CONFIRMED: Rip Ride Rockit Closing at Universal Orlando in September 2025

Hey Universal Vacationers! On December 27, 2024, Universal Orlando announced that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will permanently close at Universal Studios Florida in September 2025 to make way for a new experience. With this iconic roller coaster is on its last legs, slated to be torn down and replaced by a brand-new, adrenaline-pumping coaster. What can we expect from Universal as a potential replacement for Rip Ride Rocket. Let’s dive into the details around Rip Ride Rockit closing.

As previously reported below, the replacement for Rip Ride Rockit will likely be a version of the Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift coaster currently in development. According to Len Testa and Jim Hill of the Disney Dish Podcast, the new coaster will have a new load area either at the end of New York Street or potentially leveraging the current Fast Furious Supercharged queue. If the Fast Furious Supercharged queue is used, it is expected this attraction would also close.

The new coaster will leverage some of the footholds of Rip Ride Rockit, and follow a large portion of the current path. One rumor is the coaster could have two launch points. This would be similar to the two launch points used in the Velolicoaster over at Islands of Adventure. Where the second launch is done while the coaster is still in motion, not at a complete stop. Based on the Fast & Furious movies, this second launch could be to simulate the use of NOS to “supercharge” the car.

It is expected that both the Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood versions of the Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift coaster could open in conjunction when the next installment of the movie franchise hits theaters. The next movie is expected to open in 2026.

Below is the rest of the original article from June 12, 2024, when we reported the Rip Ride Closing and the speculation around a Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift coaster replacing it.

What Could Replace Rip Ride Rockit?

The rumor mill churns with speculation that an Intamin steel launched spinning coaster could take the place of Rip Ride Rockit. This wouldn’t just be any coaster, but a model similar to the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, currently under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood. For Orlando, this proposed coaster might be tailored to fit the unique landscape of the park, offering a different layout due to the absence of Hollywood’s hillside division.

Possible Delays and Design Changes

Universal Hollywood has experienced delays with its Fast & Furious-themed coaster, pushing its debut to 2026. These setbacks could potentially influence the timeline for Orlando’s project, especially as this new ride model from Intamin undergoes further testing and refinement. Unlike typical spinning coasters, the Hollywood Drift model promises thrilling inversions and a top speed of about 73 mph—characteristics that would make it faster and more intense than its predecessors marketed as family coasters.

Location and Themeing Challenges

With Universal Studios Florida’s tight layout between sound stages and other attractions, the new coaster may have to compromise on speed but could still surpass the thrill levels of Rip Ride Rockit. Speculation suggests that the entrance and load station might relocate closer to the park’s New York area, aligning with the existing theme zone for Rip Ride Rocket. This is despite the thematic mismatch with the Fast & Furious franchise predominantly set in San Francisco.

An alternative load location could be near the existing Fast & Furious Supercharged attraction. This would keep with the themeing of movie franchise. Additionally, the existing attraction has an extensive queue, that is rarely ever used to its potential.

Why a Fast & Furious Attraction Makes Sense for Orlando

Despite its underwhelming performance and tepid guest reception, Fast & Furious Supercharged remains the sole representation of the franchise at Universal Orlando. Bringing a new, more exciting Fast & Furious attraction could reinvigorate the franchise’s presence in the park. Given the franchise’s significant value to Universal and the current attraction’s limited operational hours post-pandemic, a fresh attraction could be a strategic move to enhance guest experiences and ratings.

Conclusion

While we await official word from Universal on whether or not a Rip Ride Rockit closing happens, the speculation itself is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of theme parks, driven by the desire to offer newer, more thrilling experiences. Whether Rip Ride Rockit is closing soon or not, one thing is certain: Universal Orlando Resort’s future plans will continue to spark excitement and speculation among its visitors. Stay tuned, coaster fans—big changes could be just around the bend!

