1990 Universal Studios Florida - The ORIGINAL JAWS RIDE Training Video!
I was a Jaws boat skipper in 1994 and 1995 at Universal Studios Florida. I loved every moment of my time there spent battling a mechanical shark and, to date, it is one of my favorite theme park memories. In 2012, word got out that the ride was closing permanently. I decided to organize one final ride with some of the original skippers dating back to the attraction's reopening from the nineties. Here's my blog post about it: www.tomcroom.com/2011/12/02/un...
Orlando Weekly covered the reunion and did a nice write up about it: www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando...
I later discussed that and my other Jaws-related adventures for the book Adventures in Amity: Tales From The Jaws Ride. You can get a copy here: www.amazon.com/Adventures-Ami...
ABOUT ME: I’m a Gen X geek that’s been into the pop culture convention scene since high school. I went on to start a popular anime club in college that eventually became a successful event production company. I tend to post on my personal blog (TomCroom.com) where I wax-poetic about traveling, food, and my involvement in the anime industry as it relates to consumer-focused media trade shows. Occasionally I post a KZread video as a supplement to those stories.
Пікірлер: 473
The day I went there , Steven Spielberg and his family were at the park to ride the Jaws ride...I tried to get a picture,but the crowds were too big to take a decent one
The boathouse scene was REALLY amazing in the first version of he ride. The part where the shark grabs the boat... not so hot. I mean you can literally see the teeth falling off the skin. I also like how it's movement seems much less robotic and more real. Maybe we can get Universal to build a new JAWS some day? :D
@C3Duuu
3 жыл бұрын
I think the Jaws the Ride curse caused the closing to happen
@zimtheinvaderofficial
3 жыл бұрын
@@C3Duuu what curse
@mariselaalicea5816
3 жыл бұрын
A be nice Dean
@her2c4t
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah not anymore
@mariselaalicea5816
3 жыл бұрын
@Dean be nice
Wow never realized how much of an effect the skippers reaction had on the ride
@TomCroom
3 жыл бұрын
The skippers MADE the ride IMO. A good skipper and a complacent was the difference between enjoying a world class experience or a just going around in a circle on the water.
still couldn't pay me to swim in that water I know it's fake but still nope
@zombiebbq14
7 жыл бұрын
bakedwithrealchez agreed.
@bad_guy5895
5 жыл бұрын
bakedwithrealchez don't want your face to get crunched from the animatronic gears
@Showgingah
5 жыл бұрын
@@meiraelise4438 There's actually an article on it. The dude fell in again when they were trying to get him out. He fell in the water, and ironically, was right in the path of the animatronic shark where it directly attacked the boat. The reason why someone clapped was because whoever the skipper was, stayed in character the whole time lmao. Let's just say the original jaws ride...had a crap ton of problems.
@meiraelise4438
5 жыл бұрын
@@Showgingah jesus lmfao
@jacksonkendrick943
5 жыл бұрын
Yup
HOLY CRAP! I didn't know that the shark originally tried to BITE the boat! I want to ride the older/retro version!
@priscillapina1224
7 жыл бұрын
The Kid Who Loves Theater hasn't the shark always attacked the boat? I'm pretty sure I remember my sister waking up with a giant shark head next to her
@asapluke
7 жыл бұрын
Tyler Tremallose I heard the dragging wasn't supposed to happen
@AnguirusTCG
7 жыл бұрын
The Kid Who Loves Theater It would break all the time, so they had to change it.
@mercibeau
7 жыл бұрын
Luke Whitten yea they redid the whole ride because everything was off & not coming on time. and there were too much errors especially w the shark ACTUALLY weighing like 400 pounds.
@AnguirusTCG
7 жыл бұрын
Soneful Damn! Thats a big shark!!!
the shark looks more realistic
@tuffy10lb
3 жыл бұрын
Yes I agree they do ! More scary
@lloydkline6946
3 жыл бұрын
❤ original jaws , robot 🦈 shark
@jacobfrancoman7304
3 жыл бұрын
Ngl, it really did, aside from the sharks gums looking like they’re about to fall out, they looked pretty good
@tonyleblanc7302
3 жыл бұрын
@@jacobfrancoman7304 when a shark goes to bite prey, it’s gums always look like they’re about to fall out.
