If you’ve ever stood in line for a theme park ride, a cup of coffee, or a slice of pizza at the mall, then you’ve probably been breathed on.
And when that random person happened to turn around to blast a wave of pungent breath particles straight into your face, you probably tried to hide your repulsed expression by contorting your face like a prototype animatronic getting its facial features tested.
Imagine then, that you were waiting in line so that you could be breathed on.
On June 14, 1986, Universal Studios Hollywood unveiled their newest attraction, King Kong Encounter. The ride was part of the Studio Tour attraction, leading guests’ trams straight into New York City to encounter a rampaging King Kong.
Based on the 1976 film, King Kong, the ride’s Kong animatronic was designed for Universal by Bob Gurr, who famously designed pretty much everything that moves at Disneyland (including the Doom Buggies and the Matterhorn Bobsleds).
Gurr wanted guests to be so immersed in the attraction that they’d scream like Fay Wray at a screening of Hellraiser, so he added a final touch of realism—banana breath.
As the studio tram made its way past Kong, guests would be able to smell the giant’s banana-scented exhalations thanks to a device known as the “Smellitzer.” (smell + howitzer. It could be a real weapon).
It was apparently a popular addition, since the banana breath was later used for the animatronics in the Kongfrontation ride at Universal Studios Florida when it opened in 1990.
In the years since, some have speculated online that the fragrant breath was just a rumor and perhaps people’s memories were playing tricks with them.
However, the sheer number of references to the animatronic-aroma populate the internet like giant bugs on Skull Island, so it seems a safe bet to call it fact (there’s even a candle dedicated to it).
Also, Universal’s show designer, Peter Alexander, stated in a 1986 promo for the Encounter attraction that “…you not only see the creature….you smell his breath, you feel the fire, you feel the steam, it has a visceral impact on you.” (0:25 mark)
The Smellitzer itself (which sounds like a weapon from Munchkin) was being perfected around the time King Kong Encounter was being built, as well.
Though smell devices had been used for entertainment purposes for years, it was Disney Imagineer Bob McCarthy who created the particular device that is still used today to lure people into buying a tiny doughnut on Disney’s Main Street for $5.49.
King of the olfactory senses as it was, King Kong Encounter was completely burned down in the 2008 Universal Studios fire. The ride was replaced in 2010 by King Kong: 360-3D, sans bananas.
Florida’s Kongfrontation had closed previously in 2002 to make way for Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, making King Kong’s banana breath a ghost of theme parks past.
Watch your movies. Wear your movies.
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