Re-imagining Rip Ride Rockit

Rip Ride Rockit is one of the weakest coasters in Florida, but can it be improved? In this video I explore some potential options that Universal has to replace the coaster with something more modern and unique, while utilizing the same space, and not disrupting too much backstage park infrastructure.
Chpaters
0:00-0:41 The Problem
0:42-1:16 Ground Rules
1:17-2:45 Option 1
2:46-4:39 Option 2
4:40-5:19 Option 3
5:20-6:45 Wild Card Option & Final Thoughts
#RipRideRockit #universalorlando #rollercoasters #universalstudiosflorida #velocicoaster

[@JakeCoasters]

What would you replace Rockit with

[@NoMansLandTP]

Vertical launch Mack Extreme Spinner

[@SMGW64]

When the Vertical Launch coaster by Intamin hit the market, I thought it would be the perfect model to replace Rip Ride and R.I.P. again.

[@LuckyShiverFan]

Wild Mouse Coaster 4

[@LJDUBBS]

A 4d coaster!!!!!!!!

[@skylerarcala2863]

A vertical Launch by Mack rides featuring fast and furious franchise

[@mackenziefritz8169]

Honestly I'd prefer Rip Ride Rockit to be replaced with a non-launched coaster. The amount of launch coasters (especially multi-launch coasters) that have been coming to Central Florida lately have been almost nauseating, and I think it would be refreshing to have something that only utilizes a lift hill.

[@JakeCoasters]

Yeah, I'm partial to that, would set it apart from the other coasters

[@The_Human_Potato]

Or a vertical launch that’s really slow idk if he said this I haven’t watched it yet

[@LJDUBBS]

a cable lift would be nice because its not to fast and not to slow

[@fanta104]

Meh. I feel like launch coasters just work better for a park like Universal. Having a traditional lifthill just gives it a very generic amusement park roller coaster feel, when we all know Universal is not that. I understand wanting to change up the launch but I dont thk a lifthill is best. Maybe a vertical launch to diversify it

[@mackenziefritz8169]

@@fanta104 I can sort of see where you're coming from, and I'd be fine with Rip Ride Rockit being replaced with a launch coaster... if the rest of Orlando would stop doing launch coasters. Not only has Disney's 3 most recent coasters all been launched, so have SeaWorld's. Add in the fact that almost all of Epic Universe's coasters are confirmed to be multi-launched and it just feels oversaturated. I like the suspense there used to be when slowly climbing to the top of a large hill. These "rolling launches" and "boosters" lack the suspense that lift hills and standard launches tend to have.

[@coasterfair2602]

If I could choose I would probably retrack it with Intimin track with a vertical launch (something like that)

[@t-shirt7549]

I think it would be cool if they just made a modern Maurer Rides X-Coaster or they have another model called the X-Train that could be cool. It's like a homage to Maurer Rides and the fact that Rip Ride Rockit is so iconic. I just really like the noninverting loop and the treble clef element though and would hate to see those go. The profiling on the X-Car coasters has so much personality. Maurer also has a coaster train called the R-Car that would have been perfect for Fast and Furious. The only one they built is that racing one at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. I could definitely have seen Universal making this like a highly themed racing through the streets kind of ride and they could do outdoor and indoor portions just like Radiator Springs Racer

[@JakeCoasters]

I like some of their models, I see Cedar Fair working with Intamin before I see Universal working with Maurer haha

[@jonnopop]

I work at rockit and I love it, however I’d also love to see a vertical launch intamin in its place. I actually love how many block zones rockit has and hope the successor has them as well. They’re great for capacity and it’s cool to see so many trains running with their sparkly lights at night. Although rockit isn’t the best coaster, it gets some of the biggest crowds at USF due to its placement beside the stage and the fact it operates during almost every event night. Another option I think would be awesome is something like the Smiler at alton towers. With the fog and all the inversions it would look menacing during horror nights.

[@jonnopop]

No matter what they put there I wanna keep working on that plot of land because I love the events at USF and hearing concerts while working is awesome

[@JakeCoasters]

I bet Rockit give you the *best* views for that!

[@m.hoffman2889]

Simply take an Intamin vertical launch and keep the non inverting loop as the first element. I still would add at least one inversion (like a quick barrel roll). Yea the music feature should also stay. Capacitywise a Gerstlauer Infinity or Mack Stryker (4 seat rows and 4 or more rows) with Mack's could also have a vertical lift

[@petersoncooper7292]

Respectfully, you just can’t take the music element out of Hollywood rip ride Rockit. They paid so much for the licensing and it adds so much to the ride experience. I could see a different layout by a different manufacturer but they aren’t going to take out the soundtrack portion. It’s a crowd pleaser. And if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

[@b8c0n15]

Rip ride rocket is one of the stupidest rides ever and I love it Absolute ejector machine

[@t-shirt7549]

Real and True!

