January 2, 2012

[Skillz5]

I had to visit USH and become the West Coast Ambassador to the closure of the JAWS Ride in Orlando by attending the Studio Tour in California and posting pics of Bruce in action. Today, the JAWS attraction on the Studio Tour is the only operating JAWS attraction in the United States. With my visit to USH, and picking up a renewed Annual Pass, here are my thoughts and opionions.

1. Grinchmas deconstruction has begun. It looked similar to years prior, probably did not miss much.

2. Attractions which overall were looking good: Jurassic Park - New Dino skins, Stegosaur tail operating!!! JAWS - Newly refurbed shark looked good. Studio Tour restrooms. The new Studio Center look and feel is nice. Some Transformers merch is already available.

3. Attraction needing attention: Jurassic Park - Finale T-Rex. King Kong 360 3-D - was not dark enough. JAWS - Bridge tilt still out. Terminator paint on building exterior - Nuff said! Yuck!

I am still not impressed with the Simpson courtyard area with all the tables from Cinnabon. This area is the heaviest traffic area of the park and is far too crowded. I feel the covered eating area near the JAWS photo op is tacky and ghetto. Theme the area instead of using a tent!

A note to all who want to buy JAWS merch: The JAWS products have been discontinued in Orlando, which means all the JAWS merchadise lines are closed. Buy your JAWS shirts now, they are soon to be extinct!

[Jon]

King Kong seemed fine on my visit, but I agree with your assessment of the Simpsons courtyard. Simply too much traffic for that given area, but I don't think they can do much about that.

I also just assumed that the tenting next to Studio Souvenirs was simply due to the increased attendance for the wintertime, so I didn't make much of that.

[Miss Betty Juice]

Totally agree with you on the t-rex. I was there today and last week and he's been drooping still, and it feels like the pendulum timing is off somehow, as well. JP was very glitchy last week as well.