Universal Studios Indoor Park in Moscow in 2018 ?

After a Universal Studios in Japan and one in Singapore - and probably one in South Korea - it seems that a new Universal Studios park will come in Moscow with works expected to start in 2014 and an opening date scheduled (for now) in 2018. And it's not apparently a rumor as Universal has confirmed the project. Like they did in Singapore it will be probably a licensed park, i.e that Universal won't rule the park directly but that's not the problem. And because it will be built in Moscow the whole park would be an "indoor" theme park, which, considering Moscow's winter temperatures might be a good idea.



The whole project will be located in the south of Moscow and is in fact called Galactic Park. It will include much more than the Universal Studios as an aquatic park is also planned as well as an area for sports activities, shows, a musical theatre, a cinema, exhibition halls, restaurants and a shopping centre. In addition to that are also planned two hotels, a congress hall and a huge parking space. The project leaders said that the project will cost 2.8 billion US dollars with the theme park alone costing $500 million. It’s the first Universal Studios park which will be built indoor, in a closed space.



According to minyanville.com: "Experts, however, say that the real cost of construction will actually be $11 billion, as the transport infrastructure around the proposed 22 hectare site in south Moscow requires a massive upgrade. Universal doesn’t have to worry though as the universal is reportedly not putting any of its money into the project."









"The man behind the project, Gutsiriev, is a big fan of theme parks and in 2010, at the same time he launched discussions with Universal, Gutsiriev also entered talks with Disney to set up a Russian Disneyland, which ultimately did not materialize. It’s not surprising that Disney declined Gutsiriev’s offer as Moscow is a tricky market. Though it is the most populous city in Europe with 10 million people, it is also 1,500 miles away from Western Europe. Paris has a smaller population, but the Disneyland there can draw on the tens of millions more Europeans from nearby cities and countries.

And among the 10 million people, it’s likely that a majority will be unable to afford the entrance fees. After all, Russia is ranked 70th in terms of GDP per capita, according to the CIA World Factbook. Accounting for the low median spending power of Russians, Galactic Park plans to charge an admission fee of about $34, which would be the lowest in the world. Universal’s parks in Orlando and Singapore charge $85 and $54 respectively.

Universal’s entry into Moscow reflects the growing significance of Russia and other emerging markets to Hollywood’s balance sheet. In 2011, the burgeoning Russian box office grew by 20% from 2010 and topped $1 billion for the time ever."

Here is a video from russian TV about the project.



A press conference happened three weeks ago and Michael Silver, president of global business development at Universal Parks & Resorts declared: "Russia is an important and attractive market, and we see tremendous potential for the development of theme park entertainment. Entertainment is an international language, and we will provide the same thrills, excitement and unique family adventure that Universal theme parks create around the world." The Universal Studios Company is not yet ready to disclose and discuss details of the planned theme park, water park, or individual rides and shows".

For those who like proofs this statement from Michael Silver is a good one to prove that it's not one more rumor. That said, what kind of ride will we find at Universal Moscow. Although it's probably a bit too early to say, if we look at the rendering on the top of this article you can see clearly an Egyptian pyramid which would mean that The Mummy ride will be include in the park. In the background we can also see what looks like a raft ride - probably another Jurassic Park river adventure.

Anyway, i think that it's a smart move again from Universal, especially if they just take a license and don't finance the park and little by little they are the first to enter territories in which Disney is not there yet. Just like you i suppose i'm curious to see if it will be finally built or not!

Pictures: copyright Universal Studios, Galactic Park project

Transformers Ride now in Soft-Opening at Universal Hollywood !

If you're living in South Cal and more specially in the L.A area i have a great news for you as according to Screamscape it seems that soft-openings for the Transformers ride have began at Universal Hollywood! So, you might take your chance to ride this incredible ride before its Grand Opening on May 25th and if you do so i count on you to let us know in the comments how awesome (or not) it was! In the meantime you'll find below a new preview video showing a bit of the making of the ride.

The good guys of Mice Age had a special preview and were the first people on the ride when it opened to guests yesterday. In addition, they were allowed to actually walk the entire length of the track last week, before the ride began employee previews. They have some stunning photos you won't see anywhere else and you can read their report HERE.




And for those of you who can't go to Universal Hollywood, here is the on-ride video. And no need to say that if you intend to go at Universal Studios in a near future or simply want to keep the surprise it's better to don't watch this on-ride video!




