The History of Jaws at Universal Studios Hollywood

"Jaws," Steven Spielberg's 1975 summer blockbuster, not only revolutionized cinema but also left an indelible mark on Universal Studios Hollywood, shaping its evolution into the theme park destination it is today. The film's unprecedented success inspired the creation of the "Jaws Lake" attraction in 1976, forever changing the Universal Studio Tour and paving the way for future immersive experiences.

From Silver Screen to Studio Tour: The Birth of Jaws Lake

Following the runaway success of "Jaws," Universal Studios recognized the potential of incorporating the film's iconic elements into its Studio Tour. In 1976, just one year after the movie's release, the "Jaws" experience made its debut, quickly becoming a must-see attraction for moviegoers and tourists alike.

Singapore Lake Transformed

The location chosen for the "Jaws" attraction was Singapore Lake, previously known for its "full-blown hurricane" special effect. The studio transformed the area into a miniature version of Amity Island, the fictional town terrorized by the great white shark in the film. Renamed "Jaws Lake," the attraction featured iconic elements from the movie, including:

A recreation of Amity Island's beach
The actual screen-used Orca boat
Fisherman Ben Gardner's partially sunken boat
The ominous "Welcome to Amity" billboard

The Original Jaws Experience

The first iteration of the "Jaws" experience took tram riders on a scenic tour of the lake, where they would encounter George, a lone fisherman brave enough to fish in shark-infested waters. As John Williams' iconic "Jaws" theme filled the air, a shark fin would emerge, knocking Gardner and his boat into the water, turning it blood red. A yellow barrel would then appear, marking the shark's location, before it lunged out of the water and attacked the tram.

While the initial animatronic shark, nicknamed "Carrot Tooth" due to its overly prominent teeth, was considered more goofy than scary, the "Jaws" portion of the tour quickly became a huge attraction.

Evolving Terror: Refurbishments and Changes

Over the years, the "Jaws" attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood underwent several refurbishments and changes to enhance the experience and keep it fresh for visitors.

Dental Work: By the end of its first year, the shark received some "dental work" to focus on a single line of scary teeth, improving its overall menace.
Pyrotechnics: In the late '80s, the dock scene was replaced with a gas station on a pier, allowing for the addition of impressive pyrotechnic effects that simulated an attack by the shark.
The Orca's Demise: In 1986, the screen-used Orca boat was unceremoniously discarded, sparking outrage from Steven Spielberg when he found out about it after the fact.
Shark Overhaul: In the '90s, the shark and its mechanics underwent a complete overhaul, resulting in the same "Jaws" shark that riders experience today.
A New Victim: The fisherman in the middle of the lake was replaced by a police scuba diver who gets taken down in a bloody, bubbling attack.
More Fire: More intense fire effects were returned to the experience.

The Legacy of Jaws Lake

Despite the changes and challenges, "Jaws Lake" has remained a beloved part of the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour for over four decades. The attraction's success proved that guests were eager to experience more complex rides and experiences within the backlot tour, paving the way for future additions like the King Kong and Earthquake experiences. The "Jaws" experience has also been featured in a number of TV shows from the 80's and 90's, further cementing its place in pop culture history.

Jaws: The Ride at Universal Studios Florida

In 1990, Universal Studios expanded the "Jaws" experience with the opening of "Jaws: The Ride" at Universal Studios Florida. Unlike the Studio Tour attraction, this was a standalone ride that immersed guests in a harrowing adventure on Amity Island.

A Troubled Beginning

The original "Jaws" ride at Universal Studios Florida was plagued with technical difficulties from the start. The elaborate special effects often malfunctioned, resulting in frequent breakdowns and evacuations. The ride's designers failed to heed the lesson Spielberg learned while making the film: Water and animatronics don’t mix. After many special effects experts called the task of designing a seaworthy, 25-foot mechanical shark for the movie impossible, Hollywood legend Bob Mattey finally agreed to come out of retirement to do the job.

One infamous incident involved a 39-year-old man who fell into the water after a boat railing allegedly broke. The animatronic shark was known for behaving erratically, and it was coming his way. He even received a round of applause from fellow guests who thought he was part of the entertainment. The incident led to a lawsuit and further scrutiny of the ride's safety and reliability.

Jaws: The Ride 2.0

After numerous attempts to fix the original ride, Universal decided to scrap it completely and rebuild it from scratch. The revamped "Jaws: The Ride" debuted in 1993 with a new ride system, modified special effects, and a different ending.

The new version of the ride featured a similar storyline, with guests boarding a tour boat for a leisurely cruise of Amity Harbor that is interrupted by a shark attack. However, the finale was changed to resemble the ending of "Jaws 2," with the shark being electrocuted by biting onto an underwater cable.

The End of an Era

"Jaws: The Ride 2.0" operated for nearly two decades, but it was not without its own problems. The ride required large amounts of fuel and was incredibly expensive to maintain. In 2012, Universal Studios made the decision to close "Jaws: The Ride" permanently to make room for the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Jaws at Universal Studios Japan

The "Jaws" experience also made its way to Universal Studios Japan, where it opened in 2001. The ride features similar theming to the revamped Florida ride, with pyrotechnics and animatronics that happen in the water around visitors inside a boat near Amity Island.

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