Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster closing August 18 at Universal Studios Florida
It will soon be time to turn down the volume on making music video history at Universal Studios Florida, as the park plans to close the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster.
Last updated June 2, 2025; original version published Dec. 27, 2024.
The attraction’s page on the Universal Orlando Resort website states: “Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will permanently close on Aug. 18, 2025 to make way for a new experience. More details will be available at a later date.” The final day of operation for Rip Ride Rockit will be Aug. 17, 2025.
On Dec. 23, 2024, Universal submitted a permit proposing “remove existing attraction and replace with proposed attraction” to the South Florida Water Management District. The permits highlight buildings in the New York area of the park.
Universal later confirmed via a post on X the ride would close in early September 2025 to make way for a new experience. That timeline has since shifted, with the ride closing in August instead.
The extensive song list on the attraction recently shortened from 30 to a list of five songs (one per music genre). This change could have been the first sign of the closure of this 15-year-old roller coaster.
The image above, filed with the South Florida Water Management District, highlights the site of proposed changes at the park. The red lines point to the space Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit currently occupies.
The “Request For Determination” that Universal Destinations & Experiences proposed has a Product Description that states: “Remove existing attraction and replace with proposed attraction.” The permits also include a “Before and After” of the project.
You’ll notice two new structures in the “after” portion of the documents. One of these proposed buildings seems to be taking up a portion of backstage parking.
Taking up a big part of the resort’s skyline, guests flock this thrilling coaster each day to rock out to some of their favorite tunes after climbing the coaster’s infamous 90-degree lift. But many fans online have stated they are happy to see it go, saying it is a rough, not smooth, ride.
As for what’s coming next, Universal only stated it will be a new experience. Some guests hope the replacement will be “Ghostbusters”-themed, while others wish for a new “Fast & Furious” attraction.
Universal Studios Hollywood in California is currently constructing a roller coaster called “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.”
Take a front-row ride on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in this POV video:
What do you think will become of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and how do you feel about this Universal roller coaster closing? Leave your dream replacement for this attraction in the comments below.
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