Disappointed with Kong

joelkfla · Aug 20, 2016

I rode Skull Island last night at the passholder event, and frankly was disappointed.

I won't go into details so as not to spoil it for future riders, but I thought it was not in the same class with Spiderman, Gringots, and Mummy - not enough of a story, and not enough practical effects.

I actually liked the old Kong ride better.

Am I the only one feeling this way?

Mom3girls · Aug 21, 2016

We LOVED it!! Thought it was totally awesome!!

jerseygal · Aug 21, 2016

Was VERY disappointed to miss it this May, but CAN'T WAIT to return to ride! LOOKING FORWARD :cheer2:

to Volcano Bay and Kong possibly next summer. :wave:

damo · Aug 21, 2016

Perhaps all the effects weren't working? I've heard so many people say it is the best attraction in both parks and some say it was meh. I guess that is to be expected of any ride.

fivikse · Aug 21, 2016

Dh and I took turns riding it single rider Friday and Saturday. Wait was 25-30 single rider. For me it was not worth it. I think dh liked it more than I did. It was okay, but I am tired of all the screens. I would ride again if wait was much shorter, but it didn't wow me like forbidden journey or gringotts.

littlejimmy · Aug 21, 2016

joelkfla said:
I rode Skull Island last night at the passholder event, and frankly was disappointed.

I won't go into details so as not to spoil it for future riders, but I thought it was not in the same class with Spiderman, Gringots, and Mummy - not enough of a story, and not enough practical effects.

I actually liked the old Kong ride better.

Am I the only one feeling this way?

you are not the only one feeling this way. went on it twice this past weekend. underwhelmed would be my one word evaluation.

k&Jsmom · Aug 22, 2016

I totally agree with you. I was disappointed and I also thought the old Kong ride was way better.

#1DopeyFan · Aug 25, 2016

Definitely not the only one feeling that way...I, my 2 teenagers AND my 11yo all got off of it last week and just looked at each other like SERIOUSLY??? Same stuff, different day....VERY disappointing!! And I was SO looking forward to it too.

Nobody352 · Aug 25, 2016

its a fun ride.
Probably cracks my top 10 in the parks.
BUT... i do prefer the old ride.
the actual 3-d tunnel is amazing... the gate going in is awesome...everything surrounding it is just fat imo.
i was let down by the AA and ALSO impressed by it.
The facial movement and detail is amazing.
The fact that it really doenst do much at all in the way of interacting with the truck was a let down.
Just a big detailed moving head really.
I was more impressed with the witch and the bug in the que.

bumbershoot · Aug 25, 2016

I'm tired of screens, too.
I felt better after riding it a second time and finding that the narration was different from one ride to another. (DS confirmed it, so I don't think we're both crazy LOL)
It's nice that there are things going on on two sides at some point, so there are other things to notice and look at.

But I'm tired of screens.

maverik85 · Aug 25, 2016

Will be there next week to ride it but I'm tempering my expectations. Was really looking forward to it initially, and while I think it does look great I agree with the feeling that i'm a little sick of screens too. Don't mind some mixed in or sued sparingly, but this one seems to be 90% screens. And the fact that Kong is only his head and shoulders and doesn't do much seems a bit of a let down. But will see how it feels in person soon and can give my updated opinion after riding.

Valbot · Aug 25, 2016

I really enjoyed it. Good effects, and the queue was entertaining. I remember the old ride and it wasn't all that special. But different strokes for different folks. I wish I had a chance to ride it twice last week.

ThemeParkGuy · Aug 25, 2016

Anytime the AA is actually working is a plus!

TheConsciousness · Aug 26, 2016

I didn't have high hopes for Kong, but after riding it I thought it was a little better than I expected. I'd say its a 7/10, about on par with The Simpsons Ride.

Disxuni · Aug 26, 2016

Well, considering all the hype I personally have to say it was overrated. My father who was the one who was truly interested in seeing Kong and therefore we would frequently try to see it during it's soft opening. We finally did and honestly, he was disappointed. I actually at some times tried to defend it a little bit. The only part were I was truly in awe was Kong in the end. That's it. However, I'm a huge fan and have always been fascinated with AAs, the history, and the technology of it all.

However, I was in the first row, which without saying too much without giving too much away, is actually the worst place to be on the ride. If I ride it again in the middle, or towards the back and therefore get a better view, perhaps it might make the experience better.

