I’m glad Bruce is still hanging around (tehe). But right before they closed Jaws, we rode it, and in comparison to all the other rides in the park, it was just so boring. It was terrifying as a kid, but kids these days are not scared by Bruce, “fish are friends, not food.” I’m super stokes about the Wizarding World expansion and I’m glad they paid homage to such a classic. It will be interesting decades from now, what will replace Harry Potter.
Don’t even say what will happen to Harry Potter. I am so excited to see it come to life. Imagine what would happen if Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade were to leave. It changed theme parks as we know it. It made Universal millions of dollars and imagine how the fans would react. I wonder what would even replace it.
I doubt it will be replaced anytime soon. They’ll celebrate a 100 anniversary that none of us will be around for! Harry Potter will live on, especially with the books out there, much like Wizard of Oz & LOTR continue to be popular decades after the original books. Just like I can’t imagine them getting rid of the ET ride. Or “Its A Small World” or “Space Mountain” at Disney. Or Jurassic Park at Islands.
Plus, JK Rowling is developing a new trilogy in the Wizarding World that takes place 70 years before Harry Potter.
By no stretch of the imagination will Potter still be at Universal in 100 years, if indeed Universal *itself* is still there, so many decades down the line. By Universal’s current track-record, Wizarding World will be gone within 20-30 years, as it should. Potter’s online cheerleaders cannot cheer ‘progress’ for the destruction of a ride that had an immensely loyal, albeit significantly smaller fan base, while simultaneously assuming the same won’t – and shouldn’t – happen to their attractions in decades to come.
I haven’t heard of anymore in diagon alley but I do know about one in the queue for Disaster. One of the movies in the line is for a weaponized shark . The head of the supposed prop from the movie is one of the sharks that came out of the water. It’s a nice little momento from the ride.
I used to work at Disaster, and we were constantly asked that very question or people assumed after the ride shut down. While many people believe that our shark “Stoner” from the prop bone yard was one of the sharks from the ride, it has actually been there since Disaster opened, which was 4 or 5 years prior. One of the reasons people think it is actually from the ride is because it was created from the same mold as “Attack Shark” in Jaws.
I worked at JAWS as a Skipper for several years, and those were some of the best years of my life. Just like Mr. Aiello did, I met some of the most talented people there who are still a part of my life. These friends are part of a giant extended family that will always be in my heart. You can take JAWS out of the park, but you can never take JAWS out of the skippers who worked there every day. Memories never fade only flourish with time and I hope that the lovely people of Diagon Alley will make just as many as we did. So, if you ever turn around the corner and hear somebody say, “This is Amity 6. Call off the Marines! We’re coming home!”…just know it’s an old friend playing homage to a time in their lives that they’ll never forget. 🙂
It was a pleasure being a skipper to every guest because I loved my job. It was the guests who made us look forward to libg days at work and we were honored to help them be a part of Theme Park and movie history. Thank you for helping me have one of the greatest jobs ever. 🙂
Would you believe growing up my dream job was to work at Universal as a Jaw’s Skipper 🙂 I believe they’re the ones who really made the ride extra special, because every Skipper that I’ve had was always so passionate about the role and you could tell that they weren’t just there to get paid but to really bring this ride to life. Needless to say, although I do understand why Universal did what it did, Jaws will always be my favorite theme park ride and have a very special place in my heart (and on my skin, with the 2 tattoos I have dedicated to it).
Thank you Cynthia and thank you to all of the past Skippers who helped make Jaws so fin-tastic!
PS You can take JAWS out of the park, but you can never take JAWS out of the skippers and true fans 😉
I feel honored to be able to reply to a skipper from the ride. I had always wanted to go on it. I went to Universal once….on January 3rd 2012.
Worst realization of my life.
Potter may be bigger, but it will never be better. We are not going to Universal because of their lack of respect for Jaws. A few hidden bits are not going to cut it.
I understand where you are coming from, but unfortunately times have to change. I’m actually wondering what will happen to ET in the future, as there are rumours of a kids zone revamp incoming. It’s a shame we are losing all these classic attractions, yet at the same time I can see where they are coming from, it’s not wowing today’s audience. Yes, it does annoy me, but the fact that they’ve learned a lot more and are making these immersive areas does have me wondering, what will they do next? Also, I dont’ know how else they could respect the classics. Could they really move the attractions themselves to other areas? That would be fine for a while but then they’d want to probably expand those, and once again, we’re back to square one. The attraction closes.
