A Universal Tragedy: Orlando Park Closing ‘Jaws’ Attraction

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Posted by MrDisgusting on December 02, 2011 @ 8:06pm
Category: Movies / News

A Universal Tragedy: Orlando Park Closing Jaws Attraction

There’s nothing that stings more than having a childhood obsession destroyed at the hands of corporate greed. I’ll never, ever, ever, everrrr forgive Disney for retooling the Journey Into Imagination ride at EPCOT, and I’m still burning over the loss of Back to the Future for the lackluster Simpson’s Ride. What Universal has planned next may be even worse as they’re tampering with a historial element that defines both parks. What is Universal Studios without King Kong or Jaws’ presence?

Tampa Bay Online reports that Universal Studio’s Jaws ride, one of the Orlando theme park’s original attractions, will close January 2 to make room for a new attraction, Universal Orlando announced. Universal Orlando did not give details of what would replace Jaws, which opened in 1990 and was based on the 1975 horror film of the same name.

On the ride, guests take a leisurely boat tour off the coast of Amity that is interrupted by terrorizing 32-foot-long great white shark. The ride and surrounding Amity area will close at 9 p.m. January 2.

“We know it’s hard to say goodbye, but we can’t express how excited we are about the new, innovative and amazing experience we’re going to be bringing you,” said some asshole who is probably an intern on the studio’s Facebook page. Can’t wait for them to open the Transformers ride in Florida, you know, a ride that nobody will care about come 2014.

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Pitch Black Mazes and Seafaring Scares at ‘Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor’!

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Posted by EvanDickson on October 10, 2011 @ 3:27pm
Category: Movies / Editorials

MaryLand10811 Pitch Black Mazes and Seafaring Scares at Queen Marys Dark Harbor!

Last night Bloody Disgusting made the trek down to Long Beach to check out the re-jiggered Dark Harbor Halloween event that takes place in and around the historic (and some say haunted) Queen Mary.

Built in 1936, the ship itself made over 1,000 transatlantic voyages (impressive when compared to the Titanic’s, um… 0.5?) and is now permanently anchored in Long Beach. Most of the time it serves as a thriving hotel and restaurant destination all on its own. But every October for the past seventeen years, they’ve been building up their Halloween maze chops.

Originally titled Shipwreck, the event underwent an overhaul last year and re-emerged as Dark Harbor with more elaborate mazes and a significantly higher amount of performers than in past years.

After a few welcoming words from our gracious hosts we were taken in groups through our first two mazes of the evening and then were left to explore the rest of the park on our own. What followed was definitely a fun night, especially when you consider the price point is an unbeatable $20 (if you’re in a group, $24 if solo).

Hit the jump to follow us through the mazes.
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