Either way, that being said, compared to other attractions? It's a meh for me as well, I think regardless of where I sit, but I shall give it another go anyway. I'm more fascinated by the technology of the ride vehicle of it being trackless than the ride experience itself. I've always been a huge fan of technology and practical props, which is why FJ is a must see for me as it was something different, at the time. That being said, Kong is nowhere near that. There's nothing new to the table, besides it's ride vehicle.

nighttowll · Aug 27, 2016

bumbershoot said:
But I'm tired of screens.

This

I've never cared for screens. They keep me from feeling like I'm really there. They make everything feel fake to me because I see them and immediately think, "This is a movie; it's not real." I'd have rather been in a less intense 3D jungle with a few animatronics, then the giant screens with all their action. On top of that, I couldn't see the screens very well anyway over everybody's heads, and never knew which way to look. It was just too much for me. I felt like I was missing out on the little there was to see because I turned the wrong direction, or not fast enough, or something was blocking my view. The obstructed views really got on my nerves. I definitely didn't feel like I was in the jungle.

I guess I'd just really love to see a new ride more in the theme of the Mummy or FJ minus the screens, something more concrete and interactive where you feel like you are actually there.

Disxuni · Aug 28, 2016

nighttowll said:
This

I've never cared for screens. They keep me from feeling like I'm really there. They make everything feel fake to me because I see them and immediately think, "This is a movie; it's not real." I'd have rather been in a less intense 3D jungle with a few animatronics, then the giant screens with all their action. On top of that, I couldn't see the screens very well anyway over everybody's heads, and never knew which way to look. It was just too much for me. I felt like I was missing out on the little there was to see because I turned the wrong direction, or not fast enough, or something was blocking my view. The obstructed views really got on my nerves. I definitely didn't feel like I was in the jungle.

I guess I'd just really love to see a new ride more in the theme of the Mummy or FJ minus the screens, something more concrete and interactive where you feel like you are actually there.

The simulator rides who focus so much on screen time I sometimes do not mind due to the fact that I have good memories and feelings of the ride. For example, I grew up in my adolescent years going to Universal and going on Spiderman so it's still cool to me.

However, with new attractions still using this technique it's getting old quickly. The only exception is with FJ, as I do not mind it due to the fact that you see more constructed sets and animatronics more so than screen time. I wish that more new attractions, such as Kong, utilize this concept. I understand screens and 3D is such a big element to rides now, but at least put more effort into using other special effects as well. For example, that's what makes Jurassic Park, the original film, such an amazing film (to me). It was a perfect blend of using not just CGI, but animatronics and puppet work. Once you use CGI so much, it looks fake. The same with screens. There is just more of a wow factor (in my opinion) on FJ for example, because a dragon is actually breathing "fire" in your face, Aragog is actually a foot away from you, and Dementors are actually trying to "kiss" you.

Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm going to see the Fast and Furious ride, because of my attitude towards screens, if it's anything like the one in Hollywood it's going to be hella boring in my opinion. All it was (from what I seen on a YouTube video), was a tunnel with 3D action appearing on both sides and driving. If that's the case here, no, thank you. At least try to do something like Spiderman/Transformers.

damo · Aug 28, 2016

Yet people rave that Soarin' is the one of the best rides at Disney. I don't get it.

macraven · Aug 28, 2016

Over the years I have gone on new rides when they first open

Never made an opinion until the kinks are worked out after initial openings

Mummy, TF, Spidey, Shrek, FJ, etc all had issues in the beginning

Some were mechanical of the ride and some were set up of the crowded lines of guests for the ride

If I took my first impression that the ride was a let down or disappointment, I would have missed out on a lot of fun if I had not returned in the future for them

Glitches happen that first month

Once the TM 's have worked the ride a bit and glitches cease, ride enjoyment improves

I'm looking forward to ride Kong in October

maverik85 · Aug 28, 2016

I honestly never got the immense love of Soarin' myself. It's a fun ride but not even in my top 3 of EPCOT, and not near top 10 of WDW, pretty much since it is just a motion theatre. Think the one difference for it though is that a vast majority of Disney's attractions do use physical sets an AA, whereas Universal is overwhelmingly screens now. So for there it's something different and doesn't feel as tired or over used, whereas Universal almost every new attraction is based around screens.

I agree with Disxuni though. Screens as a whole aren't too bad but it's better when they are utilize in addition to physical sets like on Spider-Man and Forbidden Journey.

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