Universal Orlando Resort has revealed finer details about its new Skull Island: Reign of Kong experience, opening this summer. Guests will board specially designed 40-foot, 17-ton ride vehicles, which will carry 72 people at a time. They will be driven by human actors, five guides with distinct personalities, who will steer the live action storylines.
Mike West, executive producer, Universal Creative, explained: “We’ve designed a trackless ride so the guest feel like they are riding in an actual truck. You won’t see a track or a rail beneath… the fact it’s trackless plus the size of the ride vehicles is an extraordinary accomplishment technologically. It’s one of the biggest attractions we’ve ever done and one of the longest rides we’ve ever created.”
He explained that the height restriction would be set at 34 inches – this is lower than the high-speed rollercoasters, which are set at 40”.
It will be a great family experience, he said. “We think it’ll be appropriate for everyone but parents know their kids best. Of course it depends on the kids… it will be an intense experience but we want families to experience it together and huddle close together. Family experience is an important part of our brand.
Following Universal’s tradition, the queue will be an interactive part of the ride experience, which will take guests into Kong’s home environment for the first time.
West set the scene: “Guests will join an expedition setting out to discover unknown species. This is prior to the one that goes to the jungle and takes Kong back to New York. It will feel ethereal at the start, creepy, you’ll sense a native presence – then as you travel through a massive valley, there will be creatures of unbelievable size. It’s a fight for survival, and then there’s Kong… is he friend or foe? You’ll find out on the ride.”
In addition to the new Kong experience, park visitors this summer will also be able to ride a renovated version of the Hulk rollercoaster, plus Sapphire Falls, a fifth onsite hotel opens, with rooms on sale now. Fast & Furious Supercharged will be the big opening for 2017, along with a whole new water park, Volcano Bay.
