Islands of Adventure's new attraction brings King Kong back to Universal Orlando for the first time since the Kongfrontation ride closed at Universal Studios Florida in 2002, to make way for the Revenge of the Mummy indoor roller coaster. The new Kong ride features a plussed version of Universal Studios Hollywood's King Kong 360/3D encounter, along with a massive new Kong animatronic — the largest and most impressive animatronic in Universal's history. (We can't wait to ride to see if we can erase the "Universal's" from that statement.)
But reports from team members online last night suggest that the element of the new attraction that might get the most initial attention is its queue. Theme park designers often talk about the queue being the "first act" of a new attraction, but Universal appears to have developed that idea to an unprecedented level. Not only does the queue set up the story of Skull Island and the terrifying beast who rules it, the queue brings that story to life — literally — with the use of scareactors.
That's right. There are scareactors in the the queue for Kong.
To my knowledge, the only other year-round, daily-operation major theme park attraction that has used scareactors was the old House of Horrors walk-through at Universal Studios Hollywood, which was essentially a year-round Halloween Horror Night-style haunted house. Yes, a Haunted Mansion cast member also might occasionally jump out at a Doombuggy on the ride, but that's totally non-SOP, and almost always ended up with the dismissal of the CM, if caught.
So is Reign of Kong the first use of scareactors in normal operation of a non-haunted house attraction... or does the use of scareactors in Reign of Kong qualify it as the most ambitious, expensive and technically impressive haunted attraction every built?
Universal is warning people about the scareactors, which is appropriate because the thought of people jumping out at you absolutely terrifies some guests. Plus, it's one of the more extreme triggers for some people on the autism spectrum, which brings the need for a warning into ADA territory.
PARENTAL DISCRETION IS ADVISED
— Parkscope (@Parkscope) June 6, 2016
Kong is my favorite - Sean pic.twitter.com/wS4zMqAxPk
Clearly, Universal is positioning Kong as more than just a physical thrill ride — it's something that plays with people's fears, as well. That isn't anything new in theme park world — Disney fans might remember Alien Encounter, after all. But it will be interesting to see if the addition of scareactors expands the number of people who want to experience Reign of Kong... or limits it. And if it does turn out to limit demand for this multi-million dollar investment, we should probably start taking bets on how long those scareactors last.
Universal Orlando visitors hoping to get on the ride should watch for a soft opening by searching the #ChanceOfReign hashtag on Twitter. If you do get on, use that and tag us @ThemePark with your impressions, photos and video (if you can take any).
Update: Here's a first look at one of the animatronics inside the queue:
@ThemePark #ChanceOfReign thought you might like this! pic.twitter.com/E57lOhXuxG
— Grei Autumn (@grei_autumn) June 7, 2016
More Kong Coverage:
There are no "scaractors" at mummy. Only Attraction Ops Team Members who play up the theming.
"Scareactors" will not be used at Kong. It's a term specific for Halloween Horror Nights. Entertainment may have positions in the queue but they will not be called "Scaractors."
In my humble opinion, if Derek can enjoy the Mummy queue he will enjoy the queue experience at Kong.
The quality of the queue and the attraction should be enough. This is a gimmick.
Seriously though, this idea really sucks. My kids had been looking forward to this ride and now, not so much. I’m not sure what Universal is thinking here. Yes, Halloween Horror Nights is a cash cow but the crowd for HHN is far far different than your standard daily Theme Park visitor.
I mean, can you imagine the people lining up for this brand new attraction with little kids? Your regular visitors who don’t do their homework, didn’t read Theme Park Insider (I know, there are some weirdos out there who don’t), or ignore the signs like they ignore other theme park rules, and drag their little little ones on this ride as a result? Cue the tears and terror and falls and lawsuits.
How can they sell King Kong as a horror? None of the iterations of the Kong movies were all that scary. Giant apes = Cool. Scary? Not so much. I mean, Universal Studios had a Jaws attraction for many years based on a true R rated horror movie and we never had to endure baby sharks swimming through the queue to scare us.
Boo to Universal on this one! I hope they have a change of heart and reverse this horrible idea. I mean, just because Disney has scareactors doesn’t mean Universal has to try and copy them. Of course I am referring to Cinderella’s Ugly Stepsisters. Especially the one in the green dress. (shiver…)
And the scary natives and monsters are taken directly from the movies.
Also Jaws is rated PG.
No no. If this stands, I'll simply avoid the attraction until I read otherwise.
Or maybe Universal can provide glow-in-the-dark stickers upon entering the queue that indicate to the actors that you are not to be scared.
@Paul Danner - Cinderella’s Ugly Stepsisters do a marvelous job at Cinderella’s dinner party. The actresses are really good!!!!
These actors will probably be similar to the witch actor in Knocturn Alley.
The use of scareactors doesn't automatically mean "horror nights jump scares" (which really wasn't the inhabitants of the island did).
This is in the queue, of a major mainstream attraction, so I think the intensity level will be for "general audiences.
Finally, the scareactors element can always be removed (or altered) if there are too many complaints / issues.
I'm sure Universal will be monitering the feedback & reactions & will adjust accordingly.
Not everything has to be for kids.
Me to man, I feel like everyone who is against it really needs to sack up. This is something new and exciting and people are complaining cause they are a bit scared. Not to mention, this allows universal to employ people who want to work in the performing arts and allow them something cool to put on their resume. I remember a time when the jaws ride, kongfrontation, and disaster ride were still here. The people who worked on those rides were aspiring actors most likely. now its nothing but teenagers working the line queue and gift shops.
MAN UP EVERYONE!!
Death and taxes. You know they're coming, so how scary can they be?
;)
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