@mariselaalicea5816
3 жыл бұрын
I think the shark was more realistic but the new shark is more looks better but isn't that realistic
When it’s silent and there’s only the guys on the radio talking to you it feels more isolated and creepy and I LOVE IT
Glad this video exists. Not many people know that the ride was very different in the Summer of 1990. I was a boat skipper in the early and mid 90s so I ran the ride in both versions. I understand why they had to change it. The tech of the 90s simply wasn't up to what they wanted back then. It was amazing that they could get it to work, really. I don't know the math, but it was explained to me that getting those sharks to move on their platforms and rails underwater took power roughly equivalent to that needed to lift a jet liner into the air.
@knightofarkronia8652
Жыл бұрын
You know, I’ve been coming up with ideas for a hypothetical Jaws ride that combines both versions!
@zzzzrvidoes365
10 ай бұрын
You have any stories from when you worked on the original ride with the ride breaking down while you were the skipper or any of your coworkers?
@lukeskywalkerstudios941
5 ай бұрын
I personally enjoy the original 1990 Jaws Ride, the story and how it was told, was a masterpiece. And don’t get me started on the score! I just wished the technology was planned better, and was lasted way longer.
I kind of like this version better tbh. Jaws in the boathouse scene looks super uncanny and it's quite creepy
@readordiefanatic
6 жыл бұрын
I noticed that too, at times it really looks like a real shark.
@MaybeGodwillsaveMe
5 жыл бұрын
I bet it must be so scary for kids when they go into the boathouse set. Wouldn't it have been cool if they went even bigger on that aspect to where it's like you went out in the deep ocean with Brody to hunt Jaws and its only like moonlight and you feel like you're surrounded by ocean?
@Clay3613
5 жыл бұрын
Exactly, I'd be fine with the second version had they not made the sharks look like immobile hunks of wood.
@AdamAdver
5 жыл бұрын
Yea
@theheroneededwillette6964
4 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately this version relied on a system does doesn’t actually work right in water. Among a billion other technical issues
With today’s technology, if Universal Studios recreated this version of Jaws, without question there will be a huge crowd in line trying to get on the ride. @universal #hint
@giantbaby6996
3 жыл бұрын
Agreed. I think they made a huge mistake closing it. It’s a true classic.
@meow5655
3 жыл бұрын
@@giantbaby6996 yeah i agree, but they rlly had no choice closing this version
Imagine being the dude who fell in the water with that thing coming straight at him. And on top of that hearing your kid scream “no! the shark’s gonna eat daddy!” Especially since the 90’s mechanical shark looks way more realistic/movie accurate than the final version! With my submechanophobia, galeophobia, and thalassophobia, that shit would give me PTSD.
@Anubis22774
3 жыл бұрын
Same here. Beyond terrifying.
wait so you're telling me that the shark used to actually attack the boat at one point that's awesome
@braselton94
7 жыл бұрын
tia marie I remember an old VHS tape showing that.
@bananabird8756
7 жыл бұрын
Tyler Tremallose they actually redid the WHOLE ride
@indigofrost4782
7 жыл бұрын
animal rights and no abuse! well almost
@bananabird8756
7 жыл бұрын
Themepark Kid lol yeah they didn't get rid of some of the houses
@alliesinger297
7 жыл бұрын
tia marie yeah but I just know if it was me in that boat regardless it's a ride or not I am peeing my pants
ITS AWESOME TO SEE BRUCIE SINK LIKE THAT HE MOVES SO MUCH BETTER AND NOT ALL CRAZY. HIS MOVEMENT WORKS SO RIGHT I LOVE IT.
For some reason I feel like this versions boat house scene is so much more suspenseful I wish I got to ride this one but I got to ride jaws a couple of times before it was replaced so I can't complain I still love it and I always will it holds a special place is my childhood nightmares 😂
This version was from 1990, which they attempt to salvage between then and mid-1991. They then pulled the plug to re-engineer the version that everyone knows, which opened October 1st 1993.
@isaacgerdon6351
4 жыл бұрын
BoathouseShark Didn’t ask
@Godzilla-vd9lj
4 жыл бұрын
@@isaacgerdon6351 WHO WAS TALKING TO YOU
That moment when the shark grabs and pulls the boat... incredible.
Apparently this video is close to getting a half a million views. Who knew there were so many fans of nineties mechanical shark technology?
@redandbluebulldog1508
Жыл бұрын
Heck yeah! 2022 is starting to wrap up and you’ve hit 507K+. Congrats! Thanks for posting! Truly incredible documentation in a day before camera phones and the internet! Love this! 😳❤️🦈
3:24 the shark movement was amazing! Looks real! PS I would be terrified to ride alone. Too bad the sharks couldn't survive the water
The boathouse portion was awesome!
