-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Jaws.. what's happening?
- Thread starter pumpkin7
- Start date
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
As of today (Wednesday, Jan 25), the lighthouse and the rock facade on which it rests appeared to be intact.
The hanging shark photo op is still accessible.
There's still a boat (Amity 6/ride vehicle) parked at the loading dock, as if wanting to take guests on another tour...
As for the buildings in Amity, nothing is showing any obvious signs of demolition. There are a couple of holes in some building facades, and some holes in the ground dug up around the carnival games, but that's about it.
I'm not sure why others above have contradicted this info....:shrug:
The hanging shark photo op is still accessible.
There's still a boat (Amity 6/ride vehicle) parked at the loading dock, as if wanting to take guests on another tour...
As for the buildings in Amity, nothing is showing any obvious signs of demolition. There are a couple of holes in some building facades, and some holes in the ground dug up around the carnival games, but that's about it.
I'm not sure why others above have contradicted this info....:shrug:
Captain Chaos
Well-Known Member
As of today (Wednesday, Jan 25), the lighthouse and the rock facade on which it rests appeared to be intact.
The hanging shark photo op is still accessible.
There's still a boat (Amity 6/ride vehicle) parked at the loading dock, as if wanting to take guests on another tour...
As for the buildings in Amity, nothing is showing any obvious signs of demolition. There are a couple of holes in some building facades, and some holes in the ground dug up around the carnival games, but that's about it.
I'm not sure why others above have contradicted this info....:shrug:
Question, do you work in Universal??? Just curious because you seem to have some backstage info... Especially with Amity... I had seen pictures of part of the lagoon dug up, others have seen part of it filled in... And people have seem the beginnings of the buildings coming down, not that the facades have started to come down, but some backstage buildings and the beginnings of taking Amity down (not that the buildings have actually come own yet...)... I think it would be great if we had someone who worked there and could get inside to give us updates from the inside.... As for the shark, originally they walled the photo op up, but then moved the walls back allowing for the photo op to remain... I think people saw the original walls and figured the shark had been removed when that wasn't the case... I think we did mention the shark photo op was still intact though....
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Regardless, these observations are all visible from guest accessible areas.
. There's not much going on in Jaws between the island and Amity street. There are still boats on the track by load, unload, and maintenance, and the island buidling facades (facing load/unload) are for the most part still intact.
Universal has also implemented some security around the backstage area of Jaws, to discourage trespassing into the demo site, taking photos, etc. Normally we don't think of a company needing to utilize security "against" its own employees, but I think that Universal understands that there is a level of interest in this demo, and in its replacement. Universal also understands that we live in a day and age when many employees are high school and college students, everyone with a phone is a photographer, and there's a online auction market for extinct attraction items and props. So, they are deterring the overly curious team member.
This isn't to say that EVERYTHING couldn't come down overnight, it could. But this is where it stands now; it's just not as "demolished" as other posts above have implied.
And yes, I am aware that the construction walls originally blocked off the photo op and that within a couple of days of going up, Universal moved the walls back to allow for access to the shark. I was just happily reporting that it is still accessible. :sohappy:
Captain Chaos
Well-Known Member
Regardless, these observations are all visible from guest accessible areas.
There's not much going on in Jaws between the island and Amity street. There are still boats on the track by load, unload, and maintenance, and the island buidling facades (facing load/unload) are for the most part still intact.
Universal has also implemented some security around the backstage area of Jaws, to discourage trespassing into the demo site, taking photos, etc. Normally we don't think of a company needing to utilize security "against" its own employees, but I think that Universal understands that there is a level of interest in this demo, and in its replacement. Universal also understands that we live in a day and age when many employees are high school and college students, everyone with a phone is a photographer, and there's a online auction market for extinct attraction items and props. So, they are deterring the overly curious team member.
This isn't to say that EVERYTHING couldn't come down overnight, it could. But this is where it stands now; it's just not as "demolished" as other posts above have implied.
