King Kong Speculation Thread

[misterID]

Update from @TouringPlans yesterday on Twitter, with land moving starting to gradually pick up pace by the looks of it.

I guess I've been concentrated on WDW way too long... I can't actually believe we hear a rumor of a ride, shortly thereafter stakes planted on rumored plot of land, and then... actual preparation... and land clearing... and I'm not watching this over 4 years... and most times watching the rumor fade within year two, never to be heard from again... it's actually really happening... before my eyes. This quickly. Amazed.

And it's also amazing how UNI utilizes space.

 

[UNIrd]

I guess I've been concentrated on WDW way too long... I can't actually believe we hear a rumor of a ride, shortly thereafter stakes planted on rumored plot of land, and then... actual preparation... and land clearing... and I'm not watching this over 4 years... and most times watching the rumor fade within year two, never to be heard from again... it's actually really happening... before my eyes. This quickly. Amazed.

And it's also amazing how UNI utilizes space.

Well, duh. We can afford it now. Thank you all for buying $30 sticks.

 

[DufflesMcGee]

I guess I've been concentrated on WDW way too long... I can't actually believe we hear a rumor of a ride, shortly thereafter stakes planted on rumored plot of land, and then... actual preparation... and land clearing... and I'm not watching this over 4 years... and most times watching the rumor fade within year two, never to be heard from again... it's actually really happening... before my eyes. This quickly. Amazed.

And it's also amazing how UNI utilizes space.

Yeah, it really is amazing the effort uni is putting in. And seeing as you are new - other rumors going around are kidzone, waterpark, fifth hotel and citywalk phase 2.

Btw, alot of us here actually like what disney is/used to be, our current confusion/discontent, however, stems from the fact that Universal is killing it with what they have accomplished the last 4 years, but it doesnt really seem like disney, who has great potential with their parks and land, doesnt really respond. We are all still waiting for a true star wars area :/

 

[DragonSlayer]

I've been meaning to ask for a while now that this is happening, what's the reason for the near-obsession with Kong? Is it purely based on nostalgia for the old ride or is King Kong just an inherently more popular property in America than it is here? I'm really excited for this ride just because it's new and I'm sure it'll be awesome, but I'm not particularly as much of a Kong fan as most on here seem to be; I watched Jackson's film a couple of times and thought it was fun, but nothing particularly amazing.

Just curious! :kingkong: :smiley:

 

[mahnamahna]

I've been meaning to ask for a while now that this is happening, what's the reason for the near-obsession with Kong? Is it purely based on nostalgia for the old ride or is King Kong just an inherently more popular property in America than it is here? I'm really excited for this ride just because it's new and I'm sure it'll be awesome, but I'm not particularly as much of a Kong fan as most on here seem to be; I watched Jackson's film a couple of times and thought it was fun, but nothing particularly amazing.

Just curious! :kingkong: :smiley:

Kongfrontation was only removed due to ride costs getting too high. If Universal had the money they currently have, Kong would have just gotten a massive upgrade to make him cost efficient. His return signifies that Universal does care about nostalgia to some degree, and gives hope that the Universal Monsters, JAWS and BTTF could potentially come back (not likely but still). It also gives credence to the idea that E.T. isn't going to be removed for KidZone.

BTTF might have stayed if Universal had the money to put Springfield in the expansion plot next to MIB. JAWS was going to leave no matter what... too much space for just one, not quite popular, attraction. Either way, a new E-ticket for IOA that isn't Potter is welcome :thumbs:

 

[Cole]

Kong is just a iconic character that just deserves a theme park ride more than some IP's in Orlando. With the remake we got a amazing setting, action and tons of unique monsters and even if kongfrontation never came out i'd still like to see that as a ride. You are right in the sense that a ton of it is nostalgia but in the eyes of somebody who never went on the original kongfrontation, I just think it's necessary for kong to come back at this point

- - - Updated - - -

Well, duh. We can afford it now. Thank you all for buying $30 sticks.

