So Long, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit 🎶🎢

It’s the end of an era at Universal Studios Florida. After 16 years of blasting tunes while climbing straight up into the sky, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit officially closed forever on August 18, 2025.

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This towering red coaster has been a big part of Universal’s skyline since 2009, famous for its 167-foot vertical lift, top speeds of 65 mph, and that oh-so-fun ability to pick your own ride soundtrack (who else always hunted for those hidden songs? 👀). For many fans, Rip Ride Rockit wasn’t just a thrill ride—it was a tradition.

Fans Say Farewell

Universal didn’t let the ride go quietly. The final weekend turned into a mini farewell party:

• Guests sported “Farewell Tour 2025” T-shirts and lined up for one last drop.

• Wait times hit 175 minutes as diehards squeezed in their final rides.

• Commemorative guitar picks were handed out as keepsakes—a perfect nod to the coaster’s music theme.

• Even some characters from the ride’s original queue videos made surprise appearances for photo ops.

And of course, social media lit up with memories. Some fans got sentimental, while others couldn’t resist poking fun at the ride’s reputation. One Redditor even said:

“This ride is incredibly smooth and enjoyable, able to be ridden on repeat. I'd much sooner see Hulk removed, given the mandatory Advil dosage afterwards.”

Why the Closure?

Universal first hinted at the closure back in December 2024, and by June 2025 they made it official: Rockit’s last ride would be August 18. While Universal didn’t cite a specific reason, longtime parkgoers know the coaster struggled with downtime and maintenance over the years. Add in the park’s big push toward new thrill rides, and it makes sense they’re clearing the space for something shiny and new.

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What’s Next? 👀

Here’s where things get exciting. Universal hasn’t confirmed the replacement yet, but construction walls are already up and the rumor mill is spinning fast:

• Permits reference something called “Project 830” with coaster manufacturer Intamin attached (yep, the same company behind the fan-favorite VelociCoaster).

• Fans are speculating the new ride could be themed to Ghostbusters or Fast & Furious—but nothing official has dropped yet.

• Based on current construction buzz, many are guessing we’ll see the new attraction open sometime around 2027.

Whatever it is, it looks like Universal is aiming big for this prime spot near the front of the park.

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Final Thoughts

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was a love-it-or-leave-it kind of ride, but one thing’s for sure: it made a statement. From that intimidating vertical climb to the first notes blasting in your ears, it gave Universal Studios a unique energy you couldn’t miss.

Our Hot Take: As fun as the concept was, we have to admit Rip Ride Rockit wasn’t always worth the hype for us. The ride felt way too short compared to its often 60–90+ minute waits, so more often than not we just skipped it. It was one of those “do it once and check it off the list” coasters, rather than a repeat favorite.

Now we say goodbye to a piece of Universal history—and look forward to what comes next. If Universal’s recent track record tells us anything (VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s, Epic Universe 😍), the replacement is bound to be something fantastic.

So… what song would you have picked for your final ride?

Pixie Dust Hugs,

Bren, Lyn, and Kim

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