Guests riding Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal's Islands of Adventure are encountering a noticeably different finale these days. The life-size King Kong animatronic — normally a showstopping presence surrounded by lush foliage near the end of the attraction — has been replaced by a plain black scrim, blocking the space where the giant ape would typically appear.
The ride itself reopened on a Friday following several weeks of closure. A sign posted at the entrance alerts visitors that the attraction "will temporarily feature a modified ride experience" while maintenance is underway. Universal Orlando confirmed to Attractions Magazine that the animatronic sustained damage during routine maintenance and is currently being repaired, though the company did not share details about the cause, the severity of the damage, or how long repairs are expected to take.
Rumors had circulated that a fire may have been involved, but Universal's official statement made no mention of how the damage occurred. The attraction had only recently benefited from attention to its outdoor section, which was restored after years of disrepair.
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For now, riders will still experience the bulk of the attraction but will miss the climactic encounter with the massive Kong figure at the end. There's no word yet on when the animatronic will return to its full glory. This story was first reported by WDWNT.
