The Disappointing Reality of Skull Island: Reign of Kong

[@MichaelSangregorio]

I was truly hoping this was going to be a next gen high tech version of Kongfrontation but in the Skull Island setting. Instead we got a screen ride transfer from a tour and a giant ape head that we see for a minute. So upsetting.

[@MGEnterprises2]

I personally say that the ride would have been better if there were a lot more animatronics and large physical set pieces and not just some typical screen-based attraction. I feel like Universal chose the wrong type of ride system, since a slow-moving Omnimover dark ride would have been an excellent choice to continue the darker theme found in the queue. I'd keep the Kong animatronic, though.

[@MoiveGuy24]

I agree, I’m tired of screen based rides in simulators, this is why Disney is better because they do way less screens and more physical sets in animatronics, which is something universal should really consider doing because again I’m really tired of screen based rides and I would love for them to do morephysical sets in the animatronics and have a good story for their rides

[@MGEnterprises2]

@@MoiveGuy24 I am at least looking forward to Epic Universe, as there appears to be some more physical set-heavy rides in the park.

[@MoiveGuy24]

@@MGEnterprises2 me to! I’m excited!

[@remyd8767]

If you never went to universal Hollywood, this was not a typical screen based attraction. It's actually different than most at the time. Most screens are in front of you, not to both sides. I was pleasantly surprised when i rode it the first time. I still love it.

[@EmillioMelendez]

@@MoiveGuy24I’d say majority of islands is physical sets and animatronics. They just need better maintenance on them, that I feel is the only thing holding islands back from topping Disney, lack of maintenance. The ride line up they got now is top tier, the rides that need the most attention right now is The Cat in the hat and river adventure.

[@MichelleAlexandria-EM]

Problem is these bus rides are very uncomfortable and I don't feel like I can actually see much of anything. Even on the side I'm sitting in. I never feel like I'm actually "immersed" in the experiece.

[@EightWonder369]

I used to work there and I can tell you that the scareactors, the outside section and the 3D are never coming back. The outside part might have some hope though but we’ll see.

[@MoiveGuy24]

Why did they stop the outside portion, doesn’t the Jeep start going outside first anyway?

[@DrGamelove]

I’m glad complaining people can completely ruin a ride for everyone else (the 3D part). I think if I was prone to motion sickness I might find a different vacation destination than a coaster filled theme park.

[@someoneout-there2165]

Hmmm.. I didn't know they took out the 3D portion, it was great. They did the same for HP and I didn't get a chance to see that one before they switched it. They should have made it like the Mission Space at Disney where you can choose to get the full ride or a toned down version.

[@il100374]

What happened to the outside portion? Why has it been gone for so long? Is the track layout messed up? Thank you in advance!

[@IndominusZillaX]

Man, universal ruined one of my favorite rides.

[@MarleyQuinn715]

I just got back from universal and I swore there were scare actors in the queue and I was literally looking it up and i found your video! Great video!!

[@Smellbo]

It's actually insane how different the vibes are in the queue vs the ride proper. Such a let-down of a "ride." Great vid tho 👍 also, for a future vid, you could talk about Back to the Future/Simpsons

[@AaronVillalobos]

this ride is WAYYYYYYY too short man. thats my biggest complaint. not even worth a 30 min wait imo, let alone the 3 hours i waited when it first came out.

[@chuckoneill2023]

The best part is the variety of animatronic "drivers". Each one shares their story with you, and it's mildly entertaining. The most interesting point: the way the ride vehicles move along the track is slightly different, depending on the "personality" written for whichever of the "drivers" you get. This is a very minor plus, considering that this is a really lame attraction over all. As a proof of concept, ride vehicles with multiple animatronic drivers, each with their own personality and back-story, are something great. It would be really excellent to see these utilized for an attraction which is actually worthwhile.

[@RickyC-m9j]

They should really redo the ride. Make them smaller trucks so it feels more personal

[@Lc._.1]

Low Capacity, they like to maximize capacity

[@sharptojo6420]

Sadly, this ride is a one and done just like Fast And Furious: Supercharged. Couldn’t care less if it gets replaced.

