Universal Studios announced on Friday on their Facebook page that their Orlando, Florida resort will be closing the Jaws-themed area and water ride Captain Jake’s Amity Boat Tours on January 2, 2012.

The ride, which was inspired by the Jaws portion of the Universal Studios Hollywood resort’s backlot tram experience, has been in operation since the Orlando resort opened in June 1990 at a cost of $65 million. Three months after the ride opened Universal temporarily shut it down due to technical problems, but was successfully re-opened in the spring of 1993 with Jaws director Steven Spielberg and stars Roy Scheider and Lorraine Gary on hand for the occasion. Over the next 18 years the ride would be continuously closed and refurbished often due to hurricanes that struck central Florida.

The Jaws attraction is notable for being one of three original Universal Studios Florida attractions still operating to this day. According to the resort’s Facebook page, the attraction and its Amity area is being closed “to make room for an exciting, NEW, experience we’re planning for you.” As to what that exciting, new experience is the studio has not revealed yet.

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[Source: Universal Studios Orlando]