Jaws.. what's happening?

unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
cheezbat said:
Man, I wish they'd create like a mini- Backlot tour featuring one of the old Jaws sharks to attack your tram...you could pass the Bate's Motel and house, and maybe a scene with good 'ol Kong there too...and while we're at it, why not a King Kong 360-style Back to the Future adventure thru time to Hill Valley! Man...that'd be a great way to remember and pay tribute to the classics that are gone.

If only Universal cared about their rides and attractions that made them world-renowned in the first place! :(
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No the Movies are what made Universal famous. If they don't keep up with the times then they will become just another stale amusement park living in the past.
 
Skip

Skip

Well-Known Member
unkadug said:
No the Movies are what made Universal famous. If they don't keep up with the times then they will become just another stale amusement park living in the past.
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Gee, I forgot that JAWS was an unpopular, stale, dated film. My mistake. :dazzle:
 
Timekeeper

Timekeeper

Well-Known Member
dxer07002 said:
Looking at Scuttle's pictures, seems like the sharks are now gone and at least 1 boat destroyed... another boat is knocked off the tracks... Possibly they are just destroying everything...
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Where are Scuttle's Amity photos posted? I don't think I've seen his :shrug:
 
Timekeeper

Timekeeper

Well-Known Member
Thank you.

Based on the image below (I boosted the contrast just a little since the originals were pretty hazy), it looks like most of the sharks (at least their mechanical structures) are still intact. The last three (gas dock, kill, burnt) are still readily visible, although the burnt shark looks decapitated, whereas the form of its head was easily distinguishable in earlier photos.

There are two somewhat strange things about the demo jump out at me. First, is how the "gas pumps" at the gas dock seem to be the last things above ground (within the island) to be removed, aside from the lighthouse. I wonder what it is about them that's causing them to be saved for last. :shrug:

The second thing, as previously pointed out, is the boat that appears to have been cow-tipped. As if these visuals weren't distressing enough; that's a particularly heartbreaking image. :cry: It almost looks accidental, because it's in such close proximity to an undamaged boat. Although Jaws in Japan is a clone, maybe there's something about our boats that makes them incompatible with theirs, and its simply to costly to retrofit them. :shrug:

Maybe I can get some cash together, make a hostile bid on one, and put it in my pool. I could even get on an episode of Shipping Wars. :rolleyes:

Jaws_Demolition.jpg

Photo credit: Chris Lathrop, from wdwfanboys.com.

Edit: Just for the sake of reminiscing, here's our beloved attraction from a similar angle, alive and well.

WDW+Chopper+Flyover+333.jpg
 
Timekeeper

Timekeeper

Well-Known Member
Just for the heck of it, here's a "then and now" demolition overlay.

Yes, I know it's not the best photo editing in the world, but it does give me an idea to compile some images and take some time to make a better version in the future. But until then, here's the concept:

Jaws_Demolition_Overlay.jpg


:cry:
 
S

Spideyfreak110

Member
Timekeeper said:
Thank you.



The second thing, as previously pointed out, is the boat that appears to have been cow-tipped. As if these visuals weren't distressing enough; that's a particularly heartbreaking image. :cry: It almost looks accidental, because it's in such close proximity to an undamaged boat. Although Jaws in Japan is a clone, maybe there's something about our boats that makes them incompatible with theirs, and its simply to costly to retrofit them. :shrug:
Click to expand...

I was actually talking to one of the skippers about sending parts to Japan. The consensus is that they wont need to send parts overseas because USJ's version is much newer and the equipment is in much better shape. For example, the audio control box on each boat in FL takes up an entire cabinet, whereas in Japan it only takes up a third of the space.

It makes sense, as there is not point in sending old parts to a ride that is newer and in much better shape overall.
 
Timekeeper

Timekeeper

Well-Known Member
Spideyfreak110 said:
I was actually talking to one of the skippers about sending parts to Japan. The consensus is that they wont need to send parts overseas because USJ's version is much newer and the equipment is in much better shape. For example, the audio control box on each boat in FL takes up an entire cabinet, whereas in Japan it only takes up a third of the space.

It makes sense, as there is not point in sending old parts to a ride that is newer and in much better shape overall.
Click to expand...

Yes, that does make sense. It's just a shame if NO parts are set aside. I'm sure there are skippers (or fans) out there that would take the gear shift and mount it on the dash of their cars (like the guy with the amity 6 license plate). I'm sure some people would even be willing to pay for things like that. Oh well.
 
