Sign on a green wall about restoring the historic Engine 89 Firehouse under the Historic Preservation Act.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Construction Walls Reference Ghostbusters at Universal Studios Florida

Shannen Ace

Crews have installed construction walls around part of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in Universal Studios Florida, a few months before its permanent closure.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Construction Walls

Theme park street scene with movie set facades and a green construction wall blocking part of the walkway.

The construction walls are located at the end of the New York street, around the roller-coaster’s “Treble Clef” element, which passes through the firehouse facade and in front of the New York Public Library facade. Both buildings are inspired by “Ghostbusters” locations, and the firehouse was originally the entrance to the “Ghostbusters Spooktacular” show.

Red roller coaster passes above green construction walls near a recycling bin and buildings on a sunny day.

The walls are angled to leave a few feet of space in front of the firehouse doors, with only part of the facade blocked.

Green construction wall with a sign about restoring the historic Engine 89 Firehouse and an arrow pointing left.

A sign on the nearby corner of the construction walls actually references the “Ghostbusters” firehouse.

Sign on a green wall about restoring the historic Engine 89 Firehouse under the Historic Preservation Act.

The sign resembles an official New York City document reading:

Historic Preservation Act
Save New Yorks Treasures

Restoration of the Historic Engine 89 Firehouse

This project is being funded in part by the generous support of the Casey Foundation as administered by the Midtown Park Service.

Restoration Organization
Midtown Historical Society
Approved by S. Kish

Grant Initiation
Community Funded Project

Could this indicate the facade will be restored to its Ghostbusters theming, and that the ride replacing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will be inspired by Ghostbusters? Universal has made no official announcements, but we can hope.

Green construction barriers with warning signs surround a roller coaster and buildings on a city street.

The orange, diamond-shaped signs on the front of the walls read, “Road Construction in Progress. Please Use Alternate Routes.” The front of the walls appear to be gates that can open for large construction vehicles.

All the other signage points guests to different areas, like the service dog relief spot around the corner.

Green construction fence blocks view of a roller coaster and building with cloudy sky in the background.

The walls don’t reach all the way up to the current coaster’s elevated track, but completely surround its supports. They stop a few yards before the library facade.

Though Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit won’t close for over two months, the construction walls are likely up already so crews can move in construction equipment and start preparing for demolition. Universal confirmed the coaster’s closure last year, following long-running rumors that its end was imminent.

Universal has not confirmed what “new experience” will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, but a permit filed in March 2025 listed a two-story building among the construction work. It’s rumored to be a multi-launch coaster designed by Intamin, who Universal hired for unknown work last fall.

Construction walls also went up in CityWalk for the impending demolition.

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