Universal Studios' Roller-coaster is Unsafe: To be dismantled

Newsgroups: soc.culture.singapore
From: zero
Subject: Re: RWS Battlestar Galactica is unsafe and will be dismantled

PRC construction firm has this habit of posting a lower winning bid,
build the ride first and fix any safety or quality issues later.

If they use inferior graded steel then RWS is screwed.

I would expect them to patch up the ride by reinforcing certain stress
points and leave it at that.

Ironically, you have watched Battlestar Galatica, the humans in the show
must "die" before they are saved by cylons again. Just like RWS now.
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Battlestar Galactica being dismantled
Universal says tech experts doing ride inspection & review

By ARTHUR SIM

(SINGAPORE) Universal Studios Singapore (USS) at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) has announced that its main attraction, the Battlestar Galactica roller coaster, is coming down - parts of it anyway.

No ride, for now: While initial setbacks are not uncommon, the closure of the Battlestar Galactica ride reinforces the view that the theme park would be loss making for a while, says an analyst

In an announcement released yesterday, USS said that it is in the process of a 'complete ride inspection and review'.

USS added: 'The vehicle has been dismantled and components have been analysed, including an X-ray of its parts.'

USS is not saying why X-rays are needed but it said, 'no ride will be operated at any time unless it has passed all inspections and tests'.

The inspection and review includes an investigative team from the coaster's design, engineering and manufacturing company, Vekoma, as well as independent assessors.

The main contractor for USS is China Jingye Engineering Corporation (Singapore) which was awarded the $705 million contract in July 2008. It also won a $60 million contract to supply, fabricate and deliver 23,000 tonnes of structural steel to RWS.

It was reported that the installation of the theme park's attractions were also co-ordinated by China Jingye.

On March 26, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) shut down the ride about a week after the theme park opened.

A spokesman for SPF said: 'Police will reinstate the licence for Universal Studios Singapore to operate the ride once the Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) has recertified the ride to be safe for use.'

CAB is composed of foreign technical experts recommended by Spring Singapore to assess safety standards for amusement rides in accordance with international safety standards.

Chong Kee Sen, an engineer and the honorary secretary of the Institution of Engineers, Singapore said: 'Carrying out tests is part of a verification process and does not automatically imply defects.'

'Generally, the onus is on owners to maintain their buildings. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) further requires that owners appoint a professional engineer to carry out periodic structural inspections. The general guideline for such inspections is 10-yearly intervals for residential buildings and 5-yearly intervals for other buildings,' he added.

M Sivakumaran of SMS Consulting Engineers said that usually all the welded joints on steel members are required to be X-rayed or should undergo similar non-destructive tests.

He added that the welded connections are to be designed for 'fatigue due to cyclic loading'. 'The allowable stresses on the welding are reduced significantly,' he noted.

Jonathan Galaviz, independent travel and leisure sector strategist said theme parks globally have a reputation for requiring significant capital reinvestment over time. 'If major ride attractions at any theme park are not operational for an extended time, the reputation of the theme park can be critically damaged,' he added.

Song Seng Wun, regional economist at CIMB-GK says: 'It is more important how Genting deals with these setbacks.' He added that investors would rather a 'health check' be done sooner than later.

RWS is owned by mainboard listed Genting Singapore. So far, analysts have mixed feelings about the stock but persistent bad news could change this.

Vincent Khoo, an analyst in UOBKayHian in Malaysia says that while initial setbacks are not uncommon, the closure of the Battlestar Galactica ride 'reinforces the view that the theme park would be loss making for a while'.

UOBKayHian remains 'cautious' on Genting Singapore's 'ability to generate significant revenues'. 'Generally I expect investors to stay at the sidelines until they can better assess the competitive impact of Marina Bay Sands (MBS),' he added.

Derek da Cunha, author of Singapore Places its Bets says that Genting Singapore may face some fallout with the closure of Battlestar Galactica but adds: 'Substantively, it is not as material to RWS' overall operations as its casino which is the key and central revenue driver.'

Singapore has a lot to gain from the success of both RWS and MBS and some feel the government will do all that it can to help.

'Since the government has already put its full weight behind the two IRs, you can rest assured that all the pieces will fall into place eventually,' said Mr Song.

