Skull Island: Reign of Kong has reopened at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure today, September 18, 2026, following an unexpected weeks-long closure. The attraction first closed on August 26 and remained unavailable to guests throughout the downtime.
During the closure, speculation circulated online that the roughly three-story-tall King Kong animatronic had been damaged in a fire while undergoing maintenance. Universal Orlando did not initially provide details about the reason for the downtime.
Earlier this week, however, Universal confirmed that the animatronic was in fact damaged. In a statement provided to BlogMickey.com and other outlets following inquiries about the attraction’s closure, Universal said:
During routine maintenance, the King Kong animatronic sustained damage and is undergoing repairs. We look forward to welcoming guests back once the work is complete.
Although the statement confirmed that the animatronic was damaged during routine maintenance, Universal did not confirm reports that a fire was responsible. The company also did not disclose what specifically caused the damage.
Although Skull Island: Reign of Kong is now operating again, the attraction currently features a modified ride experience with the King Kong animatronic unavailable. Universal has not announced when the figure will return to the attraction.
The King Kong animatronic plays a major role in the attraction’s finale, making its absence noticeable to returning riders.
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