Credit: UniversalIt’s all coming down.
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From the construction of new rides and attractions to the closing of legendary locations, it seems both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Resorts are seeing some of their biggest changes in 2025.
Over at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, guests have watched as several fan-favorite, decades-old experiences close forever. This list includes Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat, both of which will eventually be replaced with a new Cars-inspired area. Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is also changing in big ways. Half of DinoLand U.S.A. closed forever in January, leaving only a few experiences for guests to enjoy.
On February 2, 2026, the rest of DinoLand, bones and all, will go extinct. Disney’s dinosaurs will be swapped with a new land called Tropical Americas, which will feature its own set of rides and attractions.
Lots of things are changing at Universal Orlando, too, as the resort continues to demolish its once-iconic Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster.
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Guests have seen a lot come and go at Universal Orlando Resort over the years. From classic attractions like Jaws and Kongfrontation to more thrilling adventures like Dueling Dragons and Back to the Future: The Ride, a lot has changed, closed, or been updated over the last few decades at Universal’s Florida theme park resort.
This is especially true in 2025, as the resort not only welcomed a brand new theme park, Epic Universe, but is currently in the middle of multiple projects. At the top of this list is the demolition of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a once-iconic yet always divisive roller coaster.
The thrill ride closed permanently on August 18, 2025, marking the end of an era for both Universal Studios and roller coaster fans. The attraction had been part of Universal Orlando Resort since 2009.
While Rip Ride Rockit certainly was not one of Universal’s most beloved roller coasters, especially when stacked up to newer additions like Jurassic World VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, it still managed to carve out a place inside the hearts of many theme park enthusiasts.
Significant portions of the coaster are coming down, with the iconic loop being cut.
Demolition has started on Rip Ride Rockit’s loop. @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/01kCmTXEMP
— Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) September 23, 2025
Over the next few months, the rest of the coaster will come down, leaving the area that once held the tall, attention-grabbing ride vacant for the first time in years.
Codenamed “Project 830,” little is known about what exactly Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s replacement will look like. Rumors point toward a possible Ghostbusters-themed ride, but so far, this is all speculation.
Do you miss Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit?