Kong Returns To Universal Orlando
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ORLANDO (CBSMiami) - The King is coming back to the Universal Orlando Resort.
Wednesday morning Universal Orlando confirmed on Twitter that a new King Kong attraction would be opening in the Summer 2016.
King Kong will rule at #IslandsOfAdventure… Skull Island: #ReignofKong opens in 2016. Visit: http://t.co/CVg3dy9yNh pic.twitter.com/U6OOp1ZAz0
— Universal Orlando (@UniversalORL) May 6, 2015
Rumors started circulating about the new ride, being built next to Jurassic Park in Islands of Adventures, before construction even began.
During an earnings call earlier this year, Comcast's CFO spilled the beans about a new Kong ride coming to Universal Orlando.
ThemeparkInsider.com reports that the new dark ride will not be a copy of the King Kong 360:3D attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood nor will it be a recreation of the old Kongfrontation ride at Universal Studios Florida. The theme park news website's chief editor Robert Niles, who saw portions of the blue prints, says the ride will incorporate mix of screens, including a 3D wrap around one, and practical sets including a massive Kong animatronic - as was used in Kongfrontation and the Kong encounter at the Hollwood park.
The animatronic Kong in Hollywood was destroyed in a fire on the back lot in 2008. Universal closed the Kongfrontation ride in 2002. It was replaced by Revenge of the Mummy.
According to a release from Universal Orlando, "Skull Island: Reign of Kong":
"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."
Universal Creative is working closely with Peter Jackson, famed director of 2005's blockbuster movie, "King Kong," to create the ride experience.
"King Kong is a Hollywood movie legend and a huge part of both our history and our future," said Mike West, Executive Producer, Universal Creative in a statement. "He gives us the opportunity to tap into everything that makes our film history so special and everything that makes our theme park attractions so spectacular. We can't wait to bring him to life in such an epic way."
Visit universalorlando.com/ReignofKong for more information.
Universal plans to release a new King Kong movie, Skull Island, on November 4th, 2016.