Universal Studios Singapore

More than a decade of the same seven worlds, then a lot of small yellow people arrived.

Universal Studios Singapore is a whole-day commitment, worth it with children who have just discovered Gru or friends who still argue about Human versus Cylon, and it is more interesting now than it has been in years. Go on a weekday outside the school holidays, get there before the gates open and head straight for Minion Land. Don't plan around Super Nintendo World yet; it has no opening date.

For more than a decade the park barely changed shape. It soft-opened in March 2010 and, at 25 hectares, is the smallest Universal park anywhere, its seven worlds familiar enough that regulars could do them blindfolded. Then the Madagascar zone closed in March 2022, Minion Land opened in its place on 14 February 2025, and your old route around the park no longer works.

Not everything was torn down. The old Madagascar carousel was re-themed with Despicable Me characters and reborn as Buggie Boogie, which Resorts World Sentosa bills as the first Minions dance party carousel, with riders on silly creatures spinning to Minion-remixed songs. You can only ride it here, which is a selling point or a warning depending on your tolerance for remixed Minions.

What's actually in Minion Land

There are three parts. Gru's Neighbourhood is home to Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, the motion-simulator ride where you're turned into a Minion in Gru's lab, and the one to ride first. Super Silly Fun Land is a seaside carnival with Buggie Boogie, the hot-air-balloon Silly Swirly and game booths, including a banana flip. The Minion Marketplace handles the shopping, sweets included; leave it for the way out.

More is coming. Construction on Super Nintendo World began in February 2025, outside the main park boundary and linked by a tunnel, as part of a wider Resorts World Sentosa expansion. No opening date has been given.

The bits that haven't changed

The old guard is still there for thrill-seekers: Revenge of the Mummy in Ancient Egypt, Transformers and the duelling Battlestar Galactica coasters in Sci-Fi City. Battlestar spent much of its early life closed after technical problems before reopening in 2015, and it remains the park's big thrill ride. Bring a poncho for Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, or accept your fate.

For small children, the operator's own family guide is the one to read. Buggie Boogie, Dino-Soarin' and Magic Potion Spin are gentle starters. Rides like Canopy Flyer and Enchanted Airways have a 92cm minimum, and many need an adult with anyone under 122cm, so measure before you promise anything.

Doing it well

A weekday outside the school holidays is the day to aim for, and arriving before opening gets you to Minion Land before the park fills up. The lockers by Battlestar and the Mummy are free but time-limited, so don't dawdle between storing your bag and getting on. A battery fan for queueing in Sentosa heat is not overkill. Check the day's hours and each ride's height rules on the official site before you buy; some shows run seasonally or pause for maintenance.

Good to know Check rwsentosa.com for exact-date hours, current ticket and Universal Express options, and each ride's height rules before buying. Some shows run seasonally or pause for maintenance. The nearest MRT is HarbourFront, then onward to Sentosa.

Making a day of the island? Here's our guide to Sentosa…

Universal Studios Singapore | 30 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098140 | Nearest MRT: HarbourFront