The Complicated History of JAWS at Universal Studios Florida

The Legend of JAWS

A blockbuster that shaped a nation. A failed ride concept that lasted only two months. A sequel that was so much more than just a theme park ride.

This is the story of the JAWS ride at Universal Studios Florida.

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A New Terror Emerges

Author Peter Benchley put the terrors of the ocean to paper in his 1974 bestselling novel, Jaws. The following year, rising filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, adapted the thriller for the silver screen. Audiences were hooked; Jaws was a hit as big as the film’s 25-foot monstrous shark.

Jaws earned the distinction of being the first summer blockbuster, earning $470 million worldwide, but its impact rippled beyond the moviegoing experience. Audiences would never view the open waters in the same way again.

Jaws in Real Life

In 1976, Universal Studios brought Jaws Frenzy to Hollywood with an addition to its Studio Tour: The Jaws Experience. The short show scene passes by the waters of Amity Island as a massive shark animatronic lunges at the tram. Parkgoers could even pose with a hanging shark photo op.

The Jaws Experience brought movie magic to life in an exciting way for Universal Studios. As the Studio Tour grew, so did Universal’s ambitions as a theme park—and none other than Steven Spielberg was also along for the ride.

You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Park

By the mid-‘80s, Universal Studios began producing a new tram tour to be built in a promising tourist destination: Orlando, Florida. However, once Disney caught onto Universal’s plans, the not-so-mousy theme park giant began development on a movie studio theme park to be named Disney-MGM Studios.

The competition pushed Universal Studios to create bigger attractions beyond a tram tour. The new park was becoming a large-scale project with several E-ticket rides: a tall order for Universal Studios. The development team was spread thin with enormous engineering and creative challenges ahead—none more challenging than a fully realized version of The Jaws Experience.