Universal Sets Sights Lower at Its Florida Park

Universal Studios Florida, with three of four blockbuster attractions still not working properly, backed away today from its projection of 5 million to 6 million in annual attendance.

Because of major design and maintenance problems, the park this week closed its Jaws attraction for repairs at least until the end of the year, park President Steven Lew said.

“It certainly will have an effect on our attendance. To what extent is unknown at this time,” Lew said.

“I can’t imagine that that will entice people to come to the studio,” said John Rutherford of the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “My feeling is that most people . . . are going to wait until it’s completely up and running until they spend their money to go in.”

Jaws and two other of the park’s four movie-inspired blockbuster attractions--Earthquake and Kongfrontation--have not worked consistently since the park’s opening June 7. On Tuesday, Universal sued Ride & Show Engineering Inc. of San Dimas, Calif., the company that designed and built two of the attractions.