Could we see Jaws at USO?
I was doing my yearly fourth-of-july Jaws rewatch and I couldn't help but think about a modern Universal attraction themed to it. I think Jaws would be a perfect fit for a second shot at USO for a few reasons:
Supercharged is closing, which is the current only attraction in the San Francisco section (which of course used to have a Amity section). I've heard rumors upon rumors about this attraction being replaced with one of the classic IPs, but Kong and Ghostbusters are more fit for New York than anything.
Not only does Jaws Merch sell like hot cakes, but Richter's just received a bunch of Jaws theming. Universal clearly has confidence in this IP.
Universal tends to put rides with similar ride systems in different parks (MU and FJ, Spider-Man and Transformers), so if the Creature of the Black Lagoon rumors are true this could get a similar system to that.
The 50th anniversary of Jaws is in just two years: great time to announce a new ride. . .
That's all I could come up with. But I'm curious as to whether my love for this movie is getting in the way if my judgement here. Is it just me, or is this the most likely replacement for Supercharged?
Replies (8)
I heard or I am starting a rumor it will be House of Dragon Syrax attraction...
@V-Coaster: This may interest you, if you use the TPI search function and look for a thread titled "Theme Park History: Orlando from the air, in 1990 (or so)", you will find a thread from 2013 that reports on my flight in the Shamu blimp. The journey took me above Universal Studios Florida and includes a pretty cool shot above the original 'Jaws' attraction. It gives an idea of how much space it required.
Note: it's the space that is currently occupied by Diagon Alley.
TH- you're right, it wouldn't open until '29. Especially not considering that Supercharged won't close until next year. But let me pitch this: they close it next year, begin development, announce it in '28, and debut it one or two years later. Sounds like a good timeline to me.
I did look at your blimp perspective, and you're right, it's huge. Based on Google earth, the space that Jaws occupied is twice the amount of space that Supercharged will leave behind.
But I'm not suggesting a rebuild of Jaws. I'm thinking a more modern take with the rocking boat, maybe indoors. And the current only implementation of the rocking boat is only a few thousand square feet larger than the supercharged plot. It's not impossible. . .
@V-Coaster: I don't think it's impossible. But it seems improbable. First the new USF coaster, then Pokémon, then plussed Volcano Bay, then a new attraction (or new attractions) at Epic. 'Jaws' may (or in my opinion "should" be developed). But with all the stuff I list above, a whole new park in the UK and a new parent company (wink), there are other priorities.
Side note: 'Jaws' should replace 'The Simpsons' ... maybe use part of the park's lake.
Despite the legacy of the IP, I don't think Universal is likely to develop a new Jaws attraction for Florida. While the original film was a phenomenon when it released back in 1975, subsequent media has been met with a much colder reception, and I'd wager a guess that a majority of Universal's visitors under 30 really have very little knowledge of the property these days. If Universal is spending hundreds of millions on developing a major new attraction, I feel like they're more likely to use a franchise that is a bit more current.
What I could see happening, however, is Universal developing a Jaws attraction for their new park in the UK, then potentially importing it to Florida if it winds up being a runaway hit there and fits within the space available at USF. However, we probably won't know for at least three years if such an attraction is indeed coming to that park, and it would probably be at least a couple years after that opens before we'd see a duplicate pop up elsewhere.
TLDR: Jaws in Florida isn't impossible, but I'd consider it a long shot.
I’ve said it before, but make a Great Movie Ride-like attraction that features past properties like Jaws, Back to the Future, Twister and also stuff that hadn’t been seen before like Spartacus or Oppenheimer.
I can't see Universal resurrecting it as it is 50 years old and is only an iconic film and franchise to a certain generation or possibly two. The younger generations will not have the connection or affinity towards it as the 50 plussers so Universal will replace with something relevant to the younger market and parents so that it has as much "universal" appeal as possible. Personally, I'd love to see the reintroduction of Jaws in some guise or another but as AJ has said, it is a long shot.
No question 'Jaws' would be a huge draw. And they need attractions at USF (new coaster replacing old coaster = running in place. And The Simpsons is starting to look really pathetic). Adding 'Jaws' would be huge.
But if they started work today it wouldn't open until (at least) 2029. In the interim, USF would need a bunch of "Small Ball" adds to fill that gap.