It was always gonna be difficult to pull off those effects of the shark grabbing the boat and it exploding at the end. I expect it would've been hard to keep it reliable. Anyway the final version was awesome.
@PianoDisneygal10
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, this version of the ride always broke down. It was so famous for it that when I was in middle school, ten years later, kids were still talking about it
Wow that shark looks wayyyy better than the one on the final iteration of the ride.
The shark looked much more realistic at that time, than the chunky one they ended up with shortly after.
@Anubis22774
3 жыл бұрын
Yes. The newer chunkier one looks like absolute garbage. Totally ruined it for me.
"Go-go ahe- um, go ahead and uh, hit the cue that thing for all of the stuff..."
I remember this in the 90s.. When it would attack the boat and try and pull it underwater.. So scary for a kid 😂
I this shark looked more realistic than the one used to be electrocuted. But that's just me. Anyways, such a great ride, and I miss it. Glad I have the memories of riding it.
Actually working > Looking somewhat realistic. Glad you enjoyed it though.
I like this animatronic more that the new one. Looks more realistic, moves more realistic.
It was a good looking shark. The thing is, they were pneumatic, which means they use air to move cylinders up and down. Sadly, these were not water proof. This is why it never worked. So then universal sued Ride show & engineering (I think that's what it's called) for "poor workmen ship". Than universal brought in Totally Fun company who designed and build the ride and Oceanering Engineering designed and built the Sharks which were water proof and now hydraulic. Hydraulic cylinders are not activated by air, but rather a Hydraulic Fluid. Hence the infamous shark bites the wire was born.
@Clay3613
8 жыл бұрын
The newer animatronics looked like wood. Everything was pretty good till the ending.
@SpinalRampage
7 жыл бұрын
They also brought in Intamin to do the track reworks. The refurb cost more than the ride did originally since they reworked nearly the whole thing.
@jasonthomas6195
7 жыл бұрын
Clay3613 They didn't originally, just look at the old promo videos of the finale. They were sadly left to decline both mechanically and cosmetically by Universal.
@pearlwhite9758
6 жыл бұрын
Holdensaurus ugh Harry Potter Diagon Alley took the place Jaws was. Don’t get me wrong I am a fan of Harry Potter, it just sucks that it isn’t a ride anymore
@gagastan18
5 жыл бұрын
Storydale fr. harry potter already had a big themed land in Islands of Adventure, it didn’t need another land
I’ve been on the renewed version in 2004 when I was 7 and was terrified but I can assure you if I went on this version I would have had a heart attack and died.
Definitely miss that ride now.
The shark looks so great here... shame it didn't work like it was supposed to ):
May I use this footage in a video I'm making about underwater animatronics? I will give your channel full credit.
@TomCroom
4 жыл бұрын
As long as you credit me, yes. Thank you for asking.
@Dave_Williams200
3 жыл бұрын
He always do
@Acermani456
3 жыл бұрын
@@TomCroom if I ever go to Universal Japan, would you like to be my skipper on a private English tour? LOL!
@Acermani456
3 жыл бұрын
@@TomCroom or do you think they would allow you to do so?
@Acermani456
3 жыл бұрын
@@TomCroom you see I never got a chance to experience this ride.
I've been looking for a video of the first ride. So much different. The bloody water was a nice touch.
id love for somebody to make a modern version of this, surely technology has came further than what they had back then , huge potential
Definitely cool to see. I like how the shark "broke" into the boathouse, alongside the bloody water at the end. The fire effect is definitely more exciting (and realistic) than the shark-pulling-the-boat around deal. Thanks for posting this =)
@knightofarkronia8652
Жыл бұрын
Maybe if (and that’s a pretty big if) they brought the ride back (maybe they could find room in Epic Universe? I don’t know), they could combine the two versions? Like maybe while trying to get the shark off of the boat, the grenade launcher ends up discharging by mistake, blowing up the gas dock? Or maybe, that scene at the end where the shark bites the electric cord and then makes one last lunge at the boat could be when the grenade flies into its mouth and it explodes underwater?
For anyone claiming that this one was better, just a reminder: this version almost never worked properly.
@meow5655
3 жыл бұрын
basically worked like a real shark
Two years ago today,@UniversalORL closed one of it's most legendary attractions: #JAWS The ORIGINAL Universal Studios Florida JAWS RIDE (1990) Training Video!