Mr Galaviz is more sceptical. 'Both integrated resorts are private sector initiatives and it should not be incumbent on the government to support the IR's beyond marketing Singapore as a tourism hub. If either IR runs into operational or financial problems, it should be the private sector that solves those problems and not the government.'

Why no queue at Universal Studios Singapore?

From: Zanzibar
Subject: Re: RWs has no queue in Universal
On Mar 21, 7:52 am, OngBak3 wrote:
> On Mar 21, 3:15 am, Zanzibar wrote:
> > It is strange that there is no queue for it in the last few days.
> > Wondering if the peope have been frightened away by the edgy problem
> > of high costs of ticketing to the casino and the high costs of
> > unversal studio, and etc.

> > It seems that Singapore is often different from Hongkong or macau in
> > that there is often little crowd in the high cost activities centres.
> > This showed that Singaporeans do not have the income for the
> > sustaining of this gambling game.

> > Most singaproeans are poor and untidy. The problem with them was to
> > have a independent party to helped counsel them.

> Two years ago, I predicted in some forum that this Sentosa IR is going
> to be another white elephant,
> like it always had been in Sentosa and by any name. It seemed my
> foresight is coming through.

It was clear to me some years ago when I looked at how some mass
activity centres like Haw Par villa or even visit to sentosa's
attractions, of which the cost of the attraction visit to sentosa can
amount to 75 dollars for each person.

It was costly to sustain for ordinary Singaporeans. It was only when
they break up the cost separately for the entrance fee, whereby the
visitation to take a train to roam around the island without specific
set of destination of visits that increased the numbers of it.

It is costly for singaporeans to make regular visit to costly places
which does not have very strong sustaining attractions of interests to
keep the crowds coming back to them.

Perhaps only one visit per year or 2 years is about the only way most
ordinary singaporeans can afford of it. Additionally, singaporeans are
not so use to making repeat visits to a costly destination. They often
make repeat visits only when their young children want it. Otherwise
they will not go again until when the kids grown up in their teens who
will then go on their own with their friends.

Singaporeans' mindsets are different from other people in other
countries which have the masses of new vistors who were borned and
teened and married and then raising up children of their own family
helped in contributing to the rebuiilding for the loss of repeat
visitors which got tired of these kinds of active lifestyle and thus
sidelined away from it.
--------------------------------------------
Yansimon wrote:
> Due to our currency which is not internationalise....its easy for MAS
> to access the money situation in Sg.
> If one is to access the domestic market liquidity supply and demand
> factor.....do you think we sgian have the money to spend or to support
> these 2 IRs activities?.....
> I believe MAS is aware of the situation....and as what the govt hope
> for is....depending on tourist to patronise these 2 IRs projects.

> Therefore, can say that these 2 IR operator kena 'conned' by the Sin
> Govt to come here and invest so much billion into it.

> That big 'Sg Flyer' already kena conned.....
> Actually, who are the ppl that actually kena conned on this Sg Flyer
> project?...those stupid investors. It goes like that......the Sin Govt
> first conned the ang moh to start off with this project.......later on
> the ang moh conned those stupid investors....puming money into this
> project........not only that.....this clever ang moh 'over inflated'
> the cost on this project.....ie...those cost of material and
> technology may only cost 100 million...this ang moh over inflated it
> to 500 million.....wow this angmoh made a big killing on all those
> investors that put their money into the Sg Flyer.

This SG flyer is not sustaining income earner. The visit can only
worth one visit a year for the singpaoreans. The majority of tits
business has ot depend on tourists who wish to have a overall view of
Singaproe before they leave for home.

The same goes to that "rubber bumper" located at the clark quay at the
road side of river valley road. That piece of "rubber band" jump where
2 seated persons bumped up and down seem to be quiet and seepy with
occasional use by visitors and this seems hard in sustaining the cost
of it.

Even some night clubs had felled into emptiness. I remember someone
youngsters told me that the minstry of sound which was popular in
clark quay was revamped becasue there was no "business" inside there.

