Two new attractions have recently opened at Universal Orlando: Skull Island: Reign of Kong and The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

  • Universal Orlando launching 2 attractions this summer
  • Skull Island: Reign of Kong recently opened
  • Hulk coaster set to open soon; media invited to ride Wednesday

People have been waiting with anticipation for both rides, and let me just say, they won’t be disappointed.

Skull Island: Reign of Kong

Skull Island was the first new attraction to open at Islands of Adventure this summer. After months of waiting, the ride is worth it. It’s a sensory overload.

The queue is dark and terrifying, with characters jumping out at you around different turns. Watch out!

You’re then greeted by a witch placed inside a skull who chants while fire fill the skull’s eyes. The room darkens, and the chants grow louder and louder.

You then board a ride vehicle that will take you on an expedition. This is when the fun really starts.

By the way, you’re wearing 3-D glasses for this one. So most of your time spent on this ride is looking at screens.

After the vehicle travels through the large door, you enter begin to encounter the creatures of Skull Island. It doesn’t matter which side of the ride you sit on, terrifying creatures are everywhere. On the left, on the right.

And then Kong appears and begins to battle the creatures. The vehicle bobs and shakes as creatures are thrown against it and Kong jumps on top of it. You feel every bit of the action.

Without giving all the surprise away, I’ll just say Skull Island is fun and terrifying and features fantastic animatronics.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Hulk is by far the best new attraction, and now, one of my personal favorites. For those who have ridden Hulk in the past, there are some familiar touches. At the new entrance to the ride, pieces from the old coaster are prominently featured.

During a Q&A with ride engineers at a media preview Wednesday, we learned that the path for the coaster is the same as the old one, but everything else is different.

Inside the new queue, guests will see bright, swirling tubes filled with strands of DNA, as well as a gamma ray accelerator. It’s a really cool sight to see while waiting in line.

After you make it upstairs, you are treated to a new video that shows someone getting hit with gamma radiation and transforming.

But the ride is the best part. The track is new, the ride vehicles are new — and yes, the rumors are true, the ride is so much smoother.

Speakers have been placed at riders’ feet, pumping out sound effects and music. And, of course, the rest is drops, turns, loops and plenty of G-forces.

Hulk is back. RAWR!!!

As of right now, Universal has not offered an official opening date for Hulk. Representatives would only say “soon.”