Jaws

For lovers of the Jaws series of movie, there is no more exciting of an experience than taking a trip on the JAWS water ride modeled after the 1976 hit film. 

In JAWS the ride, guests find themselves fending off a great white shark while exploring the shores of Amity. First, however, they must pass through the deckhouse in order to get onboard the boat.  While passing through, guests are surrounded by the sounds of the telltale music used in the movie to signify that danger is ahead.

As guests get on board, a tour guide provides a friendly greeting.  He or she then begins the tour and points out some of the nearby landmarks, such as Chief Brody’s office.  Suddenly, a distress call comes over the radio announcing that another tour bout is in distress.  The tour guide rushes to the scene – with all of the guests still on board - to help.  Sadly, the boat and its guests have already been hit by the shark and is seen sinking to the bottom.

It doesn’t take long before a rather large fin appears to the left of the boat.  The great white goes beneath the boat and gives it a lashing, but all of those aboard survive.  The tour guide then rushes everyone to the boathouse where the doors close and provide a sense of safety. 

The sense of safety is unfounded, however, as the great white suddenly attacks from the right and then breaks through the water right next to the boat.  Frightened away, the tour guide then rushes the guests out of the boathouse with the shark in pursuit.  The tour guide reaches for a grenade launcher and aims it at the shark.  The shark is smart, however, and it tips the boat and causes the tour guide to miss.  Rather than hit the shark, the rocket shoots the dock where a few tanks of gasoline are stored.  This ignites an amazingly hot fire that nearly sets all of the guests on board afire.

Finally, the boar makes it to the dock where guests can be let off.  JAWS, however, has not given up on his pursuit.  As such, he jumps up to the right with mouth open wide.  Unfortunately for the shark, he chomps down on a high voltage electrical cable.  As the air fill with smoke and the scent of something burning, the persistent shark takes one more bite at the guests before sinking to the bottom.

This ride is quite popular.  Therefore, it is a good idea to take advantage of the Universal Express option that is available.   In order to get the best view of the shark, the sinking tour boat, and the exploding dock, it is best to sit on the left side of the tour boat.  Guests to the right, however, have the better view of the boathouse.  Riding JAWS at night also offers a different perspective than at night. 

Although the ride is not particularly scary to adults, small children may be frightened by the attacks.  In addition, since this is a water ride, there is a good possibility of getting wet while on the ride.  The ride is handicap accessible, though guests in wheelchairs must transfer to the boat.