The crowds got tired and there was nothing exiciting to keep them to
come again. Thus that club had to make costly changes and upgrade it
again.
--------------------------------------------
From: "AleXX"

The Papist government should release some CPF monies to their rightful
ownerships for some faimily gathering and funds. Singaporeans are nothing
but work and work and in the end, the ruling Lee's Temasek and GICs
benefitted. Singaporeans are largely slaves to the ruling elites.
--------------------------------------------
From: "baldeagle"
In reality, Singapore kena conned by the operators of the IRs.

In addition to operating for casinos (mainly for tourists),
they were supposed to provide healthy family entertainment
and good fun to Singaporeans and our kids...like Universal
Studios, etc.

They are out to fleece Singaporeans. A comparison
of annual passes for family...between LA universal studio
and RW universal studio will tell us ...RW is out to con
Singaporeans.

LA Universal Studio charge Americans only US$99 for a
12 month Premium Star Pass (with a FOC pass for guest
of pass holder)
For the same pass, RW Universal Studio charge Singaporeans
a whopping S$1,098. (See price comparison in websites below)

Singaporean should boycott the IRs.

http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/ap_overview.php
(Annual pass price at LA)
http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosS...
(Annual pass price at RW Sentosa.)

Universal Studios Sg to Welcome 4.5 Mil Visitors

Singapore's Universal Studios located within Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) on Sentosa Island is officially set to open to the public on Thursday.

The Hollywood movie themed-park opening would cap Malaysia's Genting-owned RWS's phased development of the US$4.4 billion project.

The resort opened four hotels namely the Hard Rock Singapore, Festive Hotel, Hotel Michael and Crockfords Tower in January followed by the casino last month.

RWS's Communication Assistant Director Robin Goh told newsmen, during a pre-opening tour today, that 4.5 million visitors are expected to visit Universal Studios while the resort anticipares a tourist arrival of over 13 million.

The resort's opening is ahead of another multi-billion US dollar integrated resort, the Marina Bay Sands, which has been scheduled to open next month.

Goh said Universal Studios Singapore, South-east Asia's largest theme park, brought together the best of Universal Studios theme parks in Hollywood (California), Orlando (Florida) and Osaka (Japan) with a pair of the world's tallest roller-coasters, the world's first castle from the world of Shrek and Madagascar theme park ride.

The park features 24 rides and attractions in seven themed zones - Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar, and 18 of them original or adapted for Singapore.

Ticket prices for one-day pass to Universal Studios, inclusive of admission to all rides and depending on peak and non-peak seasons, ranges from S$66 to S$72 for adult, S$48 to S$52 for children, between the ages of four and 12, and S$32 to $36 for senior citizens above 65.

However, tickets to Universal Studios, from the opening day until Sunday, have been sold out due to the school holidays in Singapore.

Universal Studios Singapore to open 8:28am on March 18

From: OngBak3

At least they are more professional this time around. Instead of keeping everyone guessing, and service providers confused, they gave enough lead time for all to plan what to do next.

Universal Studios Singapore to open 8:28am on March 18, 2010. Tickets
to start selling from 9am on March 10.19 hours ago

It is official. You do not have to wait anymore. You do not have to
pose the same question again. The theme park everyone in the region is
waiting for will soon be launched!

Located at Resorts World Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore will
soft open to its first public guests at 8:28 am on March 18, 2010. It
will open earlier on March 13 to team members.

Ticket sales for Universal Studios Singapore’s soft opening will begin
at 9am on March 10, 2010.

Universal Studios Singapore to open next week: Lim Kok Thay

Genting looking at investment opportunities in US
By LEONG HUNG YEE

KUALA LUMPUR: Genting Bhd, which has invested in US-listed MGM Mirage Inc’s bonds, is looking at a number of investment opportunities in the United States, according to chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.

He said the group was looking for “larger investments” as the global financial crisis which started in the United States had offered a number of opportunities. However, he declined to identify any investment target.

“If there are opportunities that offer good value for our investments, definitely the group will be looking at (them),” Lim said after the launch of the logo for the group’s 45th anniversary and a year-long celebration yesterday.


At the launch of Genting’s 45th anniversary logo are (front row from left) executive director Tan Sri Amin Osman, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, deputy chairman Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar, director Tan Sri Clifford Francis, (back row from left) Genting Sanyen CEO Ong Tiong Soon, Genting Malaysia president/COO Datuk Lee Choong Yan, Genting president and COO Tan Kong Han, director Gen (R) Tan Sri Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin, Genting Singapore MD Justin Tan and Genting director Quah Chek Tin.

