Originally Posted By disneysnout Will they rebuild this? better verision ? same Verision? How long with that take thoughts?
Originally Posted By DlandDug I will be very surprised if they rebuild. The King Kong portion of the backlot has been rather passe for several years. King Kong (as a separate attraction) has already been removed from Uni Florida. Further, at the time the King Kong attraction was built, the Universal backlot was largely unused for filming. Today, it is one of only three lots in Hollywood with a major group of urban sets. It is constantly in demand as actual location shooting has become more restrictive. My guess is that the rather large footprint previously occupied by the King Kong attraction will return to use as backlot structures. Not to say I might not be wrong.
Originally Posted By Indigo Kong provides a mid-tour break from the world of fake buildings and props. It also plays to the very important history of the studio and a monster that will, no doubt, be recreated again and again. While the set may change or the story differ, I hope we see Mighty Kong return again in all his furry glory.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>Kong provides a mid-tour break from the world of fake buildings and props.<< ... which I found kind of weird, given that I thought the whole POINT of the tour was to look at the fake buildings and props.
Originally Posted By dshyates The Kong attraction in Hollywood is the single most important attraction in Universal theme park history. In 1982 the park for Orlando had been all but abandoned. Well, legend has it that when they were in the final programing phase for the AA. Spielberg wondered in and was very impressed and talked with the programmer and the designers , who were 3 ex Imagineers. One of which I believe was Bob Gurr. The next day they were called in to the head office where they were told that Spielberg had called and the Orlando project was revived. The rest, shall we say, is history.
Originally Posted By dshyates Here is an article about that legand. It seems to be a little more factual than the "rumor".
Originally Posted By dshyates Dang it, forgot the link. <a href="http://www.totallyfuncompany.com/kongmedia/articles/kingkongarticle.htm" target="_blank">http://www.totallyfuncompany.c...icle.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Ursula ^ Funny, but I would put the Psycho house far above Kong as far as Universal theme park history goes. Decades later, when you are on the tram tour, peopel still go "Oooh, and ahhh" at that house.
Originally Posted By dshyates I would agree, sort of. I think the Psycho house is probably the most important or maybe just impressive part of Universal Studios history. But it didn't really inspire a whole theme park. I think the Jaws portion of the tour is what inspired the original fl profect that had been shelved. But Kong is what really got the ball rolling. I would like to see Universal start to promote the history of their parks a little more. They have a budding fan base thats as wierd and rabid as the Disneyites. They would buy DVDs and retro attraction signs and what nots.
Originally Posted By DlandDug An enjoyable story. Interesting that it doesn't seem to intersect with the tale that is unspooling over on JimHillMedia right now. According to that version, Universal Orlando was a response to Disney's threatened Burbank Media Center.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer King Kong will NOT be returning, but NBC/Universal is planning to replace it with a NEW attraction!!! <a href="http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1977" target="_blank">http://travel.latimes.com/dail.../?p=1977</a> >>Universal Studios Hollywood officials said the “King Kong†attraction, a key element of the movie and television theme park’s back lot tram tour destroyed by Sunday’s fire, won’t be rebuilt and will be replaced with an all-new, yet-to-be-determined attraction.<< Makes sense for me, if you need to build something, build something NEW!
Originally Posted By brotherdave I'm sad to see Kong lost in the fire, but, realize that it would be more advantages of Universal to build something new and more exciting for Hollywood. I do remember reading an interview with Bob Gurr about his involvement with Kong, and how it changed the evolution of the 'theme park' side of the Studio Tour forever. Kong was a HUGE part of Universal Studio history, but, the park portion is now well established without him. But the addition of Kong was certainly a major factor in Universal Hollywood's direction as a major tourist draw.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan It's funny -- the most enjoyable parts of the tram tour for me are driving past the actual sets used in movies and TV shows over the years, not the Kong sorts of things. But that's me, Old School. I'd rather the tour was focused far less on the theme-park-y gimmicks and spent more time with actual sets and props from actual movies. Once again, I'm probably in the minority on that.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>It's funny -- the most enjoyable parts of the tram tour for me are driving past the actual sets used in movies and TV shows over the years...<< Well, we're in agreement on that. When I take friends through the tour I am usually pointing out the set areas that the guide is neglecting in favor of the "pretend" attractions. That said... do you suppose they'll build something Harry Potter themed in at Uni Hollywood? It would certainly get them a lot of publicity...
Originally Posted By Darkbeer As I understand it, the CURRENT contract only allows a Harry Potter themed area at Islands of Adventure in Orlando. So, a new agreement would have to be made, but it could happen...
Originally Posted By disneysnout Thats just sad, King Kong is or was a Staple of Universal Studios. It would be great if they brought it back, i can only dream.
Originally Posted By Elderp I personally would like to see banana breath go bye bye and something new put up. He was fun but it is now time for something even better.
Originally Posted By disneysnout Lol...i wouldnt even mind seeing King Kong and that REX fight as we pass by on a Jungle Adventure lol..
Originally Posted By Elderp ^ That would be cool, throw in a transformer or two and you got the makings for a good old school scifi set!
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Forgot that he was built in 1986 -- Kong had a good long run. Building something new is a good idea. And yeah -- I'm with Kar2oonMan and DlandDug -- I prefer the backlot sets to the 'attraction' based stuff.
