Battlestar Galactica ride may get scrapped

Universal Studios Singapore (USS) star roller-coaster ride, Battlestar Galactica, could be scrapped for good after being closed since last July.

The theme park is looking to revamp the sci-fi theme ride with another movie-themed one, reported bilingual freesheet MyPaper on Tuesday.

The new ride is expected to get a fresh name and new interiors, among other changes.

It is likely to be ready by the end of the year.

When contacted by The Straits Times, Resorts World Sentosa, which manages USS, refused to confirm or deny the MyPaper report.

A spokesman would only say that the Battlestar Galactica ride has been "unavailable since July 21 as it undergoes an attraction review".

MyPaper quoted unnamed sources who said the outdoor attraction is being overhauled as visitors "cannot relate to the current theme".

One source said visitors know the attraction only as "blue track and red track".

The ride is based on the hit television series Battlestar Galactica and boasts the world's tallest pair of duelling roller coasters called Human and Cylon.

The 90-second ride has sharp turns and vertical loops and can go as fast as 90kmh.

The theme park's star attraction has had a roller-coaster journey itself since its introduction four years ago.

It got off to an inauspicious start in March 2010 when a seat fell off because of a technical glitch during a routine test.

While no one was hurt, the police suspended the ride's licence immediately. The incident made headline news as it happened just a week after USS opened.

At that time, RWS said the ride would be closed "for several days or longer to perform a complete analysis".

Experts from the ride's design, engineering and manufacturing company would also help to "resolve the situation".

However, it reopened only after a year of investigations, redesign, re-assembly and testing.

Some frequent visitors of USS said they have felt "let down" because of the prolonged closures of the Battlestar Galactica ride.

Said sales consultant Vince Fok, 29: "There have been problems since the start.

"Many of my overseas friends look forward to visiting Universal Studios but are disappointed to find that the Battlestar Galactica ride is closed."

Other visitors, however, said the suspension of the ride has not discouraged them from visiting the theme park.

Said communications executive Alexis Cai, 25: "I enjoy the other attractions and eating at the restaurants. But I will look forward to a new roller-coaster ride, especially if it has an up-to-date theme."

ameltan@sph.com.sg

This article was published on April 3 in The Straits Times.

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