KONG X GODZILLA: THE RIDE combines large-scale media, animatronics, motion vehicles and special effects in the first theme park attraction based on Legendary Entertainment’s Monsterverse.
July 24th, 2026
Lotte World Adventure has opened KONG X GODZILLA: THE RIDE, a new multimedia dark ride that places guests inside Legendary Entertainment’s Monsterverse.
The attraction officially debuted July 24th and was developed through a collaboration between Legendary Entertainment, Toho Co., Ltd. and Sally Dark Rides.
According to the project’s developers, it is the first fully immersive theme park attraction built around the Monsterverse, the cinematic universe featuring Kong, Godzilla and other giant creatures known as Titans.
A Mission Into Hollow Earth
The attraction’s story takes place inside Hollow Earth, the vast subterranean ecosystem introduced in the Monsterverse films.
Guests enter the experience as newly recruited members of MONARCH, the secret scientific organization responsible for studying the Titans. Their mission begins at MONARCH Outpost M-42, a research facility established near a recently discovered portal known as a Vile Vortex.
Before boarding, guests pass through MONARCH research and vehicle-maintenance areas. The queue and preshow introduce the mission, provide information about the Titans and establish the attraction as an active exploration facility.
Riders then board Hollow Earth Aerial Vehicles, commonly called HEAVs. The futuristic exploration craft were originally introduced in the Monsterverse films as vehicles capable of traveling through the extreme environment of Hollow Earth.
The ride uses two interconnected vehicles, each accommodating eight passengers. The complete experience lasts approximately 11 minutes.
Kong Leads Guests Into Danger
The mission quickly goes wrong when a volcanic event destabilizes Hollow Earth and sends its Titan population into chaos.
With the crisis threatening to spread beyond the subterranean world, riders must follow Kong into the danger and help MONARCH restore balance. Godzilla’s involvement becomes clearer as the conflict escalates and begins threatening the surface world.
Kong’s role as the riders’ guide explains the attraction’s title. Unlike the “Godzilla x Kong” naming format used for the recent films, the ride places Kong first because he is the central character leading guests through Hollow Earth.
The attraction combines expansive media screens, large animatronic figures, synchronized ride motion, scenic environments and environmental effects to create a cinematic journey through the Monsterverse.
Sally Dark Rides served as one of the principal attraction developers. The Jacksonville-based company specializes in turnkey dark rides, including attraction design, animatronics, scenic fabrication, interactive systems, media, special effects and ride installation.
A Continuous Monsterverse Story
The project was designed to maintain the Monsterverse storyline throughout the entire guest experience rather than limiting the story to the ride itself.
The narrative begins in the queue, continues through the preshow and boarding areas and concludes beyond the unload platform. After exiting the ride, guests enter a themed photo area and retail location offering merchandise created specifically for KONG X GODZILLA: THE RIDE.
MONARCH Outpost M-42 also follows the naming system established in the films, in which MONARCH facilities are assigned individual outpost designations based on their locations and research missions.
The attraction represents a major investment for Lotte World Adventure. Before the opening of KONG X GODZILLA: THE RIDE, the park’s largest investment in a single attraction was reportedly Pharaoh’s Fury, which debuted in 2005.
Other dark rides operating at Lotte World Adventure include The Adventures of Sinbad and Pharaoh’s Fury.
The Monsterverse Expands Beyond Film
Legendary’s Monsterverse began with “Godzilla” in 2014 and expanded through “Kong: Skull Island,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Godzilla vs. Kong” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.”
The franchise has generated more than $2.5 billion at the global box office, according to Legendary Entertainment. It has also expanded into television through the Apple TV series “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.”
Another feature film, “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova,” is scheduled for theatrical release in March 2027.
With the opening of KONG X GODZILLA: THE RIDE, Legendary is extending the franchise into location-based entertainment, allowing guests to physically enter the facilities, vehicles and environments previously seen only on screen.
The attraction’s official trailer is available through Lotte World’s social-media channels, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X.
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