Loved how they had The Orca there at 0:45 lol. Nice poke at that movie. I rode this ride in 08 and loved every minute of it btw..:)
@feliciasingleton4849
10 жыл бұрын
the ORCA was the name of Quint's boat in the movie....not a poke at the so awful it's good movie ORCA :)
@randomvids1231000
9 жыл бұрын
Felicia Singleton He says it is a reference to Quint's boat in the first movie.
3:29 had me shook
I wonder how the fake blood worked when it blew up and how it didn't affect the water after so many rides
@cowboycliparchive1985
7 жыл бұрын
Erika Wiberg I'm sure they had some sort of water filter to keep the water clean. But that would be really interesting to see pure red water after so many times. imagine the tourists faces
@crazyd4ve875
7 жыл бұрын
Probably wasn't blood, it probably rust.
@TomCroom
3 жыл бұрын
It was a special chemical that went from red to clear in a few minutes. There was a filtration system, though, so it *allegedly* cycled the water to keep it clean. Allegedly.
@ChrisHinners008
7 күн бұрын
@@TomCroomknowing the high maintenance the original version of the ride required, it probably didn't work well.
So much better than the ride that replaced it, the shark movement was better and look more interesting!!!
I know it didn't work, but I really liked this version. Especially since it was more Jaws and not Jaws2
There's a picture of me hanging on to my mom for dear life screaming like Donna Wilkes in Jaws 2. They told me it would be a real shark lol
my left ear enjoyed this video very much
@brentbaker1670
6 жыл бұрын
Ikr I can only hear it with one ear
I think this is one of the only videos on the internet that has the boat drag scene
@TomCroom
2 жыл бұрын
Someday I'll go through the rest of these old VHS tapes, too. LOL
@lukeskywalkerstudios941
19 күн бұрын
@@TomCroomyou have more? We would love to see!
I loved this ride dearly. I wish I'd applied for a job here when I lived in Orlando
And the shark "exploding" with the guts going everywhere? Classic.
I went on this ride when I was like 5 in 2011 before it shut down, and I remember it like yesterday! TAKE THAT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!! HAH
wow that shark is pretty terrifying. i miss this ride! (i never rode the original version though)
Thank you so much for this amazing footage of such a classic attraction. Jaws, you will be missed :(
the shark looks real
I liek 4:14 bc I like how it just comes out of the water and atchully includes teh boat
The original made me jump more than the newest!
Finally get to see the original part where the shark would bite the boat. But the part had to be removed due to the damage it kept causing to the boat.
A truly great & RARE VIDEO of Jaws - The Ride. 👍👍
@TomCroom
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Someday I'll convert my other VHS tapes. Someday.
Interesting I love the interaction in the boat house more in this version but I really liked the later version I experienced in the 90s. The fire spreading on the water live in front of you, feeling the heat of it and running through and the cable snagging so that the ride also acknowledged Jaws 2, made things more exciting. While the moment of it biting the boat here sure looks good, ending it with just a water splash and blood effect it a little tame.
This is surprisingly good quality for 1990. Thanks for sharing
@onerandomusername I'm glad you liked it. I only recently remembered that I had it lying in a box in the garage.
A nightmare to fall in this pond!
Was lucky to ride this version.
I’m so sad this ride is gone. I never got to go on it because I was 5 when the ride was taken out. Jaws is my favorite movie of all time and I love watching videos from the jaws ride and I just wish I could have gone on it at least once. I hope some day it gets added back ❤️
@huntercoleman460
Жыл бұрын
The ride still exists in Japan.
@dummo420
Жыл бұрын
@@huntercoleman460 yea like there gonna spend all that money just to go ride jaws in a language they won’t even be able to understand 💀 cmon now make it make sense
This version of the ride was much better than the other version I've seen over the four years I had a pass at Universal. Unfortunately, from what I heard when Jaws first was opened in 1990 they had a lot of mechanical problems with the ride and had to be re-done by another company since it would break down very often. Hence, why it was a little different from what it was when it first opened. Jaws made a lot more appearances than he does now, or did before it was officially closed recently.
Its no wonder Universal sued the designing company!
That was pretty awesome! I started as a Studio Guide at USF in December 1990, and we took a tour of the then-drained Jaws ride and were told about the experience - including the ''shark meat machine'' but I never got to see it - until now. It's also cool that the sinking tour boat looked new - and therefore like it could have just gone down! ; )
wow amazing vide, so glad I could see this. Will never forgot how great this ride was
Even the last animatronic didn't pop up. LOL that's great.
