The hole in the ground behind the entrance to the old Triceratops Encounter at Islands of Adventure has gotten a lot bigger since my last update. And they've put up some bigger barricades to block it from guests. I'm still not entirely sure what could be going on here but rumors around the web are still pointing at some type of Raptor Meet & Greet, which could be very awesome indeed. Check out the video, plus snapshots of the area and further speculation below!
Tag Archives: Attraction
Kongstruction Update: Painting the Rockwork and Faces Appear
Workers are making quick work of the rockwork at the new King Kong attraction and Skull Island area at Islands of Adventure. A few faces have started to take shape around the entrance to the temple ruins. The paint-work is looking very complete on the left-side of the building. Most of the exterior walls are complete throughout much of the structure and from what I can see the interior work is coming along nicely as well. Check out all of the pictures below.
There have been rumors flying around the web now that the Australian company Creature Technology will have some hand in the animatronics for the ride. They were responsible for the incredibly impressive King Kong puppet from the Kong musical. Watch this video for a sample of the giant Kong puppert-work. They were also the studio behind the beautiful Walking with Dinosaurs puppets and animatronics from its arena show, which I can tell you from seeing it in person, is just amazing. See a sample of that work here. If they apply their skill to create expressive puppets and impressive skins to the figures in the Kong ride I will be very pleased.
Something Happening at the Old Triceratops Encounter at IOA – New Attraction Coming?
When I was at Islands of Adventure a couple of days ago I noticed a big hole in the queue near the entrance of the now defunct Triceratops Encounter at Jurassic Park. The hole was surrounded by caution tape. I managed to snap a couple quick pictures as I passed by (see below). Now rumors are flying around the Twittersphere about the possibility of a new attraction coming to the area, specifically one featuring Velociraptors! More info and pictures below.
Rumor: #JurassicWorld inspired 'Velociraptor Encounter' to replace the closed Triceratops Encounter at Islands of Adventure Orlando.
— Jurassic World (@jurassicparkiv) March 27, 2015
Upper level Universal people walking through the Triceratops Encounter area right now…hmmm.
— Mr. Brian in Orlando (@MrBrianOrl) March 26, 2015
Kongstruction Update: Skull Themed Construction Walls and Photo Update
The walkway out in front of project 340, (AKA the new King Kong attraction at Islands of Adventure), has received some shiny new skull-themed construction walls. They jut out pretty far, but the area does look a little cleaner with them. It seems clear now with these skull themed walls what attraction they are in fact building back there, in case there were still any doubts. As far as construction progress goes, it looks like they're putting a primer and/or sealant over the rockwork before painting, the top of the rockwork is looking more and more like the Skull Island temple, and the right side of the structure is finally getting all walled up. Check out the pictures below to see the construction progress as well as the new themed construction walls. And check out the previous update for some video!
Kongstruction Update: Walkway Widened as Facade Work Moves Forward – With Video
The mysterious green walls are down revealing a slightly widened pathway in front of the construction site at Project 340 in Islands of Adventure. I'm guessing spring break might have something to do with the large crowds in the park, and everyone is turning their heads to see the new imposing structure towering above. I decided to do something a little different this time and in addition to the photo update I took some video as well. It can help illustrate just how massive this building really is! Check out the images below as well.
Kongstruction Update: Rockwork Going Strong and Structure Interior Taking Shape
Workers are working at a furious pace at Project 340 in Islands of Adventure, wrapping the facade in beautiful rockwork. Meanwhile the inside of the structure is taking shape while the walls continue to enclose the main show building. There are always dozens of workers on site every day. The temple facade is growing to the right of the gate opening, with large supports being installed and readied for more rockwork continuing to the right on the structure. Check out all of the construction photos below.
Kongstruction Update: Rocks, Rocks, Rocks – Rockwork Begins as Comcast Announces Kong Ride
The rockwork has finally begun over at Project 340 in Islands of Adventure. Things are shaping up to make for a gorgeous facade. In addition to the temple gate area a flat two-dimensional "rock-like" structure is being applied to block the show building from guests inside the park. It looks like that's what will be seen looming behind the Thunder Falls restaurant in Jurassic Park, which is good, as rocks look better than another big building ruining the skyline. Construction photos from today are below!
.@Comcast's exec just CONFIRMED KING KONG at @UniversalORL ORLANDO!
— Richard Bilbao (@RichOBJ) February 24, 2015
Also, today Comcast executives let the cat out of the bag during an earnings call, confirming that Kong is in fact returning to Orlando. "As we continue to invest in attractions, including Harry Potter and Fast and Furious in Hollywood and a King Kong attraction in Orlando, investments in our theme park are driving strong returns," said Michael Angelakis, CFO, during the fourth-quarter conference call. There has not yet been an official announcement from Universal Orlando, but at this point in the construction it's pretty hard to deny what's being built. This is clearly the temple gate from Skull Island we're seeing. ...continue reading
Kongstruction Update: Rockwork About to Begin
In checking in on the construction progress at the site of Project 340 in Islands of Adventure, it looks like rockwork for the facade is about to be applied. The steel skeleton has been wrapped in some sort of cloth and then a wire mesh that resembles a tough chicken-wire, to maintain its shape. In addition to the huge facade, a two-dimensional cutout of what looks like rough rocks has been added behind the gate to block the view of top of the show building. This flat piece is being wrapped in weather-proof materials in preparation for its forthcoming aesthetic covering. Check out today's Construction photo report below and be sure to subscribe for more updates! ...continue reading
Kongstruction Update: Skull Island’s Temple Gate Facade Comes Together
The huge facade on the front-side of the building at the site of Project 340 in Islands of Adventure is starting to really resemble the temple gate from the King Kong films as construction continues. In addition to the facade work, walls have started to go up around the indoor queue section near the right side of the structure. See the construction photos from today below to catch up on the progress.
Here's a comparison of the current structure to a still from the 2005 King Kong film:
Kongstruction Update: Facade Stretches Upward as Walls Continue to Wrap Around
Kongstruction is back in swing and stronger than ever this week. More and more steel has been arriving each day to the site of Project 340 in Islands of Adventure. The walls on all sides of the building are almost all up while the large facade supports continue to grow along the front edge of the structure. What looks to be the steel skeleton for the left-side of the large gate from Skull Island can now be seen. Below are the construction photos from today's visit. ...continue reading