Universal Studio – Madagascar ~ Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria up-close (Part 12)

Madagascar Zone, 

Resorts World Sentosa

Sentosa Island, Singapore 

Madagascar: A Crate Adventure

Madagascar is the last zone we’ve been to when we were in Universal Studios, Singapore. We started at 1) Hollywood, 2) New York, 3) Sci Fi City, 4) Ancient Egypt, 5) Lost World, 6) Far Far Away and finally for kids delight the 7) Madagascar. It is inspired by the hit DreamWorks Animation franchise of the same name which features the adventure of four witty, talkative, charming and adorable zoo animals: they are Alex, the leader Lion; Gloria, the curvy and vivacious Hippo: Marty, everyone’s favorite Zebra and Melman, the Giraffe. They all escape from the Central Park Zoo and unfortunately crashing into the island of Madagascar.

View of the huge cargo ship docked at Madagascar Zone.

Madagascar zone is located in between Hollywood and Far Far Away zone.  Pretty sure if we brought our kids with us this zone will come to our mind first. The place is surrounded with lush greenery as if you’re in a jungle although some trees were fake but the ambiance feels like you are really transported to a remote island. From here, you’ll see the fortress of Far Far Away Zone and the street of New York City.

The view of the huge cargo ship up-close from Hollywood Zone.

The first thing that we notice when we enter is the huge life size replica of an impressive ship at the entrance that forms much of the zone and dwarfs the surrounding buildings. I don’t know what the size of it but it’s like around 5 to 6 storey building  and I presume more than a hectare in size. It seems it is the highest structure inside the park. It is meant to replicate the ship that the zoo animals fell off at the start of their adventure. The mock-up looks like a Titanic vessel but a cargo ship (ahahaha!).

Another interesting feature is the presence of a huge Boabab Tree located just in the entrance from the Hollywood zone and a few meters walk from the manmade lake. It has a distinct feature that can be seen in most part of the park because the size comprises around 3 to 4 storey building, much smaller than the vessel. It’s just a dummy replica but looks like authentic. You can even build a huge house inside or have a tree house instead.

If you look closely there is a plane that crash at the top of the tree. If ever you’re stuck at the top then prepare yourself for a crazy fall as branches of this kind of tree is a few meters apart. You can hardly grip the bark coz it’s too big  and the least you can do is to  jump going down (ahahaha!).

The premier attraction in this zone is the Madagascar: A Crate Adventure. I am the only one in here because Balong is in the clinic resting. He was confined because of the dizziness he felt when we ride the Battlestar Galactica ‘Cyclon’. I left him for a while in order to get some photos that surrounds the zone. Actually, after few hours of resting he joined me and Lemwuel and we revisit the place.

Balong at the entrance of the Madagascar: Crate Adventure.

The arch of four loved zoo characters of Alex,  Gloria, Marty and Zebra greeted you once you enter the attraction. The pathway leading to ride is part of the main thoroughfare of the park engulfed with lush vegetation. They used faked bamboo to have that tropical feel. There are so many palm trees too and lots of crate scattered around.

Warning signs to be aware of.

The entrance of the attraction is not directly located at the ship facade, but more than 100 meters away. The queue is huge, it is located outside and covered with bamboo trunks. You’ll not feel the humidity outside because the area is air controlled just enough to fight the staggering hot weather of Singapore. Getting bored is the least of your worries too because the place is nicely themed like you were in the shoreline of a beach and this huge tent serves as the cottage.

Large systematic queuing area for visitors to get in.

TV monitors like this can be found everywhere.

If you watched the 1^st installment of Madagascar where Marty celebrated his birthday, then, the place is bounded with light fixtures like there is a birthday party going on. They are so cute to look at and pleasing to the eyes especially if you brought your kids along. Pretty sure they will enjoy the whole ‘en queue’ thing waiting for the ride. Ceiling fan can be found lining up in each corner of the shelter too. They have available TV monitors in each corner that plays news loops reporting on the animals’ departure from the Central Park Zoo, in an attempt to fill guests who haven’t watched the films on the backstroke.

