Skull Island: Reign of Kong removes 3D at Islands of Adventure

Universal Islands of Adventure temporarily eliminated 3D imaging from screen-based media throughout Skull Island: Reign of Kong this past weekend.

Skull Island: Reign of Kong 3D goggles pickup — _{Photo by Matt Roseboom}

2D ‘Testing’ Through March 9

Riders previously wore 3D glasses “goggles” to view much of the attraction’s story exposition, but as of Feb. 25, 2024, the attraction’s media is 2D and glasses no longer required.

According to a screenshot of a direct message exchange with Universal Orlando Resort on X, shared by Dave McMolhan aka Theme Park Nerdo, the change is temporary. In that conversation, Universal says Skull Island “will be testing 2D” through March 9, 2024, and that “video projection will be updated during this time to accommodate this change.”

Skull Island: Reign of Kong 3D screens — _{^{Photos by Matt Roseboom}}

The 3D removal at Skull Island follows that of another Universal Orlando Resort attraction, the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem simulator, which removed 3D in 2019.

3D the Latest Cutback at Kong

Skull Island: Reign of Kong involves several dozen guests riding in an open-air vehicle, somewhat like a safari truck. The ride’s centerpiece sequence features a wrap-around screen that envelopes guests’ entire field of vision and depicts King Kong facing off against dinosaurs. Incidental scenes elsewhere throughout the ride also utilize screens. The finale is an up-close encounter with Kong, this time materialized as a huge animatronic.

The ride debuted in 2016 with various components Universal has since gradually removed. In addition to 3D, the original version featured a brief outdoor scene and scare actors within the queue. The outdoor portion has only been used sporadically in recent years.

The attraction’s west-coast counterpart at Universal Studios Hollywood — where it’s known as King Kong 360-3D and presented as one segment of the park’s one-hour studio tram tour — retains its 3D imaging.

King Kong 360-3D at Universal Studios Hollywood — _{Image courtesy of Universal}

King Kong’s Legacy at Universal Orlando

Kong’s 2016 arrival at Islands of Adventure marked something of a homecoming. The character previously starred in Kongfrontation, part of Universal Studios Florida’s opening-day lineup in 1990. That attraction closed in 2002, replaced by Return of the Mummy.

Take a trip back to 2016 and the grand opening of Skull Island: Reign of Kong in these videos from the archives of our Attractions Magazine YouTube channel:

Skull Island: Reign of Kong Opening Moment for Passholders at Universal's Islands of Adventure