Universal Orlando closing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster

FLORIDA

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A see-through scrim provides a unique view of the Universal Orlando logo as guests thrill on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster in the background, at Universal Studios Florida, in Orlando in 2009. JOE BURBANK — ORLANDO SENTINEL

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By Dewayne Bevil

Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla. >> Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster will be permanently closed at Universal Studios theme park in 2025, Universal Orlando officials confirmed Friday.

The bright red coaster debuted in 2009 with an extensive playlist of songs that passengers could choose to listen to during the ride.

The ride will shut down in early September 2025 “to make way for a new experience,” according to a Universal statement shared with the Orlando Sentinel. There were no further details.

Rockit had been the subject of discussion online and among theme park fans, and talk intensified after documents filed with the South Florida Water Management District by Universal indicated that the company intends to dismantle the ride.

The coaster’s design includes an immediate 90-degree lift hill that then sends riders down the equivalent of 17 stories and into a twisted loop that runs toward the back of Universal Studios before a return trip over the queue and through a circular pattern that travels near Universal CityWalk. Early on, the design — as seen from above — was touted as resembling a treble clef.

The narrow ride is wedged between the park’s soundstages and Music Plaza Stage, where visitors frequently stop to watch the dramatic drop of Rockit.

The steel coaster goes as fast as 65 mph and tops out at 167 feet high, according to the Roller Coaster Data Base. It’s visible from outside the park and evident from the parking garages and Universal CityWalk.

The theming of the ride contained dozens of musical selections spread over several genres, played through on-board speakers and specific to each rider. There was also a secret, unpublicized playlist with more selections.

Last year, the choices were pared down to five options.

Universal Studios currently operates three additional coasters: Revenge of the Mummy, built in 2004; Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts, which opened in 2014; and Trolls Trollercoaster, a reimagined kiddie coaster that opened with DreamWorks Land this year.

Distributed by Tribune News Service.