In summary: On the one hand, I’m annoyed that the attractions are closing. On the other, we’re getting bigger, more immersive environments and they even have tributes for those who look hard enough. Thus, I will say again: what will universal do next? How far can they raise the bar now? I will be following this park closely, and I’d like to end this by saying that I’m glad I have ridden most of these classic attractions. I wasn’t old enough for Kong, but I’ve ridden ET and Back to The Future. I unfortunately did not get to ride Jaws, ironically.
I can understand your frustration, but you have to understand that places have to change to attract visitors. If it stayed the same over 20 years, then the place would feel dated and look old. Its like the saying goes: “Evolve or die.”
Also, the current generation of kids didn’t grow up with E.T. like I am guessing you and I did. They want attractions that reflect their interests; not their parents. Haha.
I was a little bummed too when Universal closed Back To the Future to make room for the Simpsons ride, but I understood why they did it.
Like kids today probably look at movies like “Jaws,” “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” and “Back To the Future” and probably “Jurassic Park” and think “Those are movies my parents liked when they were kids. Where are rides based on my movies?”
July 1, 2009 – 8:39 pm Hi Matt,Thak you so much for the Best Search/Marketing Posts ro#p8un.I&ud217;m at the very beggining on blogging but your posts have been help me a lot.Keep the good work,Claudiomar
this is more of a rumor but its said that a whole Bruce shark is buried under the London fountain as a tribute so jaws will always be lurking just below the surface of the water
I was not expecting Jaws to be closed down one of the years I went so was shocked! It closed not long after the King Kong ride shut down. Both, classic rides that will not be forgotten. I’m grateful I was able to take my girls on both rides at least one time in their life. I wish Universal could just purchase more land to build on instead of taking away current attractions. Unless Disney bought everything up! lol I joked once how this is going to be called Potter Studios instead of Universal Studios. Oh well, they are catering to a newer generation and us ole folks will just have to go along and let this new generation enjoy the parks as much as we did when we were younger.
In Knockturn Alley, right behind the ice cream parlor, there is a window full of talking shrunken heads. One of their songs is “Show me the Waybto Go Home.”
“The massive Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion is far bigger and better of an attraction than Jaws and its Amity area ever were.”
Excuse me? This is just another example of Universal doing bigger and better and not up-keeping classic rides. Take a page out of Disney’s book Universal and keep The Carousel of Progress. Jaws was just prime real estate for Universal so they could build bigger and better.
Jaws fans, get over it. Jaws has gone and it’s not coming back. At least I got to ride Jaws a couple of years before it closed down. It was fun, but it was showing it’s age by that point. IF Jaws were to ever come back, it would have to be a totally different ride to keep in line with the new level of immersion Universal are going with these days.
Jaws has been my favorite movie since I was a kid. I first went to Universal Florida in 1996 and was so excited to go on the Jaws Ride. I loved it!
I visited again in 2000 for my 18th birthday, then again in 2009, 2010, 2011. I was glad to have gone to the park when Jaws was there and also when Universal used it’s movies. I feel like the original park is ruined now. Unlike Disney, Universal has demolished all there original rides. All of them have been replaced by lame projection screen experiences and kiddie rides. Since I zero interest in Minions or Harry Potter I just don’t care to visit the park anymore. I wish Universal would’ve maybe improved the Jaws ride not got rid of it. I’ll always have the memories.
Comments for From Jaws To Diagon Alley – Tributes To The Classic Universal Orlando Ride Hide In New Harry Potter Land
Michelle
We’re going to miss the Midway Grill the most – we loved those Nathan’s dogs and fries!
Liz
I’m glad Bruce is still hanging around (tehe). But right before they closed Jaws, we rode it, and in comparison to all the other rides in the park, it was just so boring. It was terrifying as a kid, but kids these days are not scared by Bruce, “fish are friends, not food.” I’m super stokes about the Wizarding World expansion and I’m glad they paid homage to such a classic. It will be interesting decades from now, what will replace Harry Potter.
John S.
