- December 5th, 2011, 8:10 pm
#48105
Sad, sad news. (I'll live though.)
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-12-02/business/universal-to-close-jaws-20111202_1_wizarding-world-new-attraction-kongfrontation
From the Universal Orlando Resort facebook page:
As much as I hate to see the ride go....I think I'll live. Having said that, I still consider Jaws to be my #2 @ USF (Revenge Of The Mummy being #1). The Amity area is perhaps my favorite area to go into at the park as well; nicely themed. I hadn't been in 3 years (or IOA since Dec. '08), so anything new I haven't experienced yet. This kind of sucks since I really don't like motion simulated rides, so I hope the replacement is not one. I like rides like Spiderman, just not those like The Simpsons, or Jimmy Neutron. I can usually only stand the latter once and I'm done. Even The Wild Arctic/Polar Express @ Seaworld I can only take once a visit. I just tend to get headaches after those types of attractions.
Besides Mummy and Jaws, the only other attractions that are re-ride able and worth going to USF for me is E.T. (#3) and MIB (#4). I did enjoy T2, but really how often do you get back in line for it, especially on the same trip/visit? Twister is ok the first time, but not worth waiting in line for again; same with Disaster, Shrek 4D, etc.. I also don't do halloween events so HHN is not even on the radar for me. Basically the only reason I went to the park (for return visits) was for Mummy, Jaws, E.T. and MIB and have been wanting to ride Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit (even with all the bad reviews, I still have to experience it...lol).
The park (USF) is already a 2-3 hour experience max for me and only went when I had an annual pass in '07/'08 (with IOA) that I didn't renew. Being more a coaster enthusiast, it wasn't a priority. The Harry Potter addition in IOA did nothing for me at all, which helped when I decided whether to renew or not. I currently only have a BGT/SWO pass (I live in Florida).
As for the replacement? It would have to be something worth my time and $ to return to the park at this point. There are several rumors going around. One big one is Harry Potter 2.0, doing the London/Diagon Alley area with a train or something connecting the 2 areas. I don't care for Potter at all, so if they pull that out the bag, I probably will never return to the resort as it would be a waste IMO. Let them expand that in IOA, taking over the rest of the Lost Continent (still won't care for it there).
Other contenders include Transformers and Lord Of The Rings which would be cool, but they would definitely have to offer more than just a platform simulation ride in order for me to want to experience it. I would really like the addition of another coaster perhaps based on one of those franchises or something else worthy to get me to come back. I just wish I was able to go ride (Jaws) one last time....I already set my vacation the end of this month for New Years @ BGT and SWO .
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-12-02/business/universal-to-close-jaws-20111202_1_wizarding-world-new-attraction-kongfrontation
Universal Studios to close Jaws to make way for new attraction
Jaws, the classic Universal Studios Florida ride in which tour boats full of guests are attacked by a robotic great white shark, will close permanently on 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 Amity-themed area surrounding the attraction, named after the fictional resort island in the movie, 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.
In a message posted on Facebook, Universal sought to soothe fans who might be upset that Universal Studios is losing another of its original attractions. Earlier closures have included the "King Kong"-based Kongfrontation in 2002 (to make way for the Revenge of the Mummy indoor roller coaster) and a "Ghostbusters"-themed stage show in 1996 (replaced by a "Twister"-themed experience.)
"We've got a couple of things planned to ensure we always remember and honor" Jaws," Universal said on its Facebook page, though it did not elaborate.
The move comes as Universal Orlando tries to inject fresh life into Universal Studios, its original theme park. Universal Studios has in the past 18 months been leapfrogged in popularity by Universal's second park, Islands of Adventure, which has been drawing record crowds since opening the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in June 2010.
Another new Universal Studios attraction — a 3-D ride based on the 2010 animated film "Despicable Me" — is scheduled to open next year.
Universal declined to discuss any details about what will replace Jaws or when it might open.
"We can't wait to share details of our plans — in due time," Schroder said.
From the Universal Orlando Resort facebook page:
Hey fans, we want you to be the first to know… JAWS! and the Amity area will officially close on January 2 to make room for an exciting, NEW, experience we’re planning for you.
We know you love JAWS! and we do too. It has been an amazing attraction and after terrorizing the waters of Amity here at Universal Orlando for 20 years, it’s a VERY important part of our history. So, we’ve got a couple things planned to ensure we always remember and honor it. We know it’s hard to say goodbye, but we can’t express how EXCITED we are about the new, innovative & amazing experience we’re going to be bringing you.
As much as I hate to see the ride go....I think I'll live. Having said that, I still consider Jaws to be my #2 @ USF (Revenge Of The Mummy being #1). The Amity area is perhaps my favorite area to go into at the park as well; nicely themed. I hadn't been in 3 years (or IOA since Dec. '08), so anything new I haven't experienced yet. This kind of sucks since I really don't like motion simulated rides, so I hope the replacement is not one. I like rides like Spiderman, just not those like The Simpsons, or Jimmy Neutron. I can usually only stand the latter once and I'm done. Even The Wild Arctic/Polar Express @ Seaworld I can only take once a visit. I just tend to get headaches after those types of attractions.
Besides Mummy and Jaws, the only other attractions that are re-ride able and worth going to USF for me is E.T. (#3) and MIB (#4). I did enjoy T2, but really how often do you get back in line for it, especially on the same trip/visit? Twister is ok the first time, but not worth waiting in line for again; same with Disaster, Shrek 4D, etc.. I also don't do halloween events so HHN is not even on the radar for me. Basically the only reason I went to the park (for return visits) was for Mummy, Jaws, E.T. and MIB and have been wanting to ride Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit (even with all the bad reviews, I still have to experience it...lol).
The park (USF) is already a 2-3 hour experience max for me and only went when I had an annual pass in '07/'08 (with IOA) that I didn't renew. Being more a coaster enthusiast, it wasn't a priority. The Harry Potter addition in IOA did nothing for me at all, which helped when I decided whether to renew or not. I currently only have a BGT/SWO pass (I live in Florida).
As for the replacement? It would have to be something worth my time and $ to return to the park at this point. There are several rumors going around. One big one is Harry Potter 2.0, doing the London/Diagon Alley area with a train or something connecting the 2 areas. I don't care for Potter at all, so if they pull that out the bag, I probably will never return to the resort as it would be a waste IMO. Let them expand that in IOA, taking over the rest of the Lost Continent (still won't care for it there).
Other contenders include Transformers and Lord Of The Rings which would be cool, but they would definitely have to offer more than just a platform simulation ride in order for me to want to experience it. I would really like the addition of another coaster perhaps based on one of those franchises or something else worthy to get me to come back. I just wish I was able to go ride (Jaws) one last time....I already set my vacation the end of this month for New Years @ BGT and SWO .
COASTER COUNT: 130
Top 10:
Top 10:
