So now we know - Kongfrontation, which closed (sadly) at Universal Studios in September, is to be replaced by a new indoor roller-coaster based on the Mummy films. Here is today's story from the Orlando Sentinel:
By Robert Johnson
Sentinel Staff Writer
December 6, 2002
An indoor roller coaster based on the hit film The Mummy will replace Kongfrontation as the next major ride at Universal Studios, sources inside Universal Orlando say.
Kong, one of Universal's highest-profile original rides from the theme park's opening in 1990, closed in September to make way for a new attraction. Officially, Kong's replacement is still a secret.
"We can't confirm or deny what the new attraction will be," Universal spokeswoman Susan Lomax said.
Universal President Bob Gault, appointed during the post-Sept. 11 terrorism travel slowdown to run the Studios and Universal's other park, Islands of Adventure, has publicly vowed to introduce several major refurbishments in 2003. He would not comment on Kong's replacement. He has previously said only that it will be a "mega-attraction."
But employees say that some supervisors have been privately telling new hires for several days that the Mummy is coming.
"The word is out," said one veteran Universal Studios entertainer who asked for anonymity to protect his job.
Peter Stapp, an Orlando theme park consultant and former Universal Studios executive, said he recently learned of the forthcoming ride, based on The Mummy and its sequel, The Mummy Returns.
"It's a great choice. The movie is popular with the teens and preteens they're trying to attract, and there's a lot you can do with that theme on a thrill ride."
Both movies feature lots of chase scenes with adventurer Rick O'Connell, played by Brendan Fraser, being pursued by the evil, 3,000-year-old mummy, Arnold Vosloo.
Universal employees and theme park consultants predict that the ride will be influenced by a scene from The Mummy Returns in which the hero races through the streets of London in a double-decker bus with the main mummy's skeletal assistants attacking through the windows. Coincidentally, a bus of that kind was recently put on display at Universal Studios along with vehicles from other recent hit movies such as Fast and Furious.
The 71,000-square-foot soundstage building that housed the 30-foot audioanimatron version of Kong has enough space for a coaster track that has narrow corkscrews and tight loops similar to the indoor rides at Disney World, such as Space Mountain and Aerosmith Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, said Stapp, who designs attractions and entertainment facilities worldwide. Those are two of Disney World's most popular rides.
A Mummy attraction modeled on such rides would bring Universal its first roller coaster. Indeed, the closest thing it now has to a thrill ride is the popular Back to the Future motion simulator, where guests often wait in line for more than 45 minutes during busy periods.
Until recently, speculation about Kong's successor included the possibility of a ride based on The Scorpion King, an adventure film released this year starring professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
But while that movie, a spinoff from The Mummy Returns, has reached a world box office rank of No. 308, with $157.2 million in ticket sales, the Mummy movies have been much bigger.
What's more, Universal Studios is planning a third Mummy movie, possibly for 2004.
Having a hit movie that cross-pollinates the promotional efforts for a new attraction "really gets a lot of attention for your park," said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a Cincinnati-based consulting firm.
By Robert Johnson
Sentinel Staff Writer
December 6, 2002
An indoor roller coaster based on the hit film The Mummy will replace Kongfrontation as the next major ride at Universal Studios, sources inside Universal Orlando say.
Kong, one of Universal's highest-profile original rides from the theme park's opening in 1990, closed in September to make way for a new attraction. Officially, Kong's replacement is still a secret.
"We can't confirm or deny what the new attraction will be," Universal spokeswoman Susan Lomax said.
Universal President Bob Gault, appointed during the post-Sept. 11 terrorism travel slowdown to run the Studios and Universal's other park, Islands of Adventure, has publicly vowed to introduce several major refurbishments in 2003. He would not comment on Kong's replacement. He has previously said only that it will be a "mega-attraction."
But employees say that some supervisors have been privately telling new hires for several days that the Mummy is coming.
"The word is out," said one veteran Universal Studios entertainer who asked for anonymity to protect his job.
Peter Stapp, an Orlando theme park consultant and former Universal Studios executive, said he recently learned of the forthcoming ride, based on The Mummy and its sequel, The Mummy Returns.
"It's a great choice. The movie is popular with the teens and preteens they're trying to attract, and there's a lot you can do with that theme on a thrill ride."
Both movies feature lots of chase scenes with adventurer Rick O'Connell, played by Brendan Fraser, being pursued by the evil, 3,000-year-old mummy, Arnold Vosloo.
Universal employees and theme park consultants predict that the ride will be influenced by a scene from The Mummy Returns in which the hero races through the streets of London in a double-decker bus with the main mummy's skeletal assistants attacking through the windows. Coincidentally, a bus of that kind was recently put on display at Universal Studios along with vehicles from other recent hit movies such as Fast and Furious.
The 71,000-square-foot soundstage building that housed the 30-foot audioanimatron version of Kong has enough space for a coaster track that has narrow corkscrews and tight loops similar to the indoor rides at Disney World, such as Space Mountain and Aerosmith Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, said Stapp, who designs attractions and entertainment facilities worldwide. Those are two of Disney World's most popular rides.
A Mummy attraction modeled on such rides would bring Universal its first roller coaster. Indeed, the closest thing it now has to a thrill ride is the popular Back to the Future motion simulator, where guests often wait in line for more than 45 minutes during busy periods.
Until recently, speculation about Kong's successor included the possibility of a ride based on The Scorpion King, an adventure film released this year starring professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
But while that movie, a spinoff from The Mummy Returns, has reached a world box office rank of No. 308, with $157.2 million in ticket sales, the Mummy movies have been much bigger.
What's more, Universal Studios is planning a third Mummy movie, possibly for 2004.
Having a hit movie that cross-pollinates the promotional efforts for a new attraction "really gets a lot of attention for your park," said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a Cincinnati-based consulting firm.
Great choice of new ride, but I'm afraid in my view nothing will ever be able to replace Kong
I really missed that in October when we went.