Picture and video: copyright Universal Studios

Universal Studios Singapore Launches Hollywood Dreams Parade - Full Video

On new Year's Eve, Universal Studios Singapore has launched its brand new Hollywood Dreams Parade, and i've found for you a full video of it, filmed by tabihito7. It's a great parade with animated floats and almost each float refers to Universal Studio Singapore attractions.



Among others themes there is floats dedicated to Shreck, Madagascar, the Mummy and Jurassic Park. And you better don't miss the Jurassic Park floats as they succeed to have on one of them an Audio-Animatronic T-Rex as big a sthe one which is in the ride. With the opening of the Transformers ride on Dec 3 this is the second major addition to Universal Singapore and the park now really worth a visit. However you might want to wait until next february when the Jurassic Park rafts ride will re-open after some months of refurbishment, then the park will be fully operational.



The pictures in this article are coming from Dejiki web site who posted last sunday a long pictorial update about the new parade.




Pictures: copyright Dejiki

Video: copyright tabihito7

Universal Singapore : Transformers Ride Full On-Ride Video

It took a little while to have someone uploading on Youtube a full on-ride video of Universal Singapore Transformers ride - probably because USS cast members were asked to make sure that no one get out of the ride with a video of it - but here it is, the first full ride video of the most awaited ride of the year.

But, before, here is another video filmed for Screamscape by my good friend Stefan "The Theme Park Guy" Zwanzger which is a walk-through inside the Transformers pre-show. So, if you see this one first and then the on-ride video you'll get an idea of the whole thing.




As you'll see there is many pre-show movies and Dejiki has filmed some of them that you can see below.










And now here is the on-ride video. Two words about it: considering that the ride vehicle is moving the filming is not that bad - except that one scene is dark because one of the screens had a problem - but i remind you that all ride projections are in 3D, and that's why you won't have an image as sharp as it it was in 2D. Eventually if you have 3D glasses like the one they use in Honey I Schrunk the Audience you can try watching the video with them, but i can't guarantee you'll have the 3D effects. And no need to say that if you intend to go at Universal Singapore in a near future or simply want to keep the surprise it's better to don't watch this on-ride video!




If you want to read Stefan review and what he think of the ride please jump on Screamscape USS page HERE or on The Theme Park Guy site HERE.

Transformers had its official opening last saturday and on friday evening a opening event happened at Universal Singapore with Michael Bay.





If you're interested by watching a video of the ceremony, here it is.




There was also a press conference with Michael Bay talking about the Ride, as well as Universal's Creatives Thierry Coup on the right, and John Hallenbeck on the left.




Video: copyright Stefan Zwanzger / Screamscape, Patricklove, video2908 and themeparkinsider

Pictures: TRANSFORMERS and its logo and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2011 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. © 2011 DreamWorks L.L.C. and Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Universal Studios Singapore ® & © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Universal Singapore Transformers Ride : How they did it

Editor's Note: I'm taking a break this week but i have programmed articles so you'll find new updates almost each day, beginning by the two below and specially tomorrow's article which will be about what will happen for DLP 20th Anniversary. Don't miss it!

That said, it's the big countdown for the new TRANSFORMERS The Ride opening at Universal Studios Singapore in just five days, and probably will become the newest blockbuster attraction.

USS has released a new short video explaining how they create experiences "that put guests in the middle of their favorite adventures". To tell you more here is Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative and Thierry Coup, Senior Vice President of Universal Creative.




Picture and Video: copyright Universal studios

Universal Singapore : Transformers Ride Pre-Show Movie

You've seen in previous videos some bits of the Transformers ride pre-show movies but this new video filmed by Dejiki will show you the whole pre-show movie. Now, there is more than one pre-show movie inside Transformers pre-show and this is the first one of them. The videos of other movies will come later this week.

I also remind you that Dejiki did a full report on the ride that you can read HERE if you haven't read it yet.




Pre-show movie : copyright Universal Studios

New Video Report about USS Transformers Ride

Still no on ride video of the Transformers ride at Universal Studios Singapore, but here is a new video report about it, including short interviews of Universal creatives and shots of all the Transformers area, including some of the ride itself.




