The Complicated History of JAWS at Universal Studios Florida

That’s a Wrap

JAWS across the years had many ups and downs—the failed original version, the popularity of the second, the mechanical issues, the loyal fans, the costs, and so on. JAWS was now well over a decade into operation and outlasted other opening-day attractions like Kongfrontation and Nickelodeon Studios; Universal Studios was a very different park by this point. It was no secret the complicated JAWS couldn’t last forever. The tides were changing at Universal Orlando Resort.

Next door at Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was a smash success when it opened in 2010. It was only a matter of time before Universal Studios Florida had its own Wizarding World as well.

In late 2011, Universal Orlando Resort announced JAWS would soon close permanently to make room for a Wizarding World expansion. Many guests complained against the beloved ride’s closure, but it was a done deal.

Fans showed up for JAWS’ final day of operation on Jan. 2, 2012, with the line reaching nearly 90 minutes at its peak. The emotional day ended with the late Michael “Skip” Skipper behind the helm for JAWS’ final public ride, followed by a lap for just the closing team. In true JAWS fashion, the final rides were passionate and high energy: Riders screamed the iconic lines, cheered the whole way through, and of course the kill shark animatronic was out of commission.

That was JAWS: exciting, personable, and unpredictable.

A Lasting Legacy

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley opened in place of JAWS and Amity Island on July 15, 2014. Even without JAWS, Universal Studios Florida still has a few remnants and Easter eggs from the classic ride—whether it’s a nod to Spielberg’s 1975 film or the famous Bruce the shark on display in San Francisco. It’s also been said the fire-breathing dragon in Diagon Alley uses the same utility connection as the gas dock explosion; it’s certainly in the same area.

JAWS is missed in Orlando, but it still is featured on the Studio Tour in Hollywood and since 2001 has operated at Universal Studios Japan.

Back in Florida, JAWS left behind a storied reputation. It was one of the most celebrated attractions not just in Universal’s history, but in all of theme park history. The redesign lasted well beyond its years despite issues; it was almost doomed to fail but instead thrilled guests for years.

A lot of that success can be credited to the ride’s design; sharks are always scary, and nothing beats the up-close-and-personal feeling of seeing a giant animatronic shark trying to attack you. It’s a major reason why so many people are fascinated and unnerved by the idea of submechanophobia.

“Amity, As You Know, Means Friendship”

But the real reason this ride stayed so relevant for so long were the skippers. They put their heart in soul into every single show to make sure everyone had a great time. They cared about the attraction, its story, and its significance. Without the personal touch of skippers, JAWS would’ve just been a lap around the lagoon with some animatronics. Their timing and effort made the ride feel believable, and they made a connection with guests in just five short minutes. That’s an experience worth doing again and again.

And with unofficial traditions like leaving their shoes behind, there’s no doubting how much that ride mattered.

A Special Place in Theme Park History

Rides like JAWS are almost impossible to come by nowadays. Human-led experiences are becoming more and more rare with attractions like The Great Movie Ride and Poseidon’s Fury closing their doors forever.

Nothing is quite as special as JAWS was. Experiences like Shark in the Dark night rides at Halloween Horror Nights were legendary, and that’s just one of a million reasons why JAWS is still adored all these years later.

Fans and skippers alike still celebrate the ride, and Universal Studios Florida has honored the franchise with tribute stores, entertainment offerings, and more.

The blockbuster, the ride, and the memories—JAWS undoubtedly made waves in theme park history.