Big news....Kongfrontation to close

[jjcollins]

Universal Studios' venerable Kongfrontation, one of the original rides when the park opened 12 years ago, will frighten its last tourists on Sept. 8.

The six-story tall soundstage that has been the home for the giant animatronic King Kong will be vacated to make way for what Universal officials describe as a "new mega-attraction" that they haven't disclosed.

full story....

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...081602aug16.story?coll=orl-business-headlines


jj.......

 

[WDWfan uk]

...... this has been on the cards for some months now but it seemed to get a reprieve for Summer.

I look forward to hearing more about the new attraction to replace it

 

[Pooh Widower]

I shall personally be very sad to see him go I am not a big coaster fan

so I enjoyed doing these types of rides the most. I can remember the very first time that my DW and I took the ride back in Sept 93. Boy was I impressed. I know that other more thrilling rides have come along since, I just feel that "Kong" is one of a kind! Still, we will be some of the last people to take the ride when we go out there at the end of the month!

Have a great day,

Paul

 

[marks1972]

Be sad to see it go as it was 'Part' of USO , but have to say it was looking very dated, we went straight past it last year even tho there was no line. Sad to think ill never go on it again but looking forward to the next great attraction . I think USO needs a kick in general, i thought MIB was a real disappointment and if it wasnt for the brilliance of BTTF, Twister, T2 and Mels diner we may have even missed it out last year in favour of a 2nd day at our fav MGM. Hopefully by the time we go Shrek 4d will be up and running and my enjoyment of my favourite park on my first visit in '95 will be back

 

[Goofyish]

This is sad It was closed during our trip in October and we were looking forwarded to trying it next August. Lets hope they replace it with something good

 

[WDWfan uk]

Yes Mark, I agree that US needs new (good) attractions and that the old ones are 'tired' - we also chose to give them a miss on the last visit - wouldn't miss IOA though!

I have a vivid memory of our first experience of Kongfrontation - we were lucky enough to get a seat in the front of the tram - we being DH & me and my two sons then aged 5 and 8. They requested that you put loose articles down on the ground and as my older son was doing so, they lowered the barrier and he was stuck - nor was he aware that the barrier had been lowered so got a jolt when he tried to sit upright and he was literally stuck bent right over.

I shouted ( and had to do this repeatedly before they reacted)and people behind us were exclaiming and thankfully as we were at the front with the 'conductor' he shouted to the control room to raise the barrier.

Okay, he wasn't hurt ( although in fact his neck was strained), and he doesn't make a fuss, but when we got off I had hoped that someone would come up to us and at least ask if he was okay or perhaps apologise but ....... nothing.

( I did take this up at a later date with a CM I got to know, and he reported it to the powers that be and assured me that they are extremely safety conscious ..... and I do believe them)

We have since ridden' Kong' several times and we did enjoy it !!

 

[LindseyUK]

this is really sad...I know it's dated but I really loved it...I liked the smell and atmosphere in the queueing area and the way you could look into the little windows of the apartments....so much attention to detail.....I will miss it....

Here's hoping for something even better!

 

[neilybealy]

i wanted to ride on this as we missed the opening of Universal back in 1990 by 1 or 2 days

this is my first trip back to orlando since 1990 and they've closed it !!

ah well

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

I'd read a few weeks back that the planned end-date for Kong was end October, which was good because it meant we'd get on. But 8 September is too early

I love this ride. Last time I had a lovely young hispanic lady next to me who was PETRIFIED. If I look closely I can still see the scars on my arms where she clung on for dear life (makes you wonder what she was like with the coasters, unless she has an aversion to large, banana smelling apes ).

Such a shame