The Jaws ride at Universal Studios Florida operated from 1990 to 2012. The original ride was plagued by technical issues, including a robot shark that often malfunctioned, and was the subject of a lawsuit after a guest fell off the boat and into the water. The ride was rebuilt and reopened in 1993, but continued to experience problems, including environmental concerns and high operating costs. The ride was eventually closed in 2012 to make way for the Diagon Alley attraction, part of the Harry Potter franchise. A similar Jaws ride still operates at Universal Studios Japan, and a short scene from the ride is still part of the tram tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The original Jaws ride at Universal Studios Florida opened on June 7, 1992, and closed after only two and a half months due to technical issues.
2. The ride was designed by Ride and Show Engineering, and the creative head of Universal Studios Florida was Peter Alexander, a former Disney Imagineer and Steven Spielberg's college roommate.
3. The original ride cost $30 million to build, which is equivalent to a large sum of money today, adjusted for inflation.
4. The ride experienced numerous technical issues, including problems with the robot shark, which would sometimes not lunge out of the water or would damage the boat with its teeth.
5. In 1993, Universal hired Totally Fun Company to redesign the ride, and the new version opened in 1993.
6. The new ride incorporated elements from both Jaws and Jaws 2, and the shark was killed by a high-voltage power cable in the final scene.
7. The ride was refurbished constantly to ensure that it operated correctly, but it was eventually closed permanently in 2012.
8. The attraction was replaced with the Diagon Alley and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride in 2014.
9. A similar Jaws ride is still operating at Universal Studios Japan.
10. The short scene during the tram tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is still operating.
11. Universal Studios Florida opened on June 7, 1992, a year after Disney-MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989.
12. Peter Alexander left the Jaws project to produce shows for Nickelodeon Studios.
13. The second version of the Jaws ride cost $40 million to build.
14. The Department of Environmental Protection was tipped off that oil and other toxins from the ride were being irresponsibly disposed of.
15. In 2004, hurricanes caused gas prices to increase in Florida, making it too expensive to operate the Jaws ride.
16. The attraction was refurbished constantly from 2005 to 2007 to ensure that the ride operated correctly.
17. The Jaws ride was open only infrequently and seasonally from 2005 to 2007 due to high gas prices.
18. The Harry Potter franchise saved Universal's attendance numbers, leading to the closure of the Jaws ride.