Universal Studio - Sci-Fi City ~ home to the world's tallest dueling rollercoaster (Part 6)

Sci Fi City Zone

Resorts World Sentosa

Sentosa Island, Singapore

Entrance of the Sci Fi City Zone just beside the New York City and Ancient Egypt.

Right after our great lunch @ Loui’s Pizza in New York courtesy of our friend Llowel, we headed directly to Sci Fi City just after he left for an afternoon shift at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). Balong and I been here earlier but we haven’t checked enough as this was just our meeting place before going to lunch. As the name suggest, this place will transport you straight to the future, we don’t know really what lies ahead but it seems like they projected it in here pretty much (hehehe!).

Before we take the ride, we follow these instructions first to have a smooth yet thrilling ride!

Sci Fi City is between New York and Ancient Egypt which is the 3^rd  zone we visited out of seven theme here in the Universal Studio Singapore (USS). This is the most visible zone in the park from afar as guest will witness tall, futuristic buildings that boasts shade and rain cover with climate control setting. The place is ideal for exploration to all science fiction lovers  and adventure seeker as they offer wide varieties of thrilling ride for your heart’s desire. It is an imagined metropolis of the future that contains many modern conveniences in life but little or no remnants of past inhabitants and cultures that are able to stand the course of time. 

You should be aware of your limitation; however, if you think you can do it, then conquer your fear!

But before going for a ride, we roamed each corner of the place first, took some pictures, and tender our baggage to an electronic cabinet. These electronic lockers are very useful if you have no one to take charge of your belongings. Its free for the first 30 minutes but the succeeding 30 minutes you need to  pay SGD 2 equivalent to P66.oo. or around USD 1.5o. If you would like to leave your baggage for a day you can pay SGD 20 cap. The ride will not consume more than 10 minutes usually, the only concern is when you queue as sometimes there were lots of people that munch through much of your time except if you have Universal Express Pass which you don’t have to wait.

The lagoon just beside the vibrant and lively plaza.

Ain’t  suppose to include this but I have to say it anyway, it’s just so happen that natures calls me that’s why I visited the rest room. The design makes you wonder, is it really a toilet or a part of a spaceship (ahahaha!). I want to have some shots but am timid that people may question why I am taking pics inside. We were hesitant to get in either because the place is so pristine; you can even see your face in the floor (ahahaha!). That is one thing I like about Singapore, most of their restroom either public or private is very well maintained. This is what a rest room should look like, you can take a nap here if you want, you know (ahahaha!).

Beautiful Humanoid near the Battlestar Galactica Entrance. Its the 3rd time we visited the place.

There is a vibrant plaza within the Sci Fi City, that serves as the melting pot of all the guest as benches and stores can be seen in here. There are lots of tubes and poles seen everywhere because of the rollercoaster of Battlestar Galactica.  Screaming can be heard everywhere too and that excites me bigtime because we wanted to experience it ourselves. I have to admit, I am afraid of heights really but since am already here and no options of turning back, I need to face it with a smile (ahahaha!).

Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee’s replica in front of Transformer Ride 3D is a must see attractions. You’ll be amazed by their précised replica which is open for photo opportunity. There are so many people lining up, thus we just content ourselves with background shots. If you have ample time to wait, then it’s your choice. It's worth having a picture with your fave transformer as a perfect souvenir.

Starbot Cafe just in between of Transformer 3D, The Ride and Accelerator.

Humanoids are everywhere too, like transformers they were very much taller than we are because they were using jumping stilts and wearing futuristic outfits. We even have our share of pictures with them. You can have free shots using your camera or you can buy it directly from the official photographer themselves. What they do, they will take a photo of you, around two shots maybe and you can redeem it afterwards as they will give you a ticket as a proof. The price varies depends on what sizes you prefer.

The Accelerator.

There is a retail outlet if you want to buy some memorabilia to take home as a gift to a friend or families. Galactica PX which is located in the center of the plaza offers different Sci-Fi collectible merchandise from toys to apparels of all ages. This outlet serves as the exit as well after your ride in either Cyclon or Human of Battlestar Galactica. 

Starbot Café which is situated just beside the Transformer Ride 3D is a food and beverage outlet selling variety of food items including ice cream, sundaes, and sandwiches served by robots themselves (ahahaha ~ just kidding!). If you have kids, they have refillable container of any drinks you prefer for SGD 12. You can fill it up to any refilling station within the park.

If rollearcoaster is not your thing then try this one it's the milder version of Carousel (hehehe!)

The highlight of the whole Sci fi City is the 4 thrilling and exciting rides to choose from: 1) Transformer Ride 3D ~ which I will feature in the next entry right after this. 2) Then, the Accelerator. 3) Next is the Battlestar Galactica – Human 4) and lastly, the Battlestar Galactica – Cyclon. 

What you have to do is to sit down, hand on the stirring wheel and try to exert force to rotate it.

If you’re afraid of heights and roller coaster are not your thing there is an ‘Accelerator’ to try-on just beside the Battlestar Galactica. It’s the latest version of a teacup that spin round and round, it’s a crazy ride to say the least. We suppose to give it a try but we prefer the most challenging one, thus we deviate to Battlestar Galactica.

