Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Universal Studio Singapore

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Universal Studio Singapore

Many people think that Universal Studio Singapore will fail. They point to the other theme parks that failed, e.g. Har Par Villa, Tang Dynasty City and Asian Village (also in Sentosa). They point to the hot climate, limited land space (due to high cost of land) and the small population base.

I think that USS has a good chance to succeed. Here are the positive factors:
a) It is better to be in a hot climate, rather than a cold climate (i.e. winter). USS only needs to create shade and breeze to make it more comfortable. Technology allows this to happen.
b) The compactness is an advantage, as there is no need to walk far from one ride to the next.
c) The closeness of Sentosa to the city and hotels is also an advantage. The tourist does not have to spend two hours to get to the theme park (which is the travelling time for most theme parks around the world).

The management of USS can turn the disadvantages into advantages, and make USS successful (against the odds).

Tan Kin Lian

7 comments:

Anonymous said...: I hope so too. It's pretty great to have such a theme park right here in Singapore, and I think more Singaporeans ought to be supportive of it. After all, it's a positive development [unlike the Casino].; March 21, 2010 3:22 PM
Anonymous said...: REX comments as follows,

In item (a) you saind "USS only needs to..." sounds simple... but really that is the biggest problem, i think it is not possible. I read somewhere that a matured tree can give the cooling effect of 20 airconditioners. But, to achieve that, you need a big tree, ample land for the roots to anchor and spread out and grow, and live 100 years or more. What trees you can plant inside the USS now? Shrubs maybe, ho ho ho. Dig 2 meters and you will reach service pipes, water, gas, electricity pipes.
In my opinion, the kind and max number of trees you can plant inside the USS is extremely limited, due to the space and design.

For technology to do its wonders in that case, the only alternative is to cover the entire resort with canopy and aircon everything (that is too late). Like LOTTE WORLD in Korea, that will be ideal.

I cannot imagine swirling around double roller coaster at 1:00pm on a hot June afternoon. I think many people will suffer severely instead of enjoy, if they embark on such a venture.

rex; March 21, 2010 8:00 PM
Anonymous said...: I had yet to visit USS yet. Firstly, I am not a kiasu person. Secondly, like the comment posted above, SG is too humid and stuffy. Unless the place is fully air-con, my chances of stepping in there is almost zero. (Unless I get free tix, of course); March 22, 2010 10:21 AM
Anonymous said...: I find the prices too expensive. For only 18 rides, it is not value for money.; March 22, 2010 11:21 AM
Anonymous said...: Tree planting in USS is designed to grow within a small concrete box underneath the floor slab which is also the ceiling of the carpark below. As such, there is no room allowed for trees to grow tall or wide in order to provide shade. It's almost impossible to re-design the park with more cover without a major construction work. The visitors have to bear with rain or shine. This is one way to create more income for the F&B and retail outlets since not many can move under the sun for too long. It's not a wrong design, perhaps.; March 22, 2010 6:27 PM
Concerned said...: It is a plus that we have a Universal Studio in our backyard. In this way, we do not have to travel to other countries to enjoy such facilities and we can vist Universal studio anytime we are free and feel like it. Even if we travel to another country for pleasure and there is a universal studio there, we can by-pass those visit and save our limited time during tours for our natural site seeing where it can never be built up in Singapore.; March 23, 2010 11:33 AM
Jenn said...: Thank you for your views. Glad to have the opportunityto see things from another perspective.; March 24, 2010 5:50 AM