For the grand opening of Universal Studios Florida, the Kongfrontation attraction would be themed to the 1976 film King Kong, which was a remake of the 1933 original.

The ride system was developed by Arrow Dynamics, who subcontracted the manufacturing out to Intermountain Lift, Inc.[1] The soundstage show building covered an area of 62,000 square feet (5,800 m2) and a height of six floors.

[3] Universal engineers made several attempts over the years to improve reliability, which ultimately led to reduced mobility and functionality of Kong animatronics and background effects.

Within the six-story walls of the massive show building, guests would find themselves in an elaborate production set simulating a New York City Subway station, Manhattan's Roosevelt Island Tramway station and a surrounding city block (intricately detailed from garbage cans and graffiti covering the walls, to fully stocked storefronts).

Real-life news anchor Rolland Smith reported that the giant ape King Kong had escaped its confines and was wreaking havoc on the streets of New York.

Clips from the 1976 film version of King Kong, portraying the beast's rampage, played during these newscasts, as did alerts from the Emergency Broadcast System telling everyone in the city to remain indoors due to what was lurking outside.

After the initial breaking news that New York City was being attacked by a giant ape, as the guests proceeded through the line queue, they would continually hear about King Kong's location along with his path of destruction.

A police dispatcher then contacts the tram operator, ordering him to stop as they are headed directly into the neighborhood where King Kong is, but the conductor protests it cannot be halted as the ride is preprogrammed.

As the tram passed the power pole, it tipped over and its electrical transformer exploded, unleashing a shower of sparks and fire, which ignited the derailed elevated subway train.

Narrowly escaping the attack, the tram finally crossed over the river to Roosevelt Island, the sound of giant footsteps seeming to follow.

Guests exited the attraction and traveled down a series of ramps into a King Kong themed gift shop called Safari Outfitters Ltd.

There, a Kodak photo opportunity booth was located where guests could pose with King Kong, who appeared to grip them in front of a Queensboro Bridge backdrop.