[@joao.spegiorin]

I've been visiting UO for over 10 years now, and at the beginning, I actually really liked Kong. The scare actors, the whole vibe of the queue, were quite terrifying. Plus, the outside portion and effects were very good. It did go to my top 3 dark rides at UO. Unfortunately, it looks like the resort cut costs on this ride. I still ride it every time I go there, but it's not as good as it once was

[@rpt1424]

Fun fact. My older brother helped design the audio and visual system for the giant kong animatronic!

[@DavidSeymourOfficial]

Overall good video man! I'm with you on the over-reliance on screens and recent cuts of 3D and the outdoor section, but I'm a bit confused by your laziness critique. 95% of the guests visiting Orlando have never been to Hollywood and probably never will. It's why they've duplicated Springfield, Hogsmead, Super Nintendo World, etc. I actually really liked the idea of fully fleshing out the story and environment from what was a well received footnote from another attraction, but no doubt there are aspects of it that missed the mark.

[@toonrex2806]

I don’t like how Universal is more invested in Harry Potter than Jurassic Park/World.

[@moon_wobble7782]

Every time I visited the park in the nineties, Kong was broken. Never got to ride ir

[@GrayWoIf]

I like the ride as a break on a hot day. But since its a walkon it feels like you have to walk ages to finally get to the tram from the entrance. They really thought this would have lines for days.

[@hanonondricek411]

They should cover the useless outdoor section so they can use it. It looks like it adds maybe 3 minutes to th ride length.

[@brycevo]

I want to see them do more with their King Kong

[@Amphibicup-draws]

I really want to go on this ride not because of the ride itself but the King Kong animatronic looks awesome and I’ll wait in line just to see that animatronic

[@hollybabyyy]

Idu. Surely you have to go outside to start the ride? So how does it not go outside now?

[@ratbones620]

I’m so glad universal is moving away from screen based attractions, those rides did so much damage to their parks and it really hurt their reputation for a while.

[@Slicedude2004]

I would love a whole video going into the Grinch Maze that used to occupy where House of Horrors used to be in Hollywood. Expedition Theme Park mentioned that in the history of House of Horrors video but he didn't go into detail about the Grinch maze at all so I'm very interested in learning more about it!

[@DangerDoom9000]

the real problem i feel is that stuff that is used during the tram tour can be swapped in swapped out no real problems except for coming up with a new route for the trams, but even though it seems popular in that setting dosent mean its going to work as a extended ride, especially considering the the space limitations that islands of adventures/universal orlando has

[@Tapetenscnueffler]

I can live without the outdoor section but it missing the 3d is kinda bitter for me. Hollywood still has it in 3d though.

[@4B1ade]

Personally, i would have given the ride the same mechanism as journey to the centre of the earth at disney sea, and had a fast section somewhere in the ride.

[@josephcarrarala1324]

When Islands Of Adventure First Opened In 1999, All 5 Themed Lands Were Based Off Various Types Of Literature. For Instance, Marvel Super Hero Island Is Based Off The Comic Books By Stan Lee, Toon Lagoon Is Based Off The Conic Strips By King. Features And Jay Ward, Jurassic Park Is Based Off The Novels By Michael Crichton, The Lost Continent Is Based Off Told Stories About Myths And Legends, And Seuss Landing Is Based Off The Children‘s Books By Dr. Seuss. Then In 2010, They Opened Up The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter Which Is Also Based Off The Novels By J. K. Rowling. Then In 2016, They Opened Up Skull Island Which Is Based Off The Kong Kong Movies And Which Kinda Ruined The Theming Of The Park Because Unlike The Other Themed Islands Which Started Out As Books, King Kong Started Out As A Movie. I Don’t Know Why Universal Thought It Was A Good Idea To Bring King Kong Into Islands Of Adventure Which Didn’t Fit In With The Rest Of The Park.

[@Bailey8025]

They took away the 3D effect which was a HUGE mistake!

[@IRDeady]

The cadence of your speech and just the way you say things is eerily similar to bright sun films.

[@m1lk0meda]

I had no idea they gutted everything that made this ride unique. So glad I passed it up a few weeks ago now.

[@mesharebstock3915]

I’d love a video on Spider-Man! It was so revolutionary as a kid!!

[@DrGamelove]

I think I read somewhere they cut the 3D effect off because “some guests got motion sick” and that also applied to Fast and Furious and Harry Potter Forbidden Journey. While Journey is still great, both rides would have only benefited from the effect. I feel sorry for the sick people but 2D scenes on flat screens are not immersive or convincing in a ride that’s otherwise filled with visual depth.

