Jaws The Ride: They're Gunna Need A Better Shark!

I have wanted to do an article on this attraction for a while, very few attractions have such a legacy surrounding them.

There Is so much information and loads of resources out there, the web is full of video, articles and books crammed full of Jaws the Ride goodness...

But today, I wanted to write my own, small take on some interesting moments during the attraction long reign at Universal Orlando...

' You're cleared for departure, Amity 6. Have a good trip '

Disney nearly shut Universal Studios Orlando Down

Yes this highly dramatic headline is in fact true! 

You see back when the heads of Universal were looking at building the Florida park, they realised that they were going to have to put in rides... 

But they didn't have the budget that Disney did.. 

Looking for funding, the studio heads went to Micheal Eisner for possible funding. 

Instead of helping Universal, Micheal got the idea of MGM Studios and ( perhaps more dangerously ) putting in a Studio Tram tour into the Disney Park. 

This was Disney's way of warning Universal not to build a park.

However Steven Spielberg was old collage roommates with the head of universal's parks and was so keen for the Orlando Park, backing it and encouraging the studio to go ahead with the park. 

Jaws: The Ride 

When initial concepts were drawn up for possible rides to go in the park, the idea of using Spielberg's hit 'Jaws' was a must.... After all it was the first ever summer blockbuster, that started the very notion of Summer blockbusters... 

So was this ride going to be a Log Flume? A Boat ride? What? 

As with the creation of most new rides, they had one spearhead moment, a sort of main event, that the rest of the ride would revolve around. 

the one fear everyone has about sharks, is vulnerability.  Out of the water, you are safe. But what if the shark bit your boat and it began to sink?! 

The designers came up with an idea of the boat being bitten and dragged through water. In fact in was in the original plans for the ride to have a turn table system! 

However in the later addition of the attraction this was replaced with the famous gas explosion scene. 

'The Meat Machine' 

This was the name given to the finale moment in the original version of the ride. 

Using a funnel and filter system, that was hidden under the water. Just like in the movie, the shark would bite a gas canister, causing it to explode. 

The system would fire up a huge water explosion, at the same time, releasing red die into the water and huge 'Shark Chunks' would come floating to the water's surface. 

This would then act as a suction system, pulling the chunks, back down under water, the red dyed water was put through the large filter and the whole scene would reset in about 70 seconds... not bad..

this unfortunately, also left with the original version, it was replaced for the somewhat tamer, 'Shark Bites Wire' scene. 

Jaws Returns 1993 

The closure of the original version had to happen, with so many technical issues, faulty parts, the ride was a 'Disaster'... see what I did there....

A 2nd version of the ride debuted summer of 93.  With a slightly tamed layout and a swap of some aggressive show scenes... 

This version of the ride stuck around until 2012, where it was replaced for The Wizarding World. 

Wrap Up

This attraction will remain in the hearts of many, it was a childhood memory maker for a generation and still lives on with fans today! 

You still can experience the attraction in Universal Studios Japan.

If you want to continue some research of your own their are some fantastic resources out there! 

jawsride.net  is full of articles, info, pics and videos for your browsing pleasure. 

If you fancy a read a great book is ' Adventures In Amity: Tales From Jaws The Ride'. This is available from most online book stores. 

One thing is for sure, this ride will forever live on... 

'Amity 6 to base. Call off the troops, because we're coming home' .... 

Did you get to experience jaws the ride?! What memories do you have? 

Comment Below, or get Involved on our insta: @coastersamblog

Until Next Time, 

See Ya! 

Sam x