Jaws closing

[phamton]

For those that missed it in the other thread on ride closures:

The Orlando Sentinel has confirmed it ....

Universal places Jaws on a reduced schedule

Chris Cobbs | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted September 13, 2005

Universal Studios is scaling back the operation of its Jaws attraction -- one of the park's original rides -- keeping it open only for peak periods and special occasions for the rest of the year, a spokesman said Monday.

Spokesman Tom Schroder said the attraction will be on a modified schedule to steer guests toward newer rides, like Shrek 4-D and Revenge of the Mummy, and also to allow for basic maintenance.

"Jaws has a very dedicated following," he said. "But many people have yet to experience the newer rides."

The change in schedule will not result in the loss of jobs among the park's full-time, part-time or seasonal workers, Schroder said.

"Team members will be reassigned to other responsibilities," he said. "They were told of the changes on Monday."

The ride will close starting Thursday and is expected to return to a full schedule next year, though no date has been set yet, Schroder said.

"This is not uncommon in our industry and makes good business sense," he said. "In the past, we made similar operating changes and staggered the opening times for some rides to achieve efficiencies."

The ride will be open at Thanksgiving and Christmas and also for special events, like after-hours events, that already have been scheduled, he said.

Guests will be informed of the schedule change by signs in front of the attraction and also by Universal staffers, who will be able to recommend other rides.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...3,0,3665348.story?coll=orl-business-headlines

 

[Cindy B]

I'm glad we rode it two times on our last trip. This is one of my DH's favorite rides. I hope it doesn't go away completely.

They really do need to rehab it. The gas station boat dock during the ride has gas prices at less than a dollar per gallon! I laughed at that.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Thank you for the update.

 

[phamton]

The gas station boat dock during the ride has gas prices at less than a dollar per gallon! I laughed at that.

That's becuase you are supposed to be in 1976 Amity.

 

[keishashadow]

What a disappointment!!!!!!!!
Jaws was one of the few rides that most groups could enjoy together. Many park goers want to ride the more physically challenging rides (myself included), but they are unable to or have to judiciously pick & choose - due to physical limitations. I was already somewhat bored when my family rode the big thrill rides - you can only do so much shopping & their volume of merchandise isn't the greatest anyway.

Although others in my party enjoyed the wilder rides, no one in my group was impressed w/The Mummy. IMO a ride doesn't have to rattle your brains to be enjoyed. We love many of Universal's other rides, but if they start eliminating family rides to the exclusion of the theater type attractions (Terminator, Shrek, etc.) they will lose an important segment of their audience.

As it appears as though Jaws won't be open during the times my family visits the parks, we won't renew our Universal PAP's and will instead switch over to WDW AP's. If we do revisit at all anytime in the next year or two, we'll just visit for a day or two; and probably won't bother staying onsite (i.e. spending more money there).

IMO, unless this is a scheduled rehab, Universal has dropped the ball on this one. Other than the die-hard thrill seekers (an audience they already command), the family groups will probably not venture out of Dis for a few attractions.

If anyone knows where I should address my great disappointment, please post. TIA

 

[Snoopymom]

awwwe man! Dh can only go to the parks with us for one day during our next trip and he chose Univ for the Jaws ride! He's going to be so disappointed. Any way to know if it will be open Friday, Oct 7th? It's Presidents day weekend so maybe there's a chance?

Thanks Phamtom!

 

[Mickey&Co]

This is the first I am hearing about the closing. That is too bad!!!

My family and I have always enjoyed riding Jaws.

Thanks for the update.

Mickey&Co

 

[Cindy B]

That's becuase you are supposed to be in 1976 Amity.

See, but our last skipper used a "current" joke or comment during the ride. I guess they broke character or just went with the joke.

Now, see I thought it was supposed to be more current because of the TV ads that are playing in the queue line have a mid late 80's feel to them.

 

[bubba's mom]

What a shame! I agree...they DO need to keep "family" oriented rides. When we were at US in 1992, we spent one day at the park and did NOT get to experience JAWS, because it kept breaking down! We're going the end of June and I'd really like to see it once before the close it permanately! I know DH would like to see it too...and DS, well, he has no clue "who" JAWS is, but, I know he would enjoy it! I think it's a good idea to announce these kind of plans--peak times/summer openings....maybe there's a petition we could start.....

