Universal To Close 'Jaws' Attraction

[beastfan11]

http://www.wesh.com/r/29907271/detail.html

Sad to see it go. 'Jaws' was always one of my favorites.

[XGatorHead 8904]

NNNNNNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Earlier this year I spent a great amount of time preparing GatorGirl for what she would experience at Universal & IoA this past summer, specifically focusing on Jurassic Park & Jaws. I drilled it into her that if she got scared on these rides, just remember that all of it was pretend and nothing would hurt her.

When we got to the park, as GatorGirl was playing in the Curious George area, I pulled out my map only to find that Jaws was closed that day and the next for refurbishment. It had been open the day before (we had been at MK that day), and if I had known that ahead of time I would have switched our day at MK. Disney refurbishments are fairly easy to find online, and I looked for any for Universal before our trip and couldn't find any. When I saw that onthe map I thought to myself, we'll get her on it next time.

Now there will be no next time. Jaws was always my favorite ride at Studios (before I finally rode Mummy, that is), and now I'll never be able to experience it with GatorGirl. I HATE it when parks remove rides, especially when it's one of my favorites and with this short notice. There's no way we can make it down before Jan. 2 (unless someone wants to pay for 3 airline tickets for us). I have a few choice phrases in my head right now that I'd like to direct at Universal, but I won't put them down because they'd be censored by the filter on this site.

[HTCO]

50 bucks says its for a new Transformers ride.

[RingMaster]

If they were to make a Transformers ride, all they'd need to do is just retheme Spider-Man; it's the same technology and design, and even ol' Spidey is getting an HD makeover for next year.

[HTCO]

Who ever said it had to be a Transformers Ride of the same type?

[bkroz]

Well, a Transformers ride of the exact same type would be a WHOLE lot cheaper than innovating a new one. Especially with Forbidden Journey next door, it seems like an entirely new dark ride technology would need to be brought in, while duplicating the already-existing ride, bolt-for-bolt, is significantly cheaper. Less research and development and God willing, fewer issues. Screamscape has reported in no uncertain terms that Transformers is not on the table, though. Perhaps one reason for that is the whole Marvel thing - now that Disney owns Marvel, everyone is anticipating what can replace Marvel Superhero Island and, specifically, Spider-Man. Transformers seems like a fair choice for that eventual replacement now.

Over at TPR, people are [of course] freaking out and insisting they'll never visit Universal again because this is a travesty, and that even without knowing its replacement, this is the worst business decision and theme park decision that's ever been made (see also, reaction to Kongfrontation's removal, Back to the Future's removal, Earthquake's removal...) That park in particular has literally closed each of its original attractions one by one and updated them to new films or fresh stories. It may infuriate "purists" (the same way people get offended about Pixar invading Disney parks) but the fact is, it's a good business decision. It keeps the parks fresh and interesting. I wouldn't have visited Universal Studios Florida if it was still offering the King Kong ride and Back to the Future. It wouldn't be worth my time when the next door park has high-tech dark rides, roller coasters, animatronics, themed environments, etc.

Worth considering: the other major, major rumor floating around TPR is that the whole area (the Jaws land, possibly the Fear Factor amphitheater, and the space behind it) may be a new, second area of the Wizarding World, like Diagon Alley with the long-rumored indoor Gringotts Bank coaster. They speculate that a real, working Hogwarts Express will transfer guests between the two themed areas in the two different parks. It's a little odd in one sense, but think about it... What a fantastic way to sell "Parkhopper" tickets, and as Robb mentioned, people could literally spend one full day in the two Harry Potter areas, then a second at Islands and a third at the Studios. People who don't have the Potter fever might be absolutely annoyed if he takes over two parks, but honestly have we seen a more successful intellectual property integration that's been well-received by fans & visitors while also increasing visitorship to such an incredible degree?

[thekidd33]

According to that same TPR thread the park has confirmed that Transformers is not what will be going in this location.

