UniversalParksBlog News for December 29th, 2024
Universal Studios Florida just filed some paperwork that definitely hints that a once-popular attraction is closing soon. We’ll discuss that and various New Year’s activities around Universal Orlando Resort in the latest UniversalParksBlog News.
This Is My Shocked Face
Two of the most reliable sources in the industry have capitalized on a story we reported as a rumor a few months ago.
According to Orlando Park Stop and WKMG Orlando, aka ClickOrlando, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is going away soon.
Image Credit: Universal Orlando
The writing was on the wall a while ago when Universal officials reduced the number of musical choices to a handful.
Until then, riders had their choice of hundreds of musical options, some of which were hidden tracks.
Image: Universal
As a budget cut, Universal Studios dropped virtually all the songs.
Throughout 2024, we tracked the average wait times at Universal Studios Florida to confirm the suspicion.
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
Sure enough, while I never dropped Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit from the so-called Big Five at the park, the pattern was clear.
This roller coaster suffered a steep decline in popularity, which grew more noticeable as the so-called Revenge Travel frenzy slowed.
Suddenly, people on social media were posting shots of empty lines at Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which shouldn’t be possible.
The attraction claims a prime location relatively close to the park entrance, and it’s easy to reach from either main park path.
Also, the coaster remains relatively new by Universal Studios Florida standards. It turned 15 in August.
Not that long ago, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was part of an unprecedented marketing campaign.
Universal Orlando
Universal even highlighted it in a Sharknado film. Here’s Chris Jericho dying via shark bite on the ride:
Yeah, that scene is reason enough to close Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and never speak of it again.
Good Riddance
I’m proud to say that I was early on the trend here, as I have NEVER cared for this ride. It’s a huge, bumpy mess.
There’s no subtlety to the ride experience at all. It’s like being shot out of a cannon with only a marginally softer landing.
According to the News 6 team, “Documents filed by Universal with the South Florida Water Management District show the theme park wants to tear down the ride and replace it with something with virtually the same footprint.”
You can read that as “basically anything would be better than this dreck.”
I’m not even joking. Universal doesn’t even have grand ambitions for a replacement.
The current plan calls for repurposing the space with a similarly sized ride…presumably one without rock music and sharknados.
According to the new filing, the change will involve drainage updates and the creation of three buildings.
Ostensibly, the plans call for the demolition of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and construction of an entirely new ride.
Nothing in the paperwork explicitly states that another roller coaster will replace it.
Photo: Bioreconstruct
So, we shouldn’t jump to any conclusions here. I say this despite the fact that famed roller coaster builder Intamin appears on the filing.
Intamin constructs plenty of other rides, too, as you can see from this Wikipedia entry.
Photo: Universal
Right now, all we know for sure is that Universal officials tried to snuck in a paperwork filing when they thought nobody was looking.
I’m not joking. This filing occurred on December 23rd! Universal probably figured that people wouldn’t notice until the new year.
Universal
That’s significant because January has become the time when Universal announces permanent attraction closures.
When pressed by multiple sources for a comment, Universal declined at first.
Universal
Apparently, the construction team must do its job during Christmas Week, but the PR staff was on holiday.
I kid. Well, I didn’t at first, but I’ve since edited because Universal eventually confirmed the story to the Orlando Sentinel.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will permanently close in September 2025.
Universal Miscellany
You don’t need to look at a calendar to know that 2024 is almost over.
As usual, Universal Orlando Resort will be the place to be in Central Florida on New Year’s Eve.
Photo: Orlando Sentinel
Universal has published its theme park hours, and both parks will remain open until 1 a.m. that evening.
So, you can buy a ticket for 2024, and it’ll still be good in 2025! Okay, fine, it’ll only be good for one hour in 2025.
Universal CityWalk In Orlando
Universal promises plenty of live music and entertainment throughout the evening, with the festivities starting at 6:30 p.m.
For those of you who don’t have theme park admission, that’s okay! Universal CityWalk Orlando is hosting live entertainment, too!
Photo: Universal
Also don’t forget that the holiday celebration ends this week. Dr. Seuss fans, these are your last few days of Grinch-mas!
In other theme park news, you’ll notice several new digital signs during your next park visit.
Universal Orlando Resort
You’ll find them on roads leading to the parks and also at the parking garage.
In annual passholder news, Universal emailed program participants to let them know about some 2025 amenities.
Islands of Adventure
The most exciting one is that passholders will have an exclusive entrance to Universal’s Islands of Adventure throughout the year.
Finally, an incident at a different location in Orlando has caused Universal to make a change.
Photo: Universal
According to Fox 35 Orlando, CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular won’t use drones for the foreseeable future.
Universal announced this a few days after a terrible drone accident in the area.
Photo: Universal
Thankfully, Universal is more professional and contemplative with its drone use, but these stories demonstrate the tech has flaws.
Happy New Year, everyone!
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Feature Photo: Universal
