Kongstruction Update: Vehicle Testing, Food Stand Almost Ready and New Lighting

The non-stop construction continues for the new multi-sensory ride, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, opening soon at Islands of Adventure. Today I got my first glimpse of vehicle testing and got a chance to see what else is being worked on at the site. The food stand, named “The Mess Tent”, is nearly ready to start serving guests. It already has all the equipment and warmers it needs to offer snacks like soft pretzels, churros, and cold drinks. And now they’re decorating it with nets, ropes, and other decor to better match the area. New exterior lighting has appeared, mainly pointing at the temple gates and surrounding area. Much of the lighting has a blue tint to create the perfect nighttime mood after dark. I also saw folks painting and set-dressing the area near the entrance, adding accents to bamboo spears and painting. Check out the video and snapshots below and stay tuned for more updates!


Construction Update

Approaching the area from the Jurassic Park side

Approaching the area from the Jurassic Park side

Ride vehicle entering the outdoor scene

Ride vehicle entering the outdoor scene

Ride vehicle rounding the corner of the outdoor scene

Ride vehicle rounding the corner of the outdoor scene

Here you can see the window separating guests from the "driver"

Here you can see the window separating guests from the “driver”

Vehicle tracking devices seen on roof. Bumpy road surface below vehicle.

Vehicle tracking devices seen on roof. Bumpy road surface below vehicle.

R/V #3

R/V #3

Giant skull and skeleton inside the first show scene indoors

Giant skull and skeleton inside the first show scene indoors

A look at the outdoor ride section from the ground

A look at the outdoor ride section from the ground

Walking down the pathway in front of Kong. Food stand roof seen on left

Walking down the pathway in front of Kong. Food stand roof seen on left

Food stand is named "The Mess Tent"

Food stand is named “The Mess Tent”

Nets and rope being added to food stand for theming accents

Nets and rope being added to food stand for theming accents

Crew adding more rope and nets to snack stand

Crew adding more rope and nets to snack stand

Pretzels, churros, and a glass case... perhaps for brookies? Or maybe Kong themed... banana cakes?

Pretzels, churros, and a glass case… perhaps for brookies? Or maybe Kong themed… banana cakes?

Beautiful stone walls with lanterns and landscaping separating pathway from outdoor queue paths

Beautiful stone walls with lanterns and landscaping separating pathway from outdoor queue paths

Focusing our attention to work being done near queue entrance

Focusing our attention to work being done near queue entrance

Plastic wraps finally removed from bamboo spikes

Plastic wraps finally removed from bamboo spikes

Synthetic black "hair" tied around stakes, waving in the wind

Synthetic black “hair” tied around stakes, waving in the wind

Crew member gabbing handful of fake hair to tie around stakes

Crew member gabbing handful of fake hair to tie around stakes

Big 'ol pile of fake hair

Big ‘ol pile of fake hair

Crew member weather-proofing/painting bamboo stakes amidst a wall of skulls

Crew member weather-proofing/painting bamboo stakes amidst a wall of skulls

Closer view of bamboo painting

Closer view of bamboo painting

Bamboo wall separating parts of the queue

Bamboo wall separating parts of the queue

Closer view of bamboo wall

Closer view of bamboo wall

Outdoor lanterns have all been on while work continues during the day

Outdoor lanterns have all been on while work continues during the day

Fancy new exterior lighting added across the path, facing temple

Fancy new exterior lighting added across the path, facing temple

Closer view of fancy new lighting

Closer view of fancy new lighting

Similar new lighting added near outdoor ride path, facing temple gates

Similar new lighting added near outdoor ride path, facing temple gates

Lots of spotlights added around top of gates and what looks like LED lights added inside center mouth

Lots of spotlights added around top of gates and what looks like LED lights added inside center mouth

 LED lights just laying in here? Not yet fully installed or obscured

LED lights just laying in here? Not yet fully installed or obscured

Lots of spotlights added on the ground along ride path as well

Lots of spotlights added on the ground along ride path as well

A not-so-hidden speaker among the plants

A not-so-hidden speaker among the plants

What looks to be a surveillance camera lodged in a rock. Can you spot it?

What looks to be a surveillance camera lodged in a rock. Can you spot it?

What looks to me like a surveillance camera facing the outdoor ride path

What looks to me like a surveillance camera facing the outdoor ride path

Creepy little alien looking weather gauge on the roof

Creepy little alien looking weather gauge on the roof

Incredible mountain range... you can see where the ride vehicles come out of the building at bottom

Incredible mountain range… you can see where the ride vehicles come out of the building at bottom

Opening in wall where vehicles come out

Opening in wall where vehicles come out

Inside you can see roots and cave-like rockwork on the wall

Inside you can see roots and cave-like rockwork on the wall

That's all for this Kong update!

That’s all for this Kong update!

That’s all for this Kongstruction update. Check out the last Kong update with new Kong merchandise and fire effects testing here. See all the Kong updates and subscribe to the feed for more continual updates!

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