Beware of FOOSA!!!

After few minutes at last we arrived at the loading dock. It is manned by the cast member dressed in ranger clothing. They are too friendly, cheerful, and accommodating, while helping guest all the way. The guest enter the ride on large wooden boats,  which is 5 rows long and 3 to 4 sits per row depending how big or small you are. Usually, one boat can accommodate up to twenty-four (24) passengers to begin the journey. The two seats at the sides double up as steps for the guest to step in. There is a redundant lap bar that the cast member have to lower like a seat belt.

Staff signalling that the adventure is about to start!

The system is consist of two loading spots back to back. With the boarding guest on the left and the exit to the right.  I don’t know how many boats were in there but I’ve seen 7 in total. Loading of guest maybe not that efficient because it usually takes quite a while for the guest to get on and off the boat but patience is what you need in here. Besides you’re here to have fun, thus having a friendly gesture is a must, just chill and relax! (hehehe!).

Hmmmmmmm that's the entry to the ship..

Madagascar: A Crate Adventure is an indoor animatronics boat ride for kids delight. Actually, it’s not just for kids as most of the riders I’ve seen is much more older than I am (ahahaha!). The boat is themed as a boxy crate, and is painted with bright colors. As a traveler, we find ourselves with a dozen or so fellow travelers inside a small boat that glides into the side of the huge ship and we transported into the movie. The boat is entirely driven by the river currents with no tracks no motors and no drivers. Bumpers in the forms of rollers are installed at the two sides to prevent the boat from crashing into the walls of the through.

Oh! captain, my captain!!!!! (ahahaha!)

At first, the boat floats lazily through the outdoors before slowly making its way to the cargo storage. The  place is surrounded with cargo crates along the sides and the voice of the four emerge from one of the crates discussing their situations. One distinct scene I can’t forget is when I saw the silhouette of the captain sipping a coffee or tea in one of the room, unfortunately one of the wicked penguins showed up and whack the captain unconscious and they took control of the steering wheel.

It's quite hard to get pictures because am using a digital cam (ammmmp!)

Marty caught by by flesh eating plants. (I  forgot the name, ahahaha!)

Next is when the boat goes into another room and that’s the time that the storm arrives. It’s kinda scary because it seems authentic as  enormous windblown to us and many crates were floating on the sea. There is even one scene when we passed through a pile of crates  about to collapse one by one almost threatening to hit the boat we ride in and that scares me bigtime (ahahaha!).

Foosa  trying to catch the baby lemur.

And of course..... Gloria to the rescue!!!!

The storm ends and everybody seems fine as they start breaking the crate and who could forget the ‘move it move it’ theme song huh!. I can still remember lots of lemurs dancing to that beat (ahahaha!). There are so many dangers going on like herds of spiders coming in, the crocodiles, and the snake but they all get through it safely (hehehe!). We saw some naughty monkeys too spraying their ‘poo’ to us (ewwwwwwwwww well, its water actually) their arrrkkk arkkkk arkkk sound is so irritating yet amusing at the same time! (ahahaha!).

Alex caught by the huge spider web...

Lot's of planning to destroy the foosas!

Their main enemy is the foosa actually, and the gang would like to help out and King Julien serves as the boss (ahahaha!). I love watching the group camouflaged themselves as fighters. I can’t forget Gloria trying desperately to fit into her body her overly small outfit (ahahaha!). After several preparation, our boat lead us to a cave where the foosa lives. There are so many foosa shadows running around the entryway. As our boat glides along, we’ve seen the gang fighting with the foosas, there are so many jumping, leaping, shouting, and much more going around and the last but not the least to forget is when the penguins throw the bomb to King Julian. The bomb explodes and destroys the foosas but leaving a rather smoked King Julien (ahahaha!).

