New Construction Activity Near Universal Orlando Hints at Major Roller Coaster Closure
The End of the Line for This Beloved Ride
Visitors to Universal Orlando Resort this week noticed a series of construction walls along the waterfront near CityWalk—an area often bustling with foot traffic between Hard Rock Cafe and the Universal Studios Florida entrance. While construction walls are not unusual at a growing theme park destination, these specific barriers are drawing attention for one key reason: their close proximity to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
Could the fan-favorite roller coaster’s end be closer than expected?
Universal Roller Coaster Removal: Walls Go Up Where Blue Man Group Once Performed
The construction site is located in the space previously occupied by the entrance to the Blue Man Group theater, which ceased regular performances in early 2021. The venue has since been used primarily for seasonal events like the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.” What was once a vibrant entertainment zone now sits behind newly installed fencing, black scrim, and chain-link gates.
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
The modified pathways include a rerouted accessibility ramp that crosses over stairs to reach the raised entrance of Hard Rock Cafe. Other sidewalks nearby have been closed off, limiting access along the waterfront and slightly altering the flow of foot traffic.
While the barriers themselves do not extend directly into the park, aerial imagery shared by Bioreconstruct on social media reveals that the construction zone stops just short of Rip Ride Rockit’s outermost track supports.
Countdown to Closure
Though still operational, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit has an official closure date set for September 2025. The towering steel coaster, recognizable for its vertical lift and customizable music feature, debuted in 2009 and has remained a prominent feature of Universal Studios Florida’s skyline.
Merchandise commemorating the ride’s “farewell tour” has already hit shelves, signaling that the closure is part of a coordinated and planned transition rather than a surprise retirement.
Universal has not commented on whether the current construction walls are related to the eventual removal of the attraction. However, in October 2024, the park entered into an agreement with Intamin—an industry-leading coaster manufacturer known for high-speed and high-tech rides—further fueling rumors that Rip Ride Rockit’s footprint may soon become home to a new headlining attraction.
A Strategic Shift in the Park’s Lineup
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was once considered a cutting-edge addition to Universal’s ride lineup, offering riders a blend of music personalization and intense thrills. Over time, however, its novelty has waned, and it has faced regular downtime and maintenance challenges.
Its removal aligns with Universal Orlando’s recent trend of revitalizing its existing attractions in favor of newer, more immersive experiences. Attractions such as VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure have set a new standard in storytelling and innovation—one that Rip Ride Rockit, by comparison, no longer meets.
The area it occupies is also some of the most valuable real estate in the park—positioned just steps away from the main entrance and visible from CityWalk. The decision to replace the coaster may be as much about visual impact and capacity as it is about operational efficiency.
What’s Ahead for This Universal Roller Coaster?
With no official announcement yet about what will replace Rip Ride Rockit, speculation continues. Industry observers suggest a wide range of possibilities—from a new intellectual property-based dark ride to a cutting-edge launch coaster. Universal’s ongoing expansion and the looming debut of Epic Universe suggest the company is investing heavily in future-forward experiences.
As construction walls rise and current attractions prepare for their final curtain call, guests planning visits in the months ahead may be witnessing the earliest stages of another transformative chapter in Universal Studios Florida’s evolution.
