Universal Orlando confirms Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will close in early September 2025 to make way for new coaster!

You have until September 2025 to say your final goodbye's to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Orlando before the coaster is torn down.

Rumors have been circulating for many months that Universal Orlando Resort were planning to axe Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a roller coaster located in Universal Studios Florida.

Supporting the rumors that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit would close permanently was an October "Notice of Commencement for work" filed by Universal Orlando contracting coaster manufacturer Intamin for unknown work at the resort, with sources claiming that Intamin would be creating a new coaster to replace Rip Ride Rockit.

Intamin already has a working relationship with Universal Orlando, having created Hiccup's Wing Gliders for the new Epic Universe, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure, plus Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios Florida.

Fast forward to December 23, 2024, and Universal Orlando filed a permit with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWD) that all but confirmed the rumors that the coaster is to be ripped down and replaced a with a new attraction.

The permit describes the upcoming project, revealing that Universal will “remove existing attraction and replace with proposed attraction”.

The engineering firm listed on the permit is McIntosh Associates, an LJA Company, with the project location encompassing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and certain backstage areas.

Then on Friday, December 27, Universal Orlando confirmed that the end is coming in 2025 for the largest X-Coaster ever built by German manufacturer Maurer Söhne, a coaster that made it debut on August 19, 2009.

The 16 year old coaster will close in early September 2025 to make way for what Universal Orlando say will be a new experience, with more details available at a later date.

So what will replace Rip Ride Rockit?

Check out all the latest theme park news and updates from throughout Central Florida.

If indeed Intamin are creating the replacement coaster for Rip Ride Rocket, it is highly possible that this will be a Multi-Launch Roller Coaster, with spinning cars.

This new project known as Project 830 in documents is listed as “in review” and has a deadline of January 22, 2025 to be approved or extended.

Could this be part of a larger plan to redevelop Universal Studios Florida following the wrapping up of construction at the new Epic Universe opening in 2025? Only time will tell!

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