A Universal Orlando Roller Coaster’s Rumored Demise Appears To Be Certain, And Good Riddance

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As a dedicated Universal Studios Florida enthusiast with over two decades of roller coaster riding under my belt, I must confess that the news about Rip Ride Rockit’s impending demise has filled me with nothing but glee. This lackluster attraction has long been an eyesore among the park’s stellar lineup and a constant reminder of the potential that was never fully realized.

Whenever well-loved theme park rides or shows are replaced, it’s inevitable that there will be people who feel sad about their departure, as each attraction holds a special place in someone’s heart. Take for example the dismay expressed by fans upon hearing the possible closure of Muppet Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the removal of Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom. However, with news this morning confirming the likelihood of a replacement roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida, I find myself unfazed.

It seems that reports of Universal Studios Florida’s Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster’s demise may not have been overstated, based on information from Orlando ParkStop’s Permit Princess Alicia Stella. She has disclosed permits filed around Christmas time that pertain to the site currently housing the coaster, which involve water drainage improvements. The permit clearly states the intention to eliminate the current attraction and install a new one in its place, as well as construct several new buildings on the site.

New Permits Signal The End Of Rip Ride Rockit

It seems that the Universal Orlando Resort has not formally declared it yet, but indications point towards this potentially being a confirmation. Without an official press release or physical removal of the Rip Ride Rockit track, this is as close to a confirmation as we can get. This also implies that it’s not just a re-theming of the existing attraction or a minor update, but something completely new and different. Interestingly, the size of the new construction work area is actually larger than the current coaster.

The remaining questions revolve around how long the current attraction will stay open and what might take its place. Previously, there were talks about introducing a Minion-themed family roller coaster since Rip Ride Rockit is situated near the Minions mini-land. Additionally, there are whispers that Universal Studios Florida could be receiving its own Fast & Furious roller coaster, potentially a replica of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster now being built at Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s also worth noting that Intamin, the manufacturer behind Hollywood Drift, is expected to work on a new project at Universal Orlando, presumably this very same venture.

At TopMob, we’re proposing that Universal Studios might want to explore the potential of the popular “Wicked” franchise further, possibly by adding a Defying Gravity roller coaster to their collection. What an exciting idea!

Rip Ride Rockit Is The Worst Universal Orlando Coaster

Among all the current roller coasters in Universal Orlando, Rip Ride Rockit was the one I recently experienced, but if I could go back, I would have skipped it altogether. Frankly, it doesn’t compare favorably to other attractions at Universal Orlando. In my opinion, Revenge of the Mummy outshines it significantly, and the coasters in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Velocicoaster, far surpass Rip Ride Rockit.

To that list, when Epic Universe opens next year, let’s include the roller coasters. As of now, we haven’t had a chance to experience them personally, but there are three coasters planned: one in the newly created Dark Universe realm, another in the How to Train Your Dragon area, and a third at the entrance of Celestial Gardens. Each one looks absolutely spectacular.

There’s no definite confirmation yet about the new attraction taking over Rockit, but it appears to be a roller coaster. Regardless of what it turns out to be, it needs to surpass the current setup. If you’re a theme park enthusiast, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year!

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2024-12-26 23:42