Bad News: JAWS Attraction to Close Forever in 2012
Today we have to share with you one of the saddest and most unexpected news of the year, if not of the decade. JAWS, one of Universal's last true original attractions will close forever on January 2, 2012. Here's part of the Orlando Sentinel's article:
Universal Studios to close JAWS to make way for new attraction
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| Goodbye, JAWS! You will be dearly missed! |
JAWS, the iconic Universal Studios Florida ride in which tour boats full of guests are attacked by a robotic great white shark, will permanently close Jan 2. to make way for a new attraction, Universal Orlando announced Friday.
The ride, based on the 1975 movie directed by famed director and Universal theme-park consultant Steven Spielberg, was one of the original attractions in Universal Studios when the park opened in 1990.
The surrounding "Amity"-themed area around the attraction will also be closed "to make room for what will be an exciting new attraction experience," Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said.
"JAWS has been an amazing attraction and an important part of our history. We know that JAWS holds a special place in the hearts of our guests," Schroder said. "But we always have to look to the future and dedicate ourselves to providing new, innovative entertainment experiences for our guests.
Universal said employees who work on the attraction or in the surrounding environment will be moved into other areas of the resort. Two other attractions in the area, Disaster! and Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue, will not be affected.
This is absolutely bad. One of the worst news, without any doubt. Yes, this means that Universal will continue to add more new attractions, but... why JAWS? WHY? What about all the empty soundstages they have? and the former location of the Hard Rock Cafe'? There's also a huge empty lot just between The Simpsons Ride and M.I.B. Alien Attack. No. They had to get rid of one of the best attractions on property. But that doesn't surprise me, as thy also got rid of Kongfrontation without making a big deal about it...
What do you think? Are you personally happy about this decision? Please, share your opinions with us!
The above article is subject to the copyright of the Orlando Sentinel, © 2011. All rights reserved.
I was planning to do Universal and Islands of Adventure on our honeymoon next year. I think I will be skipping Universal as JAWS was my favorite ride. The first time I went, I was seven, I made my parents go on it at least a dozen times. It's still one of my all-time favorite movies. This just hurts. =*(
ReplyDeleteI am really, really sad. I am going to Orlando in January, hoping ride in JAWS :( Why they do not demolish FEAR FACTOR? :(
ReplyDeleteBad idea, Universal, Bad idea.
I think its a bad idea. I too say why not leave that attraction and use the other warehouses etc to add attractions?
ReplyDeleteDevastated. Just devastated.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your opinion with us. I am absolutely sad about this. I don't even know what to do. I might just go to Universal Studios every single day until January 2, 2012 and ride JAWS 100 times in a row, so that I can at least keep it in my mind and remember it when it will be gone... This is incredibly sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a horrible idea Universal! I love the ride...millions love it, and now you are taking it away to build what I'm sure will be sub-par. Why not use the other "unused" areas????
ReplyDeleteNot good news at all. The worst part of it is, they give all the negative news, Jaws closing forever, without revealing what will be taking it's place. I've always believed in taking bad news, and placing a positive. Now people are just going to be upset about Jaws leaving, and nothing to look forward to. I know they like to build anticipation, and keep plans secret, but someone really dropped the ball on this one. Another bit of bad news is: Fear factor is still operating :(
ReplyDeleteOh no, very bad idea! i don't understand why they keep disaster! this is my least favorite attraction in Universal studios (in my opinion). But jaws despite of the fact that it's over 20 years old ... It was stil mind blowin'. A really fun attraction. To bad ... But i don't think there's anything we could do about it. So let's hope they make it bigger and better
ReplyDeleteVery sad. Why not do something new in the "murder she wrote" building or rip the horrible Fear Factor or the terrible Twister attraction? Jaws is one of the few awesome family rides that get gutted.
ReplyDeleteIf you can ride Jaws for the last time do it when it´s dark, it´s even better.
this seems a strange decision, especially when Universal only recently gave this ride a new lick of paint etc.
ReplyDeleteUniversal must be aware that this is one of the park's most popular attractions. I hope the reason this attraction must close (as opposed to using the empty soundstages or closing less popular attractions) is a need to utilise the Amity lagoon in the new attraction.