Video: copyright takandes

Universal Singapore Transformers Ride : Panoramic Pictures by Dejiki Nicholas

Dejiki Nicholas just sent me a great pictorial report on the Transformers ride which is opening Dec 3 at Universal Studios Singapore. And not only his pictures of the pre-show are "crystal clear" but most of them are panoramic pictures, so you'll be able to see the fantastic pre-show decor "just like if you were there". Click on each to enlarge the pictures.

There we go, and the picture on the top shows the entrance of the ride in USS Sci-Fi City. Below, the beginning of the queue.



Once you enter in NEST the pre-show decor is extremely elaborated, with a lot of pre-show videos as you will see on the embedded video at the bottom of the article. The pictures below are either horizontal or panoramic shots. Again, click - specially on the horizontal pics - to see them in bigger size.

Dejiki, who spent a good 40 minutes watching all the videos in the Transformers queue to fully understand the story provides more details about the different queue areas:

1. Queue Area 2 introduces N.E.S.T and the Autobots to the guests (who are new recruits, and supposed to be going through training).

2. Queue Area 4 introduces the Decepticons and battle strategies.

3. Queue Area 5 describes the current situation, in which the Decepticons have broken into the NEST base and help is needed. EVAC, a newcomer Autobot, is mentioned. The "training" is suspended due to this emergency.

4. Queue Area 6 introduces EVAC, and the commanders explaining that the guests/recruits have to battle without training, and with EVAC.

5. Queue Area 7 is the safety preshow, which is surprisingly entertaining. You can read the transcript of it on his site HERE under "Preshow #5".















This last picture shows the last room, just before you embark in EVAC, the ride vehicle.



As you might want to know more about what-is-what in this queue decor the best is to jump on Dejiki web site HERE where you will have more details as well as a full description of the ride. But before have a look at this great video filmed by Bigbearsg which will show you in 11 minutes all the pre-show decor as well as a lot of the pre-show movies, and even the Transformers shop and the new restaurant at the exit of the ride!




All pictures: copyright Dejiki Nicholas

Video: copyright Bigbearsg

Transformers Ride : First Pictures of the Pre-Show Decor

Universal Studios Hollywood fans will have to wait till next summer to ride the awaited Transformers attraction but at Universal Studios Singapore the ride will open this December and UNI Singapore already released some shots of the pre-show decor.

As you will see below it looks great and the first picture shows the NEST Orientation Room facility: "Recruits who will join in the battle will receive a briefing from General Morshower here. You must pay attention when you arrive, it is important to know our allies.

AUTOBOTS RACHET and BUMBLEBEE will explain to you how the power-hungry DECEPTICONS came to Earth in search of the ALLSPARK. The leader of the AUTOBOTS, OPTIMUS PRIME, will also introduce the other AUTOBOTS: IRONHIDE, SIDESWIPE, and WHEELIE. Once you are briefed, you will need to prepare yourself, mentally and physically, for this Ultimate 3-D Battle."



The next picture, also released officially by Universal, is showing the ALLSPARK Vault at NEST: "Behold the ALLSPARK, or the only shard that’s left. The final shard is protected deep inside the NEST facility where you’ll arrive for duty. It is your mission, with the help of the AUTOBOTS as a recruit of NEST to protect this from the DECEPTICONS.

The ALLSPARK, which used to be a large cube of energy, can create life from mechanical objects and was the origin of life on Cybertron – home of the TRANSFORMERS. MEGATRON, the leader of the DECEPTICONS is after it to transform machines into an invincible army, and take over Earth."



This last pic was not released officially and is supposed to show the "Control Room", always in the pre-show. No doubt that there will be "briefing " for the riders in these rooms and you'll note the quality of the decors. My feeling is that this Transformers ride should be a Mega-e-Ticket ride probably as much enjoyable as the Spiderman ride at IOA is. Can't wait for the opening!



Pictures: copyright Universal Studios

Universal Studios Singapore Madagascar Flume Ride Finally Open ! Full Ride Video

The awaited "Madagascar, A Crate Adventure" flume ride is finally open at Universal Studios Singapore! The ride was expected to open last year but some problems were responsible of this long delay, and 14 months after the park's opening the ride is now open at USS.

It's a major six minutes long flume ride, with a lot of audio-animatronics, projection effects, smoke and water effects, and much more. And it's probably one of the major flume ride of the year. Thanks to dejiki you'll be able to see the full ride video.





