Parks Removing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and Anaconda

Universal Studios Florida (Orlando) has announced that Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will close in early September 2025 to make way for “a new experience.”

Since opening in 2009, the park has reported numerous times that Rip Ride Rockit was shut down due to technical problems. At times, fire crews have been needed to rescue riders stuck on the roller coaster for hours, most recently in November 2023.

Universal’s permit application describes the project as “Remove existing attraction and replace with proposed attraction.”

In addition, Kings Dominion (Doswell, Virginia) has made the decision that Anaconda will be removed before the theme park celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025. The Arrow Dynamics steel coaster was publicized as the world's first looping roller coaster to feature an underwater tunnel when it opened in 1991. The nearly 34-year-old ride, which features 2,700 feet of track, top speeds of 50 mph and a 360-degree vertical loop, is one of Kings Dominion's most photographed rides, according to the park's website.

The park announced in late July that it would premiere Rapterra, the world's tallest and longest launched wing coaster, to celebrate the park's 50th anniversary in 2025.