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Jaws at Universal Studios to close

Very nearly didn't ride Jaws this summer but for some reason persevered with the extra long queue....now I know why!
Real shame, as it feels like the identity of the park is slowly slipping away as they take out each classic. Loved BTTF, didn't care much for Kong.....still confused as to why they're getting rid of classics like Jaws and keeping on E.T , although, I've heard Spielberg has a soft spot for it..

Re: HP land. Am a Potter fan but I am really not in favour of this second "land" idea. As much as I like potter it seems that it's become almost too famous in that it just swamps the rest of the resort. I can see why they would choose such a plan as the temptation to "ride the hogwarts express" will be enough to get lots of extra 2 park passes sold, but in the long run I see it as a kind of park ruiner. I love potter stuff, don't get me wrong but it just seems like an overload....
 
Jake said:
The train thing would be fab if there was some sort of scenery or foliage between the two, but going past a load of warehouses? No thanks.

It WOULD be fab if they made a tunnel, adding effects and stuff, although yeah, not going to happen.
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I think it would be reasonably easy. Run behind Disaster and ROTM, then come in to the west of the Sinbad Arena, past the 2nd Immmelmann on Chinese Fireball, and terminate in a similar location to the existing Hogsmeade station. Total run of about 750m.
I imagine there would be some real changes needed to the access arrangements to the backstage buildings though.
Route could be a combination of tunnels, and false cuttings, where you have two sloped walls either side of the track, covered in vines.
 
The best suggestion I have heard was to line the sides of the train with HD video screens to show the journey that way.

If they make the train(s) like the one at HKDL, (seats face sideways instead of forwards) they'd only need to put screens on one side.

This way the track can be as ugly as the real backstage, but people see the English countryside between London and Hogsmeade.
 
It was mentioned on Screamscape that Poseidon's Fury was rumoured to be closing. This could become part of the train expansion on the IOA end, while the Jaws area on the Studios end.

The demolition of Jaws (project 722) has been linked to the Harry Potter Phase 2 and involves some very interesting people. Art Directors from various Harry Potter movies are involved in the project.

http://hhnrumors.com/index.php?a=148
 
The best suggestion I have heard was to line the sides of the train with HD video screens to show the journey that way.
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That would be a bit crap from a ride experience perspective though.
 
It would be fab if they did like, a thing that can happen at random where the train stops and you get attacked by Dementors. That'd be cool. Harry Potter land is pretty **** cool anyway, so I'm sure whatever they do it'll be awesome.

I'm still not convinced that it'll be more Potter, I'm still leaning towards something Transformers related - or something that could include many kinds of the new 'end of the world' kind of movies, maybe the whole area could be themed to a post apocalyptic world with several new attractions.
 
Quite sad that Jaws is going - thankfully I got to ride it last year, and it was, despite its age, one of the park's highlights. I guess Potter is a worthwhile replacement though.

Ben said:
They REALLY want to theme it to King's Cross? There's just two McDonalds, a Tesco and the burnt-out shell of an old KFC there, is there not a nicer part of London to focus on ;)
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I thought they actually used St. Pancras rather than King's Cross station for the film anyway. So, maybe they'd have to theme it to the Eurostar and **** wine bars; although it'll be so far away from the rest of the park that no one will actually get there :/
 
No it's Kings Cross in the film, and filmed there too... Dunno where you're getting that from.
 
Yeah the outside doubles for Kings Cross in the films, probably because it's actually decent to look at, and more iconic. And since they're attached anyway, that does make sense. But, other than those establishing shots, it's always Kings Cross and any themeing in the park would be to Kings Cross.
 
Gazza said:
The best suggestion I have heard was to line the sides of the train with HD video screens to show the journey that way.
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That would be a bit crap from a ride experience perspective though.
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Good thing it's supposed to be a train, and not a coaster then, eh?
:p
 
Ben said:
Yeah the outside doubles for Kings Cross in the films, probably because it's actually decent to look at, and more iconic. And since they're attached anyway, that does make sense. But, other than those establishing shots, it's always Kings Cross and any themeing in the park would be to Kings Cross.
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Calm down dear...it was only an attempt at humour...
 
Plans have been leaked about the new area and rides.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201112/2824/

potter-usf-car-rear.jpg
 
Sound good :)

But I was completely lost at that turntable bit - so it's like a splitting tilting Thirteen-style section?
 
It's actually a shame. It was such a staple for the Universal Experience in my opinion. It was cheesy and fun. It will be sadly missed.
 
Interesting article, I didn't know that Jaws was such a nightmare for Universal nor that it was also in part built by Intamin. Its no surprise it was removed considering it costed 40 million to redo in 1993 and 2 million a year for natural gas for the oil dock scene. I think Universal is just glad to get rid of it at this point.
 
It is an unfortunate decision that they had to make cost wise, but I hope they're planning on something as a tribute to the classic rides. Is ET the only one left now? I think it is, which is sad =/
 
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