Theme parks are full of surprises—but not all of them are the kind guests hope for.
Guests expect thrills, laughs, and maybe a surprise character meet-and-greet. But sometimes, the real surprises come when something doesn’t go according to plan. That’s precisely what happened recently at Universal Orlando Resort, where one popular ride came to a sudden halt, leaving guests stuck high in the air with nowhere to go but down—literally.
The unexpected pause led to an even more unexpected evacuation, and it wasn’t long before TikTok got involved.
Even the Best Attractions Break Down
Universal Orlando is home to some of the most advanced rides anywhere, but big tech often comes with glitches. At Islands of Adventure, attractions like Hogwarts: Forbidden Journey offer breathtaking experiences—with the occasional hiccup. The ride’s robotic arm system and elaborate screen transitions are thrilling when they work, but they can be a headache when they don’t.
Even newer rides like Jurassic World VelociCoaster or the still-popular Jurassic Park River Adventure experience temporary closures from time to time. Whether rain, reset errors, or sensors acting up, breakdowns have become part of the theme park rhythm.
Studios Park Faces Similar Woes
If you go to Universal Studios Florida, you’ll see the same pattern. Aging rides like Men in Black: Alien Attack still draw crowds, but their tech is prone to delays. Spinning ride vehicles and rotating platforms need precise timing; even a small misfire can put the ride on hold.
Then there’s Revenge of the Mummy, which relies on a fast-paced indoor launch system and multiple special effects to keep the energy up. But it’s not unusual to see it temporarily shut down. Transformers: The Ride 3D occasionally has syncing issues, too—proving that even Universal’s biggest names aren’t immune to rough patches.
Epic Universe Is Still Finding Its Groove
Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, made a splash when it opened, but not everything has gone smoothly. Just over two months into operations, guests report spotty ride availability and surprise closures. While early visitors have praised the park’s creativity, theming, and immersive lands, many have also noted technical hiccups.
The attractions are ambitious and full of advanced technology, from How to Train Your Dragon’s family coaster to the dark rides inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and Dark Universe. Trackless vehicles, projection-heavy sequences, and massive animatronics add to the spectacle—but also increase the odds of operational issues. Even smaller attractions have seen the occasional reset. Things are improving, but guests are still walking into the unknown each day.
The Ride That Started It All
But Universal’s relationship with breakdowns—and with Kong—goes way back. Skull Island: Reign of Kong isn’t the first time Universal has given the giant gorilla his own spotlight. Long before the current attraction roared to life, there was Kongfrontation—a classic ride that opened with Universal Studios Florida back in 1990.
It featured suspended trams dangling above a chaotic New York City, where guests came face-to-face with a towering Kong animatronic that would lunge and growl at the cars. For many, it was a must-ride experience. There was even a photo opportunity with the massive great ape.
Kongfrontation closed in 2002 and was replaced by Revenge of the Mummy, but Universal didn’t completely bury the past. Sharp-eyed riders can still find nods to the original attraction inside the Mummy’s queue, including bananas painted on the walls, a tourist dummy wearing a “Kong Rules” hat, and even a three-foot-tall golden Kong statue tucked away in the treasure room. Universal knew better than to say goodbye to Kong forever.
Kong’s Comeback: A Ride With Cinematic Flair
More than a decade later, Kong returned—this time at Islands of Adventure. Debuting in 2016, Skull Island: Reign of Kong became one of the park’s most immersive experiences. Guests board giant expedition trucks and set off on a rugged journey through a hostile jungle filled with terrifying creatures.
The ride combines practical sets, 3D screens, motion simulation, and an enormous animatronic finale featuring King Kong himself. It even launched with two potential routes—one that briefly traveled outdoors and one that stayed completely inside.
While the outdoor path still exists, it’s no longer in regular use, likely because of Florida’s unpredictable weather and operational demands. Today, guests always experience the indoor path, which ends with a towering, teeth-baring Kong just inches from the vehicle.
TikTok Captures the Unexpected Jungle Exit
But even this beast of a ride isn’t perfect. Recently, a TikTok user shared what happened when Reign of Kong came to a complete stop mid-ride. The massive truck, perched 13 feet high off the ground, suddenly froze, leaving riders suspended with no idea what was happening. There was no audio, no effects—just silence and stillness in the middle of the jungle.
After a wait, Universal Team Members arrived with rolling safety ladders and escorted guests down from the ride vehicles. The evacuation path led right past the final scene, where Kong usually delivers his dramatic finale. But this time? The lights were on, the sound was off, and the animatronic gorilla looked more like a movie prop than a living legend.
According to the TikTok user, workers eventually asked him to stop filming—but not before some eerie behind-the-scenes moments were captured. As a silver lining, the guest did receive an Express Pass as a thank-you for the unexpected detour.
@harvwhtl They made me stop filming 🥲 Got a free fast pass for the ride break down though 🤷♂️ #universalstudios #kongskullisland #orlando #disneyadult #traveltips ♬ oh my god bruh oh hell na man
Even Kong Has Off Days
Even the most high-tech attractions can go off script. For these guests, a mid-ride stop turned into a rare backstage moment—and an unforgettable story. At Universal, sometimes the breakdown becomes just as memorable as the ride itself.
