride requires a permit to operate, and a RWS spokesman said they will not be opened to the public until proven to be safe.

The resort is also awaiting a licence to operate its casino.

The casino and theme park are expected to be the sprawling 49ha complex’s main money-spinners, but it boasts other attractions too, including the world’s largest oceanarium, plus dozens of shops and restaurants.

As part of its concept plan, a significant portion of the resort has to also cater to non-gaming areas, with the government setting a maximum approved gaming area of no more than 5 per cent of the resort’s total development area.

The theme park is expected to attract up to 30,000 visitors daily.

A one-day weekday pass will cost $66 for adults, $48 for children and $32 for senior citizens. Weekend, public holiday and eve of public holiday one-day passes will cost $72, $52 and $36 respectively.

But the passes are still cheaper than those of Universal’s other attractions in Orlando and Osaka, which go for US$79 (S$109) and 5,800 yen (S$90) respectively.