Don’t even say what will happen to Harry Potter. I am so excited to see it come to life. Imagine what would happen if Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade were to leave. It changed theme parks as we know it. It made Universal millions of dollars and imagine how the fans would react. I wonder what would even replace it.
JD
I doubt it will be replaced anytime soon. They’ll celebrate a 100 anniversary that none of us will be around for! Harry Potter will live on, especially with the books out there, much like Wizard of Oz & LOTR continue to be popular decades after the original books. Just like I can’t imagine them getting rid of the ET ride. Or “Its A Small World” or “Space Mountain” at Disney. Or Jurassic Park at Islands.
Plus, JK Rowling is developing a new trilogy in the Wizarding World that takes place 70 years before Harry Potter.
Alex
By no stretch of the imagination will Potter still be at Universal in 100 years, if indeed Universal *itself* is still there, so many decades down the line. By Universal’s current track-record, Wizarding World will be gone within 20-30 years, as it should. Potter’s online cheerleaders cannot cheer ‘progress’ for the destruction of a ride that had an immensely loyal, albeit significantly smaller fan base, while simultaneously assuming the same won’t – and shouldn’t – happen to their attractions in decades to come.
Victoria
I haven’t heard of anymore in diagon alley but I do know about one in the queue for Disaster. One of the movies in the line is for a weaponized shark . The head of the supposed prop from the movie is one of the sharks that came out of the water. It’s a nice little momento from the ride.
Rose
I used to work at Disaster, and we were constantly asked that very question or people assumed after the ride shut down. While many people believe that our shark “Stoner” from the prop bone yard was one of the sharks from the ride, it has actually been there since Disaster opened, which was 4 or 5 years prior. One of the reasons people think it is actually from the ride is because it was created from the same mold as “Attack Shark” in Jaws.
Cynthia S.
I worked at JAWS as a Skipper for several years, and those were some of the best years of my life. Just like Mr. Aiello did, I met some of the most talented people there who are still a part of my life. These friends are part of a giant extended family that will always be in my heart. You can take JAWS out of the park, but you can never take JAWS out of the skippers who worked there every day. Memories never fade only flourish with time and I hope that the lovely people of Diagon Alley will make just as many as we did. So, if you ever turn around the corner and hear somebody say, “This is Amity 6. Call off the Marines! We’re coming home!”…just know it’s an old friend playing homage to a time in their lives that they’ll never forget. 🙂
Jonathan G
Me and my family absolutely loved Jaws the ride and often quote the famous ‘we’re coming home’ line. Thanks for all the wonderful memories!
Cynthia S.
It was a pleasure being a skipper to every guest because I loved my job. It was the guests who made us look forward to libg days at work and we were honored to help them be a part of Theme Park and movie history. Thank you for helping me have one of the greatest jobs ever. 🙂
Keri H.
Would you believe growing up my dream job was to work at Universal as a Jaw’s Skipper 🙂 I believe they’re the ones who really made the ride extra special, because every Skipper that I’ve had was always so passionate about the role and you could tell that they weren’t just there to get paid but to really bring this ride to life. Needless to say, although I do understand why Universal did what it did, Jaws will always be my favorite theme park ride and have a very special place in my heart (and on my skin, with the 2 tattoos I have dedicated to it).
Thank you Cynthia and thank you to all of the past Skippers who helped make Jaws so fin-tastic!
PS You can take JAWS out of the park, but you can never take JAWS out of the skippers and true fans 😉
James
I feel honored to be able to reply to a skipper from the ride. I had always wanted to go on it. I went to Universal once….on January 3rd 2012.
Worst realization of my life.
Blaze
KONG 4 LIFE!
Frostysnowman
My husband feels the same way!
Kerry Hill
I love love love the look of Diagon Alley, but my gosh do I miss Jaws.
A classic UNIVERSAL film replaced by a Wizard from Warner Bros.
Long live Bruce!
James
My multiple points exactly.
matt
Potter may be bigger, but it will never be better. We are not going to Universal because of their lack of respect for Jaws. A few hidden bits are not going to cut it.
