Jaws closing for good on Jan 2

[BrinkofSunshine]

I think that if Jaws wasn't so terribly expensive to run, we would be less likely to be losing it.

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[nytimez]

Agreed. A co-worker of mine who used to work at Jaws told me today that every time a boat does a lap it costs them $900 if all the effects are working.

I have a hard time believing that.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

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[Mad Hattered]

I read that the gas alone for the explosions cost about $7000/hr.

$900 per lap sounds about right (if not low) if what Damo has read is correct.

 

[nytimez]

It's just what he told me. It did seem like an outrageous number to me but he insisted on it. Maybe he meant per hour or day. He stressed the word lap though.

I'll ask around, because I am curious to know the operational costs.

I don't doubt that he told you that -- he might even believe it himself. I've found that TMs at Universal and CMs at Disney often repeat some of the same myths you read online that simply aren't true. $900 per boat lap simply doesn't hold up to logic -- especially when you consider the many times of year the boats make those laps with not so many people on board.

 

[kenban]

Trouble is, what kind of ride technology would they use? Ok, the Kong 360 3D has been mooted, and that would be a no-brainer...but what else?

The Gringotts Bank coaster cannot be done, as it would be too similar to ROTM in the same park.

I hope they go with the expensive tech used in Pooh's Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland, where the vehicles move on their own and are not connected to a track.

Universal is supposed to be working on new coaster technology in the same studio they did the work on Strong Arm. If the rumors are true then that is what will be used it is going to be kinda like Forbidden Journey something we have not seen used before. From what I have heard it will have its moments were it is a traditional coaster but also elements where the train stops and the track moves and we are talking about a lot of movement not just turning the train around.

 

[damo]

I don't doubt that he told you that -- he might even believe it himself. I've found that TMs at Universal and CMs at Disney often repeat some of the same myths you read online that simply aren't true. $900 per boat lap simply doesn't hold up to logic -- especially when you consider the many times of year the boats make those laps with not so many people on board.

I read per lap too and that the prices keep going up drastically because of the price of the petrol for the explosions. I have no idea how much gas is used for the fire or to run the boats, so I really can't even guess if those numbers are right.

From http://behindthethrills.com/2011/12...bow-legged-women-a-rumor-mill-special-report/
Jaws is an expensive ride to maintain and operate. It has fire effects, which have been reduced at times because of the cost of fuel. It uses about seven animated sharks in the water. Remember how much trouble the film had because of the water? Imagine six sharks operating 10-12 hours a day, 365 days a year. Things are constantly breaking, and the ride system is completely submerged underwater. It uses hydraulic pumps to operate these huge beasts, which again costs a lot of money. Then there are the skippers. What other attraction in the park puts an employee on the ride with you? Most rides you have the employee loading and unloading, and that’s the extent of it. This ride not only do you have the employees loading, unloading, operating the ride, but also on the boats. Considering the ride operates quite a number of boats at once, that’s one more person per boat.

 

[atricks]

In the short term, one thing I can't figure out is how Amity closing will affect the Mardi Gras parade. It usually runs from behind jaws/next to the Fear Factor stadium, through new york/Hollywood and out by Beetlejuice.

Some nights are pretty crowded, and it really needs all that length, I'm really curious what they will do with that.

 

[Metro West]

In the short term, one thing I can't figure out is how Amity closing will affect the Mardi Gras parade. It usually runs from behind jaws/next to the Fear Factor stadium, through new york/Hollywood and out by Beetlejuice.

Some nights are pretty crowded, and it really needs all that length, I'm really curious what they will do with that.

I doubt that will be of any concern. I'm sure they've already worked out an alternative route for the parade.

 

[nytimez]

$900 per lap sounds about right (if not low) if what Damo has read is correct.

I read per lap too and that the prices keep going up drastically because of the price of the petrol for the explosions. I have no idea how much gas is used for the fire or to run the boats, so I really can't even guess if those numbers are right.

From http://behindthethrills.com/2011/12...bow-legged-women-a-rumor-mill-special-report/
Jaws is an expensive ride to maintain and operate. It has fire effects, which have been reduced at times because of the cost of fuel. It uses about seven animated sharks in the water. Remember how much trouble the film had because of the water? Imagine six sharks operating 10-12 hours a day, 365 days a year. Things are constantly breaking, and the ride system is completely submerged underwater. It uses hydraulic pumps to operate these huge beasts, which again costs a lot of money. Then there are the skippers. What other attraction in the park puts an employee on the ride with you? Most rides you have the employee loading and unloading, and that’s the extent of it. This ride not only do you have the employees loading, unloading, operating the ride, but also on the boats. Considering the ride operates quite a number of boats at once, that’s one more person per boat.

I have no doubt that it's a nightmarishly expensive ride to maintain -- water rides tend to be. But I don't think the effects alone cost $900 per lap nor do I think the gas alone costs $7,000 per hour. I would go as far as to say there's not a chance in the world either of those numbers are true.

The ride uses natural gas, which is cheaper than regular petrol.

OK, I just found this article from 1993 which says the natural gas bill for the ride was $2 million per year.

This chart shows the price of natural gas for commercial consumers has gone up 75 percent since 1993. So, assuming they've done nothing to improve efficiency, that makes the natural gas bill now $3.5 million per year -- or a little more than $9,500 per day.

