Say Bye, Bye to King Kong!!

[JacksBack!!]

Well it looks like kong is going bye bye, and a Scorpion King indoor rollercoaster will replace it. Kong will be shut down after christmas. And the new ride could be oppened by x mas time next year.

Here is what the Orlandosentinal has to say in a great article.http://www.orlandosentinal.com/business/tourism/orl-aseckong12121201dec12.story?coll=orl%2Dhome%2Dhead lines

[johare]

I read that article this morning...though I would miss Kong, this sounds like it could be a great ride. Now all they need to do is find somewhere to put a ride based on Shrek!

[MrNonacho]

That article didn't sound like this is a certain thing at all. Using phrases like "Universal Studios is looking into..." and "...according to sources at the attraction who asked for anonymity" doesn't make it seem like anything's set in stone. If they just got their info from ride operators or similar employees, I'd be even more suspicious.

Kind of seems like the Sentinel is just finally getting around to reporting the rumors we went through here a couple months back. They may end up being right, but I'm taking this story with a grain of salt.

[rocketman23]

If true, Kong will be missed. Although, yes, I'd much rather have a coaster. Many signs are starting to look like this may be true, but I just can't see a Scorpion King theme in the New York section of the park!

[Bucs300]

If they do put in The Scorpion King coaster New York is gonna have 2 rides, and neither of them have anything to do with New York. They might as well take down the big back drop of New York if they do this.

[Quentin Disney]

I read somewhere (forgot the source), that they could somehow theme it as a museum, and that is where the adventure continues. Personally, I believe that Universal Studios needs an attraction with a good repeat factor. MIB is absolutely worthy of that. Since I hear that IOA is actually hurting USF's attendance, a new attraction for USF is a pretty good ideal.

Then again, it's the Orlando Sentinel people! The same morons that circulate news about the area theme parks weeks after they have been surfaced online...but remember, they also reported that some person purchased several thousand acres outside Orlando, so I could be wrong.

[Molokai Gram]

Please don't tell me Kong won't be there when I come in February! :(

[Hockeyman]

I was thinking that if they do put a coaster in the Kong building that it might possibly be a launched coaster sorta like Rock n Rollercoaster. The building isnt tall enough for a chain lift. Hopefully it will be another B&M launched coaster.

[rocketman23]

I doubt it will be a B&M launched. I believe Hulk is the only B&M which launchs, and why would you have a similar ride right next door? I'm thinking either a thrust air, Premier launch, or a woodie. I think they could make a real good woodie in that building. They don't have to be that high and are a heck of a lot of fun.

[Earl]

Just to clarify the Hulk... it's a B&M coaster , but not a B&M launched coaster. B&M had nothing to do with the launch system, they only furnished the track rail for that portion of the track. The launcher is actually a Universal/MTS product for which Universal holds the desgin rights.

BTE, keep in mind that this is all still a big rumor. This project has not been funded, and that keeps it about as unofficial as it gets. For now, that's as far as I can go on the subject.

[rocketman23]

Originally posted by Earl
For now, that's as far as I can go on the subject.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm taking that as a hint.

[MIB999999]

I agree with rocketman23. i put more faith in EARL's one line than i do in the whole Orlando Sent-to-hell article:smooth:

[Hockeyman]

rocketman23- Its possible to have another B&M launched coaster next door. It wouldnt be the same as Hulk so it wouldnt be a clone. Maybe it will have a horizontal launch like Rock n Rollercoaster. Im sure Universal has a pretty decent relationship with B&M between the coasters at IOA and the park in Spain so maybe that relationship might spawn another coaster. Maybe a new flyer coaster. Although that would be cool, I dont know what part Alton Towers has helped in developing that ride and weather they have any rights to it. I dont think it will be a Thrust Air either. It doesnt make sense to put that in a building. They would have to rip a hole in the building for the hill to go in and out of. A Premier would work. But if its going to be a launched coaster why not another B&M. I dont know how tall the Kong building is but an indoor wooden coaster could work and be pretty fun. What ever type of ride or coaster it becomes, if it does indeed change, will be great addition to the park.

Earl-I know its a B&M coaster. And to the general public its considered a launched B&M.By that I mean its a B&M and it is launched. Its just launched by Universal/MTS products. And might I add that the launch is my favorite part of the ride. Also what does MTS stand for?

[Earl]

To answer, or not answer, the first part: valid points, but, no.

MTS is the name of the company, they're in Minneapolis. They go by MTS, which I think originally stood for machine test systems.

