Jaws closing for good on Jan 2

[nickyb720]

I'm disappointed they're closing down Jaws! I remember going on that ride with my parents and brother when it first opened! And since they haven't been to Universal in years, I'm sad they won't get to ride it again. It's too bad because it's just other sign of the original Universal going away. At least with Disney, they've kept most of the tradition rides (even though made they made upgrades to them.)

 

[RMulieri]

I hope Lombards survives in some way... it's one of my favorite places to eat at US

I never even thought about this and I have a reservation there for the end of Jan..that would really stink

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

that this is closing! It was awful to ride last year. I thought it was too campy/dated and the attraction really deepened on having a good actor.

I will say that Twister and Disaster should be on the chopping block.

I really hope that King Kong comes back!

 

[andyman8]

Personally, I truly do not want HP to come over to the studios, and, quite frankly, it is just not logical. Some people are still confused (particularly those who have not been since 98) about the parks. They think the resort is just one park with two sections like Epcot, all this would do would confuse people more. I think HP will not come to the studios.

As for Transformers (even though I do not like that movie), it will probably be the best bet. They built one in Hollywood so probably will come over to Florida. I would love to King Kong option which would be my second guess. My third guess might come as a surprise, but USF still has some rights to the Nickelodeon characters, and since the NickStudios closed in '05 the park has been waning on Nickelodeon. They kind of had to close Jimmy Neutron because most of the shows in that right had been ended. I wonder if they might put some Nickelodeon ride(s) in their for there is a high demand for them to bring back the Nick Studios. Personally, that would be what I would prefer, but it is a long show.

What baffles me is why they are not spending all this money building new attractions for USH. Being FL residents, we go to UOR regularly and love it! Two years ago, we went to USH and hated it. The park was old, small, and worn-out. I think there was only 16 rides (smaller than one of the Orlando parks), and USH does have room to expand. The park needs at least twenty rides (P.S. I know about Transformers). By the end of 2012, it will have 17, but they need more.

 

[Pooh Fan]

While we enjoyed the Jaws ride, I am looking forward to see what Universal puts in its place. I would love another coaster complete with a themed area with a smaller ride that is also family oriented. To be honest, we were a bit disappointed with the Harry Potter ride at IOA, so I am not sure that I would like it if they just add a train ride over to the HP land at IOA. I guess we will all have to wait and see what Universal has in store for the area...

 

[Tinkmom75]

Universal needs more slow family type rides. Either they are motion simulators that make me sick (I cannot ride Simpsons at all) or thrill rides with height requirements too tall for small kiddos. That said, I love Mummy. I used to love the Hannah Barbara ride...

Weren't there surveys a while back about Lord of the Rings. That would be so neat. They could have several attractions based on that....

 

[shirleygr]

My dh works for NBC-Universal and when we were at UO in July, he was chatting with some employees who told him they were closing Poseidon's Fury and most of the Bazaar to expand Potter there. Mythos would be worked into the new Potter.

Unfortunately he has no insider info on what's happening with Jaws/Amity.

 

[RAPstar]

I'm seriously hoping its not Transformers as we already have Spiderman, and they'll be basically the same ride for the most part. Unless Universal is preparing for the day when they (might) close Marvel Island. Who knows. I'm just PO'd they didn't at least give a hint as to what's replacing it, and that I didn't get to ride it this last trip.

 

[Larrabe]

Universal needs more slow family type rides. Either they are motion simulators that make me sick (I cannot ride Simpsons at all) or thrill rides with height requirements too tall for small kiddos. That said, I love Mummy. I used to love the Hannah Barbara ride...

Weren't there surveys a while back about Lord of the Rings. That would be so neat. They could have several attractions based on that....

LOTR would be so awesome! There was also mention of Willy Wonka in those surveys, which would be fabulous. I can just imagine the chocolate river ride now . . .

 

[MrsSparrow..]

My dh works for NBC-Universal and when we were at UO in July, he was chatting with some employees who told him they were closing Poseidon's Fury and most of the Bazaar to expand Potter there. Mythos would be worked into the new Potter.

Unfortunately he has no insider info on what's happening with Jaws/Amity.

That seems the most feasible. For logistics and expense reasons, I also don't think it there is a need to include HP in both Amity and IOA.
We always knew that Lost Contienent's days were numbered!