The alternative possible reason is more sinister: the jaws attraction may have become just too old and too expensive to maintain and Universal may not be telling the entire truth - while I have little doubt new attractions will be on the way, I'll be surprised if any new attraction justifies the closure of a signature ride!
This ride was not only a fantastic one, it provided Universal with more VARIETY! I agree that this should be left untouched. Some rides get old after a while and underwhelm you but jaws is surprising, fun, and exciting every time around.
ReplyDeleteI imagine a replacement (It's opening in Singapore tomorrow..) Transformers: The Ride 3-D. I want Jaws to stay open but it's time for a change. Transformers will likely successful in Orlando (Like the one in Singapore at the moment. I haven't been on it yet...) I hope that opens soon.
ReplyDeleteAlso on the variety note, Jaws is an actual ride. It's not like Jimmy Neutron, or Shrek, or Simpsons where you sit in a vehicle that shakes while you're in front of a screen. Those get old. When I visit back I normally just pass by those and think "been there done that." Like I said earlier, Jaws is surprising and exciting every time around.
ReplyDeleteJaws will always have a sense of nostalgia to me, I remember when I was 5 and I went to Florida(for the first time) I was scared of almost all the rides and I was told Jaws was not scary that was until I went on it and Jaws jumped out the water at my side and scared me. I am sad its going especially because its such a nostalgic ride and I won't ever be able to ride it as I am from the Scotland.
ReplyDeleteAlthough sad that this is leaving the park, the prospect of something new is intriguing & exciting. They can't just keep attractions because of nostalgia. If JAWS was built today we wouldn't enjoy it as much. It would be slated for being dated with not-so-great effects! I will be sad not to ride it again. But...
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if they were to expand HARRY POTTER by creating an area in this park too. It gives them a fresh take (studio perspective) and allows them to build attractions that don't have to fit to the Wizarding World's time frame (Goblet of Fire) or location. They could explore many other areas of the Potter World. I'm aware this may not happen (& is unlikely!) but it would be great, and smart business to get people into two parks!
Absolutely terrible. Just terrible.
ReplyDeleteThe OTPN team must feel completely devastated as well. This is by far one of the worst decisions any theme park in the area has ever done. If only Universal were more like Disney, keeping most of their classic rides intact, building newer ones elsewhere and only replacing older ones with either the same ride (Star Tours) or with a respectable replacement (Test Track). RIP JAWS; may your spirit remain in E.T.
This is like Disney saying that they are closing Pirates of the Caribbean.
ReplyDeleteWhile the ride holds a lot of nostalgia for many people, and was/is a major ride for Universal's attraction, I think it could be a good decision - depending on what they put in its place.
ReplyDeleteJaws doesn't hold a lot of appeal for me, personally, so I don't mind seeing it go. If the rumors of using the space as Harry Potter expansion are true, I'm really interested if they'll be using the lagoon area for something underwater or special.
People will always fight, resist, and hate change, but a lot of the time, it's good. And it's going to happen, so why not go along with it and see where it takes you? :)
I heard from an inside source that will become Harry Potter section for the Studios. It will be themed to the London England storyline to the movies and be connected by a train to the IOA section.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they are going to add another harry potter area ... it would just be stupid :) it's like they are going to close jaws for another marvel theme area ...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely devastated about this. They best replace it with something incredible. All the open spaces they have and they get rid of one of the most iconic and brilliant rides in the park. I recommend anyone going to ride it at night as it is brilliant. Hope its not a second Harry Potter area as the one in Islands of Adventure is good enough and they could just expand there. Big question why is Fear Factor and Beetlejuice still there. They need to be demolished immediately. I hope they do something with the old murder she wrote stage, behind simpsons or the old hard rock cafe. Gutted about this. So stupid Universal.
ReplyDeleteNow, if they replaced JAWS! with another similar version of JAWS! that is technologically more advanced, I would be extremely happy. But I know that will never happen. They already said they are preparing 2 tributes to the attractions.
