Universal Studios Closes Jaws Ride, Will Expand Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Bye-bye, Jaws!
Universal Studios closed one of their original attractions on January 2nd to make way for something new. The “Jaws” ride and the surrounding Amity area are being demolished in order to facilitate the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, according to an insider source. The Orlando Sentinel reports, “Robert Niles, editor of Theme Park Insider, reports that he has seen what appear to be preliminary plans for Potter attractions, which have been crowd favorites since opening next door at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 2010.”
Niles says he saw plans for an “8,900-square-foot restaurant, a smaller walk-through experience, and a “massive” show building for a Gringotts ride, with features labeled “Bankers Hall,” “Vault Display,” “Ledge,” “Dark Tunnel,” “Thief’s’ Downfall” and “Chasm.” He describes a 3-D projection system and a Victorian-styled ride vehicle,” according to the Sentinel.
It’s funny, I didn’t know the “Jaws” ride was closing, but I just happened to come across this fun video on YouTube (below) taken by a passenger on a tour this summer. I sent it to an old friend who went with me the one and only time I visited Universal Studios, right after we graduated from college. A lot of people have posted on the Internet about how bummed they are that such an iconic attraction has closed, since they won’t be able to share it with their children. (Another original Universal attraction, “King Kong,” closed in 2008.) Have you been on the “Jaws” ride? Were you able to take the kids? What about the new Harry Potter stuff? Have you done it? Is it awesome?
Thanks to the Internet, enjoy one final spin on the “Jaws” ride:
Thanks for this. As much as I love Harry Potter, Jaws will always be my all time favorite movie. I would have loved this ride.
I’m glad I live in CA!
I felt similarly when carowinds got rid of the waynes world area. I know it’s out dated but that’s what made it fun.
Took my nine year old to HP World this summer. He’s a big fan and loved the experience of it. However, we aren’t really theme park folk! We went on the Forbidden Journey ride which is the virtual ride within the castle. It was jerky, fast, dizzying and my son got off not wanting to do any other ride! Not even Flight of the Hippogriph! I downloaded an app prior to going and knew that even if you don’t ride the rides, you should still walk the line to the ride b/c there is so much to see– Hagrid’s Hut, Buckbeak, the Ford Anglia, the Golden Eggs, The Tri Wizard Cup, I could go on….! One day is plenty…. it’s mostly about the experience walking through the Wizarding World. Most of the stores in Hogsmeade are storefronts you can’t go in to. We tried the Butterbeer and the Pumpkin Juice… would I go again? I’m a West Coaster that happened to be East but I wouldn’t travel that far again for it. They are building one at Universal in LA though, and I know my son would go again! I just hope they add Grimauld Place, The Shrieking Shack and #4 Privett Dr!