Universal Studios Florida is closing Jaws, one of three major thrill rides beset by problems since opening day, until next year for a complete overhaul.
The action was announced Wednesday, one day after the new movie-theme park filed a damage lawsuit alleging faulty workmanship and defective design by Ride & Show Engineering Inc. of San Dimas, Calif.The attraction features a 24-foot mechanized shark that attacks boatloads of visitors in a lagoon. It works for a few hours, then must be shut down for repairs, said Universal President Steven Lew.
Ride & Show designed Jaws and Earthquake, another highly advertised ride. Those two and a King Kong attraction - "Kongfrontation" (designed by another company) - have worked only sporadically since the $600 million, 400-acre park opened June 7.
Mark Messersmith, Ride & Show's marketing manager, said his company provided state-of-the-art designs that were difficult to take from conception to construction because of their complexity.
Joseph B. McHugh, vice president of marketing and administration at Ride & Show Engineering, said his company will fight the lawsuit.
"We strongly disagree with Universal's claims," McHugh said. "Except for the expense of litigation, we welcome the chance to vindicate our company."
Universal spokesman Doug Binder said Earthquake and Kongfrontation are currently in "technical rehearsal," meaning that they are sometimes in operation and open to visitors.
Signs at Universal's entrance tell visitors the rides may be closed down at certain times. For their inconvenience, visitors can take advantage of the two-for-one ticket policy that has been in effect since June 8.