ReplyDeleteWow, very shocking news... if only Universal was just like Disney. I would be fine if the Studios did not have any more room to put in a new attraction around the park, but there are some many options to choose from, especially witht he demolition of the Old Hard Rock Cafe. What I do hope is that bring Fast & Furious to the park...given that it's their own original movie and that they could really come up with soemthing good based on it. A similiar version to Test Track would be a great idea.
ReplyDeleteHave we seen any rumors as to what will be replacing it?
ReplyDeleteif it would be another harry potter, i would be dissapointed. And i really respect your comment because you know the person who works at Universal. But let's hope it's not. It's out of our hands, Jaws will close, but they will have to make the replacement(s) EPIC :)
ReplyDeleteGrtz
Roberto
It's like Disney closing Jungle Cruise
ReplyDeleteNot so FAST guys. I know you're all FURIOUS, but it won't be long before something is announced...
ReplyDeleteWhile JAWS was one of my favorite attractions since I was little, USO hasn't disappointed us yet. Each time something closed, we got something amazing.
ReplyDeleteWe got Mummy. We got MIB. We got Shrek. We got HARRY POTTER.
Just wait. I'm sure the announcement will make us all squeal with joy. Harry Potter did. As much as I hate to admit it, JAWS is dated and with new technology and passing time perhaps it was better to retire it now while we can all remember the pure amazing it is/was.
Also, if Twilight gets the land... let's not ponder that horror.
Jaws was amazing until they down-graded the special affects after some idiot stuck his hand out and got injured. Even after killing the boat-rocking effect, it was still a great ride. I was kind of wondering when this was going to happen. It's clear what's going to happen in this area. Universal's next big thing and my speculation, it's Universal Creative's new baby, Transformers.
ReplyDeleteI would say it's either Transformers or an expansion of Potter. I know they've struggled to get people into the Studios park, and the numbers are nowhere near as good as IOA. Spreading out the Potter love could be what they need.
ReplyDeleteAs a former skipper, I'm sad to see it go, but I understand. Being so old, it's hugely expensive to operate and repair, which they have to do constantly. Same situation as what when on with Kongfrontation. It would've been gone a long time ago if people didn't love the ride so much. This was a long time coming.
Having just read the desciption of the scenes of the Transformers ride, I don't see it coming to UO. If you read it, and picture what the motions will be... it seems it's exactly the same as Spider-Man. Like, exactly the same. They're probably using the same track, the same movements, and just replacing the movie. Kind of like Simpsons. So why have two rides at UO that are exactly the same? My money is still on a Potter expansion.
ReplyDeleteFive guesses for the replacement.
ReplyDelete1. Transformers (I want this the most!)
2. The Harry Potter Expansion
3. How to train your Dragon (Something that's never been done before)
4. Megamind (I Love that film but Despicable Me is better. Another thing that's never been done before.)
5. Something else
Battlestar Galactica would also be an option.
ReplyDeleteAnyway it´s going to happen. I hope it´ll be a family ride and not a coaster bacause I can´t do them anymore and there are anough coaster rides in the resort.
I also hope it´s not a movie screen ride. We have Simpsons, Shrek, Despicable me and Terminator. I hope they replace Terminator with Transformers (horrible stupid movies but could be a fun attraction) and Simpsons replace it for King Kong. Get rid of the Fear Factor horrible show and put an awesome Potter stunt show in there (after retheming).
Guys, why would the Potter expansion happen outside of the Wizarding World? It has to be something else. Transformers...
ReplyDeleteHello once again, not knowing if you guys still read these comments. In a previous comment, towards an anonymous guest,i said that it would be stupid and impossible that they are going to expand the harry potter experience. According to screamscape this guy could be right! so i just wanted to say ... sorry :)
ReplyDeleteGrtz roberto
Tyler
ReplyDeleteThey cannot have a train from an expansion because of one day ticket issues.
I personally as a 19 year old never saw the original Jaws movie seeing as I was born in '92, and it wasn't a kid type movie. And while it was an awesome ride, and I'll miss it, I'm glad they are getting something new. And something else for a younger generation to enjoy. Hopefully they will choose something great enough to take the spot of it.
ReplyDelete10 Minutes!! We'll be shark bait in 10 Minutes!!!
ReplyDeleteloved shouting that during halloween horror with the skippers. Always made them smile. Such a shame to see it go.