Edit: Didn't read the first part of your post carefully enough GYK, my mistake!

[markr]

Jaws was one of my favs too. Such a shame.

[TTD-120-420]

Sigh. I was looking forward to riding it in February. I'm sad to have learned they got rid of Earthquake too, thanks to this thread. I haven't been to Florida for about ten years, and being 8 years old I don't remember much. I don't know the difference between the studios or the islands. Which one should we go to in February?

[bkroz]

Preferably, both. There's still a lot of people who don't understand that Universal Orlando has two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure) that are located side by side thanks to a poor marketing job when the second park opened. It's like Disneyland and California Adventure. Two separate parks that you can freely and easily travel between if you have a park-hopper ticket.

Islands of Adventure is their "new age" park, and it's absolutely positively incredible. It's easily the best-themed and most immersive park I've ever been to, separated into seven islands around a lagoon themed to Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Dr. Seuss, Marvel comics, and more. That's the home of the famous Spider-Man ride (an absolute, 100% must-ride) and the Harry Potter ride (which I've never been on, but is supposed to be one of the best amusement park attractions out there). Islands of Adventure is incredibly well themed, and just such an unbelievable park. I'd recommend it a thousand times over.

Universal Studios Florida is the original park next door, with the Revenge of the Mummy dark ride / coaster, Men In Black, E.T., Twister, The Simpsons Ride (formerly Back to the Future) and Jaws. Universal Studios also has the new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster. Earthquake is still there, by the way, just operating under the name "Disaster: A Major Motion Picture Starring You." It's the same basic ride with the same effects, just with a more lighthearted, behind-the-scenes angle instead of the old 1980's effects actually attempting to be scary or serious.

Again, if you have two days, do both. If you have one day, still try to hit the highlights of both. If you can only choose one, my vote is for Islands of Adventure. Universal's pricing is pretty flexible, too, so if you really only have one day, I think it's only like $10.00 more to add on the park-hopping option, which would be worth it just to run over and experience the Revenge of the Mummy.

P.S. Looking at the above map, you can see how a potential train would travel between the current Wizarding World and the current location of Jaws. Honestly, something like that it needed. To get from the back of one park to the back of the other is like, a 20 - 30 minute walk at least. Trace the route from Jurassic Park to Jaws. You need to walk all the out of one park, through Citywalk, then all the way through the other park, and neither has a "hub and spokes" layout to make that journey simple.

[UnrealNightmare]

Actually if I remember correctly from when I worked at Halloween Horror Nights there is a gate where the old Nickelodean studios was. It linked the two parks from the inside. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure there was one.

[thekidd33]

Sigh. I was looking forward to riding it in February. I'm sad to have learned they got rid of Earthquake too, thanks to this thread. I haven't been to Florida for about ten years, and being 8 years old I don't remember much. I don't know the difference between the studios or the islands. Which one should we go to in February?

I have to agree with GYK on this one. Try try try to do both, but if you have to choose one or the other, go with IOA. I was there for two days in January and spent 1.25 days in IOA and the rest of the time at the Studios. Men in Black, Mummy, and the Simpsons ride were all top notch rides. E.T. and Jaws (not that it will matter in Feb.) were fun, if a bit dated. Rockit was...well awful. IOA has Dragons, Forbidden Journey, Spiderman, Hulk, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and much much more. The only down side to our visit was that we spent significantly more time waiting in line at IOA (45 min for Hulk, 120ish for Forbidden Journey, etc.) as opposed to the Studios where everything except for Rockit was 20 minutes of less.

[TTD-120-420]

Thanks for all the help. Hopefully I can talk my parents into doing two day park hopper passes. Also, I'm happy to hear that some form of Earthquake is still there. Thats one of the few rides that I can somewhat remember. Also, are they getting a King Kong 360 ride? Or is that just in California?

My family really isn't big on the Harry Potter franchise..just not our type of book/movie...is it still worth it go to the HP part?

