NEWS: Permit Confirms Orlando Roller Coaster Will Be Torn Down

By Angie Garcia Leave a Comment

Good things come and go, but a the closure of this popular theme park roller coaster was definitely not on our 2025 bingo cards.

Universal Orlando

Universal Studios is no stranger to shaking things up, especially with the new year right around the corner. But with the opening of Epic Universe on May 22nd taking center stage, we can’t forget about all the big moves being made behind the curtain. The latest? A potential bittersweet goodbye for a popular roller coaster is on the horizon.

On December 23rd, 2024, Universal submitted a permit with the South Florida Water Management District for a project that would include the demolition of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, located inside Universal Studios Park.

Universal Studios

The permit talks about a project to “remove existing attraction and replace with proposed attraction,” and the plans show updates to the landscaping and structures in the area. The work would cover everything around the ride, plus some backstage spots. The plans even mention a few new buildings being added to the mix.

©Universal

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit thrilled riders with its opening in August 2009 and has been an iconic attraction since, thanks to its ability to allow riders to slect a song of their choice while zooming through the Production Central area of the park. Changes have been already made to the coaster before the permit, with a shorter list of songs left to choose from.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

No news on what attraction will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit as of yet, but over at Universal Studios Hollywood, the new Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift roller coaster is under construction. This coaster is set to sport a state-of-the-art ride system, including a 360-degree rotation of each individual ride vehicle, which is designed to resemble iconic cars seen in the film’s franchise.

©NBC Universal

Could that mean plans are brewing to bring it over to the East Coast park? Though no confirmation has been released yet, we’d like to guess another coaster could be in the works to take over this new spot. But as for what we can be sure of, Rip Ride Rockit will be stepping out of the spotlight soon.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

We’re always on the lookout for the latest in theme park news so stay tuned with us here at DFB!

I’m an Orlando Local, and I’m Begging You To STOP Sleeping on Universal Orlando.

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What do you think about the demolition of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit? Let us know in the comments!