Universal Says the King Kong Animatronic Was Damaged During Routine Maintenance, and That Is Why Reign of Kong Is Closed

Skull Island: Reign of Kong has been closed at Universal Islands of Adventure for weeks with no explanation. Universal has now given a partial one: the Kong animatronic itself was damaged.

"During routine maintenance, the King Kong animatronic sustained damage and is undergoing repairs," a Universal Orlando spokesperson told Attractions Magazine in a story published Monday. "We look forward to welcoming guests back once the work is complete."

That is the first public explanation we have seen from Universal for the closure. Attractions Magazine also wrote that despite "rumors about its future," King Kong will return to Universal Orlando.

The Kong animated figure in Universal's publicity photography, with riders in the expedition truck looking toward his face. The photo predates the ride's switch from 3D to 2D. Image: Universal Orlando Resort

What Universal did not say

The statement, as Attractions Magazine published it, is two sentences long, and it leaves several questions open. According to Attractions Magazine, Universal has not said how the damage occurred, how extensive it is, or when the ride is expected to reopen.

Attractions Magazine points out that Universal's theme park hours page lists several planned closures, but Reign of Kong is not on that list.

Inside Universal's weekly roundup for the week of September 14 now lists the ride, saying it "has been unexpectedly closed for the last few weeks" and that "Universal has not released any information on how long the closure will last." The previous week's edition did not mention Kong at all. When we checked Queue-Times at 17:06 UTC on Monday, it still showed the ride as closed.

Where Kong fits in the ride

Reign of Kong is a trackless dark ride. Guests ride in large expedition trucks past creatures inspired by the 2005 "King Kong" film, and the final scene puts them face to face with the Kong animatronic. Universal's own Discover Universal blog describes him as "a Megaprimatus, an ancient species of giant ape standing approximately three stories tall."

Kong has changed before

The ride opened on July 13, 2016, nearly 14 years after Kongfrontation, the original King Kong ride at Universal Studios Florida, shut down. Attractions Magazine lists how Reign of Kong has changed since opening:

• From 2023 until April 2025, trucks skipped the outdoor temple gate scene and took an indoor bypass instead.
• In February 2024, the 3D glasses went away and the ride's screen scenes switched to 2D.
• It had a scheduled refurbishment from August 20 to September 3, 2025, which was publicly reported ahead of time with a set reopening date.

This closure is different on both counts: it is not on Universal's posted refurbishment schedule, and there is no reopening date.

The temple gate at dusk, with an expedition truck on the roadway in front of it. Image: Universal Orlando Resort

If Kong is on your list

Plan without it for now. Universal has confirmed repairs are underway but has not put a date on them, so check the ride's status on the day you visit. Kong is not the only attraction down at Islands of Adventure: Inside Universal lists Jurassic Park River Adventure as out for a major refurbishment, with reopening scheduled for November 20, 2026.

Sources

• Attractions Magazine, King Kong animatronic damage unexpectedly closes Universal Orlando attraction
• Inside Universal, What's Happening at the Universal Parks, Week of September 14, 2026
• Inside Universal, What's Happening at the Universal Parks, Week of September 7, 2026
• Queue-Times, Islands of Adventure live queue times (checked September 14, 2026, 17:06 UTC)
• Discover Universal, Complete Guide to Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal Islands of Adventure
• Universal Orlando Resort media site, Skull Island: Reign of Kong photography

Image credits: Both photographs are official Universal Orlando Resort publicity images showing the attraction in normal operation, not its current state.