[bkroz]

So far, the King Kong 360 attraction is only at Hollywood. Like Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World, the California park is significantly smaller. At the Californian Universal Studios, there is one attraction (The Studio Backlot Tour) that passes through a Jaws portion, a King Kong portion, an Earthquake portion, a movie set portion, etc. In Florida, given more space and presumably a higher budget, they were separated into separate, full-sized, self-contained attractions. When the Backlot fire happened in Hollywood and destroyed the original King Kong portion of the tour, it was replaced with the new 360 part. Florida's doesn't even have a Backlot tour, so the only way to have Kong 360 would be as its own separate attraction (which, frankly, I don't think the 2 minute long experience warrants). If it were to come about, I think turning Earthquake / Disaster into it would be the most reasonable thing, since it has a tram and soundstage prepared.

As for the Harry Potter portion of Islands of Adventure, it is an incredible, incredible area from most any angle. It's immersive and spectacular and has truly changed the way parks look at additions. (Disney and SeaWorld are seething with jealousy that people are actually lining up and waiting to enter gift shops. That's how popular and widespread it is. See both chain's decisions to invest in new themed environments with Cars Land and Antarctica as proof that they see the potential and importance of the "land" opposed to the single "attraction"). If you're not fans of the franchise, then you certainly won't appreciate the details (for example, if you don't know what butterbeer is, then the whimsy and mind-freak of seeing it brought to life won't amaze you). But I think you'll really kick yourself if you don't take the time to explore it.

For example, you may not have been raised on Dr. Seuss books, but you should still ride the Cat in the Hat dark ride in Seuss Landing. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the main attraction in the Wizarding World, and it's supposed to be absolutely incredible both technologically and thematically. Dragon Challenge has been at the park since it opened (though it used to be medieval themed) and is comprised of two really superb inverted coasters. So even if Harry Potter isn't your "thing," I don't think anyone here would tell you not to visit that part of the park. Now, if you have religious or personal opposition to the intellectual property, that's a whole other story...

If not, I truly suggest you watch a few of the films before you go. I always, always recommend that people catch up on what they're about to experience before a trip to such a detailed park, asking them to re-watch Jurassic Park, The Mummy, Spider-Man, etc. and every single time people tell me how glad they are that they did. It helps, and Harry Potter is a very positive, classic series that will be relavent for a very, very long time. I think you'll kick yourself later if you skip it.

[sheikra_rocks]

It is possible to do all attractions at both parks in one day, I've done it. It really depends on what time of year you go.

I had no idea what was going on in Forbidden Journey, but I really enjoyed the ride. Went on it 3 times in 2 days. Spider-man is Spoungebob 3D on steroids, and Forbidden Journey is better than Spider-Man.

I am trying to move some things around at work to be able to go on the last weekend of JAWS opperation. I have to get down there and ride one last time.

PTR to follow if I can get down there.

[bkroz]

Spider-Man is Spongebob on steroids? I can't say I've ever heard that comparison, or that I necessarily agree hahaha.

Spider-Man is a dark ride that moves on a path through a show-building populated by physical sets that blend seamlessly into 3-D digital projection screens that replicate depth and motion. The ride vehicle also tilts, turns, twists, and simulates drops, physical interactions with 3-D effects, and spins as it navigates through the warehouse. There's also fire, water, fog, lasers, moving props, in-ride audio, subwoofers in the seats, moving scrims... It is still known to be one of the most technologically advanced dark rides on Earth, and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Each vehicle cost about $1 million alone, and it was the subject of numerous travel channel specials for its incredibly advanced technology, almost single-handedly earning Islands of Adventure the slogan "The most technologically advanced theme park on Earth" when it opened.

Spongebob is a theater-style motion simulator.

Haha! Again, interesting comparison, but I think it sets it up as a "missable" ride, when in fact it is one of the best rides I have ever, ever experienced... Ever.

GYK, who is fiercely protective of Islands of Adventure and Spider-Man!

