A new permit filed by Universal Orlando Resort for the attraction that will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit lists a two-story building among construction work.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Replacement
The permit, filed with the City of Orlando, is for 5900 Universal Blvd, a backstage address approximately corresponding to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida. The description lists:
- New 2-story 39,036 SF (gross) facility
- Building 51A foundations
- Storm water
- Sanitary
- Chilled water
- Portable water
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Low voltage
- Fire alarm
- Fire suppression
The permit was filed on March 24, 2025, and expires on September 22, but construction could continue well after that. A contractor is not attached yet.
The building could potentially house an indoor roller coaster, or part of an attraction that goes inside and outside.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will close permanently in early September. Before officially announcing the closure, Universal filed a permit to remove the coaster and replace it with a different attraction. They haven’t announced details of the new attraction. In February, the South Florida Water Management District approved Universal’s permit for demolition and construction.
WDWNT reported on rumors of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s closure a year ago. In October 2024, Universal filed a permit contracting coaster manufacturer Intamin for unknown work. Sources told WDWNT that Inatmin, which also crafted Jurassic World VelociCoaster, would create the Rip Ride Rockit’s replacement.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was created by Maurer Söhne and opened at Universal Studios Florida in 2009. It features a non-inverted loop and a 90-degree angle climb to the launch, creating an iconic shape often used in skyline-style art on Universal merchandise. Riders get to choose their ride soundtrack from a list of songs, which once had over 30 official songs and a secret list, but the choices were whittled down to just five songs in late 2023.
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Good riddance! I first went on it in 2009 and the seats were uncomfortable, the safety harness did not feel secure, and I felt like I was going to slide out and fall to my death! Also, who themes a roller coaster to music and not have any songs from AC/DC? They have so many great songs in their that would go along with thrill rides. The music selection felt very 2009 with just a few older songs sprinkled in from the likes of ZZTop and Steppenwolf. Plus with its lifespan you’d think they would cycle out songs and add new songs from the 2010s and early 2020s to at least keep it both fresh and relevant. It is also not aesthetically appealing; which ruins the immersion of both Minions Land and New York City area.