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CAPTAIN JAKE'S AMITY BOAT TOURS (JAWS!) IS CLOSING!

Universal announced that Captain Jake's Amity Boat Tours, more commonly known as the Jaws Ride, will be closing in addition to the entire Amity area.

The last day for the attraction will be on January 2, 2012. The Jaws attraction will be replaced by a "new, innovative and amazing experience".

I have some fond memories of that shark but, after a 20 year run, Jaws will be gone. So be sure to relive the memories before January 2nd.

Any guesses what the new attraction will be?

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO ANNOUNCES NEW ATTRACTIONS!

Mark Woodbury, President of Universal Creative, recently announced a new attraction at Universal Studios Orlando that will be based on the blockbuster animated feature "Despicable Me". The downside is that this attraction will be replacing "Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast". The ride, coming in 2012, will be a 3-D adventure that will viewed from the perspective of a Minion and will end with a Minion Dance party. The ride will use the same cutting edge 3-D technology used on the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride.

And, speaking of Spiderman, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman ride is getting an overhaul and being reproduced using 4K high definition technology, the highest HD resoultion available. This is my favorite attraction at Universal and I can't wait to experience this in high def. Ya baby!

WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER A HUGE SUCCESS!

I guess it was to be expected. The summer opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure has been a gigantic success. The park has been packed with millions of adoring Harry Potter fans since it's June opening. If your a fan, and even if you're not, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a site to behold.

But don't plan a visit early in the day as this seems to be the busiest time. Time your visit for the late afternoon or early evening when the crowds thin out.

And while you're there don't forget to tame the Hungarian Horntail, pick up some gag gifts at Zonko's, get your wand at Ollivanders (or let it pick you), mail a letter at the Owl Post, take a ride on the Forbidden Journey, dine at the Three Broomsticks and then end your day with a giant mug of Butterbeer.

Whew! What a day you'll have.

Rumor has it that since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure has been such a huge success, Universal Orlando is thinking of making it bigger!

But there would be a cost. And that cost would be losing The Lost Continent. It seems that Universal Orlando is considering getting rid of the Lost Continent island altogether to make more room for Harry Potter.

Good-bye Poseidon's Fury. Good-bye Sinbad. Is it really true? Stay tuned.

Amusement Today recently handed out their Golden Ticket Awards. These awards are considered by the theme park industry has their top honors. Kind of like an Academy Award for theme parks. Universal Orlando garnered four of the top awards:

Best Halloween Event: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando
Best Water Ride: Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls at Universal's Islands of Adventure
Best Dark Ride: Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure
Best New Ride of 2010 - Amusement Park: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Congratulations to Universal Orlando for earning these prestigious awards!

Images © Universal Orlando Resort