King and a prayer

What: Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Islands of Adventure

What we know: The dark attraction, under construction between Jurassic Park and Toon Lagoon, will take visitors to the homeland of the big guy. Along the way, they will meet “really strange icky” characters whilst aboard expedition trucks.

Why you should care: Although neighboring Universal Studios had an ape encounter in the past (Kongfrontation roared from 1990 to 2002), this is a fresh story not based on previous or future films.

When: Summer

Shark attack

What: Mako Orlando

What we know: The park wants to lay claim to the fastest, highest, longest thrill ride in Orlando. At 73 mph, it would surpass IOA’s Hulk coaster, which topped out at 67 mph — before the rail was dismantled in a rehab.

at

SeaWorld

More attractions are in the works

Other theme-park developments to look forward to in 2016:

Epcot will introduce a new version of Soarin’ called Soarin’ Around the World. The classic version, in place since 2005, retires Sunday.

Club Villain, an extra-ticket event set for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, kicks off Jan. 16. It will feature Disney baddies such as Dr. Facilier, Maleficent, Queen of Hearts, Cruella De Vil and the Evil Queen plus musical numbers, a DJ and a Potions Bar. A night at Club Villain will run $99 per person.

“The Lego Movie 4D: A New Adventure” will debut at Legoland Florida on Jan. 29.

Potterheads, rejoice: A Celebration of Harry Potter returns to Universal Orlando Jan. 29-31.

The Invictus Games, featuring wounded military members from around the world, will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on May 8-12.

Disney Springs, years in the making, is scheduled to be complete this year. Among the incoming elements are retail outlets in Town Center (including Lilly Pulitzer and Uniqlo), restaurants by chefs Art Smith and Rick Bayless, a revamped Planet Hollywood and a second parking garage that will hold 2,000 vehicles.

Busch Gardens will open a new family-friendly, spinning coaster called Cobra’s Curse. It centers around an 80-foot snake icon. According to the Roller Coaster Data Base, the next fastest coasters are SeaWorld’s Kraken and Universal Studios’ Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which both clock in at 65 mph.

Why you should care: Designers tout the amount of air time that Mako will give riders. Meanwhile, if Mako should start running before Hulk is revived, that would mean SeaWorld has more coasters that any other Orlando-area theme park (and that’s even if you count Dragon Challenge as two, which I do). Discuss.

When: Summer