[@someoneout-there2165]

Yeah, I bet it takes a lot away from the ride. If the 3D bothered them so much you can easily take them off or close your eyes, they helped wreck it for the majority. Not sure I'd wanna ride it again when it's missing one of the best parts.

[@daylonthomas9680]

I thought it was only going to be screens, but was pleasantly surprised by the que and giant Kong animatronic. My dad said it was one of the Kongfrontation animatronics repurposed for this ride. I'm not sure if that's true, but going at night with the 3D glasses available this past spring was a highlight of the park.

[@johnnybegood6435]

I hope one day the initial concepts and plans they had for this attraction come out. I always felt like they ran out of budget and cut some things. Kate being saved off screen always made me think maybe there was at least one more show piece that was probably cut.

[@trippjohnson7393]

Ironically, the one ride that everybody thought was going to be a big disappointment that year (Frozen Ever After) turned out to be a bigger hit than Kong.

[@JasonLefevers]

The loss of being able to see expedition trucks entering the gate anymore (It always seems to run in B mode now. Also never seen a live actor scare on this ride. And they removed the three D, so it’s much worse now.

[@kashanimous1711]

I've ridden this ride 3 times over the course of a few years and I've never gone through the outdoor part.

[@aegisofhonor]

I almost got to ride this last week but the ride broke down just as I was about to get on.

[@dgitoutofmany1]

My frustration came from the ride breaking down They gave us a comp pass. We came back a few hours later and it broke down again Considering that day was our only day there it sucked to not get on it

[@edturner8390]

It was so much better in 3D

[@liamcollinson5695]

I feel like people don't end up liking screen heavy attractions but with something like kong it would probably be horrendously expensive to do all practical effects but i suppose the Jurassic world dark ride in bejing kind of proves me wrong since I believe that a lot of that is practical effects including fighting dinos and one chasing after you

[@jjrudy41]

Its not that its bad, it just could have been so much more. Instead its sorta a 1 and done.

[@NinjaLawyerSteve]

I enjoy King Kong 360:3D (the Hollywood one). I think it works there because it's meant as a fun extra on the studio tour. Reign of Kong is supposed to be a full size stand alone attraction. Screens make sense for Hollywood because they are very limited on space. They have so much more room in Orlando and yet they just did more screens? Also the animation in Reign of Kong doesn't feel as smooth or crisp as it does in Hollywood. Peter Jackson's Kong and version of Skull Island offered so much to work with. But they just took the lazy way out. Huge missed opportunity.

[@Drebe73]

I actually really enjoy Reign of Kong. What went wrong is the removal of the scare actor in the queue and removal of 3D. I love the part that starts outside too., I love the animatronic drivers and each of their individual stories. However, this attraction never should have been added to IOA but should have gone into Studios as Studios is based on movies and IOA is based on literature.

[@SliceOfRandom]

1) the outdoor portion and goggles made the whole ride worth the 30-45 min wait; now i only ride if it's a walk on and my feet hurt 2) don't rush rides and then let them fall to mediocrity 😑 it's unbecoming 3)rip this thing out along with river adventure and give us the Jurassic Worlds upgrade already. We deserve the jeep rally attraction for our loyalty at this point.

[@MoiveGuy24]

Or they could do the giant hamster ball thing like from the movie where they’re sitting in the giant ball and they’re rolling around Jurassic Park that would be cool

[@mikeiseastman]

I'd love to see your video delve into the issues more. Felt like you were just getting into the neat of the video and then you wrapped it up.

[@ajurassicfan9557]

I'm glad they got rid of the glasses personally. I will say that being in row one is the worst because you can't see the action as well specially in the middle.

[@epicgamerhank9509]

This ride being a longer version of the King Kong 360 segment from the tram tour, in my opinion, is the biggest reason why this ride is a huge disappointment and letdown.

[@salliemagnaye1403]

When will Universal make another Kong ride? Or maybe Godzilla? Or both? Something to fit with the Monsterverse

[@hollybabyyy]

Sooo sad it wasnt an updated kongfrontation. I pray they redo this ride soon. Dont just scrap it totally

[@TheOneBryanJames]

I almost typed it before you said it but It just depends on the wait times for me If I ride it. I would rather wait an hour for Hagrids then wait an Hour for this ride.

