Skull Island: Reign Of Kong Coming To Universal in 2016!

[TTD03]

It is official - King Kong will be returning to the Universal Orlando Resort in Florida in 2016 when an all new attraction - Skull Island: Reign of Kong - opens at Islands of Adventure. Kong formerly could be found in his own attraction at Universal Studios Florida until his retirement in 2002, which was needed to make room for the Mummy coaster.

The new ride, which has been under heavy construction for many months now, is already at the point of having its final facade applied to the massive show building. The ride will be located in a previously vacant space between Toon Lagoon and Jurassic Park.

This concept art shows off the entrance to the new attraction, with a bit of the ride building peaking above the wall in the background. I would assume this will be what lines the walkway between Toon Lagoon and Jurassic Park - talk about an imposing entrance!

The ride itself is still a bit of a mystery, with only general descriptions being given at this time. The resort is calling it an "intense, all-new adventure brought to life in a dramatically themed environment" in press materials. Riders will enter the queue in Skull Island and travel through ancient jungle ruins before boarding the ride vehicle.

Inside Skull Island is a massive, 72 foot tall "great wall" that the expedition trucks will enter. That is depicted in the nice concept art seen above. This news story gives some details from Universal Creative Executive Director Mike West. "There are beautiful wooden doors and flames shooting on each side. You then drive up through the doors and you enter a dark cavernous cave with deep chasms with other creatures within. You'll take another turn where you are submerged further into this island where it becomes a fight for survival meeting small and large prehistoric creatures face-to-face."

The press release for the ride gives a similar description. "It begins as guests are transported deep into a wild and mysterious world, where their mission is to discover creatures of unknown origin ??? but where they are soon fighting for their own survival. Their journey will take them through an ancient temple inhabited by hostile natives, a perilous jungle ruled by prehistoric creatures, a foreboding underworld of caves concealing unspeakable terrors ??? and face-to-face with the colossal Kong himself."

The park also released this video announcement for Skull Island: Reign of Kong, which gives some additional details of the experience. The ride designers are also quick to point out that this ride will not be the same as the Kong experience on the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood. Florida's version will be much larger and immersive, using some of the largest ride vehicles they've ever designed and giving one of the longest ride times in the parks.

Universal is working with Peter Jackson to design the new attraction. Jackson directed the 2005 film "King Kong," which also explored Skull Island and its various inhabitants.

For now you can sign up to stay up to date on Universal Orlando's Kong page, with more details promised down the road.
credit newsplusnotes

If this is a coaster, that theming would be so cool! I mean, it still sounds like it's going to be awesome anyways

[TTD03]

The trucks look more like Safari tour busses at GA lol.

I'm ready to ride this hopefully on its opening day

[Paradox]

I really wanted the theme based on the original King Kong.


Looks awesome though.

Would be cool if the theme really looks like that last picture. But some big fat whale might loose his footing and impale himself on those spikes.

^

hopefully this will be done soon so they can start on the nintendo stuff

(or maybe the rumoured third park)

[Paradox]

Yea they have this project, the Nintendo one, and the waterpark.

[Paradox]

So this is still happening

[Blase Rhine]

Damn this is looking really good... Do we know a date for opening? Or is it still just summer?

Blase Rhine wrote:

Damn this is looking really good... Do we know a date for opening? Or is it still just summer?

Still just summer they have been testing during the night also been teasing a lot more so date is coming very soon hopefully it opens in april so I can ride it.

TTD03 wrote:

The trucks look more like Safari tour busses at GA lol.

and Zufari: Ride into Africa's trucks at Chessington WoA!

Could this be better than "Indiana Jones Adventure"? They both look sophiscated in themings!

[Blase Rhine]

I know you???ve been waiting for more details about Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal???s Islands of Adventure. The time has finally come! Over the next few months, I???ll be revealing all the details on our newest attraction.

Here???s what to expect on your incredible journey.



It all begins with Skull Island ??? a land shrouded in mystery, steeped in ancient tales of colossal creatures fighting for dominance of a lost world. The name alone is enough to keep any adventurous soul from setting foot on its foreboding shoreline, to say nothing of mustering the courage to explore its terrifying interior.

Despite the apprehension of such an undertaking, you decide to join the 8th Wonder Expedition Company on their daring research adventure. Your mission: to discover species of unknown origin dwelling within the hidden mysteries of the island. Your hope is to substantiate the existence of prehistoric creatures.

Your first objective is to reach the communication base amid the outlying ruins. Communication is key and a crackling radio broadcast from scientists, expedition leaders and fellow explorers warns of the treacheries that lay ahead.

Undaunted???though certainly a bit uneasy???you head towards your next objective: the 8th Wonder Expedition base camp.

There is a hypnotic presence in the rhythmic beating of distant drums that draws you deeper and deeper into an ancient ruin, almost against your will. Signs of a native presence become evident. But are they still around?

Finally, you make it through to base camp and expedition vehicles. You set off for the heart of the island to rendezvous with your expedition leader.

Within minutes, you come upon a massive temple wall. Drums beat, flames arise, huge wooden doors swing open and you drive through. You now face a dark labyrinth of caves where danger lurks around every bend.

You manage to narrowly escape the caves??? but the jungle ahead holds yet another breathtaking challenge. Suddenly, you find yourself in the midst of a raging struggle between creatures of incomprehensible size and ferocity. All seems lost until, from out of nowhere, a deafening roar cuts through the melee. The mighty Kong has arrived!

But is he friend or foe? Well, you???ll have to find out this summer.

The next chapter in the evolution of the King Kong legend is about to unfold. This immersive new experience will feature one of the longest rides of any Universal attraction, along with several new firsts for Universal Orlando Resort.

Thanks for the details! Everything will be unleashed soon!