Is Kongfrontation closing for good?

[pnelson]

Or is it undergoing rehab? Is there anything else that is shutting down for good?

 

[dbail2]

We were told that yes it is closing and also Alfred Hitchcock is closing, and the Hanna barbara ride too. Several employees told us this last week..........

 

[Disney Talker]

When are Kong and Hanna Barbara closing for good...???

 

[rocketman23]

Well, Earl has told us Kong is closing... so yes it is definitely closing and yes it is permanently.

 

[LindaT]

Any idea when Kong is closing? Going to Universal/WDW 8/13-8/20 and I would love to ride Kong one last time.

 

[kmc]

i also would like to know when is it closing for good--earl????---i was there last month and didnt go on it becuase my 4 yr old son was scared and im not returning to the first week of dec. but may drive up for the day if i have too so i get a chance to ride it..thanks

 

[fboy9287]

Who cares about Kong? The only thing I liked about it is oh cheep and untechnical everything was. Really an eye sore. And plus, what is the ride really do for universal? What is its RPH?

 

[All Aboard]

I don't know fboy, Kong is really one of the classic USF attractions. The original (and often still used) motto was "ride the movies." Kong really embraced that quite well. Same for Earthquake and Jaws. Ride-through attractions that put you in the middle of the action that is caught on the silver screen. To me that's what USF has always been about.

Sure, the technology has staled some. But, don't you think USF needs to retain some "classic-ness?" Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion are surely dated, but I'd hate like heck to see them go.

I often get the feeling from reading comments on this board that many (not all, but many) of its members think USF is good for MIB and roughly nothing else. That's unfortunate, there really are some great attractions there.

 

[suzysezso]

I absolutely agree with you gcurling!
Unfortunately we seem to be the minority. I understand today's philosophy of everything must be bigger, louder, faster, more breathtaking, etc., but I really think park planners are overlooking a large segment of the paying public by always shooting over the top. The 3 attractions they are taking out happen to be 3 of my son's favorites! Granted, they are not mega-thrillers, and they could probably use some updating, but there are actually people that don't need their heart stopped to enjoy themselves at a theme park. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing when it is done right, with enthusiam, and not glossed over as an afterthought.
This is one of the reasons I have not renewed my US/IOA annual pass in favor of getting a pass at Busch Gardens where along with the thrill rides you can find more of the simple pleasures- bumper cars, kiddie rides for the little ones, animal exhibits etc.
I also think Universal is also overlooking a huge segment of their visitors by not enhancing their Nickelodeon experience. I hear from so many people that the main reason they visit Universal is to please their Nick-watching kids. Then when they get there what do they find? Not even a studio tour anymore. Just a long wait for a simple game lab, street characters and lots of souvineer shopping. Nick really needs to stop pouring mega millions into over merchandising mundane movies like Jimmy Neutron and make some good entertainment use of the huge amount of square foootage at Nick Studios along the lines of simple rides, games and hands on play areas.
JMHO, thanks for letting me vent...

 

[robvia]

The info is in this thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=242007

 

[Earl]

Just to comment on the Nick experience level. That is a Nick issue, not Universal's doing. My understanding is that Nick has pulled all of their corporate owned production out for independently contracted productions. They will sponsor the new Jimmy Neutron ride, replacing Hanna, and that's a Hanna issue.

It's just one of those things that goes along with contracts and usage licenses. I agree the Kong and Hitch are classics, but honestly, their time has come. Neither brings anyone in the gate anymore. You can close them both and no fewer people show up. Replace them with the right shows and more people will come.

Stay tuned for things yet to come. There are a couple of surprises lurking out there .....

 

[Disney Talker]

Kong, Earthquake, Jaws, BTTF are all what Universal is about to me...they were the big rides when we first went to Universal. When I think of Universal that is the rides I think of first. All parks have older, kinda dated attractions, WDW has many, PoC, HM Great Movie Ride, Spaceship Earth..they are old technology and classics. Not everyone can ride MIB or Spiderman, not all the rides need to be thrill rides, or for adults is my opinion..invent the new and preserve some classics is my theory.

 

[UKDEB]

I love Kong and I get sad every time I hear rumors that it is about to close. Guess this time it's for real. I love all the old rides - World of Motion, Horizons, Spaceship Earth (loved the 'old' ending with James Earl Jones), Carousel of Progress...

Can't stand Jaws, though. Each to his own, I guess.

 

[damo]

It'd be nice if they could do something with the Kong leftovers to make some kind of minor exhibit for us to remember him by.

 

[fboy9287]

What? Break him into 4 million little pieces and sell each one in the gift shop? Sounds like a cool gift for mom!

 

[BarryHom]

Maybe they can move the Kong photo booth to someplace else.

 

[Afroman]

Ofcourse Kong's photo booth will go somewhere because it brings in money and Universal loves money so why would they get rid of it???....they won't, it will probably just be moved....if that......but what do I know

 

[abaldacci]

i don't know why they would close these. it's what i go to USF for
i am peed now. i am e-mailing them