[@KylertheDisneyandUniversalFan]

I would like to see a Caillou Gets Grounded roller coaster ride come to Universal, and a flat ride themed to Punishment Day. The queue is the first 4 punishments, and the nauseating thrill ride is the last punishment.

[@iamdigbick4675]

I think they keep it pretty much the same, but will retheme it to Minions, and let you pick popular songs from the movies. It Wouldn't be hard to make the lift hill into the worlds largest Banana. I hope they do something with B&M though in particular the new bouncy seats. I bet they could create crazy airtime with seats that bounce. A non inverting loop in an ejector seat sound insane!

[@JakeCoasters]

Beedo Coaster, coming 2025

[@fredwardandthebear3192]

Voltron Nevera hasn't even opened yet, but I already want a Mack Stryker in the US, and Universal seems like the perfect fit for one...

[@Ihartwalrusguy]

I agree with Option 2 being Fast and Furious-themed. With Hollywood Drift looking promising enough to redeem the IP in the eyes of Universal Park fans, I felt that Florida also deserves their F&F coaster to replace Supercharged.

[@vinniet2828]

Universal Epicoaster sounds dope! I also love the MACK Hypercoaster idea. I also think a Gerstlauer Infinity would be sick in Studios!

[@JakeCoasters]

That would be cool! But I would've broken one of my rules haha, but maybe Part 2 👀

[@vinniet2828]

@@JakeCoasters Okay!

[@t-shirt7549]

What would you think about a Mack Stryker coaster? If Voltron is a success it would be cool to see one come to a Universal Park maybe.

[@vinniet2828]

@@t-shirt7549 That would be cool too!

[@StadiumofLOLMAPS]

I don't care what anyone says. A night ride on Rockit during HHN, with sandstorm playing was one of the best coaster experiences I've ever had

[@shannonsthemepark]

i love all of these ideas! personally, i think keeping a lift hill would be amazing- universal already has a ton of launches. or even doing an elevator lift, because those can be easily themed (though capacity would be an issue-) while i don't support the idea of removing rockit, all of these could be worthy replacements. love the video!

[@jenkem69]

Only rode this once or twice but I liked it and didnt understand why everyone hated it lol

[@t-shirt7549]

Yeah same

[@MrJamieBattle]

The last 2 (the Intamin blitz with the launched vertical lift) and the Mack hyper would definitely work. 2 Mack coasters are fully constructed at Epic Universe so I wouldn’t mind more of them :)

[@tarabenoit]

I think a B&M Mini Hyper or Mini Dive coaster would be cool. Those can move a lot of people and would have less brake runs. Hollywood dream at USJ looks awesome! I don't think another launch coaster needs to be added at the moment. we need a traditional lift hill.

[@JakeCoasters]

Always down for a B&M Mini Hyper...ironically, that was rumored pre-Rockit

[@Sonderax]

The hotracer F&F could work but id do it differently. Add 2 hotracers. One themed to Dominic Toreto and the other Brian O'Connor. (for capacity) One with black trains inspired by Dom's charger with a fake popup engine in the front. The other to Brians iconic Nissan Skyline GT-R R34. With the iconic silver and blue paintjob and a blue underglow. Dom's layout be more thrilling with an inversion or 2 and higher positive forces whereas Brians is more airtime focused with more flowy elements like you're drifting around the city. The hole in the building could be part of Dom's layout like he's smashing through a billboard or something. Have 2-3 launches per layout for a long ride and to allow 3-4 trains to operate per side. 6-8 trains running will crunch queues Grey track like an asphalt road with black supports. Have music around the area from the movies and move all props from the current heap of shit F&F ride to the area for photo ops and cool scenes.

[@JakeCoasters]

Love this idea, a dueling racer would be great. Not sure how it would fit in Rockit's plot but it would certainly help with capacity

[@Sonderax]

@@JakeCoasters Hotracers aren't big rides. Really small clearance envelopes, compact, look fun.

[@rlcoasters]

Man, this is a great video! I love the idea of an Intamin vertical launch coaster replacing rockit! Is there any chance I could make a video like this on my channel for Skyrush at Hersheypark? I’ll give full credit :)

[@JakeCoasters]

Thanks, and would LOVE to see your Skyrush ideas

[@rlcoasters]

@@JakeCoastersalright thanks!!