...take this, :rep: you deserve it

 

[Disneyhead]

Kong holds a special place in some Universal Theme Park fans hearts because he was the reason a Universal theme park got built in Florida.

http://www.totallyfuncompany.com/kongmedia/articles/kingkongarticle.htm

 

[JungleSkip]

Kong holds a special place in some Universal Theme Park fans hearts because he was the reason a Universal theme park got built in Florida.

http://www.totallyfuncompany.com/kongmedia/articles/kingkongarticle.htm

On top of that, it really was Universal's "Pirates of the Caribbean/Haunted Mansion". It was one of those old, special rides. The new one won't have the nostalgia, but at least it will help rectify a mistake

 

[DragonSlayer]

Kong holds a special place in some Universal Theme Park fans hearts because he was the reason a Universal theme park got built in Florida.

http://www.totallyfuncompany.com/kongmedia/articles/kingkongarticle.htm

That's really interesting; I didn't know that. Thanks, Disneyhead!

 

[UK-Trigg]

That's really interesting; I didn't know that. Thanks, Disneyhead!

Yeah a good read, thanks for posting Dave.

 

[UniversalCityFL]

Does anyone remember a very dark time in Universal's history when they decided to have a HHN dance party on the soundstage floor in the KONG building? Everyone was dancing in about 2 inches of dirty water while a tearing-at-the-seams, half-broken KONG animatronic was above you.

It was sad.

 

[Cole]

Does anyone remember a very dark time in Universal's history when they decided to have a HHN dance party on the soundstage floor in the KONG building? Everyone was dancing in about 2 inches of dirty water while a tearing-at-the-seams, half-broken KONG animatronic was above you.

It was sad.

that sounds hilariously cruel

 

[LikeMike]

So is this a case of 'when Potter is open, full steam ahead' or are they in no rush to get this open next year?

Apologies for being a bit behind the times!

 

[USO92]

^^I will say that it may not be complete full steam ahead a la Transformers, we will notice that progress will very much increase. I would say we're looking at late (Decemberish) 2015, early (Spring) 2016 for an opening.

 

[mahnamahna]

^^I will say that it may not be complete full steam ahead a la Transformers, we will notice that progress will very much increase. I would say we're looking at late (Decemberish) 2015, early (Spring) 2016 for an opening.

Late 2015 sounds more like Comcast... and it'd also conveinently be the time of year where it's too cold for the three water rides surrounding it to be enjoyable. Comes in a new DRY E-ticket to save the day November/December sounds good, and it'd give IOA a non-Potter E-ticket for the first time since 1999.

 

[Cole]

I still think if we get the same crew that made diagon for this it could open summer 2015

 

[USO92]

^^Its not the crew that decides how fast it gets built. Depends on how much money Uni wants to pour out and how fast they want to get it open. I say they won't be in as much of a rush as they were with Transformers. That ride was specifically built to tide people over until Diagon opened. Once DA opens the general public will be well held over until Kong is erected. They don't need this ride up in a year flat. They have time..

 

[kimlovesfl]

Does anyone remember a very dark time in Universal's history when they decided to have a HHN dance party on the soundstage floor in the KONG building? Everyone was dancing in about 2 inches of dirty water while a tearing-at-the-seams, half-broken KONG animatronic was above you.

It was sad.

I remember this, with the foam machines and all. The cool thing about it was, you got a good look at the wonderful sets for that attraction.

 

[Shellemonster]

I don't suppose anyone has pictures of this dance party? That would be a pretty unique angle to see Kong and Friends from.

 

[Cole]

^^Its not the crew that decides how fast it gets built. Depends on how much money Uni wants to pour out and how fast they want to get it open. I say they won't be in as much of a rush as they were with Transformers. That ride was specifically built to tide people over until Diagon opened. Once DA opens the general public will be well held over until Kong is erected. They don't need this ride up in a year flat. They have time..

They don't but the "one ride a year plan" seems to contradict that. I'll be happy if it comes out 2015 but your right, I'll definitely be satisfied with diagon for atleast 2 years