Theme parks

‘Jaws’ to close

at Universal

Universal Studios Florida plans to close one of its oldest and most popular attractions next month to make way for a new attraction. The theme park announced on Facebook that it will permanently shut down its “Jaws” ride on Jan. 2.

The ride, based on the blockbuster 1975 Steven Spielberg movie, was one of the original features at the park when it opened in 1990. The surrounding “Amity” area inspired by the island where the movie was set will also close down to make room for a new attraction.

The park isn’t releasing any details about what’s next.

Airlines

Flight status

just a tweet away

It had to happen. Virgin Atlantic has now introduced a flight status check via Twitter, which is claimed to be a “first” but no doubt will be copied by airlines all around the world.

The “tweet bot” @VAAInfo takes a customer query about a flight status and tweets back within seconds giving real-time flight departure and arrival information. This new tool is perfect for passengers looking to check their flight status on the go as a quick, single line tweet will generate an immediate reply.

Using the system could not be simpler. You need to join up first and then tweet the flight number and departure date to the airline’s account. www.virgin-atlantic.com

Hotels

Atlantis Resort gets new owners

Kerzner International Holdings, the company that built Atlantis resorts in the Bahamas and Dubai, handed ownership of its flagship property to Brookfield Asset Management as part of a debt restructuring.

Brookfield will forgive $175 million of junior debt for ownership of the Bahamas-based Atlantis and the Bahamas One&Only Ocean Club, as well as a half interest in the One&Only Palmilla in Mexico, according to a statement obtained by Bloomberg News.

Kerzner, which also reached a deal with lenders to restructure its operating debt, will continue to run Atlantis Paradise Island and the One&Only resorts, according to the statement.

National parks

Yellowstone preps for winter season

Yellowstone National Park officials are preparing to open the park to motorized snow vehicles on Dec. 15 to start the winter season. The park plans to set a daily limit of up to 318 commercially guided snowmobiles and up to 78 commercially guided snowcoaches this season.

Europe

Slovakia joins Eurail Global Pass

The national railway of Slovakia will be included in the classic Eurail Global Pass offer, which permits unlimited rail travel throughout a range of validity periods for either continuous travel periods or flexible travel days in 23 countries. Discounts are offered to groups of two or more and to young people under the age of 26.

Miami Herald

wire services