It's a shame we have to lose Mythos and instead get some Potter overhaul. This will really upset some people!

LOTR seems to be a fairly big rumour.
It wont be Transformers (99% sure). Spielberg accidently said Transformers might be coming to other parks, but apparently he was confused and this isn't true. The Head of Universal Creative also seems to agree that Transformers isn't coming to USO.

Madagascar anyone? Who knows. Willy Wonka sounds amazing - especially if it is based on the original.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

My dh works for NBC-Universal and when we were at UO in July, he was chatting with some employees who told him they were closing Poseidon's Fury and most of the Bazaar to expand Potter there. Mythos would be worked into the new Potter.

Unfortunately he has no insider info on what's happening with Jaws/Amity.

Um....I work for Universal and I have never heard this matter-of-fact statement. Us TM's were talking about IF they expanded, that's where it would go and that's "probably" what they would do with Mythos. There has never been any indication that this is what they are doing though.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

really GUTTED that Jaws is going!! Especially as we won't make it back before Jan 2nd to say goodbye.

First King Kong (my all time favourite ride ANYWHERE!!) and now Jaws - what next???

I fear ET's days are now severely numbered and that will be my 3 favourites all gone - You may have noticed I do (did!!) really like the classics!!

 

[Rags]

We go to Universal at the end of Jan. So bummed we are going to miss riding this one last time!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[andyman8]

I loved JAWS, but knew its days were numbered.

Universal still does character appearances from Nickelodeon characters (so they still have the right to it). I wonder if they would bring back some NICKELODEON rides, for Jimmy Neutron was dated in that most shows in that ride had been canceled.

 

[macraven]

really GUTTED that Jaws is going!! Especially as we won't make it back before Jan 2nd to say goodbye.

First King Kong (my all time favourite ride ANYWHERE!!) and now Jaws - what next???

I fear ET's days are now severely numbered and that will be my 3 favourites all gone - You may have noticed I do (did!!) really like the classics!!

i don't think ET will be closing down.
that is spielberg's baby and i'm sure universal would not do anything to tick Mr S. off.

 

[Figment22]

I haven't posted here in quite a long time, but reading about the closing of Jaws certainly called for a post.

I'm glad that I rode Jaws during my last trip to UO this past June. Sure, the ride was quite outdated but it was always fun, especially if you got a funny TM driving your boat. While I'm not against the closing, I do think that Universal should have given more than a month's notice. As one of the original Universal attractions, Jaws deserves a bit more time for its final curtain call.

I'll miss Jaws, but I am looking forward to something new and awesome coming to the Studios. I had not heard about the potential for additional Harry Potter attractions being added to the Studios' side until reading this thread, but if that is the case, it's a brilliant strategy IMO. There are many visitors who are visiting only IOA at the present time because they're interested in WWoHP and nothing else. What better way to generate more guests at the Studios? I highly doubt that TPTB would ever institute a single ticket encompassing both parks. Two parks; two separate admission fees.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I loved JAWS, but knew its days were numbered.

Universal still does character appearances from Nickelodeon characters (so they still have the right to it). I wonder if they would bring back some NICKELODEON rides, for Jimmy Neutron was dated in that most shows in that ride had been canceled.

Universal's contract with Nickelodeon ended this past year, which is why Jimmy Neutron is gone. The characters don't appear anymore either.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Universal's contract with Nickelodeon ended this past year, which is why Jimmy Neutron is gone. The characters don't appear anymore either.

I thought the characters did? Unless something has changed since August. Spongebob has a new meet'n'greet in the KidZone and I'm pretty sure I saw Dora near the Universal Studios store. Not 100% on Dora though!

 

[ksdave]

I just do not see any expansion of HP being included into Amity. If you look at a satellite view of the parks on Mapquest or any other site, you'll see that there is a ton of "backstage" stuff between where HP currently resides and where Amity is. I really do not see any feasible way to tie in the two areas, even by a train ride. Plus, how would you handle the folks that only have a one-park pass?
I did read today that WWoHP is going to be built in US-Hollywood!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/potter-attraction-on-way-_0_n_1125766.html

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Potter-attraction-way-apf-1176097773.html

 

[damo]

I thought the characters did? Unless something has changed since August. Spongebob has a new meet'n'greet in the KidZone and I'm pretty sure I saw Dora near the Universal Studios store. Not 100% on Dora though!

You are correct.