 

[momof3disneyholics]

That's sad. I always loved when my daughter rode it and called Jaws a "bad shark". I think it was best at night. The team members that work there are really good.

 

[keishashadow]

What a shame! I agree...they DO need to keep "family" oriented rides. When we were at US in 1992, we spent one day at the park and did NOT get to experience JAWS, because it kept breaking down! We're going the end of June and I'd really like to see it once before the close it permanately! I know DH would like to see it too...and DS, well, he has no clue "who" JAWS is, but, I know he would enjoy it! I think it's a good idea to announce these kind of plans--peak times/summer openings....maybe there's a petition we could start.....

My John Hancock is ready...who's starting one and, better yet, where do we send it?

 

[DW mouser]

It stated that it would be open for special events. I wonder if it will be open for all the HHN's? Anyone heard?

 

[thedisneymom]

Oh boy my husband is going to be sooo disappointed. This is his favorite ride and we always ride this as a family. My kids will be sad as well. They love the thrill rides in Islands but still consider this ride a great thrill.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Well done Universal - with other much poorer rides they could close, they chose this one - BIG mistake! Dump Earthquake (or at least the pre-show bit) or Twister (SOOO lame)................................

First Kongfrontation now this - Bad, Bad Universal....why not ask your customers first?

 

[SimonV]

I don't think it will be open for HHN as my understanding is it will be in IoA only this year, according to their media website.

 

[metsfan11]

Well done Universal - with other much poorer rides they could close, they chose this one - BIG mistake! Dump Earthquake (or at least the pre-show bit) or Twister (SOOO lame)................................

First Kongfrontation now this - Bad, Bad Universal....why not ask your customers first?

i ABSOLUTELY AGREE!
we went ti universal in august and went on jaws once. it was fun to see the shark and it gets reallllly hot during the gas station part. i definetly think they should keep this and dump earthquake. it is fun and all but the line moves slow and its really short. theres too many things going on at one time. terminator is a drop outdated but still great. *(and loud )

r.i.p. jaws...

 

[F-L-A]

"This is not uncommon in our industry and makes good business sense,"

And how is that? Sounds bush league to me... And closing one attraction so people ride the newer attractions, all of which are already busy enough, is one of the dumbest reasons ever. This thing better come back with some big upgrades.

There's nothing wrong with Earthquake (the ride). It's the disgustingly long pre-show that needs to go. Something that should take less than 5 minutes ends up taking over half an hour because of it. And the lines would move very quickly with just the ride. It's high capacity.

 

[phamton]

awwwe man! Dh can only go to the parks with us for one day during our next trip and he chose Univ for the Jaws ride! He's going to be so disappointed. Any way to know if it will be open Friday, Oct 7th? It's Presidents day weekend so maybe there's a chance?

Thanks Phamtom!

It is closing on Thrusday and the earliest re-opening wouldn't be until Thanksgiving. Just an FYI, this is also the time when they do yearly refurbishment on Jaws so maybe it will come back bigger and better. As for why not Twister or Earthquake, I have heard becuase Jaws is the costliest to maintain and run of any of the rides. Whether that is true or not, I don't know.

For those who asked who to write: guestservices@universalorlando.com

If this is not the right department, I am sure they will forward it to where it needs to be.

 

[2BigKIdz]

And how is that? Sounds bush league to me... And closing one attraction so people ride the newer attractions, all of which are already busy enough, is one of the dumbest reasons ever. This thing better come back with some big upgrades.

This is exactly what I was thinking. It does not make any sense to close an attraction to "force" people to ride/experience the newer attractions. This just makes the lines even longer for the new attractions which makes them less enticing. I have ridden everything at Universal and if there was ever a ride begging for rehab it's BTTF! Jaws was the sole reason for my first visit to US Studios, this is a sad day for Jaws fans.

 

[janice1234]

wow! what a bummer! i still cannot get over the closing of kong, every trip we had our family photo with king kong. now this? i hope they will not close jaws for good, it is one of my favorites. hopefully next year it will be up and running all the time.