[@talonbottomley1800]

I still don’t understand why they took the 3d effect away.

[@MichelleAlexandria-EM]

because it sucked.

[@Porcf81]

I absolutely agree that they set up the ride to be awesome but the experience after the queue is very lackluster. The facade and thematic elements are top notch. Very dark and foreboding, and a completely different vibe from most rock, work seen in theme parks. The action pack screen experience beyond the gates, begins a long descent from where you started in terms of the quality of the attraction. I don’t know that the animatronic at the end is all that incredible, or if it just stands out after the digital experience. That’s not to say it’s not an amazing animatronic, but I wonder if its reception is elevated by contrast.

[@Itsbrettjones]

WORST RIDE EVER!!!! I've hated this ride for years and I thought I was alone. This and Fast and the Furious made me never want to go to Universal ever again.

[@hollybabyyy]

This ride is perfectly fine as part of the tram tour. Thats it.

[@MichelleAlexandria-EM]

Skull Island could be good if it had a better ride and the Kong Animatronic should actually be outside the ride and part of the Park's Setting and theming.

[@garbanzolee3306]

That IOA entrance soundtrack is nostalgic.

[@delcodave]

I’ve always wanted to be on one of these rides and have the cast member pretend that we are in peril and be scared which they used to do on the kongfrontation ride I would pretend that they are so realistic instead of over actors and I would say to the people next to me “oh my God should we call 911 “ and start panicking like that. Just once I think it would be funny.

[@thewalkingdad68]

Best thing they could do is tear it and River adventure out and put in the crazy Jurassic world one where the dinosaurs chase your vehicle. Kong just doesn't work unless you have the ambition and money to do something on the scale and scope of kongfrontation.

[@NeoAffinity]

I like Kong! What you talking about willis

[@joeschmoe5231]

I love the Kong ride. As far as non-rollercaoster theme parks rides go there aren't too many rides better than that.

[@DivineStride]

The best part of the ride is waiting in the line. The ride was mediocre and I'm not sure if it would be worth it if i didn't get to go through a short line for only 20 minutes due to a recent heavy rain.

[@SeanJohnson-v8v]

maybe the downgrades are a slow goodbye to this ride. Maybe there trying to persuade people who love it to not feel as bad saying goodbye to it, which leaves room for a lot that could replace. also, what if people were allowed to walk around that outside area as a land of not using anymore.

[@marqt1239]

Well for me being a former universal studios worker I love Reign Kong I have to say it was the best ride universal came up with and the scare actors made it good too. But at the same time conscious day but they need to get rid of fast and furious because when I open we thought it was just going to be like Kong now that was a depressor

[@russellj.s.257]

The original Kongfrontation was way better,I was in line for over an hour two months ago and while in line it broke down

[@MichelleAlexandria-EM]

Universal has so much wasted space on both sides of the park. It's past time for them to do something with all that space between Blu-Man and Thst Coke store. that Animal Stadium. The MIB, the Simpsons and that Coke store should go and make room for a New Robust Land. ThenSpace between Minions and HP is basically Empty. On Islands they need to do something with Lost Continent already

[@thezemag]

Skull Island is listed as an Island but it's not even a land. Just one ride that feels wedged in.

[@mandalorefett3589]

Very true like with Jurassic Park it feels like an actual island instead of just a single ride. In fact they did have plans to have a Jurassic Park ride where they put kong

[@MoiveGuy24]

@@mandalorefett3589 I heard about that too. They had so many ideas for Jurassic Park rides, I know one idea was the Jeep ride where you sit in the Jeep and go through the entire park and you encounter the dinosaurs which would’ve been awesome

[@ajurassicfan9557]

That space was originally ment for a Jurassic Park ride that never materialized

[@mandalorefett3589]

@@MoiveGuy24 yep that's the exact ride that was supposed to be where kong is which you can easily see in kongs design minus the screens of course probably

[@Okaypions]

It could’ve been a cool family coaster

[@TyranoTortoise]

The first time I rode Skull Island, was 2016…its also the last time Ive ridden it…its incredibly disappointing. Just as disappointing as Escape from Gringotts

[@Chaogod1233]

I am surprised that so many people shit on F&F (rightfully so) but not kong which is the SAME THING except there is a neat Kong head at the end... I feel like that is a big issue with Universal, they copy paste rides that are basically at the next door park. Like Spider Man and Transformers.