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Could not have wanted or expected more from Nate, our Distrips and More agent as we planned our 2025 Disney World trip. Nate was VERY responsive to emails and texts and more than willing to do whatever he could to guide us and answer our questions.  On several occasions I emailed him over the weekend not expecting a response until Monday but each time he responded before the weekend was over.  He even participated in a Zoom session with our group of five seniors as we planned our trip. He also helped us at the 11th hour when we added a family member to our travel group less than a month before our trip.  Without a doubt, I will reach out to Nate when I'm ready to plan my next trip to Disney World!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
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We are so thankful we used Nate to plan not only our first Disney trip, but also our second. He made the process so easy for us, especially for us since it was our first time going. There was a lot to consider and many decisions to make, such as where to stay, when to go, and what to experience. Nate really helped us narrow down what we wanted to do overall, but he didn’t stop there. He provided detailed guides to help us navigate the airport and find our transportation to the resort, as well as a guide to explore the resorts and make sure we saw the best Christmas decorations. One of the many amazing things he also did was set up our dinner reservations for us. This saved us so much stress and allowed us to get some of our top choices. From the moment we landed in Orlando to the moment we headed back home, he made sure everything went smoothly. You truly can’t go wrong with going to him for your next trip.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
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Nate was absolutely the best planner I have ever had.  Will most definitely be using him again.   He took care of everything and kept me on track.  Was so very helpful in making all the dining reservations and everything.   Can't thank him enough.   He made our trip completely stress free!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
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Nathan has been an amazing trip planner for me! So helpful and responsive. I am a very type A person -- so someone who is even more on top of their game than me -- is so so appreciated! Nathan has booked 3 trips for me (1 completed 2 pending) and it was perfection. Thanks again!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
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Nate has helped us with our vacation planning for the last couple of years and we couldn't be happier with his service and expertise. We've used other travel agents in the past and none of them have done as phenomenal a job to make sure every detail is taken care of as he has. Switching to Nate was one of the best decisions we've ever made. He's always quick to answer questions and works tirelessly to make sure we get everything we want from our trips. Plus, he's just a genuinely great person who is wonderful to work with. Whether you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise, or any other vacation, Nate is the guy you want putting it all together! Five stars across the board!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
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I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!

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Whether you’re a first-time Universal vacationer or looking to plan your next epic adventure, it isn’t enough just to go on a Universal vacation. We want you to talk about your vacation for years to come and create memories you’ll cherish forever. Vacation is calling! Are you ready to answer?

REQUEST QUOTE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Jonathan Cotton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’m no stranger to Disney planning, as a Disneyland magic key holder and DVC member. I’m the person people ask for trip planning advice. But I had never been on a Disney cruise, and had heard great about Nate and decided to reach out. I’m so glad I did because we could not have been happier with our experience. His tips and insights were incredibly helpful, and he was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. Who do the Disney experts turn to when they need help? Nate, that’s who.

We’ll definitely be using him again.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Andria Skornik 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our experience working with Nate as our Disney vacation planner was exceptional. He was responsive and thorough. He gave us insights that made the trip go much more smoothly. We were able to really relax and focus on quality time as a family and have so much fun doing it! I will definitely reach out for any future trips.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 rpwoodjr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Could not have wanted or expected more from Nate, our Distrips and More agent as we planned our 2025 Disney World trip. Nate was VERY responsive to emails and texts and more than willing to do whatever he could to guide us and answer our questions.  On several occasions I emailed him over the weekend not expecting a response until Monday but each time he responded before the weekend was over.  He even participated in a Zoom session with our group of five seniors as we planned our trip. He also helped us at the 11th hour when we added a family member to our travel group less than a month before our trip.  Without a doubt, I will reach out to Nate when I'm ready to plan my next trip to Disney World!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Homero Rendon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We are so thankful we used Nate to plan not only our first Disney trip, but also our second. He made the process so easy for us, especially for us since it was our first time going. There was a lot to consider and many decisions to make, such as where to stay, when to go, and what to experience. Nate really helped us narrow down what we wanted to do overall, but he didn’t stop there. He provided detailed guides to help us navigate the airport and find our transportation to the resort, as well as a guide to explore the resorts and make sure we saw the best Christmas decorations. One of the many amazing things he also did was set up our dinner reservations for us. This saved us so much stress and allowed us to get some of our top choices. From the moment we landed in Orlando to the moment we headed back home, he made sure everything went smoothly. You truly can’t go wrong with going to him for your next trip.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Lee Mathes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate was absolutely the best planner I have ever had.  Will most definitely be using him again.   He took care of everything and kept me on track.  Was so very helpful in making all the dining reservations and everything.   Can't thank him enough.   He made our trip completely stress free!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Amanda Moran 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nathan has been an amazing trip planner for me! So helpful and responsive. I am a very type A person -- so someone who is even more on top of their game than me -- is so so appreciated! Nathan has booked 3 trips for me (1 completed 2 pending) and it was perfection. Thanks again!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Hyperion Adventures Podcast 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate has helped us with our vacation planning for the last couple of years and we couldn't be happier with his service and expertise. We've used other travel agents in the past and none of them have done as phenomenal a job to make sure every detail is taken care of as he has. Switching to Nate was one of the best decisions we've ever made. He's always quick to answer questions and works tirelessly to make sure we get everything we want from our trips. Plus, he's just a genuinely great person who is wonderful to work with. Whether you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise, or any other vacation, Nate is the guy you want putting it all together! Five stars across the board!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 7 reviews 
 
   
 
 

Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!