[The Interpreter]

An earlier version of which, technologically, could be found in the Studio park. Back to the future, if you will.

[bkroz]

And a version of the Spider-Man technology - supposedly a way ahead of its time incarnation - was at a grand park in Las Vegas. I never rode it. I don't know that many people did...

[The Interpreter]

Park or hotel?

Terp, lucky enough to have done both, and a high roller, even though he isn't.

[bkroz]

The grand park that is now a hotel, as I understand it. Built right on top of it, they did! Hahaha. And the Jungle Cruise / Backlot Tour / Jaws hybrid that used to be there, too! But that was back when Vegas was a family place, full of themed hotels and amusements fit for the kiddos.

[thekidd33]

My family really isn't big on the Harry Potter franchise..just not our type of book/movie...is it still worth it go to the HP part?

The Butterbeer sold there and Dueling Dragons make it a must visit area of the park even if you aren't into all the Potter stuff. Like GYK said I would hit the Forbidden Journey just to marvel at the ride technology. It is extremely cool how well the physical sets blend with the various projection screens. The only thing about the ride is that is you (or anyone going with you) gets motion sick easily, this ride could definitely get to them.

[Browntggrr]

As terrible as it seems to be, today's younger generation does not (and really can't) find the allure of Jaws to be exceptional as the generation that can recall the 1975 movie when it first came out much like Beast is considered to be a great ride by many of the older generation KI fans but is a over-hyped coaster by many of today's enthusiasts.

I was shocked to find out Jaws and Amity area at Universal did have a $65 million price tag back in 1990.

[bkroz]

Very true. My father has fond memories of being scared to even go near a swimming pool after watching Jaws, just like people of his generation recall being terrified of the flying monkeys. I think Jaws has adapted to the changing generation in a sense; like Disaster and even The Jungle Cruise, the aging of the animatronics and the corniness of the ride's storyline has led to cast members treating it more as a fun romp and not so seriously, and I think that was important. Like I said about Earthquake, it wasn't exactly scaring people anymore since the effects appear dated, so they gave it a more light-hearted story (example, it went from "oh my God, a real earthquake!" to " We're filming a disaster scene staring you, scream for the cameras!"). Jaws adapted in that same way, but only so many "kitschy" rides can exist in the same park, and if Jaws is on prime real estate, it makes sense for it to go.

Another thing I think Universal should be reevaluating is the kid's area. You think Snoopy is outdated for kids? Right now, their kids area is a mix of Woody Woodpecker, E.T., and Fievel. That's especially strange since (as I understand it) Universal has the theme park rights for all the Dreamworks Animation movies. If that's true (which it may be, as evidenced by Shrek 4-D, Madagascar characters / the Madagascar land in Singapore) then they really ought to take advantage of that. A Dreamworks land could re-use the E.T. showbuilding for the Madagascar dark boat ride, or a How to Train Your Dragon ride. Imagine "Dreamworks Alley" with a Madagascar section, a Shrek section, a Dragons section, etc... It would be great. And the Animal stadium next to E.T. is a huge waste of space right now that could really be used well for a Dreamworks show or ride.

[jlopez]

This was my favorite ride at a kid

[bkroz]

Don't forget that you can still go on a sassy skipper adventure in Osaka!

[RingMaster]

Worth considering: the other major, major rumor floating around TPR is that the whole area (the Jaws land, possibly the Fear Factor amphitheater, and the space behind it) may be a new, second area of the Wizarding World, like Diagon Alley with the long-rumored indoor Gringotts Bank coaster. They speculate that a real, working Hogwarts Express will transfer guests between the two themed areas in the two different parks. It's a little odd in one sense, but think about it... What a fantastic way to sell "Parkhopper" tickets, and as Robb mentioned, people could literally spend one full day in the two Harry Potter areas, then a second at Islands and a third at the Studios. People who don't have the Potter fever might be absolutely annoyed if he takes over two parks, but honestly have we seen a more successful intellectual property integration that's been well-received by fans & visitors while also increasing visitorship to such an incredible degree?

