A Pregnant Traveller’s Guide to Universal Studios, Singapore
The Lights, Camera, Action Show
The Donkey LIVE Show at Far Far Away
I walked in thinking it would be something silly or too “kid-centric,” but it turned out to be such a fun, easy, feel-good experience. In fact, it’s perfect when you’re pregnant and just want something light that doesn’t involve standing in long queues. Especially because it’s all indoors, seated, and air-conditioned. So it’s a nice break for when your legs need a moment (which, let’s be honest, they definitely will).
The Donkey Live Show is basically Donkey from Shrek hosting an interactive talk show, and he is exactly as loud, dramatic, and chaotic as you’d expect him to be. The best part is how he responds to the audience in real time, cracking jokes, calling people out, and keeping the energy high. It genuinely feels like he’s talking to you, not at you. It’s one of those simple things that makes you smile without you even realising it.
Shrek 4D – The Cutest Sit-Down Escape
This one comes with longer queues, so a little bit of waiting should be expected. But thankfully, the movie has stationery seats placed right in the middle of the hall. In fact, you might easily get them to yourself, because most people are eyeing the adventure seats (that’s what I like to call them).
Sure, the experience won’t be as immersive from there, but you can still enjoy the cutesy movie of Shrek and his friends. Just be a little careful while entering; people often rush into the hall to grab the best seats. So you might need your partner to guard you a bit while you make your way inside.
Meet & Greet Photo Spot
We had the meet-and-greet with the Transformers. Earlier, I thought it wasn’t a great idea to wait for a photo opportunity. It was quite sunny, and standing in a queue felt like a struggle. But thank God we did. We ended up getting such a cute picture with them!
You’ll actually find a lot of these photo ops scattered across the park. Minions, Jurassic Park rangers, Shrek and Fiona, Puss in Boots, Marilyn Monroe, Egyptian guards! Honestly, there’s something happening in every corner. If you have the energy for even a little bit of waiting, these meet-and-greets are such a lovely way to make memories without getting on a single ride.
Treasure Hunters Ride
This is probably the only bump-friendly ride in the entire Universal Studios. Honestly, the queue was quite long, so I really thought the ride was going to be insane! But it’s safe to say that it couldn’t quite match my level of excitement. Nevertheless, it was a good break from just watching the shows.
It’s a cute 2–3 minute ride that takes you through Egyptian scenes, with moving sculptures, glowing artefacts, and desert-themed set pieces. Nothing too wild or shaky, but just a gentle, scenic ride that gives you a feel of the Egyptian zone without any jerks or drops. If you’ve been walking a lot or standing in queues, this little breather is honestly quite nice.
WaterWorld Stunt Show
Honest disclaimer: we couldn’t watch it. While we were there, some renovation work was going on around the place, which was such a bummer. My husband was really looking forward to it, so missing it did sting a little. We eventually made peace by watching a YouTube video of the show after we came back.
The show itself is based on the movie WaterWorld, and from what we saw online, it looks intense. There are seats for you to sit and experience some of the craziest stunts, with real explosions happening right in front of you. Definitely brace yourself for some serious sensory impact!
Musical Street Performances
While we were heading back, we found ourselves in the middle of a street performance. Everybody around us was jolly and completely in the groove, and the musical act instantly made the pregnant child in me run (well, waddle) to catch a glimpse of it. There’s something so unexpectedly heartwarming about stumbling upon a performance you didn’t plan for. It almost feels like the park is giving you a little bonus moment. The energy was infectious. Performers dancing, people cheering, kids jumping around, and that effortless theme-park happiness floating in the air. And all of this is happening right in the middle of the New York and Hollywood zones, where the streets already look so cinematic that even standing there feels like you’re part of a movie set.
Food Stops & Snack Corners
Safe to say that I was probably more excited about the food than anything else. There are so many cute movie-themed corners for ice cream, snacks and dine-in options that you probably need another day to eat till you’re full. But being pregnant, I was cautious about my indulgences – nothing too sugary, nothing too uneasy. So we couldn’t experiment much. But in almost every corner you’ll find churros, popcorn buckets, ice creams, and a lot of cute themed snacks around the Hollywood and New York zones. And if you want a proper meal, there are many restaurants to choose from – Goldilocks, Mel’s Drive-In, KT’s Grill, and Louis NY Pizza Parlour to name a few.
Souvenirs & Themed Stores
So much to buy, too little life, or rather, too little money?! Honestly, there was nothing that didn’t catch my eye while we kept window-shopping at the themed stores. The artefacts and souvenirs were so cute! Even if you don’t buy anything, just step inside the stores, browse at your own pace, and soak in the themed décor. It’s genuinely part of the experience.
You’ll find plenty of adorable stores across the park: Big Bird’s Emporium, Fairy Godmother’s Potion Shop, Hello Kitty Studio, Jurassic Outfitters, The Dino-Store, Minion Mart, among many more. Even if you’re only window-shopping, each one is fun to explore in its own way.
Things to Consider While Pregnant
A few quick tips that made the visit easier for me:
– Prefer to visit over the weekdays, weekends can get crowded
– Stay hydrated, the heat catches up fast.
– Take breaks often; don’t wait until you’re exhausted.
– Carry light snacks if you’re cautious about food.
– Wear very comfortable footwear.
– Check ride restrictions beforehand to avoid wasted queues.
– Let your partner handle standing in lines when possible.
– Use shaded spots and air-conditioned stores to cool down.
– Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat.
Even without the rides, there was so much to enjoy! The shows, the music, the characters, the themed streets, and just the happiness in the air. Pregnancy slows you down in a way that actually makes you notice more, feel more, and enjoy things differently. So don’t let that bump hold you back.
