THE DAY THE JAWS RIDE DIED

On January 2, 2012, the Jaws Ride at Universal Studios Orlando scared theme park and Jaws fans one final time.

And then it was closed, removed and made way for part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The rest, really is Jaws history.

Here's that final ever ride, which has been viewed an astonishing 242 million times, not a bad viewing record for this vicinity.

The finned theme park attraction had been a fan favourite ever since it opened back in 1990, but - echoing the actual Bruce mechanical shark from Steven Spielberg's Jaws - it was beset with mechanical issues.

The Ride took up a large amount of space, space that could be taken up with something that would see more people pay it a visit, step forward Harry and his bad wizarding hat.

And let's not forget, Jaws hadn't had a new film since Jaws the Revenge in 1987, so as a ride and attraction it was getting - well - long in the tooth.

Even attractions such as Back to the Future: The Ride and Shrek 4D have all had their day in the Florida sun.

It would seem these three combined barrels finally bright the Jaws Ride to the surface and sealed its demise.

Not that this was the first Jaws attraction, there was one that had been jumping out at Universal Studios backlot tour visitors in Hollywood, but crucially that only lasted a minute. This was going to need to be a bigger boat of a ride.

The Jaws Ride at the then Universal Studios Florida saw potential victims board a pontoon boat with a live skipper giving them commentary as they taken on a leisurely tour of Amity Island, which, as you know, means friendship.

It soon became clear that a great white shark was stalking the town, with the shark even biting the boat at one point, making you feel as if you were on the Orca with Brody, Quint and Hooper.

The exciting climax of the Jaws Ride saw the skipper fire a grenade into the shark’s mouth, swallowing it whole you could say, causing it to blow up after sinking beneath the surface. Cue bits of fake shark flesh and blood red water selling the death of Jaws.

That was the first version of the Jaws Ride, which closed in 1990, but Universal Studios Florida got a second bite at Jaws, with a new (largely) improved ride.

The all new Jaws Ride surfaced at Universal Studios Orlando in 1993. This time, there was no Jaws blowing up, instead he'd get electrocuted and end up on fire, just like the ending of Jaws 2.

Here's Michael Aiello, a former skipper of the Jaws Ride, taking us on an Amity Boat Tour from the comfort of his own home: Former Jaws: The Ride Skipper Back At The Helm...From Home

The famous ‘carrot tooth’ Bruce at Jaws Ride at Universal Studios, Hollywood.

But, with the 50th anniversary of the release of Jaws on the big screen just a few years away, could the Jaws Ride make a return? We'd be smiling like a son-of-a-bitch if it ever did.

Here's how it could happen: Return Of The Jaws Ride?

For now, there is still one place on earth where you can still get the full Jaws Ride experience.

If you want to still experience the Jaws Ride as it was in Florida, the only way to do that is to head to Universal Studios Japan:Eastern Promises: Jaws, Japanese Style

Words by Dean Newman

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