Universal Studios Park Icon Could Look Totally Different by 2027

A new rumor suggests a Universal Orlando landmark may look drastically different in just a few years.

A young woman in a blue shirt smiles and screams with excitement on a roller coaster, her hair flying up. Other fans in the background show thrill and surprise, enjoying the bright, clear sky before upcoming Universal ride closures in 2025. — Credit: Universal

Guests have seen lots of changes take place at Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World recently, with both Florida theme park resorts undergoing immense transformations this summer. From ride closures to unveiling new expansions, there’s never been a busier or more exciting moment for either location.

Over at Universal Orlando, fans have a lot to look forward to. A number of expansions have been teased by top Universal executives, including new additions for both the original Universal Orlando Resort and Epic Universe. Rumors about what may materialize at the parks range from new Wicked-inspired lands to a new section of Epic Universe based on Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda franchise.

However, one of the most fascinating ongoing projects involves Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit permanently shut down earlier this year, marking a bold and exciting new chapter for Universal Orlando. The thrilling roller coaster ride had been part of Universal Studios Florida since 2009 and became an infamous part of the theme park.

Universal has been moving quickly on the coaster, covering the attraction with walls and demolishing certain pieces of the former ride. All signs point toward a rather expedited process, with a new rumor confirming this assumption.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Replacement Could Be Done by 2027

A tall, red and yellow roller coaster features a steep vertical drop and multiple loops, set against a blue sky with a few palm trees and greenery visible on the sides. — Credit: Inside the Magic

According to Orlando Theme Park Zone, rumors suggest Universal could complete Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s replacement by the end of 2027. It’s unknown what will actually replace the attraction, though some theories point toward a Ghostbusters-themed ride.

One rumor suggests the new ride may be an East Coast version of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a new roller coaster currently being built over at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s closure was confirmed a while back, an announcement that was met with both surprise and sighs of relief from the community. Despite serving as an icon of the Universal Orlando Resort as a whole, Rip Ride Rockit was far from a “perfect” roller coaster.

The thrill ride was regularly criticized for its roughness and its rather lackluster reliability. In its final years, it became quite common to see Rip Ride Rockit offline for extended periods during the day.

The actual on-ride experience was pretty fun, with Rip Ride Rockit’s big gimmick being its soundtrack. Similar to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Walt Disney World, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit featured an onboard sound system that played music during the ride. However, the roller coaster actually let riders pick from a selection of songs, allowing them to personalize their experience.

At one point in time, guests had dozens of songs to choose from. This selection of music was cut down significantly a few years ago, ranging from ABBA’s “Waterloo” to “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit leaves behind a legacy at Universal Orlando, though fans are hopeful the coaster’s replacement will shine much brighter.

Do you miss Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit? What is your favorite ride at Universal Orlando?