Universal's newest attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Islands of Adventure is now officially open! The announcement was made during the Today Show with Al Roker and Tamron Hall earlier today. It has also been tweeted by Universal Orlando with them saying "Skull Island: #ReignOfKong is now open at #IslandsOfAdventure!" The attraction has been in soft open, or 'technical rehearsals' as Universal calls it, for a full month, but as of now will be officially listed as open in the Universal Orlando app and map, and will (hopefully) be open all day along with the rest of the park (starting tomorrow). You can see the official opening ceremony from earlier this morning below along with some more images as well. Check out our extensive coverage of the construction of Kong since the beginning here, and stay tuned for more theme park news and updates coming soon!
Tag Archives: Reign of Kong
Kongstruction Recap: Two Years in 2 Minutes – Skull Island: Reign of Kong Construction History
Check out the video below for two years of Kongstruction is 2-ish minutes. I've been documenting the progress of this project from the very beginning when the land was being cleared, to the ride's soft opening this month. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this photo-journey from start to finish of the new attraction Skull Island: Reign of Kong. And see below for a complete timeline all construction updates and news stories about Kong that we've posted in the previous two years, listed in order. Thanks for sticking with me through this incredible journey!
Kongstruction Update: Reign of Kong Soft Opens with Full Queue Walk Through Video
It was only the second day that Skull Island: Reign of Kong had soft opened to the public when I got to ride this magnificent beast! What an incredible experience this has been, not just getting to be one of the first to ride this amazing new attraction, but also covering the story since it was just a pile of dirt and a rumor two years ago. So, Friday I decided to stick it out. As long as it took. To be one of the first to ride this baby! And after 7 and half hours in the hot sun, I got to do just that! It was totally worth it. You can see video from my experience at Friday's soft opening, plus a walk-through of the entire queue below. And there's lot of screenshots below as well with descriptions. Stay tuned for more Kong news as this thing goes from soft opening to grand opening in the coming weeks! And to those of you that have been following this project with me, thank you. I hope you stick around, as we have some amazing new things on the horizon for theme parks in Central Florida, as this time in history has become somewhat of a theme park Renaissance, and we're just getting started!
Kongstruction Update: WALLS ARE DOWN at Skull Island: Reign of Kong
The construction walls are down at Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal's Islands of Adventure! The wait has been long, but soon we'll be able to get our first rides on this new immersive attraction. We should hopefully expect to see soft opens within the week. It really could be any day now (or any hour even). Plus the outdoor gift shop stand, Base Camp Provisions, is open and selling Kong merchandise. Check out the video and photos below to see how the area looks now with the work walls down and some of the items you can get at the new gift shop and food stand. Stay tuned for more information as it happens. This should hopefully be our last update video before softs start and we'll post as soon as they start letting guests on the ride!
First Photos from the Scary Queue of Skull Island: Reign of Kong
USA Today has written an article detailing Skull Island: Reign of Kong, opening soon at Universal's Islands of Adventure, and they have included some never-before-seen images from inside the incredibly themed, and apparently somewhat frightening, queue. It seems that rumors were correct and we will be seeing scareactors within the queue itself, straight up Halloween Horror Nights style! See a section of the write-up along with all the incredible photographs in high resolution below. Click on an image to see it full size and stay tuned for more Kong news as it happens!
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Universal Reveals Kong Himself in this First Glimpse of the Massive Animatronic from Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Universal Orlando has revealed the Kong animatronic in a new making of video and a few images. The Kong figure is three-stories tall, 18 feet wide at his shoulders and has a head larger than an automobile, according to Universal Orlando. The beast also has several "distinctive scars." Riders will come "face-to-face" with King Kong and get "so close they'll feel his breath sweep across their skin and his thunderous roar reverberate through every bone in their body". Reports say that the animatronic figure was designed by Creature Technology, the company behind the impressive full-size Kong puppet for the Kong stage show.
Skull Island: Reign of Kong should be opening soon at Islands of Adventure, but Universal has still not announced an official opening date, stating only that it will be opening Summer 2016. The media preview for Skull Island is scheduled for June 22-24. The ride may open around this time, with technical rehearsals in the days or weeks leading up to it. Technical rehearsals, or soft opens as it is also known, is a trial run where the ride may open for a few hours a day giving staff a chance to test the ride under real conditions. (Not all effects and features may be working during technical rehearsals.) Rumors say that there have been some unforeseen issues that are being worked out and that has pushed technical rehearsals back a bit. Stay tuned here for news of when you may get your chance to meet Kong face to face! See the video below for your first look at Kong in the flesh, plus more images and information. And see all Kong updates here!
Introducing the Monsters of Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Today Universal Orlando has revealed some of the terrifying creatures you will encounter on your exhibition through Skull Island. Massive winged beasts that hunt from the skies. Serpentine predators that burrow through the earth and attack from below. Giant insects that infest the jungles. These are just a few of the deadly creatures you’ll encounter on Skull Island: Reign of Kong. Below is a video as well as breakdowns for each individual creature, but don't look if you're trying to avoid spoilers! Stay tuned for more theme park news and be sure to check out our last Kongstruction update here!
Skull Island: Reign of Kong Ride Vehicle Details Released
This morning Universal Orlando has released a video showcasing the incredible new ride vehicle for Skull Island: Reign of Kong. The vehicles will be 40 feet long, weigh 17 tons, and will carry up to 72 guests at a time (12 per row). It is 13 feet tall with 45 inch wheels. The vehicles will be the first trackless system for Universal, with no guide rails, or lines of any kind on the ground. They will be "driven" by one of five drivers. Rumors have them as being animatronic characters in the truck cab, seated behind a pane of glass separating the guests from the "driver". Check out the video, as well as more ride vehicle information and more details on the "drivers" you may encounter on your trip to Skull Island below. Stay tuned for more theme park news coming soon!
Universal Orlando Releases New Details, Images and Video for Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Just a few days ago some folks caught a glimpse of some great lighting effects turned on at the construction site for Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Turns out they were filming some promotional videos to help explain what this new attraction will be all about, as well as grab some amazing photographs. Universal also confirmed that this will be "one of the longest rides of any Universal attraction", and it feature "several new firsts for Universal Orlando Resort." This attraction is scheduled to open Summer of this year. See the full ride description, new videos, and more news about the viral marketing campaign they started earlier this month called Myth Explorers: The Quest for Kong, all below. And stay tuned for more Kong news!
Universal Orlando Announces ‘Skull Island: Reign of Kong’ for Summer 2016
Universal Orlando has officially announced the new King Kong attraction. We've got a name, "Skull Island: Reign of Kong", along with some concept art, descriptions, and even a video! As expected the ride will feature a tour set in the 1930s of the great Skull Island temple. We find ourselves surrounded by prehistoric creatures and then we get an up-close experience with the eighth wonder of the world himself, Kong! This new multi-sensory attraction will be opening Summer 2016 at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Read more below for images, description, and interviews with the creators.
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