I so remember this ride. I started at USF April of 1990. Officially open June 7th 90'. I ran the parking lot and turnstiles area as a lead. I was there 4 yrs and it was a great job. Had so much fun!! Has changed so much since then. It was $47.00 to get in and $3.00 to park hahah. I worked the very first HHN they put on. The good ol days hahah
@TomCroom
3 жыл бұрын
"Back in the before time..."
it looks like that they drove 1990 the boat really by themselves! You can see it at the throttles!
They should bring back the Jaws ride back it’s absolutely not fair for that ride be removed
Yeah, I think I was very little when this version was still around. Then when I came back a few years later it was the 2nd and final version(electrocuted version). I'll always enjoy watching the Jaws videos for great memories, and it will always be one of my favorite movie franchises.
3:26 imagine being stuck there
Even though this version almost never worked, I personally really like this version better before the complete Refurbishment. It’s a shame that this never worked, if only it just had more advanced technology!
May I use this Footage for a video I'm working on about this version of the Jaws Ride? I'll put a link to your video in the description of my video and give you credit.
@TomCroom
3 жыл бұрын
Please be sure to credit me in the video (an overlay that says "Credit: Tom Croom" or "Credit" TomCroom.com" is fine. Links in the description don't denote it as clearly. Thanks.
@PlatinumBolt
3 жыл бұрын
@@TomCroom ok, thanks.
I can’t be the only one to think animatronic sharks are scarier than real sharks
Best ride of all time.. everything nowadays is just screens but this was so cool and practical
I remember this ride from a long time ago! It was awesome and I was like 10 lol
HOLY CRAP! I Didn’t Know That Jaws Originally Died By Getting Shot By The Grenade Launcher! This Is Why I Love The Jaws Ride’s Original Version!
Took the kids a couple of times in the first half of the 2000s. Loved the ride! Lot of fun. Thankfully it was the pre everyone had a cell phone age so your experiance wasn't ruined by everyone blocking your views with their phones like these days or yacking or texting incessantly on their phone .
It felt even longer in the winter. :)
In my personal belief, this original one was better now, I know they had problems but could they still have in palmettes the same action but just with better animatronic funtions?
@BombBombora
8 жыл бұрын
+Nazgul LOTR yes it's still there
Really wish they would bring Jaws back to life with a ride.
I actually got to experience this version as a kid I remember going another year and seeing the shittier shark and being dissapointed
@Da60FOVDemon
3 жыл бұрын
That’s crazy so you’re like 37 now?
If only they got Roy schider to voice chief Brody on the ride…that would’ve been noce
@TomCroom
2 жыл бұрын
Interesting enough, he was walking distance from the ride for months due to filming seaQuest at the adjacent soundstages.
My 2 Favorite Universal Studios Trilogys Are Jaws And Back To The Future!
Thank You Tom Croom’ For Being A Good Skipper!
@TomCroom
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching the video!
Man the boathouse scene felt soooo long!
I can't believe they closed this, I've never been on it. :c darn. I love Universal.
I really dig this version's plot more than the second version. The bugger seems to move a little more realistically in the boathouse here than he did in the reboot. I heard Universal employees saying that they closed Jaws because it was too expensive to run. I also heard somewhere that the explosion in the second version cost $60-75/pop. The whole "shark turning the damn boat around" thing was cooler anyway, so why couldn't they have just reinstalled the old effect? Damn. I'll miss this ride.
BRO THIS LOOKS SO COOL WHY DID THEY SHUT IT DOWN!?!?!?!
@meow5655
3 жыл бұрын
the first time it was completely defunctional and wasnt waterproof, the second time just didnt work well enough and they needed more room, i wish they bring it back
The ride malfunction a lot so eventually universal sued the people that originally people built it about two our three years after it was made. They also apparently around the same time they were having trouble with kongfrontation and earthquake also.
It's just a ride, but I would be TERRIFIED if I fell in the water!
I remembered the boat house being smaller. Maybe it’s just because I was a kid, but I swear I remember it differently. Also, why did the entire pond need to be filled? It doesn’t take a genius to realize the costs associated with it. The majority of the ride only needs to have the appearance, but they could have been only a foot deep or so. They could have done so many things better from that standpoint.
I wish this version came back along with the new version.
It’s so funny how they say Quint in this even tho he died 😂
Something about animatronics and practical affects is still so crazy and terrifying
My left ear really enjoyed this
yes they tried to recreate scenes from the movie which was always going to be difficult, hats off to them though.
I can't believe the skipper kept his cool will battling that shark! From the jaws ride we know from the day they would act more scared.
Shame this shark didn't work. Its design is far more lifelike!
Best version in my opinion when working 😂