Where in IOA is Skull Island: Reign of Kong?

[velvetsqueeze]

I'm trying to make a touring plan for the 9 of us that go in late May/early June. Kong is supposed to be open by then.

I have looked at every park map I can find. I have looked at photos. I have watched Youtube videos. I have searched the posts here. I've Googled it. I've Bing'd it. I've Yahoo'd it.

Can anyone tell me where in IOA this ride is located? What land? Is it in a new section or is it replacing something else that used to be there?

What's it between? It looks like the Pteradon Flyers go past it on the right?

HELP!

 

[johde]

It is between Jurassic Park and the Dudley Do Right.

 

[velvetsqueeze]

Thanks so much! I had mentally placed it between HP and Jurassic, so I wasn't even close! We'll have 5 sets of 'short legs' in our group, so I'm trying to minimize our zigzag. I'd rather stand in a long line for 30 more minutes than listen to "Carry me!" coming from someone clinging to my thigh.

 

[Kivara]

Might I ask where you saw that it would be open then? Everything I saw just said summer. Most people seem to speculate full opening mid to late June and a chance of soft openings late-May/early-June.

Just wondering as we will be there the same time as you...and I am hoping it WILL be open then!

 

[velvetsqueeze]

It's coming up as a touring option with Touring Plans. I'm trying to be optimistic and hoping that they are right. I saw a YouTube video that showed where they are already doing test runs on the 72-passenger ride vehicles! Fingers, toes, and eyes are crossed!

Hulk is showing as still closed that week, so it looks like we'll be there about 2 weeks too early for it. Just like 7DMT in 2014. As expected. lol

 

[Kivara]

Interesting! Thanks velvet, I'll have to go look at that!

 

[Disxuni]

I figured the opening was going to be around that time (as well as the Hulk) due to the fact that Islands of Adventures relatively has no black out dates and then suddenly has a massive block out starting the time you mention all the way til the middle of August.

 

[velvetsqueeze]

Yup! Power Pass Blockout dates start on 6/11 and run through 8/15, which is basically the whole summer. Not sure if that's a good move on their part. I'm guessing that's when both Kong and Hulk will be open. I'm hoping for at least a soft opening of Kong the week we're there. It would really suck to be so close and still miss it.

Hulk is almost complete! One turn/loop left to attach and it needs to be connected to the launch tube (plus about 10 more footings) and it'll be ready for empty test runs! Maybe 2 weeks?

 

[jerseygal]

HOPING, HOPING soft opening for late May! Kong looks SO AWESOME!

 

[livibug]

Hulk track is complete.. has been for a week. They are now working on brake run, sensors and electric. No sign of trains yet. Work continues on the station, a recent picture taken from a distance through some vents shows what appears to be the station down to the stud inside. They are also painting the launch tube and working on the exterior. It they follow a typical B&M schedule, we should see trains and testing beginning mid to late april with it ready for people late may? All depends on the station and how testing goes.

Kong, there is all kinds of speculation, some have reported that team members are being trained now and that softs could happen as early as the first part of may.. others are saying softs wont happen until June, and others are saying there are problems with the ride vehicles and tracking... its all over the place. Hopefully soon Then there is the June 23 blackout date on the VIP experience indicating that could be the official Kong opening.. lots of speculation.

Yup! Power Pass Blockout dates start on 6/11 and run through 8/15, which is basically the whole summer. Not sure if that's a good move on their part. I'm guessing that's when both Kong and Hulk will be open. I'm hoping for at least a soft opening of Kong the week we're there. It would really suck to be so close and still miss it.

Hulk is almost complete! One turn/loop left to attach and it needs to be connected to the launch tube (plus about 10 more footings) and it'll be ready for empty test runs! Maybe 2 weeks?

 

[Disxuni]

I would imagine you being right, livibug. Considering that would make since. If they're blocking out as much as possible it's due to them wanting to prevent as much overcrowding as possible at IoA. Whether they're having issues, or not, I would imagine even after the grand opening it would still have issues if that is the case.

Typically, when a new ride comes out there is always technical difficulties. Universal has had notorious moments of technical difficulties after opening it's doors in the beginning. And I remember that's exactly how it was for FJ during the soft and even after the grand opening. Although, there technical difficulties was never that severe. It happens due to the new technology and the excess of functions it wants a ride to perform, however, eventually they get used to it, find a balance to operating the attractions, and keep making improvements.