MGM, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, owns and operates more than 15 properties in the United States.

Lim said the group’s investment in MGM bonds was considered a good investment in terms of value as it had registered returns in excess of 10% from the subscription.

Last month, it was reported that Kien Huat Realty Sdn Bhd, one of Lim’s family-owned companies, made a loan to the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts.

To a question, Lim explained that it was a private loan to the tribe who wanted to set up a casino in Massachusetts and had nothing to do with the Genting group.

Asked if the group would be aggressive in its investment this year, he said the group this year would invest more in areas that would give optimal returns and fit well with its strategy.

“We have great financial strength, so we can take on large projects.

“Our funding needs are taken care of, we don’t have any need for any fund raising at the moment,” Lim said.

Meanwhile, Genting is also looking at setting up a hub comprising premium outlets, a theme park and hotels in Iskandar Malaysia, in a bid to lure visitors to its casino resort in Malaysia and Singapore.

“We want visitors to Resort World Sentosa to come to our Malaysian resorts as well,” Lim said, adding that the proposed hub in Iskandar Malaysia would act as a mid-point to draw visitors to both its resorts.

He said the development could attract millions of visitors each year. The group hopes to attract as many as 30 million visitors a year in five years’ time.

“We expect visitors to breach the 20 million mark this year. Hopefully by our 50th anniversary we will attract 25 million to 30 million visitors,” Lim said.

He said the hub would also complement its joint venture with Chelsea Malaysia LLC, a division of Simon Property Group, to set up a Chelsea Premium Outlet in Iskandar Malaysia.

Lim said the group via Genting Plantations Bhd would invest RM200mil to develop the premium outlet in Iskandar Malaysia.

Genting group, with a market capitalisation of about RM85.4bil as at Dec 31, 2009, will open the first part of its US$4.4bil integrated casino-resort in Singapore today, beginning with four hotels.

“The progressive opening of the resort began two weeks ago, with the completion and opening of Festive Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel Singapore.

“Last week, Hotel Michael was opened and tomorrow Crockford Tower will be opened,” Lim said, adding that by the end of next week, Universal Studios Singapore would be opened and Resort World Sentosa will be launched by this year.

Commenting on its casino licence for Resort World Sentosa, Lim said Genting had yet to be issued with the licence. “As far as we’re concerned, we’re ready to open,” he said.

Update on Universal Studios Singapore

From: beng1 <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:16:46 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sun, Nov 1 2009 10:16 am
Subject: Update on Universal Studios Singapore

Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Posts: 154

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:43 am latest Message from
Resorts World at Sentosa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Resorts World at Sentosa wishes everyone a Happy Halloween... and
> looks forward to next year when we are finally open so we can have
> spookfests and mad parties here! P.S. We are on track for opening in
> early 2010.

> http://www.facebook.com/ResortsWorldatSentosa

Temptation island
27/10/2009 00:10:00 Natalie Leung, MacauTimes
I’m already eyeing at the upcoming Universal Studios Singapore in the
Sentosa island resort, which is going to be the first movie theme park
in Southeast Asia and the second one is Asia.

Don’t blame me please, you know Macau lacks impressive entertainment
and leisure facilities, don’t you? (For me, well, casinos don’t
count...)
Resorts World at Sentosa positions itself as a world-class family
resort set to open in early 2010. Visitors will not only find the
famous American movie theme park there, but also the world’s largest
oceanarium in the Marine Life Park; a thrilling water slide, water
cannons and a surf pool in Equarius Water Park; a huge 360-degree
multimedia theatre in the Maritime Xperiential Museum; a half
kilometre strip “FestiveWalk” that will offer 24/7 dining, shopping,
clubbing, shows and television productions; as well as a resident
theatre show “Le Vie” which will be delivered through powerful music,
dazzling stage sets and splendid costumes.
Some of these attractions do look a bit familiar, right? But they are
not quite the same.

In Macau, what we have to offer are casinos, casinos and casinos.
True, Macau is also known by its prestigious World Heritage sites and
unique cuisines. But what’s more?