Aaron
I understand where you are coming from, but unfortunately times have to change. I’m actually wondering what will happen to ET in the future, as there are rumours of a kids zone revamp incoming. It’s a shame we are losing all these classic attractions, yet at the same time I can see where they are coming from, it’s not wowing today’s audience. Yes, it does annoy me, but the fact that they’ve learned a lot more and are making these immersive areas does have me wondering, what will they do next? Also, I dont’ know how else they could respect the classics. Could they really move the attractions themselves to other areas? That would be fine for a while but then they’d want to probably expand those, and once again, we’re back to square one. The attraction closes.
In summary: On the one hand, I’m annoyed that the attractions are closing. On the other, we’re getting bigger, more immersive environments and they even have tributes for those who look hard enough. Thus, I will say again: what will universal do next? How far can they raise the bar now? I will be following this park closely, and I’d like to end this by saying that I’m glad I have ridden most of these classic attractions. I wasn’t old enough for Kong, but I’ve ridden ET and Back to The Future. I unfortunately did not get to ride Jaws, ironically.
comicfan85
I can understand your frustration, but you have to understand that places have to change to attract visitors. If it stayed the same over 20 years, then the place would feel dated and look old. Its like the saying goes: “Evolve or die.”
Also, the current generation of kids didn’t grow up with E.T. like I am guessing you and I did. They want attractions that reflect their interests; not their parents. Haha.
I was a little bummed too when Universal closed Back To the Future to make room for the Simpsons ride, but I understood why they did it.
comicfan85
Like kids today probably look at movies like “Jaws,” “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” and “Back To the Future” and probably “Jurassic Park” and think “Those are movies my parents liked when they were kids. Where are rides based on my movies?”
Josh Thomas
Then that sounds like bad parenting to me. Growing up I enjoyed current stuff AND stuff before my time.
Kaley
July 1, 2009 – 8:39 pm Hi Matt,Thak you so much for the Best Search/Marketing Posts ro#p8un.I&ud217;m at the very beggining on blogging but your posts have been help me a lot.Keep the good work,Claudiomar
bluesword
this is more of a rumor but its said that a whole Bruce shark is buried under the London fountain as a tribute so jaws will always be lurking just below the surface of the water
Kim
I was not expecting Jaws to be closed down one of the years I went so was shocked! It closed not long after the King Kong ride shut down. Both, classic rides that will not be forgotten. I’m grateful I was able to take my girls on both rides at least one time in their life. I wish Universal could just purchase more land to build on instead of taking away current attractions. Unless Disney bought everything up! lol I joked once how this is going to be called Potter Studios instead of Universal Studios. Oh well, they are catering to a newer generation and us ole folks will just have to go along and let this new generation enjoy the parks as much as we did when we were younger.
Kim
In Knockturn Alley, right behind the ice cream parlor, there is a window full of talking shrunken heads. One of their songs is “Show me the Waybto Go Home.”
Nice nod!
Matt
“The massive Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion is far bigger and better of an attraction than Jaws and its Amity area ever were.”
Excuse me? This is just another example of Universal doing bigger and better and not up-keeping classic rides. Take a page out of Disney’s book Universal and keep The Carousel of Progress. Jaws was just prime real estate for Universal so they could build bigger and better.
Mark
Jaws fans, get over it. Jaws has gone and it’s not coming back. At least I got to ride Jaws a couple of years before it closed down. It was fun, but it was showing it’s age by that point. IF Jaws were to ever come back, it would have to be a totally different ride to keep in line with the new level of immersion Universal are going with these days.
Wilson
Don’t tell me what to do.
Wilson
I agree with bigger, not better. One compared and HP is crap compared to Jawsus. (Like the pun? No? Okay, sorry)
Michael
Jaws has been my favorite movie since I was a kid. I first went to Universal Florida in 1996 and was so excited to go on the Jaws Ride. I loved it!
I visited again in 2000 for my 18th birthday, then again in 2009, 2010, 2011. I was glad to have gone to the park when Jaws was there and also when Universal used it’s movies. I feel like the original park is ruined now. Unlike Disney, Universal has demolished all there original rides. All of them have been replaced by lame projection screen experiences and kiddie rides. Since I zero interest in Minions or Harry Potter I just don’t care to visit the park anymore. I wish Universal would’ve maybe improved the Jaws ride not got rid of it. I’ll always have the memories.
Karina safes
superb collection.
Comments are closed.