And yes, I am aware that the construction walls originally blocked off the photo op and that within a couple of days of going up, Universal moved the walls back to allow for access to the shark. I was just happily reporting that it is still accessible. :sohappy:
Awesome!!! Thanks TK... Like I said, there is nothing like on the ground reporting
I actually heard that Universal has had security or other personnel follow would be photographers around the park as they took pics of the lagoon, even going so far as to have a manager approach one and ask them to stop... :lookaroun
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Awesome!!! Thanks TK... Like I said, there is nothing like on the ground reporting
I actually heard that Universal has had security or other personnel follow would be photographers around the park as they took pics of the lagoon, even going so far as to have a manager approach one and ask them to stop... :lookaroun
I have not heard of this happening (but I suppose it's possible, just seems a bit odd). I wonder what a "would be photographer" looks like, considering that you have at theme park where every guest has a camera (or smartphone) in their hands. I'd like to see some confirmation as to whether such a policy was instituted.
On a side note, there are frequently helicopters hovering above the Amity area. These are most likely just local tour choppers, and they probably hover around Amity simply because it's on the perimeter of the park and thus just a coincidence, but I can't help but wonder whether they're getting any good demo photos (like Keating's great aerials of the FLE).
JafarMaleficent
Active Member
Yes everything is still up. It looked like it may have been taken down that night. I usually just wake by the back and have not seen anything from guest areas. I will say this though and tl I'm sure you'll agree they do seem be moving fast. At least faster then Disney
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Most theme park area/attraction demos begin with internal gutting and then continue with actual demolition at the back (farther from guest areas), ending with the facades that are in clear guest view.
This is done - obviously - in order to limit the duration of time for the giant eye sore that a demo creates (and for other practical engineering reasons considering that the structures must be moved out from backstage), especially when the demo cannot be completely hidden from guests, such as Horizons
Once the demo progresses to the front and harbor areas, it will be interesting to see just how quickly they can take everything down and move it out.
This is done - obviously - in order to limit the duration of time for the giant eye sore that a demo creates (and for other practical engineering reasons considering that the structures must be moved out from backstage), especially when the demo cannot be completely hidden from guests, such as Horizons
Once the demo progresses to the front and harbor areas, it will be interesting to see just how quickly they can take everything down and move it out.
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Most of the "backstage" area is visible from both guest areas and areas just outside of the park perimeter, not to mention any vantage points from above. Just like the FLE cannot be hidden from view, the same goes for Jaws/Amity.
Security has been increased in order to prevent people from physically accessing the area (which could lead to injury or theft), but there's nothing that can be done to effectively prevent observation.
Universal will be more sensitive to observation post-demolition, when the actual HP construction begins and the "secrecy" behind it becomes more valuable in managing public perception.
"Cracking down" on photography 10 years ago is much different from attempting to do so today. Now that everyone phone is a camera, heck - even some pens are video cameras - there's just no way to tell whether someone is talking, texting, or snapping photos.
As for theme park employees, there's PLENTY of photography taking place backstage. Just look at the demographic of your typical CM/TM. To suggest that an employee wouldn't "risk their job" to snap a few shots is a bit misleading, because a lot of these kids don't anticipate termination is a conceivable consequence. People who don't wear seat belts in attractions don't think that they're going to end up getting kicked out of the park or going to the hospital. Everything's gonna be fine. Hakuna matata.
Regardless, there are actually better vantage points for shooting this area of the park rather than from the backstage areas, not including the restricted area that the demo team is working in - obviously.
JafarMaleficent
Active Member
I'm watching the boathouse be torn down right now. I can see it from my apt.
I'm watching the boathouse be torn down right now. I can see it from my apt.
Any pics?
JafarMaleficent
Active Member
The pile of rubble is the boathouse.
Millionaire2K
Active Member
Awesome!!! Thanks TK... Like I said, there is nothing like on the ground reporting
I actually heard that Universal has had security or other personnel follow would be photographers around the park as they took pics of the lagoon, even going so far as to have a manager approach one and ask them to stop... :lookaroun
I love how people online always make theme park construction seem like a FBI secret that can't get out. Universal don't care who takes any pics of anything. Cast members are not allowed to take backstage pics at ANY time at any ride. There is never a policy change when they start construction.
Also Universal does NOT care that guest take pics as long as they don’t enter a restricted zone.
If they TRULY cared about keeping people from seeing the construction they would build a 20 foot wall and keep people 30 ft from the wall.
So let’s get real and stop acting like this is area 51
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
JafarMaleficent, Thank you for sharing!
Like I said, there are better vantage points for observation than the backstage area within the park, as we can see from photos like this. :sohappy: That black thing at the top of the rubble pile could be anything, but I can't help but "see" that it looks a lot like part of the shell of the shark(s).
