Kongstruction Update: Mountain Range Gets Painted Murals and Outdoor Queue Takes Shape

Alicia Stella Construction Updates

It’s been a few weeks since my last visit to Islands of Adventure and a lot has changed over at the Skull Island construction area. The first thing that caught my eye was a beautifully painted mural on the mountain range backdrop behind the facade. They’ve already finished the left-side and are continuing on the right, but it is looking incredible. It really sells the perspective, and even features some 2-dimensional brickwork extending the building upwards. Also new, are the two posts above the giant temple gate. These look like the posts used in the earlier King Kong films to tie down the sacrificial human when offering them up to the mighty Kong. The queue building on the right side of the construction zone is coming along nicely, with a rough fort-like roof style and some new covered walkways extending out from the Kong face arch. Check out all the images below for details in this Kong-sized photo update!

Skull Island signs added to the construction walls along with the words, Summer 2016

Skull Island signs added to the construction walls, displaying proudly that it’s opening Summer 2016

Construction Photos:

Sacrificial posts atop the temple entrance

Sacrificial posts atop the temple entrance

Overview of the area coming from Toon Lagoon

Overview of the area coming from Toon Lagoon

Detail of the mural on the mountain range featuring 2D brickwork, trees, and mountains

Detail of the mural on the mountain range featuring 2D brickwork, trees, and mountains

A different view of the mural

A different view of the mural

View of the temple from the front, with new structures popping up in the foreground

View of the temple from the front, with new structures popping up in the foreground

Some of the unfinished mural on right side of temple gate

Some of the unfinished mural on right side of temple gate

Seems like the details of the murals are being stenciled in layers

Seems like the details of the murals are being stenciled in layers

This wall surrounds the outdoor portion of the ride path, with new structures in the center

This wall surrounds the outdoor portion of the ride path, with new structures in the center

View of outdoor ride path from above

View of outdoor ride path from above

The temple gate opening has been closed up for now while interior work ramps up

The temple gate opening has been closed up for now while interior work ramps up

Kong shaped entrance arch received more details, including some sharp teeth!

Kong shaped entrance arch received more details, including some sharp teeth!

Detail of Kong's rock face

Detail of Kong’s rock face

New steel framework going up behind Kong entry arch to add cover over queue entrance

New steel framework going up behind Kong entry arch to add cover over queue entrance

Indoor queue structure has gotten a fort-like/castle style roof

Indoor queue structure has gotten a fort-like/castle style roof

You can see the new steel structure connecting arch entry to the indoor queue building. This will be part of the outdoor queue

The new steel connecting arch entry to indoor queue building. This will be part of the outdoor queue

View from above

View from above

Detail of the new steel frame

Detail of the new steel frame

Rockwork being completed on top of queue building

Rockwork being completed on top of queue building

Wall detail above the queue building

Wall detail above the queue building

The wall texture ends and is paint only for the far right side. Wonder if this is how it will remain.

The wall texture ends and is paint only for the far right side. Wonder if this is how it will remain.

Right side of the structure finally entirely enclosed and being painted a nondescript color to blend into background

Right side of structure finally enclosed and being painted nondescript color to blend into background

Workers painting

Workers painting

Epic Temple

Epic Temple

The view from Toon Lagoon bridge on my way out

The view from Toon Lagoon bridge on my way out

Walls are up once again around the Popeye statue in Toon Lagoon, blocking the entire courtyard

Walls are up once again around the Popeye statue in Toon Lagoon, blocking the entire courtyard

The ride is still open, but temp members had to stand out front to help direct guests to the entrance

The ride is still open, but team members had to stand out front to help direct guests to the entrance

View behind the walls shows that pieces of the walkways are being replaced

View behind the walls shows that parts of the walkway are being replaced

That’s all for this Kongstruction update. View the previous update with video.

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Note: All images taken from within guest areas.

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