Universal Studios - Jaws Ride Closing 2012

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.

Boston Lobster Feast

If you come to Orlando and are looking for places to eat dinner, the Boston Lobster Feast is a very popular choice.  We ate there Sunday night and while we are usually very satisfied we were not so enthused this time.

The buffet-style dinner includes great samplings.  All the lobster you can eat with other items like shrimp, Oysters Rockefeller, gumbo, and seafood salad.  There are items like pasta with sauce, sausage and peppers, and you can special order steak if someone in your party doesn't want seafood.  There is also a good salad bar with raw oysters, craw fish, and other items.  The menu is good and the food quality is very good for a buffet.  Dinner prices are $39.95 for early bird, and $46.95 after 6:00pm.  This is not fast food and the prices are steep for Florida but you can really pig out if you're inclined.

Service and management were a little disappointing.  We have eaten there before but noticed a marked change in both of these areas.  We were seated and waited a while for somebody to notice us.  We were greeted by a waitress who was less than enthusiastic to be there at all.  You've been in restaurants where the wait staff acts like you're bothering them?  That's what we got.  She did all right but was just going through the motions. 

My son is not a lover of seafood so we asked the manager if he could just get a plate of fried clam strips which I know they carry.  He told us they "ran out" for the day and was sorry.  Then he asked me if there was anything else he could do for me (as if he had done anything at that point).  When I said no he told us to enjoy our meal.  So, for $46.95, my son settled for chicken strips and fries.  In a good restaurant the manager would have had the decency to prorate the bill so we wouldn't pay top dollar for a dinner we could have got at Kentucky Fried Chicken for $4.99.  If you are an experienced diner then you know there's no such thing as running out of anything.  It was about 9:00pm and he didn't want to crack open a fresh case of anything.  I expect better than this for a $200 dinner. 

Enough of a rant but we expect certain levels of service when we go out and I was given the feeling nobody was going to give us any more than what they absolutely had to. 

I enjoyed the food very much and so did the rest of the family but I know a lot of parents agree.  If one of your kids is unhappy you don't enjoy your dinner as much. 

While it is a great dinner feast I give them a C+ for customer service.  You will not be disappointed overall but it will be a long time before I go there again.

Sea World Christmas

We spent the day Sunday at Sea World.  It's the second day of their Christmas Celebration and we loved it.  The first thing we always do is hit the big rides:  Manta, Journey to Atlantis, and Kraaken.  The we went to the whale and dolphin show.  This is always spectacular but it's hard to get photos of a fast-moving animal with a cell phone.   I took quite a few this time because you can't tell if you actually got it.  The show includes

dolphins, pilot whales, and  flying macaws.  There is also an acrobatic act over the water that's worth seeing.  We skipped the Shamu Theater because the show times didn't match up with where we were in the park but we did see the Winter Wonderland On Ice, a skating, singing, and character show.  I missed this one last year but it was worth seeing.  The show is in an outdoor amphitheater with a breathtaking view of the entire park. They have real ice and snow.  If you have been to or live near Rockefeller Center in New York it gives you the feel without the tall buildings in the background. 

Next, we visited the Polar Express which is the Arctic Adventure during the regular season.  Narrated and starred in by Tom Hanks there is a small film preview followed by a virtual train ride through a winding mountain range.  The entire adventure takes about ten minutes.  I took this shot of a quartet outside standing  in front of the locomotive from the movie.  When you step off the ride you walk through the arctic and see beluga whales, polar bears, and walruses.  you wind your way through an Alaskan type outpost which is cold inside.  I lived in Alaska for a number of years and the experience is very realistic.  I like it so much it makes me miss living there.    

We didn't eat there this trip.  Please see my previous posts for any dining information.  I posted this article more for the pictures this time.  I thought you'd enjoy them.

Check out Sea World's web site for ticket information and pay special attention to the passes and multi-day ticket prices.  Central Florida is a great place to visit year round but we do it up for Christmas so I hope if you plan to come down you enjoy yourselves and want to come back!  Thanks. 

Downtown Disney - Orlando

Downtown Disney is a waterfront shopping, eating, and strolling place located on Lake Buena Vista Blvd just off I-4 on Disney property.  I first started going there when I was a kid and I've always enjoyed taking my family there.  It's a great stroll winter or summer and of the restaurants I've patronized I've enjoyed every one.  The area encompasses a lakefront that winds back toward the Disney Resort. There are several golf courses and hotels you can access via boat rentals or boat ferry if you like the water.  

At night there are always street musicians and stage shows on the edge of the lagoon.  You can browse the shops and visit Ghiradelli's for great desserts but watch the prices.  When we stop there the four of us get a dessert that averages $6 - $12 dollars so don't look for bargains but it's a great treat.

At one end of the complex you can start at the Rain Forest Cafe and work your way around the T-Rex Restaurant.  The kids love both of these.  Wolfgang Puck has a sandwich shop but at the far end there is another Wolfgang Puck Restaurant which is a little more involved dining.  I haven't eaten at either one of these so I can't comment.  If you really want fine dining there is Fulton's Crab House located in a four story full-size riverboat on the water.   Never dined there either because dinner can cost upwards of $35 or $40 dollars.  The reviews are always excellent about this place and it's been in business for many years.  I want to try it someday but either you have money or you go there for an occasion.   We've also dined at Bongo's Cuban Cafe numerous times and are always pleased.  See my article in September for more about it. The one place I don't recommend is Haagen-Daas ice cream parlor.  While the brand is excellent the place was filthy,  the service was hostile and unfriendly, and not enough places to sit.  We'll never go there again.

At the far end of the place is the famed Cirque De Soleil, a highly acclaimed circus showcase that is permanently located at Disney Village.  This show is primarily acrobatic and is supposed to be one of the best in the world.  No animals at this circus and the tickets are expensive so check it out on line before you decide if you really want to go.  Those I've spoken to say the show is great but would probably not go again.


At that end of the park is the highly acclaimed House of Blues.   The concert tour people will like this one as there is always good talent there but don't look for the Rolling Stones.  Look for Cinderella or Toad the Wet Sprocket.  Not the biggest names in the business but great talent just the same.  For the experienced concert-goer understand it's a standing room venue so wear your good boots!

Stores are mostly Disney stores like World of Disney or 25 Days of Christmas.  There is a Lego store which was recently renovated and that looks great.  The west end has a cigar store, clothing stores, a 24-plex theater, and in 2012 they are going to open up a bowling alley in the old Virgin Records.  There is a lot to do between visiting theme parks and it's a relaxing but fun-filled place to go in the evening.  Hope you like and thanks for reading.