For years, the screeching lift hill of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit inside Universal Orlando has been a staple sound at Universal Studios Florida. But this week, it’s not the ride’s music-blaring trains turning heads—it’s what’s happening just outside the park’s gates.
Guests walking past Hard Rock Cafe at Universal CityWalk Orlando are now greeted by an unexpected sight: fresh construction walls wrapping around the waterfront. But these aren’t your typical maintenance barriers. They’re big. Bold. And ominously close to one of the park’s most iconic thrill rides.
Is this the beginning of the end for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit?
Former Blue Man Group Zone Now a Construction Hub at Universal Orlando
The location of the new walls is telling. They rise along the waterfront between Hard Rock Cafe and the Universal Studios Florida entrance—formerly the entrance area to the Blue Man Group theater. While that venue was retired in 2021 and now only hosts seasonal events like the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” the new setup is far more elaborate than what’s typically seen for temporary show prep.
Yellow areas in this aerial photo are CityWalk walkways now blocked off by construction fences. Seems to be related to the attraction replacing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
Yellow areas in this aerial photo are CityWalk walkways now blocked off by construction fences.
Seems to be related to the attraction replacing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. pic.twitter.com/8p2ZFbqFGY
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) May 29, 2025
Aerial photos shared by theme park blogger @bioreconstruct highlight the affected zones, showing blocked sidewalks—including a section that previously served as a wheelchair ramp. Universal has responded by adding a temporary accessibility ramp that stretches over stairs to the Hard Rock Cafe’s raised platform. Some areas are fenced in with chain-link panels covered in black scrim, hinting at a project that needs both access and discretion.
But what’s most intriguing is the proximity of these barriers to Rip Ride Rockit’s outer perimeter—less than a stone’s throw from the coaster’s towering steel structure.
Rip Ride Rockit Still Operating—But Not for Long
Although the coaster is still open to guests, its fate is no longer speculation. Universal confirmed earlier this year that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will permanently close in September 2025. And while it’s still offering high-speed thrills and customizable onboard playlists, themed “farewell tour” merchandise is already on sale—an early goodbye for a ride that, just over a decade ago, was touted as the future of thrill technology.
The coaster has faced its share of criticisms over the years—from its rough ride experience to frequent maintenance interruptions—but it has maintained a loyal fan base and high visibility near the park entrance.
What’s replacing it? That’s still a mystery. However, Universal filed paperwork last fall for new work with Intamin, a top-tier coaster manufacturer known for engineering rides like VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. The signs suggest something big is coming.
Why This Change Matters
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit may not be everyone’s favorite coaster, but its removal signals a bigger shift within Universal’s parks. As the company gears up for the opening of Epic Universe in 2025, attention is also turning toward revitalizing older spaces across the resort.
Replacing Rip Ride Rockit with a modern, immersive experience could refresh the entrance to Universal Studios Florida and give the park a high-energy draw to compete with new attractions opening across Orlando. And with the coaster sitting on prime real estate near the globe icon and CityWalk entrance, it’s not hard to see why Universal might want to reimagine the space.
So, What’s Next for This Universal Orlando Coaster Site?
While the construction walls may only enclose old theater space for now, their scale—and their placement—speak volumes. Theme park watchers believe they mark the first visible step toward dismantling Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
Until Universal makes an official announcement, guests will continue speculating. But one thing is clear: change is in the air, and for Rip Ride Rockit, the countdown has already begun.
If you’re planning one last ride, you might want to do it soon.
