Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit (closing Sept 2025)

[Clive]

It would be bittersweet for me. Rockit was one of the first projects we covered when the site started, and it was the first time I learned "how the sausage was made."

That really was a wild construction and promotion cycle. Who remembers Sid Vinyl?!

 

[AvoidTIMtation]

Good riddance was my immediate thought when I saw the news. I rode this once and my back still hasn't forgiven me.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

That really was a wild construction and promotion cycle. Who remembers Sid Vinyl?!

I had no idea till Expedition Theme Park did the video.

 

[Hatetofly]

The stories behind this ride are insane.

 

[Brian G.]

That really was a wild construction and promotion cycle. Who remembers Sid Vinyl?!

Allegedly a last-minute marketing change when they realized the coaster's on-ride characters weren't gonna be a good sell.

 

[saint.piss]

I'm happy this ride is finally getting replaced however a part of me is kinda sad lol. It's been at the park for as long as I've been going and I always enjoyed riding it as a kid. Hopefully this getting replaced is the start of a bright future for USF, the park needs a huge makeover tbh

 

[Clive]

Allegedly a last-minute marketing change when they realized the coaster's on-ride characters weren't gonna be a good sell.

I have bad news for them about Sid Vinyl!

 

[AvoidTIMtation]

Allegedly a last-minute marketing change when they realized the coaster's on-ride characters weren't gonna be a good sell.

It's hard to believe they were as bad or worse than we got LOL

 

[GA-MBIT]

Definitely exciting to see some movement here. There was a moment there where it seemed like all non-Pokemon expansion was in a holding pattern for USF, which is an actually scary thought.

I've honestly got some love for this thing. I actually do like the colors, the gamer light LED's on the cars, the vertical lift, the way that the loop and lift tracks accent the USF skyline from MiB; there's a lot for me to personally enjoy about it. It's also neat to have such a unique coaster system still around and operating. Regardless, I trust that whatever comes next will be a complete improvement, and HRRR has lived a full long life. I'm excited for what comes next!

O7, hasta!

 

[Lucky Planet]

can't say I'll miss the annoying queue video lol
no more Hasta....la vista.... baby

 

[Jake S]

Looking forward to the Inside Universal oral history of this attraction down the line.

 

[belloq87]

Me, seeing Universal is adding new buildings for an attraction at USF:

Also me, knowing it's not for a dark ride:

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Me, seeing Universal is adding new buildings for an attraction at USF:

Also me, knowing it's not for a dark ride:

It's a coaster replacing a coaster, you can drop the act for at least one post.

 

[Hatetofly]

Based on those permits and new buildings I’m more interested in that small building between the old BMG and lagoon. The two big buildings (if indeed a coaster which we all pretty much think it is) would realistically be a queue/station and the other a train barn / maintenance building. That small one however is interesting given the Wolfman coasters small scene building in the middle of the circuit. Exciting stuff!!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Based on those permits and new buildings I’m more interested in that small building between the old BMG and lagoon. The two big buildings (if indeed a coaster which we all pretty much think it is) would realistically be a queue/station and the other a train barn / maintenance building. That small one however is interesting given the Wolfman coasters small scene building in the middle of the circuit. Exciting stuff!!

Could easily be electrical for launches so I'm keeping my expectations in check for that building.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[TheUniC6]

With the deadline for the permit being Jan 22, 2025, this makes me hope the demo of HRRR would be happening shortly after if it's approved.

Perhaps Universal wants to get the ball rolling on the HRRR replacement ASAP since they know USF attendance will absolutely crater once EU comes online.

 

[Clive]

With the deadline for the permit being Jan 22, 2025, this makes me hope the demo of HRRR would be happening shortly after if it's approved.

Perhaps Universal wants to get the ball rolling on the HRRR replacement ASAP since they know USF attendance will absolutely crater once EU comes online.

I'm not sure we can assume any of that.

 

[Alicia]

With the deadline for the permit being Jan 22, 2025, this makes me hope the demo of HRRR would be happening shortly after if it's approved.

Perhaps Universal wants to get the ball rolling on the HRRR replacement ASAP since they know USF attendance will absolutely crater once EU comes online.

This is for environmental impact, so usually put out early and could go through revisions and that date extended before demo permits can even be filed, so don’t get too excited.

 

[TheUniC6]

This is for environmental impact, so usually put out early and could go through revisions and that date extended before demo permits can even be filed, so don’t get too excited.

I mean, one can be hopeful.

Even when they do finally manage to break ground, Universal is diligent about construction times. They also won't be running into the foundation problems that led to Hollywood Drift being delayed. I could see 2026 opening date be possible, but definitely 2027 at the latest.