Found at the entrance of the Foosas Cave

The fighting is over and the gang celebrates their victory and as any other Hollywood movies, the hero always win! (ahahaha!). There is a waterfall that we are about to pass on and that worries me because I have no extra shirts with me but it stops when we are about few inches away (hehehe!). We’ve seen plenty of animals celebrating and a huge banner ‘Thank you freaks’ comes up over the boat channel coming out from the cave. 

The fight is over and Marty enjoying his coco-juice.. (hehehe!)

We’ve seen bubbles too being blown at the boat and one last look as we’ve seen Marty lounging on his chair, sipping drinks out of a coconut and sipping drinks on the guest. The rides ends here and everything comes to light plus we’ve seen pieces of an airplane propeller just on our way out. After the ride, we are then directed into a souvenir shops where guest can purchase their on-ride photos.

It was one filled adventure. May not be complicated like the Transformer ride but it was the BEST!

It was just less than 10 minutes ride but we had a lot of fun along with Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Smith. They maybe just a voice over but it was a plain ride to enjoy.

The cast having a small intimate show outside. We were trying to have a solo snap with the characters but they all left after the show.

We stayed for a few minutes in Madagascar and we’ve seen our fave characters in costume having show outside. We wanted to have some shots with them but there are so many guest lining up just to have a snap. I asked Balong to run to have a snaps with one of the penguins and thanks God we have one. I loved Gloria, she is awesome (ahahahaha!).

Balong at the entrance of King Julien's Beach Party-Go-Round.

If you didn’t get enough of the ‘crate adventure’, bring your kids to King Julien’s Beach Party-Go-Round ride, it is an elaborate-themed carousel featuring Alex, Gloria, Melman, and Marty as well as other crazy lemurs, pesky foosas and many of the other Madagascar characters. Pretty sure your kids will love such as they be able to ride on the backs of all their favorite characters from the movies. It’s a more tamer ride but this is no ordinary merry go round with pulsing polka music because the characters rise and fall to the beat of the disco music that makes any lemur, or human tap their feet (ahahaha!).

Casa del Wild Food Court that offers South Asian specialties.

The zone includes the usual fantastically themed souvenir and food venues. When you’re ready for something to eat because of one filled afternoon/morning, there are two restaurant to choose from. First is the Casa Del Wild, a café inspired by the first movie and is hosted by Marty that serves lip-smacking South Asian specialty like Pad Thai, Nasi Padang, Chicken Satay, Roasted Chicken, Tom Yum Soup, Beef Rendang and a lot more. 

Gloria's Snack Shack located just besides the boabab tree.

In addition, there is a food store outlet that is hosted by Gloria and it named after her 'gloria Snack Shack' that offers Japanese-inspired quick bites such as bento boxes, yakitore, rice bowls, chicken yakitori, grilled prawns, and vegetable tempura. They also serves many invigorating thirst-quenchers. 

I don't know how it happen but pretty sure i was waiting for BFF and Balong (ahahaha!)

Souvenir shops like this can be found everywhere.

Should you like to buy some gifts as souvenirs or some silly keepsakes there is a ‘Penguin Mercantile’ that is located in the exit of Madagascar: A Crate Adventure. Most of the items they have in here is of course inspired by the many lovable characters of the franchise movie. They usually sell key holders/fobs, t’shirts, caps, stuff toys and lots more.

View of the whole Madagascar Zone from Ancient Egypt.

This is also the place where you can take photos like what we have below, we paid SG 40 for two shots of pics. 

So there you go, if ever you bring your kids along, a visit to Madagascar zone is a MUST!. They'll love the place i assure you that. We even enjoyed it ourselves even we are already 'so so' age (ahahaha!). The visit to Universal Studios Singapore is incomplete with out passing in here.

Have a great day/night everyone.

Cheerrrrrrrrrriioosssssssss

Enan signing off...

SMILE.

:)