Universal Orlando Resort has officially closed a beloved rollercoaster 15 years after it debuted. Founded in 1990, Universal Orlando Resort has always updated its offerings to match the biggest pop culture hits. Although some rides (like Jurassic Park River Adventure) have had impressively long runs, others, even some visitor favorites, are fated to eventually make their final trip around the track.
Some high-profile closings at Universal Studios in Orlando include the 2012 shuttering of the Jaws attraction and the 2007 closure of Back to the Future: The Ride. Another major closing was the 2002 discontinuation of Kongfrontation, based on the 1976 King Kong movie.
Universal’s Rip Ride Rockit, a coaster notable for allowing riders to choose the music they would hear on their ride, closed today after speeding through its final run (at 65 miles per hour) last night. On the coaster’s final day, staff handed out guitar picks to all riders.
What Rip Ride Rockit’s Closure Means For Universal Orlando Resort
The closure of Rip Ride Rockit signifies that Universal is investing in new rides and attractions to keep audiences visiting the park. Although endeavors like Universal Epic Universe highlight a commitment to creating entirely new areas around Universal-owned intellectual property, the flagship park is also undergoing changes to modernize its offerings.
Even as Rip Ride Rockit thrilled audiences for one final day, Universal appeared to have begun construction on the as-yet unannounced ride that will replace it. Although nothing has been officially announced, there is speculation that the new ride could be the Florida park’s version of Fast & Furious: Supercharged.
Our Take On Rip Ride Rockit’s Closure
If Rip Ride Rockit is indeed to be replaced with a Fast & Furious attraction, Universal’s choice to close down the ride makes sense. As beloved as the coaster was, the fact that it wasn’t based on any preexisting IP means that it’s a logical choice for replacement with something boasting more name recognition.
On a bittersweet note, the coaster saw exceptionally high traffic on its final day, with even the single rider queue hitting capacity by midday. As well as a replacement ride is sure to do at the park (especially if it is Fast & Furious-related), Rip Ride Rockit was clearly a fan favorite and still stands out as conceptually unique and creative.
Whatever Universal decides to implement in place of Rip Ride Rockit, hopefully, the park continues to ideate exciting and creative experiences for its visitors. As much as Fast & Furious makes at the box office, a spiritual successor to Rip Ride Rockit at some point down the line would surely win over a whole new generation of parkgoers.
