As you may have heard by now Universal Studios is shutting down the Jaws ride forever on January 2, 2012. Universal spokespeople cite the ride has run it's course and it's time for an "out with the old - in with the new" approach.
The Jaws ride is one of the original attractions from when the park opened in 1990 and will be missed by many of the Spielberg fans. I suppose it's a good move since there hasn't been a new Jaws movie since the late 80's and none of the sequels was nearly the blockbuster the original was.
Speculation on Twitter and among theme park goers is that the ride will be replaced by part of the Harry Potter expansion. As soon as I learn more I'll post it.
12/6/11: Okay, so I've checked with all the back channels I know and nobody knows what will replace the Jaws Ride but most of the park insider bloggers agree. We think it will be something to do with the announcement made just today regarding the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. When it first opened in 2010 the attendance at Universal Studios increased by 50% and that's for just one attraction! Speculation by park watchers is that they are making room for some Harry Potter magic at Universal Studios as well to boost ticket sales there and it's probably a safe bet. We could all be wrong but the theme park business in Florida is a multi-billion dollar enterprise. If you follow the money as with any business it seems to fit. So, we'll see what announcements they make in the next several months.
Update - January 3, 2012: It's official, the Jaws ride has closed forever as of last night. Apparently, Universal Studios is going to build in it's place another Harry Potter attraction with a train ride, predictably called "Hogwarts Express" connecting the new attraction from Universal Studios to the Harry Potter area in Islands of Adventure. Going to miss the amity Island theme but Harry Potter is what's in right now and Universal always does a superb job with new attractions so it should something worth looking forward to.
The Jaws ride is one of the original attractions from when the park opened in 1990 and will be missed by many of the Spielberg fans. I suppose it's a good move since there hasn't been a new Jaws movie since the late 80's and none of the sequels was nearly the blockbuster the original was.
Speculation on Twitter and among theme park goers is that the ride will be replaced by part of the Harry Potter expansion. As soon as I learn more I'll post it.
12/6/11: Okay, so I've checked with all the back channels I know and nobody knows what will replace the Jaws Ride but most of the park insider bloggers agree. We think it will be something to do with the announcement made just today regarding the expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. When it first opened in 2010 the attendance at Universal Studios increased by 50% and that's for just one attraction! Speculation by park watchers is that they are making room for some Harry Potter magic at Universal Studios as well to boost ticket sales there and it's probably a safe bet. We could all be wrong but the theme park business in Florida is a multi-billion dollar enterprise. If you follow the money as with any business it seems to fit. So, we'll see what announcements they make in the next several months.
Update - January 3, 2012: It's official, the Jaws ride has closed forever as of last night. Apparently, Universal Studios is going to build in it's place another Harry Potter attraction with a train ride, predictably called "Hogwarts Express" connecting the new attraction from Universal Studios to the Harry Potter area in Islands of Adventure. Going to miss the amity Island theme but Harry Potter is what's in right now and Universal always does a superb job with new attractions so it should something worth looking forward to.