A few problems I see with this:

1. Park-to-park transportation. The idea of shuttling guests from one park to another is not unheard of; Disney pretty much makes boatloads of money by way of the monorail. However, that's outside of the individual park. Shuttling guests from one area of one park to another area of ANOTHER park is a different story, one that wouldn't just let anyone ride it, but REQUIRE one to have a Parkhopper ticket in order to ride as you already mentioned. Granted, most people that go do indeed have such a ticket in order to experience both parks, but what about the ones who don't and are shooed away from a relaxing train ride simply because they don't?
   
2. Overhauling Universal's backstage areas. It's less about how Universal plans to deal with the situation of allowing certain people onto said train, and more about how Universal plans to actually BUILD the track connecting the two. It would be nice if JAWS resided closer to Uni Florida's entrance, but instead, it sits on the easternmost side of the park to where it really is required to build a set of train tracks just to get to it from IOA! The problem is that now you'd have to restructure your entire backstage area just to accommodate said system. The simplest thing would be to have the track elevated or on a berm like the Disneyland Railroad, but then comes the problem of designing set pieces and scenery for guests to view, instead of backstage buildings and beat-up pickup trucks. Unless they actually do craft some magic of their own and have the windows actually be television screens depicting the British countryside...
   
3. "Prime real estate". Why try to expand in another park and put more money into connecting the two when there's half an "island's" worth of land sitting next to you? This is the first I've heard of the idea that JAWS would be replaced with Harry Potter 2: Electric Boogaloo, but when the basic rumor itself surfaced about Phase 2 itself, I had pretty much bargained on the belief that the rest of current Lost Continent island would be bulldozed and the Wizarding World would take over. That would unfortunately mean that the world-renowned Mythos restaurant become a literal myth replaced by, say, The Witches' Leaky Cauldron (my bad), and you'd lose that sense of realism in having Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade/Hogwarts far away from each other, but it would be considerably cheaper than dealing with redoing your backstage areas just to get a train to connect the two areas together.
   

But aside from those problems I see with this, I'm actually all for it, if you can believe that.

[bkroz]

I'll respond in the same format, though I'm not arguing. In fact, I agree. <ol> <li>I totally understand, but I think of the transportation thing more along the line of Disneyland's than Disney World's. Remember that at Disneyland, the monorail is truly just an attraction in Tomorrowland. It just so happens that it also lets off at Downtown Disney, but it's made very clear that if you disembark at Downtown Disney, you need a handstamp / park ticket to re-board at the Downtown station. I think the same could theoretically be done at Universal, ensuring that guests understand that they are leaving one park and traveling to another. Also, a "train station"%

[bkroz]

I'll respond in the same format, though I'm not arguing. In fact, I agree. <ol> <li>I totally understand, but I think of the transportation thing more along the line of Disneyland's than Disney World's. Remember that at Disneyland, the monorail is truly just an attraction in Tomorrowland. It just so happens that it also lets off at Downtown Disney, but it's made very clear%

[bkroz]

I'll respond in the same format, though I'm not arguing. In fact, I agree.

1. I totally understand, but I think of the transportation thing more along the line of Disneyland's than Disney World's. Remember that at Disneyland, the monorail is truly just an attraction in Tomorrowland. It just so happens that it also lets off at Downtown Disney, but it's made very clear that if you disembark at Downtown Disney, you need a handstamp / park ticket to re-board at the Downtown station. I think the same could theoretically be done at Universal, ensuring that guests understand that they are leaving one park and traveling to another. Also, a "train station" (maybe a mini Kings Cross station) could be located in both lands. There, visitors must get their pass scanned to enter the loading area, and ticket windows offer upgrades to "park-hopper" tickets (again, at Universal, the difference to upgrade is never more than $10.00. I'm not saying it would be simple or intuitive at first, but I'm saying that I don't think the ticketing thing would be the biggest problem if they realistically undertook this.
   