Very expensive... but not $900 per lap or $7000 per hour.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I have no doubt that it's a nightmarishly expensive ride to maintain -- water rides tend to be. But I don't think the effects alone cost $900 per lap nor do I think the gas alone costs $7,000 per hour. I would go as far as to say there's not a chance in the world either of those numbers are true.

The ride uses natural gas, which is cheaper than regular petrol.

OK, I just found this article from 1993 which says the natural gas bill for the ride was $2 million per year.

This chart shows the price of natural gas for commercial consumers has gone up 75 percent since 1993. So, assuming they've done nothing to improve efficiency, that makes the natural gas bill now $3.5 million per year -- or a little more than $9,500 per day.

Very expensive... but not $900 per lap or $7000 per hour.

The boats still run on good ole gasoline. Add that in there too.

 

[nytimez]

The boats still run on good ole gasoline. Add that in there too.

The boats run on biodiesel. But even if they ran on good ole gasoline you still wouldn't approach $900 per lap or $7000 per hour.

Boats that size use a gallon or MAYBE two of fuel an hour, three if they were really humming along which these boats are not. Throw in the TM's hourly wage and you've got maybe $15 - $20 per hour to gas and staff the boat. That's per hour, not per lap. The ride is roughly 5 minutes long. Assuming 5 minutes to load/unload (that's a guess) that's six laps per hour -- so per lap, the fuel for the boat and pay for the TM is around $3 or so.

Again, I'm not arguing that this isn't an expensive ride to run. I just don't think the numbers being used here are close to accurate.

 

[Invisable89]

Not sure whether to make this post it's own thread...

Screamscape are saying Harry Potter Phase 2 is replacing Jaws : http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_studios_florida.htm#Potter2

EDIT - Harry Potter Phase 2 has been confirmed but no additional details have been released : http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/os-wizarding-world-harry-potter-orlando-expansion-20111206,0,4737369.story

 

[damo]

The boats run on biodiesel. But even if they ran on good ole gasoline you still wouldn't approach $900 per lap or $7000 per hour.

Boats that size use a gallon or MAYBE two of fuel an hour, three if they were really humming along which these boats are not. Throw in the TM's hourly wage and you've got maybe $15 - $20 per hour to gas and staff the boat. That's per hour, not per lap. The ride is roughly 5 minutes long. Assuming 5 minutes to load/unload (that's a guess) that's six laps per hour -- so per lap, the fuel for the boat and pay for the TM is around $3 or so.

Again, I'm not arguing that this isn't an expensive ride to run. I just don't think the numbers being used here are close to accurate.

I guess we also have to add in the cost of maintenance and repairs of the hydraulics and other mechanics. Any clue what those are?

 

[nytimez]

I guess we also have to add in the cost of maintenance and repairs of the hydraulics and other mechanics. Any clue what those are?

No clue on those -- but they wouldn't be part of the fuel or effects costs. I'm sure it's a lot, water rides tend to be maintenance-intensive.

However, much of those costs are in staff -- a couple of full-time pros on salary, and a team of hourly assistants/worker bees I'd guess. They don't have to build or even purchase things too often -- but they do have to put a lot of person-hours into maintaining the attraction.

I'd further guess that at least some of the folks who maintain the Jaws ride are shared and work on other rides/projects as well... and no matter what ride is there, you'd have at least some base cost from maintenance -- so the real question, I guess, is how much above that does Jaws cost?

That, I don't know. And again, the rest of what I wrote is a guess... and mine's only as good as yours!

 

[Figment22]

UO has the HP expansion on its Facebook page, although they haven't officially tied it in to the Jaws/Amity area:
https://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort

A big congrats to our friends at Universal Studios Hollywood who officially announced earlier today that in partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment, they’re bringing The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Hollywood! The new fully immersive environment will bring the stories of Harry Potter to life at USH & feature the majestic Hogwarts castle as its centerpiece.

BUT WAIT, there’s even more great news! We’re excited to announce that we’ll be significantly expanding The Wizarding World of Harry Potter here in Orlando… more details to come later.

 

[andyman8]

See I have heard many rumors of Lost Continent's end, due to the (at the time) incoming HP Island. I have even heard that the plan was to all out remove the Lost Continent for HP. So maybe, but (sadly) probably not.

I really hope the the closure of JAWS and the HP expansion aren't related, but I've got a bad feeling about this.

I loved HP World but never really liked the books. Many will disagree, but I think bring HP to USF is going a bit far (overdoing it), for isn't UOR about UNIVERSAL movies not about HP Movies by WARNER BROTHERS.

Also, I have a hard time seeing how they were integrate this with the rest of the park. It worked great with IOA (Islands based on brands; HP is a brand) but how do they build a HP land at USF (a studio backlot).

Maybe it's an odd coincidence??

 

[ChrisFL]

New post on my blog about Harry Potter:

http://imagineeringmind.wordpress.c...universal-orlando-the-blessing-and-the-curse/

 

[Mad Hattered]

New post on my blog about Harry Potter:

http://imagineeringmind.wordpress.c...universal-orlando-the-blessing-and-the-curse/

Nice article. I agree with your thoughts. It appears they are putting all their eggs in one basket (not to sound old or anything ) and the two park scenario seems like overkill. I'm really disappointed they are closing Amity for this.

p.s. This is coming from the guy, who at 9 years old, wore the Collegeville JAWS costume for Halloween when he could have been a much cooler Super Hero or something...

*sigh*

 

[RCMommy]

We will be arriving for the first trip with our kids 4 days after the rides closes. Sad, they won't get to experience it