What Macau has at this moment which are similar to the nature of the
new Sentosa attractions are City of Dreams’ three-dimensional
production in its iconic dome-shaped theatre, the resident show by
Cirque du Soleil, or perhaps all those luxury shopping malls where you
barely see someone spending money most of the time. If you can name
something else, please tell me.

The Hong Kong media are already warning Donald Tsang Yam Kuen’s
government that the opening of Universal Studios in its main
competitor Singapore will pose an immediate threat to Hong Kong’s
tourism industry and hence the economy.

Amongst the 24 rides and attractions including a pair of dueling
roller coasters, 18 have been created or redesigned specially for
Singapore. The theme park will consist of seven themed zones, of which
two are named “Far Far Away” and “Madagascar” respectively based on
the computer-animated movies Shrek and Madagascar.

Only by looking at these descriptions I absolutely can’ wait for the
opening of Resorts World Sentosa. I guess most of the readers, no
matter how old you are, by now should have said the same thing in your
mind - “I want to go, I want to go!!!”

If Hong Kong needs to be worried about the competition to be brought
by Sentosa, I would say Macau is in an even more vulnerable position.
At least in Hong Kong there are Ocean Parks and Disneyland, amongst
other attractions. In contrast to Macau, I can see nothing
particularly appealing or exciting.
Our officials say the experiences tourists can find in Macau are
unique and so the territory is still able to attract people from
outside. But after all these years when tourists have seen and tasted
the same things over and over again, I can’t see why they won’t be
tempted by the brand new attractions in a neighbouring country.
Some gaming operators have been saying how they wanted to make their
properties become an integrated resort for families, but so far what
we can see is basically large casinos plus luxury brand stores plus
food courts/restaurants plus (too) many hotels yet limited
entertainment.

The Macau government really needs to accelerate the pace and create
something which will truly astonish tourists and also local residents.
Or else they might very soon find their visitors and citizens having a
sun bath (and great fun) in Sentosa whenever holidays come.

Universal Studios S'pore will be one of world's best

From: "AleXX"
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 20:10:54 +0800
Local: Sat, Jun 6 2009 8:10 pm
Subject: Another "First" in the world

Wow!! Universal Studio under construction "would-be" one of the best in the
world. Visitors could visit this hot humid tiny island under sweltering
heat. Imagine them perspiring and sweating in an "oven" environment.

-------------------------------
by Chen Jingting

MISTER Stefan Zwanzger has one of the most enviable pastimes in the world.
The German travels around the globe rating theme parks in different countries.

Calling himself "The Theme Park Guy", Mr Zwanzger was here recently to visit Universal Studios Singapore, which is still under construction on Sentosa and due to open next year.

How does it rate? He gave it full marks for being the "most amazing theme-park construction area for the time being".

Since October 2007, Mr Zwanzger has rated about 60 theme parks in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

He told my paper in a phone interview from the Philippines: "I think Singapore will have one of the best theme parks in the world next year. Universal Studios Singapore will be absolutely incredible and it will create a lot of theme-park addicts here."

For the 29-year-old, who had dreamt of having his own theme park since he was 10, visiting a theme park is like going to the movies.

He said that technological advancements have made it possible for rides to have "storytelling abilities".

"Now, rides do not just go up and down, left and right. Rides have climaxes - they can start and stop and accelerate again. There are so many possibilities nowadays."

His favourite parks so far are Universal Studios Japan and Disney Sea Japan because of their high-tech rides and well-designed layout.

Mr Zwanzger paid for his trips using what he earned from heading an affiliate marketing company for eight years before he embarked on "The Theme Park Guy" project, which he started because he was "absolutely passionate" about theme parks.

"Theme parks are like little villages of happiness. No cars, no traffic, no rush hours, no pickpockets - a big pedestrian zone, where everyone smiles and the whole diversity of human emotions is present."

The theme-park enthusiast would post his ratings and photographs of places he visited on his website. He has not received any complaint about his ratings, though he expects some to disagree with his reviews.

When asked what he thought makes him qualified to rate theme parks, Mr Zwanzger answered simply: "I love them.

"I don't see myself as a reviewer. A reviewer is someone who's very critical. I'm just a big fan who dares to tell people exactly what he thinks."