2. This, too, would be difficult and prohibitive. One idea (which is probably a logistical nightmare) is to have the train travel counter-clockwise around Islands of Adventure (i.e. through Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, Marvel, Port of Entry) then travel along the outskirts of the CityWalk lagoon (against the shore with the Hard Rock Cafe and Blue Man Group), then work its way around Universal Studios to the new area. I know that's actually "the long way," but it seems like it might be easier (though still not easy) to allow the train to move that way as opposed to through the backstage area. It would also allow the red and gold Hogwarts Express to be proudly displayed as it huffs and puffs its way through CityWalk between the two parks, which I think might be a unique excitement builder.
   Another realistic possibility it to simply plant a berm of trees and shrubs along a narrow train route through that backstage area to obscure the route (see Disneyland's railroad). Another cool thing that could happen is if the train passed through one of those sound stages back there (even just along a narrow corridor along the side of one of them - just enough to darken the train) and for just a brief moment, the air conditioning quickly chills each cab as, though frosted glass, the shadow of a dementor passes. It would be a really simple and effective moment that would make the train more than just a transportation device. If they could, in fact, have the windows be television screens (see, Disney Cruise Line's "magic portholes" in each room) then they could also briefly "freeze over" during the dementor scene and, upon entering the showbuilding, show a storm darkening outside.
   
3. My money would also be on the Lost Continent becoming phase two since it makes the most sense (with Poseidon's showbuilding, the Sinbad theater and Mythos, there's quite a bit of land there). However, it also makes me sad to think that the really cool structure of Mythos and the details of Poseidon's exterior might just be demolished. And there really isn't a whole lot of room to expand outward - properties next to Dueling Dragons are not owned by Universal. According to Google Earth, there's a school right there. I don't know that it's very logical to have two separate Harry Potter lands at two parks, but it's very smart for the park.
   They struck a gold mine with Potter, and if they have room for it in Universal Studios, then they've guaranteed a LOT of two-park ticket sales. With Potter apparently just greenlit for Universal Hollywood, it also makes sense that they'd kill two birds with one stone and have the creative and design teams working on both instead of calling them back in a few years. Besides the transportation, I think the only problem of having it in two parks is making non-fans angry. But financially, maybe it would be worth it? Another thing to consider is that Diagon Alley is chiefly the area where students go to buy their wands. They already have that in Islands of Adventure's, so really, it would be a merchandising homerun to offer that in both parks by having an Ollivanders in Diagon Alley (where it actually belongs) in the Studios park.
   

For now, it seems logical to me. They know Potter brings a return on investment like nothing else they've tried, and there's a whole lot of land back there that they're opening up (and it does seem that their intent is at least in part to open that area up). As far as what else they could be planning, I just can't think of anything else. Transformers is a no. Space Fantasy in Universal Japan is supposed to be very well received, but it's also very Japanese-culture friendly (which is probably why it hasn't ended up here yet). Unless they have something really new and really big in mind, I don't know why they'd do this, and at least for now, I can't really imagine what else there could be. We'll see, I suppose!

[XGatorHead 8904]

And the Animal stadium next to E.T. is a huge waste of space right now that could really be used well for a Dreamworks show or ride.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't mind a DreamWorks land, but I'd have to disagree with you there. When we were there in July that "huge waste of space" drew a nearly packed house during the show we attended. Granted, that's just one show and I'm drawing conclusions that attendance is similar for all the shows, but it offers nice family friendly entertainment.

My daughter's most anticipated ride was E.T.; she's been a fan of the movie for years. Of course, we're the type of parents that expose her to the classics, the stuff Mrs. Gator & I grew up with. She was a little disappointed when E.T. didn't pronounce her name correctly at the end of the ride, pronouncing it Leia instead of Leah. We joked and told her it was because E.T. is friends with Princess Leia from Star Wars (since E.T.'s species is in Phantom Menace). But she quickly forgave him and bought a plush E.T. doll after our second ride on it.