I'm sure that we'd all greatly appreciate any additional images that you're able to capture and share. Things can change quickly from day to day, and I'm not able to get over to that complex (during daylight) as often as I'd like.
THANKS! :wave:
Like I said, there are better vantage points for observation than the backstage area within the park, as we can see from photos like this. :sohappy: That black thing at the top of the rubble pile could be anything, but I can't help but "see" that it looks a lot like part of the shell of the shark(s).
I'm sure that we'd all greatly appreciate any additional images that you're able to capture and share. Things can change quickly from day to day, and I'm not able to get over to that complex (during daylight) as often as I'd like.
THANKS! :wave:
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
I love how people online always make theme park construction seem like a FBI secret that can't get out. Universal don't care who takes any pics of anything. Cast members are not allowed to take backstage pics at ANY time at any ride. There is never a policy change when they start construction.
Also Universal does NOT care that guest take pics as long as they don’t enter a restricted zone.
If they TRULY cared about keeping people from seeing the construction they would build a 20 foot wall and keep people 30 ft from the wall.
So let’s get real and stop acting like this is area 51
I tend to agree with you - that there is a overreaction of paranoia when it comes to stuff like this. Heck, even security bag checks have recently become the most "relaxed" that I have ever seen; to the extent that they're literally pointless. Demo observation is not a priority. Keeping people out of the site or from stealing props, on the other hand, is. (Extra security was even added to Jaws on its final day of operation in case anyone got any funny ideas.)
If a security guard sees a team member obviously taking a picture backstage of something like new attraction construction, they'll probably just remind them that it's not allowed. But people should realize that aside from demo and construction sites, there's really not a lot of security backstage at all. Of course, there are more in the food and costuming areas, and where there is generally a higher congestion of employee traffic. But as for the "outer" areas of backstage, at most, one might go by on a golf cart every 30 minutes while getting from Point A to Point B, but it's not like they're "on patrol."
Also, most backstage photography is kids being kids, taking pictures of themselves, and not necessarily anything "sensitive" or disparaging to Universal. I have not experienced or heard from anyone else who directly experienced being approached by security for taking these types of pictures. If you explore social networks like facebook, you can easily find local theme park employees, and many of their "friends" will also be park employees, and you will see plenty of "backstage" photos in their profiles. Of course, they're not posting things like Mickey with his head off, but it's not out of the ordinary for people (especially the younger generation) to take pictures at work, especially when they work at a theme park.
Millionaire2K
Active Member
LiveToronto
New Member
Google Earth
I know that it's usually horribly out of date, but if you fly over Universal Studios, to the Jaws Attraction...you can actually see the lagoon completely empty. Its a great view for theme park fans, because you can see the track that the boats used to go on.
I know that it's usually horribly out of date, but if you fly over Universal Studios, to the Jaws Attraction...you can actually see the lagoon completely empty. Its a great view for theme park fans, because you can see the track that the boats used to go on.
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Yes, and depending on which app you're using (google maps, google earth, bing, etc), you can change the date of the satellite image, and different dates provide different views due to the light and clarity of the water on that particular day, etc. Similarly, you can track the changes to the geography that took place over the years at the theme parks.
UO does however have policies for social media, like most companies do now. Posting a backstage photo can get you suspended, and in some cases, terminated. I just wouldn't take a chance...I love my job too much!
That's not going to happen, and here's why: Everyone does it. Does that make it okay? Of course not. But, it does raise complications if management wants to terminate (or otherwise discipline) an employee because of a backstage photo on their fb page, and that employee is also privy to other employees who are equally as guilty, and in a justifiably frustrated response to being singled out, wants to blow the whistle on the other employees whom management does not want to discipline or terminate.
The employment structures of these (like many) companies are very political, for lack of a better term. Let's say management is "holding hands with" Yogi, who posts pictures on fb. Booboo posts similar pictures on fb too, and is privy to the fact that Yogi has done the same. But Booboo is not "holding hands with" management like Yogi. Going after Booboo for that violation would be a mistake if Booboo doesn't take well to being treated unequally.
As we all know, absent some sort of unique employment contract for a unique role or position, Universal would be much better off terminating an employee that they are dissatisfied with for no official reason, or for a more objective reason (like tardiness or job performance) that is less likely to open the door to this "who is going down with me" mess. Of course, these places are like high school gossip mills, so "reasons" have a way of getting around whether stated formally or not.