I have a problem to have an opinion about this Madagascar ride as i've never seen the animated movie! Apparently the ride is full of scenes inspired by the movie, but as i never watched it, i am not in the best position to appreciate if they did a good job or not. Those of you who know the movie better than i do - it won't be difficult! - are welcome to leave a comment in the comments section. If just like me you don't know the plot of the original story, then jump to Wikipedia HERE to know more about it.



The Audio-Animmatronics may look less impressive than the one created by WDI but we must remember that here it's AA of animated characters - i mean, not humans. More surprising it seems there is no drop but one of the comments on the Youtube video said that "originally there was going to be a drop on this ride. But unfortunately, the drop caused water to get on the animatronics. They tried over and over again, and there was even a fire once..." If that is true this may be the reason why the ride looks more like a slow flume ride like It's a Small World than Pirates of Caribbean. Still, according to dejiki who did the video the families seems to enjoy the ride very much, and for him, Madagascar, A Crate Adventure is "better than Winnie the Pooh and It’s a Small World at Hong Kong Disneyland" nd that "Some have said that overall, MCA can be compared to the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! at Disney California Adventure".





Anyway, you're probably curious to discover this new flume ride so here is the full ride video thanks to dejiki, and once you've watched it jump on his web site where you'll see more pictures and comments on the ride!




Video: copyright dejiki

D&M Exclusive : Universal Studios Singapore Lagoon Fireworks Test Video

Two hours ago tonight Universal Studios Singapore did a fireworks test. This is the fireworks that guests will see at night over the USS Lagoon. Of course, tonight the park is not open yet but it's now official: Universal Studios Singapore will open March 18 at 8.30 am! For now, the fireworks test was for USS cast members only but Disney and more already have the video showing a part of the fireworks!

From what i've been told the fireworks is very good, just as good as Epcot's Reflections of Earth. It looks pretty spectacular, the music sounds great, and the fireworks last 7 minutes. On the video below, 1 min and 40 seconds of it. Enjoy!

After Singapore, where will be built the next Universal Studios ?

When Universal Studios Singapore will finally open - and so far they're talking about March 10 for a soft-opening of the park - what will be the next destination for a future Universal Studios theme park? Well, as we've seen in a previous article they do have a project in South Korea (concept-art above). But recently i was told that although some of the people who worked on Universal Singapore are contracted to do one more Universal Theme Park in Asia, the one announced for South Korea might not be the one...

Ho-Ho, i thought, what could that mean? I couldn't have more details but i started to think if there was a good reason that the South Korea project might not be Universal Studios future destination. Now, before i go further, please note that next paragraphs are pure personal thoughts, nothing that is written below must be taken as official or even the truth because it's not - or may be it will be, time will tell.

The first thing which is interesting to note is that Universal Studios Korea opening date was scheduled for 2014. And so, you ask? Well, 2014 is also the scheduled opening date for Shanghaî Disneyland! And, considering that South Korea is so close to China AND Shanghaî AND that Universal know that Shanghaî Disneyland opening will be one of 2014 major events they might think it won't be a good idea to open a new theme park that same year, especially one that will be at only two hours flight from Shanghaî. In two words, knowing the Disney marketing machine - and that Shanghai Disneyland will include many elements to please a Chinese/Asian audience - the timing might not be the best to open a Universal Studios in South Korea. If this info that next Universal Studios in Asia will not be in South Korea is right, then this could be a good reason. Another good reason could be the two others theme parks projects that Paramount and MGM are planning to build in South Korea...

But if South Korea is not Universal next destination in Asia, then where will it be? We know that Universal have parks in Japan and now in Singapore. Singapore being close to other south-east Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodgia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines we can't expect a park in these countries. Dubaî and Beîjîng projects have been cancelled, and with Disney having two parks in China's other major cities i won't bet that next Universal Studios will be in China. Although we must not forget that Universal is not afraid to compete with Disney at the same location. Whether it's in California or in Florida Universal Studios are only a few miles away from Disney Parks...so we can't totally exclude that Universal might build a park in Shanghaî. But i have to admit it's hard to believe that it will happen.

