Hold onto your hats (and playlists): Universal Studios Florida is shutting down one of its most iconic thrill rides this summer. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will officially close on August 18, 2025, and if the rumors are true, something fast — and furious — is speeding into its place.
Yep, the massive coaster with the vertical lift hill and in-ride music selection feature is headed for the scrapyard. And the most talked-about replacement? A Fast & Furious-themed thrill ride that could finally give the franchise the high-octane coaster it deserves.
It Was Loud, It Was Tall, It Let You Ride to Limp Bizkit
When Rip Ride Rockit opened back in 2009, it promised something no other ride in Orlando could: adrenaline + audio. Riders could scroll through a semi-secret menu and blast everything from Kanye West to The Muppets while barreling through Universal’s skies at 65 mph.
Its bright red track twisted above the park entrance, its LED lighting lit up the night, and the 90-degree vertical lift hill made it an instant attention-grabber. For nearly 16 years, the ride served up head-banging, seat-rattling chaos — and a whole lot of bass drops.
But the coaster’s run hasn’t been without hiccups.
Technical Trouble Was Always Part of the Ride
Rip Ride Rockit never had a smooth ride behind the scenes. Just a year after it launched, it shut down for months due to issues with its trains. It bounced back, but reliability was always a question. In late 2023, it made headlines when riders got stuck at the top of the lift hill and had to be rescued — not exactly the remix Universal wanted.
Still, the news of the ride’s closure shocked fans. For some, Rip Ride Rockit was a rare combo of tech, thrill, and fun that felt genuinely different. Now, with Epic Universe opening in 2025 and Universal retooling its parks, it seems the red track is about to ride off into the sunset.
Revving Up for What’s Next
While Universal is staying quiet on what’s replacing Rip Ride Rockit, the theme park rumor mill is burning rubber. Multiple insiders and fan accounts say the space is being prepped for a Fast & Furious-themed coaster — a much-needed redo after the current Fast & Furious: Supercharged ride fell flat with guests.
A high-speed, open-air coaster themed around Dom Toretto and his crew could be just the kind of explosive hit Universal wants to anchor the front half of the park. With the current Supercharged ride just around the corner, the footprint for a massive overhaul is already in place.
If true, this could be Universal’s latest swing at turning box office gold into ride gold — and giving guests the speed and spectacle they actually expect from the Fast franchise.
Final Playlist Coming Soon
Rip Ride Rockit isn’t getting a flashy farewell (yet), but fans are already booking trips to ride it one last time before it’s gone for good. The last day to experience it? August 18, 2025.
So, if you want to blast “Kickstart My Heart” or “Sabotage” one more time while hurtling through a loopless steel monster, this is your final lap.
And after that? It’s all eyes on what Universal builds next — and whether this next chapter really is about living life a quarter mile at a time.