M

MSEP Fanatic

New Member
cheezbat said:
Man, I wish they'd create like a mini- Backlot tour featuring one of the old Jaws sharks to attack your tram...you could pass the Bate's Motel and house, and maybe a scene with good 'ol Kong there too...and while we're at it, why not a King Kong 360-style Back to the Future adventure thru time to Hill Valley! Man...that'd be a great way to remember and pay tribute to the classics that are gone.

If only Universal cared about their rides and attractions that made them world-renowned in the first place! :(
Click to expand...

That would be an amazing ride, but it's true, universal wouldn't do that. I know when they got rid of the nick studios area, they got rid of everything. When I was a kid, that was the first place I went to. Now its nothing :/
 
Chrononymous

Chrononymous

Well-Known Member
Awww man this thread is heartbreaking!:cry:

This really was one awesome attraction, that I will miss greatly. The whole area was really well themed.

You don't really appreciate how big an attraction is until they bulldoze it!
I was trying to picture how they would add a new "HP land" there...but seeing it from the aerial view, I can totally see the space they are working with.

cheezbat said:
Man, I wish they'd create like a mini- Backlot tour featuring one of the old Jaws sharks to attack your tram...you could pass the Bate's Motel and house, and maybe a scene with good 'ol Kong there too...and while we're at it, why not a King Kong 360-style Back to the Future adventure thru time to Hill Valley! Man...that'd be a great way to remember and pay tribute to the classics that are gone.
Click to expand...
I would SO ride that!
That would rock.

It kinda reminds me of the last time I was at UNI a few years ago. We were casually wandering down the New York street at opening.
And just for kicks we tried one of the doors at street level...which to our surprise opened!
Inside was the Hanna Barbara giant prop graveyard.
Creepy and sad. But cool too.
 
alissafalco

alissafalco

Well-Known Member
thanks for the update, but such a shame...Am I the only one who's really upset about this?? Jaws was the only good ride in the place...
 
Timekeeper

Timekeeper

Well-Known Member
alissafalco said:
thanks for the update, but such a shame...Am I the only one who's really upset about this?? Jaws was the only good ride in the place...
Click to expand...

No, you're not the only one. This particular closure - in this particular day and age of social media - has garnered particular attention. Just google around, and surf youtube. There are lots of people who share our love for this attraction and disappointment with Universal's decision to close it. :cry:

Edit:

Also, not only will fans miss this attraction, but it held a special place in the hearts of skippers, too. If you were there on closing night (January 2), you would have heard lots of crying and seen plenty of tears. Most skippers weren't able to contain their emotions and were fighting their way through the spiel as they got visibly choked up. That's not a criticism; it was very endearing to see that it was so widely loved.
 
alissafalco

alissafalco

Well-Known Member
Timekeeper said:
No, you're not the only one. This particular closure - in this particular day and age of social media - has garnered particular attention. Just google around, and surf youtube. There are lots of people who share our love for this attraction and disappointment with Universal's decision to close it. :cry:

Edit:

Also, not only will fans miss this attraction, but it held a special place in the hearts of skippers, too. If you were there on closing night (January 2), you would have heard lots of crying and seen plenty of tears. Most skippers weren't able to contain their emotions and were fighting their way through the spiel as they got visibly choked up. That's not a criticism; it was very endearing to see that it was so widely loved.
Click to expand...

I wasn't there in Jan, but I was there on Nov.13, 2011...I really don't have any interest in going back either now that Jaws is gone, it was the coolest area of the whole park. I still don't understand their reasoning why...I'm not really interested in the other new England area they will build for HP... I'm glad I'm not the only one upset
 
Captain Chaos

Captain Chaos

Well-Known Member
alissafalco said:
thanks for the update, but such a shame...Am I the only one who's really upset about this?? Jaws was the only good ride in the place...
Click to expand...

Not too upset about Jaws going... I prefer Mummy actually :)

But you aren't the only one... Many fans were upset about Jaws going... But I think what will be replacing it will be much much better.. :D
 
cheezbat

cheezbat

Well-Known Member
I'm looking forward to the new Potter stuff...but I really enjoyed Jaws and would have much rather seen them add the Potter expansion either in IOA where it belongs, taking over the rest of the Lost Continent, or in that massive expasion pad behind MIB and the Simpsons. That huge plot of land is just a waste of space that really should be utilized for a whole new expansion at USF.

Jaws...you're already missed. Guess I'll have to go visit your twin in Japan someday (I'll get to see Back to the Future's twin too!)
 

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