Sneak preview: Universal Studios Singapore

The soon-to-be-completed Universal Studios Singapore (USS) theme park at Resorts World Sentosa is shaping up nicely. When the park opens in the first quarter of 2010 it will feature 24 rides and attractions, 18 of which will be making their worldwide premiers in Singapore.

The sprawling USS park will contain seven themed zones -- Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar, all based on Universal movie hits and franchises.

The pièce de résistance will be the Battlestar Galactica dueling roller coasters, in which a pair of high-speed shuttles twist and spin through more than two kilometers of rail in what the resort calls 'a tumultuous battle of humans vs. Cylons.'

When completed, Battlestar Galactica is expected to be the tallest dual roller coaster in the world. The red rail is for the 'human race' and its seats are mounted in traditional roller coaster fashion. The blue rail is for 'Cylons,' with the seats suspended below the rail, leaving legs to dangle freely. The Cylon side is designed for thrill-seekers, but according to USS engineers, the 'human' ride draws more G-forces.

A firm launch date has yet to be released, but Universal Parks and Resorts general manager for sales and marketing Douglas Trueblood promises the park will open in the first quarter of 2010. Likewise, ticket prices have yet to be released, but Genting Singapore (which owns Resorts World Sentosa) chairman and CEO Lim Kok Thay said prices will be competitive and "lower than those at other Universal Studios theme parks." Packages for one- and two-day visits will be available, as well as annual passes to the park.

The much-touted Transformers ride will not be ready for the 2010 launch. It is scheduled to be completed in 2011.

We'll be first in line for these

The opening of Universal Studios Singapore is so close we can feel our stomachs getting edgy already. Here are the rides and attractions we'll be making a beeline for as soon as the gates open. For sneak preview photos, click on the Gallery button above.

Battlestar Galactica: Humans vs. Cylons. Inspired by the TV show, 'Battlestar Galactica' will reportedly be the world’s tallest pair of dueling roller coasters. A beautiful puke-a-rama, it will scare the daylights out of riders by running through several inversions, including a zero-G roll, Cobra roll, corkscrews, vertical loops and near collisions inches apart from other cars.

Madagascar: A Crate Adventure. Featuring animal movie heroes Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria, this riverboat adventure will have state of the art animated figures, digital projection, evocative sound and motion effects.

Pantages Hollywood Theater. A 1,500-seat indoor theater for Broadway musicals, including the rock 'n' roll revue, 'MonstroCity.'

Shrek 4-D Adventure. Based on the 'Shrek' franchise, the Shrek 4-D Adventure theater will house the largest 4-D screen in the world, bringing to life Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey and other movie characters.

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. A white water raft system with circular rafts that toss and twirl through waterways within the prehistoric-themed Jurassic compound.

Treasure Hunters. Park visitors will drive vintage motorcars into sandy, ancient Egypt and through an abandoned excavation site.

Donkey Live. Voiced by Eddie Murphy, Shrek’s sidekick Donkey stars in this all-new interactive live show.