Universal Studios Singapore: A Perfect One-Day Itinerary
Planning a day at Universal Studios Singapore? Here’s how we rode every ride, skipped long queues, and stayed for the Lake Hollywood fireworks finale.
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If you’re going to dedicate a full day to something in Singapore, make it count.
For us, that day was at Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island — and we stayed from the moment the gates opened until the fireworks lit up the sky.
And yes… we managed to ride everything.
Here’s how our day unfolded, what worked beautifully, and what I’d do again in a heartbeat.
We arrived before 10am and lined up while the park was still closed — which felt slightly ambitious at the time, but turned out to be the best decision of the day.
The gates opened a little early, and those first couple of hours? Absolute gold.
Short queues. Cooler air. No rushing.
If you’re visiting on a weekday (we went on a Monday), it’s even better. We didn’t use Express Passes and still managed to ride everything — some rides more than once.
Weekends and public holidays are a different story, so if you’re locked into those days, Express Passes are worth considering.
We headed immediately to Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON, and I’m so glad we did.
Two coasters. Big heights. Twists that catch you off guard. We managed two rides before the queues built up — which felt like a small victory.
Next up was TRANSFORMERS The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle. It’s immersive in that way where you forget you’re technically sitting in a ride vehicle. The kids loved it, and honestly… so did I.
Then there’s Revenge of the Mummy — dark, fast, dramatic. This one became a bit of a favourite. We noticed the queue dipping again toward the end of the day and hopped back on.
That’s the beauty of being there from open to close. You’re not chasing the clock.
One of our absolute highlights was Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure.
Yes, you get wet. Yes, there’s a splash moment. And yes, it was worth it. We rode it together, which made it even better.
In between the bigger rides, we slowed things down with:
Treasure Hunters (gentler, nostalgic energy)
Shrek 4-D Adventure and Donkey Live (perfect when you want to sit down for a bit)
Minion Mayhem & Buggie Boogie in Minion Land — playful, colourful, and a nice reset
And I have to admit… we may have spent more time than planned in the Minion gift shop.
When you’re there all day, you don’t feel pressured to cram everything in. You can snack, wander, re-ride, and actually enjoy the atmosphere.
By early afternoon, Singapore’s heat reminds you who’s in charge.
We built in snack and water breaks throughout the day, which makes a big difference. There are plenty of themed food options inside the park, and if you book tickets online, you can sometimes find bundle deals that include meals.
Hydration is not optional here.
Universal Studios isn’t just about the rides.
There are live shows and character appearances throughout the day — Sesame Street, Transformers, Shrek characters — and they add so much to the atmosphere.
Seeing Princess Fiona in person? That was a moment.
Even if you’re mostly there for the coasters, make space for those little interactions. They’re often the parts you remember later.
If you can, don’t leave early.
As the sun sets, the whole park shifts. The light softens, the temperature drops slightly, and everything feels calmer.
We stayed for the Lake Hollywood Spectacular fireworks show — and it was the perfect ending. Fireworks reflecting over the lagoon, music playing, everyone gathered together.
After a full day of rides and laughter, it felt like a proper finale.
(Definitely check the schedule in advance if the fireworks are important to you.)
Arriving before opening
Starting with the biggest rides first
Visiting on a weekday
Using the park app to track wait times
Staying hydrated
Riding favourites again when queues dropped later
We genuinely didn’t feel rushed all day — which surprised me.
We rode everything. Some rides twice. We ate, wandered, watched shows, laughed, and finished with fireworks.
If you’re planning a day at Universal Studios Singapore, give yourself the full experience from open to close. It’s big, cinematic fun — but it’s also the small in-between moments that make it special.
Enjoy
Planning a day at Universal Studios Singapore? Here’s how we rode every ride, skipped long queues, and stayed for the Lake Hollywood fireworks finale.
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