If we consider that Shanghaî won't be the next location, where else in Asia could Universal build a new theme park? And why not in India! I remind you one of my previous articles revealing that Disney is looking over India for a future Magic Kingdom. Sure, it's not for now, but with a population of more than one billion it's understandable that any major company look in direction of India. And i must say that if Universal's strategy was to open their next theme park in India it could be pretty smart. Why? Because Disney is stuck in China at least for the next eight to ten years. They must fix HKDL attendance problem - which hopefully they will do thanks to the new attractions - they have this big park coming in Shanghaî, and dealing with Chinese administration is not that easy. While Disney is stuck in China they won't go in another major project, especially in India. So, it might be the right time for Universal to look over the Indian market. For sure there is a lot of poor people in India who might not afford a trip to a Universal Studios but the middle class is growing quickly and in four-five years from now India will be an even more powerful country, economically speaking.

And where would you build a theme park in India if you had the power to do so? Well, Mumbaî (Bombay) could be the right place. Why? First, Mumbai is India's largest city, is considered the financial capital of the country and serves as the economic hub of India. I don't know (unfortunately) India and i might be wrong but i have the feeling that Mumbai is, of all Indian cities, probably the closest to some occidental cities. AND, important point, Mumbai is the home of the famous Bollywood movies studios, the largest film producer in India and one of the largest in the world if not the largest. What place could be better for a theme park movie studio? Young Indians are aware of all major American blockbusters and it will be probably easier to deal with India's administration than with China's officials. They already have six amusement parks in Mumbai - including one called "Fantasy Land" ! - but nothing as sophisticated as a Universal Studios. Not to forget that Mumbai is at three hours flight from the Emirates rich customers. Frankly, if i was Universal, i will build a Universal studios in Mumbai, the perfect city to enter the Indian market while Disney can't do it. New Delhi could be another possibility but i have a better feeling with Mumbai as the right place for a theme park themed on movies.

If India was not "the" choice, where could they open a new Universal Studios? In Asia, there is only one other place and it's not even really in Asia: Australia. I could see a Universal Studios in Sydney. It's not too close to China or Japan which will help to avoid Disney competition, but the 20M Australian might not be enough, economically speaking, even if we include New Zealanders.

Talking about other countries Disneyland Paris has been incredibly lucky that Universal executives finally changed their plans and never built in the 1990's a Universal Studios in Melun, a town located at 30 miles from DLP. From what i've been told it was DLP financial difficulties which made them change their plans, but what they've never understood is that DLP Magic Kingdom has been successful from day one. It's DLP hotels which were the problem, back in the 1990's - but not anymore. Thanks to Universal misunderstanding Disneyland Paris never had a dangerous competitor a few miles away from the resort - but never say never as it's still time for Universal to change their minds once again and build a park in France if they want to do so.

Anyway, to come back to Asia, remember that all this was pure personal thoughts and as Universal have a full-time Staff, certainly not as big as Walt Disney Imagineering but with guys who knows how to build a good theme park, there is still a good chance that they will use them for the Korean Project. Time will tell if my vision was right or not, which, by the way, is not really the problem.

Artwork: copyright Universal Studios

When Night falls on Universal Studios Singapore... Part Two

When night falls on Universal Studios Singapore it becomes magical. Today is the last part of the D&M Grand report on Universal Singapore and thanks to Fabian Fan and Wee Sen, here is some great pictures of Universal Singapore at night. In this part two, great night shots of Sci Fi City, Ancient Egypt, Lost World and Far Far Away lands. We begin by Sci Fi City.

If you've missed part one with great night shots of New York Streets, Hollywood area and Madagascar land, you will find it HERE.





Let's move to the very spectacular decor of Ancient Egypt.



























We enter now the Lost World, land of Jurassic Park.













Our last stop: Far Far Away Land and the Shrek Castle!





















And it's with this last picture that we conclude our Universal Studios Singapore Grand pictorial report series. I would like to give a very special thanks to Fabian Fan and Wee Sen as thanks to their great pictures Disney and more was able to show you Universal Singapore in the best possible way. They did a great job, and they deserves thousand thanks!

We will talk again about USS when the park will open for real and when video of the rides will be available which might take some weeks. Hope you've enjoyed this special report, tomorrow we'll be back to the Disney world!

Thanks to leave a comment or discuss this article on D&M english forum on Mice Chat

Pictures: copyright Fabian Fan or Wee Sen depending of the pictures.