[@StarfallProductions]

Yes copy and pasting is an issue. but Spider-man is still one of the best rides they have but transformers isn't. Kong I would say is a lot more successful then F&F like spider man is compared to Transformers is due to a couple of factors. Pacing and Music, we don't get much of those with F&F and Transformers then we do with Kong and Spider man. they build up pace and the music tells a story while the lesser successful ones just put you in the action without much context

[@richardvogel1195]

I like the Kong ride. I'll be seeing it in 2d in a couple weeks

[@AvoidTIMtation]

I thought it was a good ride when i rode it and a good upgrade of the Tram version. Much better than what they did with the Orlando version of Supercharged. *HOWEVER*, removing the 3D glasses and the outdoor section absolutely makes the ride way worse and not worth riding my opinion.

[@someoneout-there2165]

I wonder why they ditched the out door portion, it was short but a good build up. Wonder if it was having issues because of weather and whatnot. I bet this ride is sad now without the glasses.

[@warrenleezy]

Nothing is more disappointing than Fast and Furious ride. 😅😂😅

[@brendannelson525]

Should of just used it for the Jurassic park jeep ride expansion.

[@MichelleAlexandria-EM]

Universal as park has way too many screen ride and almost all of them suck. The only exception is Gringots

[@KillaTenza643]

I would love to go to town on that monkey

[@AgentGodzillaRP1701]

I loooove the queue

[@TownieGirl1974]

Am i the only person who thinks this ride should be updated & based on The Monsterverse Kong?

[@KiraVolfield]

I'm not really sure what that would add to the experience, to be honest.

[@tytyty]

this is the most disappointing ride in ioa in my opinion and honestly i skip this ride most times i go now depending on the wait time

[@someoneout-there2165]

Why does this ride get so much hate? It's not their best but it's at least as good as if not better than the original and the original scared me as a kid. Yeah, there are a lot of screens but the animatronic at the end is probably the best one I've ever seen.

[@lalalol36]

Oh,.yeahhh a screen to look at. Lol

[@watless100]

Boring ride. Might as well have been in a Movie Theater

[@adammayo4377]

The ride is not bsded on Peyer Jackson's King Kong. It's based on Kong: Skull Island, thus the name, Skull Island: Reign of Kong. Also, Universal didnt just quit using the outside portion. It's broken is currently being fixed.

[@MoiveGuy24]

I think it’s one of the worst rides at Universal next to fast and furious I say those two are the worst rides. Skull Island is just a terrible ride, I think they should just knock it all down and build a brand new ride and base it off a more recent movie, King Kong‘s not really popular anymore and I feel like it hasn’t been for years and there’s no more King Kong movies for that matter, it’s not a popular franchise but again I think they should just get rid of it and replace it with something completely new and something with no screens because that’s just borderline lazy and I don’t wanna sit in a simulator and watch a movie screen, but the only good thing about that ride is the King Kong animatronic at the end that’s about itbut for me I’m just tired of rides with screens. I want to see more animatronics and physical sets. Also the Que line for Kong is is is cool but when the queue line is better looking than the ride, then that’s the problem it’s like universal cares less about the right experience and more about the Q line

[@that_one_nerd117]

A Kong adjacent movie just came out this year

[@batshtcrazy5293]

Are you nuts?! The Godzilla/Kong movies are crazy popular. And kids love Kong. I just think everyone enjoys hating on it.

[@MoiveGuy24]

@@that_one_nerd117 true but nobody usually talking about it and I don’t hear anybody talking about it on the radio and I don’t see many trailers for it

[@MoiveGuy24]

@@batshtcrazy5293 man they’re kinda played out, plus I don’t hear people talking about it or I don’t hear anything on the radio about it. I don’t see any movie trailers on TV for it so I think it’s just kind of a phase. Harry Potter has a way bigger following and it’s way more popular.

[@Blast2224]

This is why they either need to get rid of Simpsons, Jimmy Fallon, AND Fast and Furious as soon as possible. All 3 of these rides are screen assaults, as I call them. They give you practical set design for the queue, yet when you board it’s no better than a planetarium.

[@dennissmith5807]

Yup. It’s just like the 2005 movie. It sucks.

[@jaykay1899]

That movie is amazing how dare you