Credit: Dick Thomas Johnson, FlickrOne Universal Studios location has made a major change to a long-standing park rule, specifically aimed at guests visiting from overseas.
With five resorts dotted across the globe, Universal offers a range of movie-inspired experiences for both kids and kids at heart. While Universal Orlando Resort is its biggest location (with two theme parks, a water park, and a third park, Epic Universe, on the way), some of the best experiences can actually be found at parks further afield.
Related: Super Nintendo World Coaster Will Have Guests Jumping From Track Mid-Ride
For example, Shrek fans can explore an entire land based on Far Far Away at Universal Studios Singapore, which is also home to the only Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon roller coaster. Meanwhile, Universal Studios Beijing boasts Transformers: Metrobase (complete with a replica of The Incredible Hulk Coaster themed to a Decepticon Driller).
Some of these parks also house long-retired attractions in the U.S. If anyone is still mourning the loss of Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida, they can make the pilgrimage to either Singapore or Universal Studios Japan, the latter of which also houses Jaws.
While the version in Orlando was axed to make way for the Diagon Alley expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jaws is still in full swing at the Osaka theme park. Like Florida, the Japanese theme park features an equally scarily realistic Great White Shark animatronic, which is often the subject of visitors’ photographs.
The only issue is that Universal Studios Japan has strict rules regarding photography. The “Rules & Manners” section of its website explicitly states that “to ensure that all guests can enjoy the park safely and comfortably,” guests are prohibited from “photography during an attraction.”
Related: Walt Disney World Rule Break Ignites New Wave of Guests Trespassed for Life
Guests so frequently try to take pictures aboard Jaws that signs in line remind them of this rule. However, it seems like these rules may now be redundant, as Universal Studios Japan has now reportedly lifted this rule (primarily due to the number of international visitors taking pictures regardless).
“Starting Tuesday, May 28, 2024, it will be permitted to take photos and videos while riding Jaws,” reports USJ 1. “This is thought to be because there are so many foreign visitors taking photos, and USJ crew members have felt limited in how much they can keep up with the attention, leading to a review of operations.”
速報）#USJ ジョーズ撮影OKに
2024年5月28日(火)よりジョーズの乗車中の写真・動画撮影がＯＫになりました。これはあまりにも外国人客の撮影が多く、USJクルーも注意するのに限界を感じ、運用を見直したからと予想されます。
今後は『SING』も写真ＯKになるかな？？中国ではＯＫなので。#ユニバ pic.twitter.com/88NtfyK5Ni
— ＵＳＪのツボ (@usj1) May 29, 2024
Those visiting the Universal park this week report that the “no photography” signs are still present in the queue area, but Universal team members are now encouraging guests to take pictures (as long as you don’t use flash).
I heard a rumor that from May 28th #ジョーズ it was okay to take photos on the attraction, and when I checked with the crew I was told it was OK and they told me to “take lots of photos!”
There are still signs prohibiting cameras on the Q line, but you can take pictures as long as you don’t use a flash.
#USJ
#USJファン
#JAWS
5月28日から #ジョーズ のアトラクションが撮影OKになったという噂を聞きつけ、実際にクルーに確認したところOKとのことで「いっぱい撮ってきてください！」と言われました！
Qラインにはまだカメラ禁止のマークがありますが、フラッシュを焚かなければ撮影OKです#USJ#USJファン#JAWS pic.twitter.com/KIhWJcklTx— 🌠🇸🇭🇴🇺🇮🌠 (@SHOUI55) May 29, 2024
Prior to these changes, multiple guests had complained about the number of international park guests taking photos on rides. “It was good to ride Jaws, but there were a lot of foreigners who didn’t listen to the instructions that taking pictures was prohibited, so I couldn’t enjoy it,” @ORCHIDEA0106 wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Some attractions—such as The Flying Dinosaur—require guests to put their phones and loose belongings in lockers before riding. The Jurassic Park roller coaster previously added metal detectors to prevent guests from sneaking their phones aboard.
Do you plan on visiting Universal Studios Japan any time soon?