[thefoyboy]

I believe this is what you are looking for.........


http://www.mts.com/

[Molokai Gram]

But Earl, please give just a little more info, will Kong be open in February? Mahalo. :)

[rocketman23]

How high is the Kong building exactly? If they do not touch the shell of Kong, then we could know about how high of a coaster could go in there.

[Earl]

Molokai Gram.... the only way I can answer this is that since this isn't real yet, there is no schedule to close Kong. I could say that about anything is possible, but unless this becomes more than the rumor it currently is, nothing wil change.

[Spaceman Spiff]

It would be strange not haivng Kong at Universal, the big furry guys a park icon. :(

I'm secretly hoping that nothing happens to him but I would like to see a rehab.

[fboy9287]

really I don't know if this is any idicator at all but at the universal website they don't even have a personal page for king kong. Maybe they don't think it is a main attraction? Maybe they don't want to spend the time on it!

[IOAfan]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I like Kongfrontation, and I hate roller coasters!!!

IOAfan

[rocketman23]

Originally posted by IOAfan
I hate roller coasters!!!

Sir, you have offended me! I challenge you to a duel! Do you accept or are you a coward?

[RUN]

I want a, The Fast and The Furious racing coaster that goes all through new york. I think that old patent about that Apollo 13 roller coaster, or whatever type coaster it was would fit TF&TF idea. Two seater, enclosed vehichles, with 5 point seatbelts would heavily fit into the atmospher of a high powered suped up import. Also TF&TF seems lend itself to the hip high beat type image and mood Universal is trying to get in its parks.

[WebmasterBarry]

Originally posted by rocketman23


Sir, you have offended me! I challenge you to a duel! Do you accept or are you a coward?

How about a MIB shoot-out? :)

Anyway, why not make a Kong coaster? You could have to coaster go around and under Kong as he smashed NYC.

If there were a Scorpion King coaster, I'd be the Scorpion King will appear for 5 seconds and get top billing. :)

[Molokai Gram]

Kong is fine the way he is. Leave him alone. I am going to Honolulu for a few days and you boys better not mess with him while I am gone. I really do not want to get to Universal in February and find Kong closed...especially if he is in the process of being turned into a coaster. ;)

[JacksBack!!]

A B&M coaster is two tall and big to fit into the building. Expect the coaster to be the size of a space mountain or somthing. I dont think this will be an ordinary coaster though. It might me somthing like a cross between disneylands Indiana Jones ride and Space Moutain. The ride will feature on board Music and live special effects like Fire Balls, Water, And high presure air. Imagine if there are in coaster type effects built into the ride like those beetle things in the movie attack your feet and the back of your seat like the mice at the Honey I Shrunk the Adience or the worms under your seat in Its tough to be a Bug show at AK. This will be a dark ride coaster that will blow people away.

[chris mcfly]

Originally posted by JacksBack!!
This will be a dark ride coaster that will blow people away.


...And the Promo has begun.

[Jon360]

This is awesome news! Kong must go!!!!!! Make room for The Scorpion King!

[fboy9287]

*tear* I just want a coaster!

[Melanie1001]

Just got back from a great trip to USF, and was going to post a comment/question about this--a very nice and friendly employee at USF told us it was a definite that at the end of this year Kong would close...said that right after the holidays it would be going down to be replaced by a scorpion king ride...Of course take it for what it's worth, it is probably just a rumor like all the other ones :)

[Earl]

While it was great that you came across such an employee, but rest assured that it is not a definte thing. It's a big maybe. It hasn't been funded and until it has, Kong will continue to operate as is.

[Melanie1001]

I know the rumors of Kong closing had been flying forever, but I would have been shocked had I not heard or read about it closing that soon, I mean thats just a couple of weeks away! Ahh wild rumors, gotta love 'em LOL

[IOAfan]

So, is Kong closing for good, or is this just another rumor?

IOAfan

[kellymonaghan]

FWIW, I took at peek at Universal's newly revamped web site the other day and Kong features prominently in the the home page graphic.

Now I know it doesn't take long to change a graphic on the web, but it would seem odd that if Kong is going to be history in two weeks, they'd make him such an integral part of the home page.

Or am I missing something?

[MIB999999]

i agree with Kelly, kong may be on the downside, but i think it is a long way from being gone :smooth:

[cotye]

Gonna really miss Kong too. :(

[IOAfan]

Rode it at least five times in the last ten years (once in 1992, twice in 1994, once in 1998, and once in 2000)...I love that ride...

IOAfan