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A tour of Universal Studios Singapore: Egypt

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Published: December 20, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Universal Studios Singapore didn't skimp on the facade for its version of the popular indoor roller coaster, Revenge of the Mummy.

Approaching the Revenge of the Mummy ride

Entrance to Revenge of the Mummy

Revenge of the Mummy provides the centerpiece for the park's Egypt section, bringing us half-way around the park on our week-long virtual tour of Universal Studios Singapore.

Egypt

The two U.S. versions of Revenge of the Mummy differ from one another, and this version's different from those two, as well. While Hollywood's version of the ride allows you to triumph over the undead fiend Imhotep and Orlando's puts your triumph in doubt, there's no question who wins on this version of Mummy.

And it ain't you.

Inside the queue
Inside the queue

Singapore's Mummy confronts you with the macabre immediately, as you start the ride with a scene of an explorer being mummified alive. He warns you to find the Book of the Living, for it is the key to defeating Imhotep. You are then immediately whisked into the treasure chamber, where Imhotep tempts you with the riches for pledging your souls to him, before giving you the "or else." Guards descend from the ceiling, as you are turned toward a crypt of scarab beetles. The coaster then darts backward and turns as Imhotep taunts you another time.

From there, your train launches up and forward into the darkened roller coaster segment of the ride. After several twists, dips and hops, you emerge into the final show scene, where you see the Book of Living, just before Imhotep comes to claim you. In a final fiery display, you descend into Hell, as Imhotep taunts you again with the warning "Death is just the beginning."

Uplifting, eh? Singapore's Revenge of the Mummy is a much darker ride than its U.S. siblings, in the tradition of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Efteling's Fata Morgana and Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean (before Disney added Johnny Depp to the ride). While it's theme park convention for "something to go terribly wrong," that convention can stay fresh only if we're given a change of pace now and then - the chance to experience a ride where the good guys don't triumph, and we all end up going to Hell as a result.

If you're looking more for child-size thrills on your visit to Egypt, try the Treasure Hunters ride across the street from Mummy.

Treasure Hunters entrance

Treasure Hunters is a simple outdoor Jeep ride through an Egyptian excavation, with a few mild surprises along the way. Let the youngest in your group take the wheel and pretend to drive - they'll love the ride just for that.

Riding on Treasure Hunters

Egypt's restaurant is the counter-service Oasis Spice Cafe, serving a variety of Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine.

Oasis Spice Cafe

I ate at the Cafe for a working press dinner during the Transformers premiere and especially enjoyed the Tandoori chicken, biryani rice and samosas.

Dinner at the Oasis Spice Cafe

Join us tomorrow as we continue our tour by entering The Lost World of Jurassic Park.

Also on the tour: Hollywood & New York, Sci Fi City, Far, Far Away, Madagascar

Readers' Opinions

From Brandon Mendoza on December 20, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Once again, just like Tokyo Disney, the detail in these rides puts the U.S. ones to shame!

And although I do love this version of the Mummy ride especially since it's much darker in tone, I can't wait for Jurassic Park!

From James Rao on December 20, 2011 at 5:17 PM
More great stuff, Robert. I am especially appreciative of all the nice photos.

I am not sure I like the idea of losing to the Mummy, but I do like that Universal keeps this signature attraction fresh by varying the storyline for each iteration. Incidentally, which version of the Mummy do you like best?

Oh, before I forget to mention it, that Tandoori chicken platter looked swell!

From Robert Niles on December 20, 2011 at 5:21 PM
I like Orlando for humor and Singapore for the nastiness, so I can't decide between those two. Hollywood's my clear number three, though.

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