Resorts World Sentosa announces plans for SEA Aquarium and Universal Studios Singapore expansion

Resorts World Sentosa has announced that guests will soon be able to explore a Minions-themed zone at Universal Studios Singapore and a significantly larger S.E.A. Aquarium.

Announced this week as part of the integrated resort’s ‘RWS 2.0’ expansion plan, a statement advised “Universal Studios Singapore will feature a new highly immersive themed zone, Minion Land.

“At the same time, S.E.A. Aquarium will be significantly enhanced and rebranded as the Singapore Oceanarium (SGO).

“The upgraded attractions will form two key components of RWS 2.0, and are envisioned to become Singapore’s new tourism icons and purpose of visits."

Resorts World Sentosa also announced plans to refurbish three of its hotels - Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Hotel Michael and Festive Hotel - as well as its convention centre, wit its statement adding “together with other refurbishment works, construction will commence with about S$400 million to be spent as project investment in 2022.”

S.E.A. Aquarium’s transformation into the Singapore Oceanarium will see it triple in size with an increased emphasis on marine education and environmental protection.

Resorts World Sentosa explained “to be three times the size of the current SEA Aquarium, it will showcase a larger scale and depth of content than before, brought to life through state-of-the-art digital innovation and interactive technology.

“Backed by rich marine science knowledge, engaging exhibits will provide immersive and multi-sensory storytelling of the evolution of the oceans’ inhabitants, fascinating oceanic zones such as the largely unexplored deep ocean, as well as unique representations of Singapore’s coastal ecosystems.

“It will offer fresh, new enriching educational experiences and programmes that inspire positive mindset change and drive action to protect the oceans.”

The Singapore Oceanarium will also feature a carbon-neutral research and learning centre.

Universal Studios Singapore’s new Minion Land, built around the characters from the Despicable Me franchise, will have several new rides, including “a world’s first original ride exclusive to Universal Studios Singapore” as well as Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a motion-simulator 3D ride.

There will also be themed shops and restaurants in the new zone.

Among the hotel refurbishments, Festive Hotel will see the biggest transformation with work to begin in the second quarter of this year and continue through 2023.

Work on Minion Land and S.E.A. Aquarium will also commence in the coming months, with marine attraction to remain open during the expansion work, which will get under way in the second half of this year.

Images: Concepts for the Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa (top and below) and Universal Studios Singapore’s new Minion Land (middle). Credit: Resorts World Sentosa.