But before taking the ride we read all the information signage in the vicinity first and here is what we found out: 1) Riders should be at least 125 cm tall to ride. 2) There is no age limit. 3) Each child must sit on their own seat for the entire duration of the ride. 4) No sitting on parent’s lap or carried by the parent. 5) To skip the long lines, there is a Universal Express at the entrance. 5) Bringing of loose items on the ride is strictly prohibited like keys, coins, cameras, or even slippers. 6) Keep your feet and arms inside the coaster at all times when it is in motion and 7) finally, don’t take pictures or videos while on the ride.

Entrance of Battlestar Galactica. Are you Human or Cyclon?

Once you read the note and you followed these instructions, then you’re ready to go. Battlestar Galactica is based on a television series that follows the battle between Humans and Cyclons. It provides one of the most thrilling rides in the park and brings to life a wonderful aspect of the show for fans to cherish. It is the tallest dueling coaster in the world; tipping at 42.5 meters around 139 feet. One half of the ride features inverted coaster track in blue (Cyclon) and the other half features the traditional seated roller coaster track in red (Human). Please note that these coasters will feature a more intense dogfight of two parties in an artistic and terrifying way with several near collisions mere inches apart so get yourself ready.

The mist that greeted us on our way in!

We as riders or the recruits as they say were giving an opportunity to pick which side to prefer, saving the humanity or being with the robotic yet lifelike cyclons. Sine we were the brave ones we chose the Cyclon instead of Humans thus here we are, greeted by mist on the way in (ahahaha!). We have no idea what will happen next really because it's our first time here in USS but our excitement is really on the top. We would like to bring our camera to have a snap of what to see within but since camera is not allowed so we left it in the locker.

The Cyclon (blue) and the Humans (red) rollercoaster aerial  fight scene.

There were already hundreds of riders on rows when we arrived at the queue line. I was too silent all throughout because I was trying to control myself not to be afraid. I don’t want that my chicken wings will trigger you know (ahahaha!). The queue heads to the Cyclone nerve center that has so many surreal and interesting installation like the guards positioned in front of the mirror seems to stretch on for eternity. Futuristic lights mode patterns are everywhere too especially on a coil staircase on the way to the boarding area. The mood effect reflects as if you’re inside an organic machine where lots of wires and cables seem to grow and morph out of the walls. There are no plain walls in here either, it’s like you’re entering a human vein where there are so many cells growing (ahahaha!). They’re really convincing in capturing the mood as it prepares you before you take the ride.

Look how scary the Cyclon is, but we enjoyed it bigtime!!!

Just around 10 minutes of queuing and at last the moment we were witing for, here we are, just 5 meters away from the ride (ahahaha!). It scares the butterfly in me but there is no more turning back (ahahaha!). I looked at Balong and he was so silent too. We were talking all throughout and he is too relax while I am too uptight (ahahaha!). I have to do this once and for all sighhhhh!!! (ahahaha!).

Information Desk.

The staff divided us into rows and each rows is composed of 4 riders. I don’t know how many rows they have but it’s like 8 I guess and we were in the last rows! (ahahaha!) And one more thing, I am in the left edge of the rollercoaster besides Balong! A freaking GOOD LUCK to me!!!! (ahahahaha!) I have no reasons to back out! Everybody is in place and you can see excitements through their eyes while I was controlling myself and keeps my nerves relax (ahahaha!). 

The launch station point of Human and Cyclon is just a few meters away in the 2^nd floor of the building. It’s like both group of riders are preparing for a battle. Cyclon is a suspended coaster, meaning the tracks are above our heads and there is no floor beneath our feet (as in empty space!). This is much more intense due to the presence of inversions, unlike our ‘Human’ riders counterparts since they were seating on a classic rollercoaster which I think a little bit milder than what we have (just a thought! ~ ahahaha!).

Here we are!!! Ready for the flight of a lifetime as the ride starts to move(ahahaha!). The roller coaster goes straight up the loop and voila! We’re readddddddddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy tttttoooooooooo gooooooooooooo!!!!! (ahahahahaha!)… Lots of ups and downs!!!! Turning right to left and left to right!!!!  Roll here and there, and the rest is history (bwahahahahahaha!!!!!). One plunge that I can’t forget is the deep plunge in the center of the plaza with artificial fog that give us a near miss with the grounds! (ahahaha!). Before the trains returns to the station, a sudden turns close to buildings emphasizing the sensation as if we're about to crash yet thanks GOD it was a missed (ahahaha!). The thrill is way more than words can say. I was so freaking afraid all throughout but it was the best ever experience we had and can’t wait to do another ride (ahahahaha!). I passed the test, I conquered my fear of heights!!! yeeeeeeehheeey!!! (ahahahaha!)

Whew! That was totally awesome!!! The experience we had was really unforgettable. If given a chance to do it again, no question asked I'll take the ride. If my fear of heights trigger then we will see (ahahaha!).

 

It's a must try! It's definitely not for the faint-hearted, but once you dealt with it everything just fine. Unfortunately, Balong was a little dizzy after the thrilling ride but he is ok. 

 

So there you go, for fans of science fiction and fans of the hit show Battlestar Galactica visit this place then. Try it for yourself.

Got to go for now. Have a great night/day everyone.

Enan signing off.

Cheeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiosssssssssssss!!

SMILE

:)

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