[@rlcoasters]

@@JakeCoastersthanks again for letting me use this idea! I posted the video if you want to watch it 🙂

[@kyogresfunchannel]

I’m not even kidding, but my concept attraction to replace rip ride rocket was an Intamin vertical launch coaster themed to vector, trying to steal the moon and having the guest try out a new vehicle that he made to complete the task

[@joecandish3923]

I think what would be cool is to see a Gerstlauer Infintiy coaster take its place as there are two infinity coasters without inversions Madagascar Mad Pursuit and Pitts Special, also a Mack Stryker Coaster could be cool just without the inversions.

[@jocelynsantiago7154]

It makes my head hurt way more then any other coasters at the Universal parks. It bangs you all around too much!

[@grantwilliams3522]

I agree and would replace it with an Intamin vertical launch coaster🔥 so I can go down there for the first time and ride that when it opens and Velocicoaster

[@JakeCoasters]

That'd be dope

[@FloriDUH_JBot]

It is really hit or miss. Seems to be very temperature sensitive. You either get a reasonably smooth ride or get rag-dolled.

[@radbricks8298]

imo the GP see a non-inverting loop as an inversion. and some find it looks scarier then a traditional loop and corkscrew. so in my opinion you could've still tried an inverting coaster since only enthusiasts and parks see a non-inverting loop as not an inversion . great concepts though.

[@JakeCoasters]

That's very true. Many still think it goes upside down lol...so you're probably right, I was making it tougher on myself haha

[@pizza88379]

the noisy vertical lift from rockit is one of my favorites thing of this coaster, and the way you can hear the train disconnecting from the lift at the top from far away is so cool

[@Duelingdragons382]

But the mid courses are good as you get insane airtime on it

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I only like the helix and overbank after the first midcourse break run

[@JakeCoasters]

Surpringly intense moment

[@t-shirt7549]

I think it's supposed to be a treble clef but B&M kinda owns that now.

[@Goliath146]

Bro posts this 2 days after my mom said we were going to universal studios Orlando in April of this year Also starfall isn’t being built by intamin but it’s actually being built by Mack, however how to train your dragon is

[@JakeCoasters]

That's awesome! Yes, I know, however Starfall will be an airtime machine in the same way Velocicoaster is. That's what I was saying...You should ride Rockit and let us know what you think 😊

[@zacg_]

I've always felt RRR was a bit out of place in a park themed to the movies. I'd prefer they try and do something to complement Velocicoaster but in a very different way. I think they should do an indoor coaster (yes, I know they have several but USF is a theme park not an amusement park so that works.) But I'd do something really showy and chaotic. Build some kind of elaborate show building near the front of the park and put in an indoor MACK Extreme Spinner. I wouldn't use the Fast and the Furious franchise because that wouldn't fit. I'd think something fantasy. You could move through several show scenes without having to make them very elaborate because the spinning would make it all a blur anyway. If I was going to make it the perfect currently popular but still enduring franchise, I'd have them contract with Warner Bros again and make a BRbie coaster with lots of color and music. Yes, I know not everyone loves Barbie. But imagine Ride to Happiness but inside Barbie's dream mansion. Thrill seekers would love it. And general theme park fans would love it. It wouldn't necessarily need to play off of the plot of the movie. But that would instantly become the most talked about coaster in the world by being one of the most extreme but also most entertaining. They could also try Lord of the Rings but I think there might be too much detail needed for something like that and an indoor Extreme Spinner would mean you'd miss a lot. It's better if it's just something general showy and immersive without necessarily being story driven.

[@JakeCoasters]

It absolutely is

[@t-shirt7549]

I think an indoor coaster should have a good story cause if you're not going to make it story-driven why invest in making a building for show space if there is no show. Like I like Barbie, but I could see that as an all-outdoor coaster more. I commented this on my own comment but to pay homage to Maurer Rides they could do an R-Car Outdoor Coaster with indoor show elements like Radiator Springs Racer themed to Fast and Furious. Kind of like a highly themed west coast racers I guess, but it would have more racing elements and story. I imagine it would be like the launches get faster and faster like hagrids or test track kinda until the end where you have the final big racing point where you reach your max speed and it would do like a turn and then an elongated bunny hill into the brakes for a photo finish!! Like, If they had the space they could probably make it the fastest ride at the Universal Orland Resort, and that really elongated bunny hill would be perfectly arching over the music plaza where the noninverting loop is now of RRR. That would make it so popular. Then Universal could make an actual good ride where Fast and Furious is, or just leave it. Did that make sense even? It's late at night and I'm just rambling but I hope it did make sense cause that would be so cool. Btw Your Lord of the Rings idea is awesome, but the only place I feel like they should do Lord of the Rings is in the new Europe park, some park in Asia as a land, or islands of adventure. Islands make the most sense out of the Orlando parks I feel like just because they are originally books and that is like the whole theme of Islands of Adventure.

[@zacg_]

@@t-shirt7549 I see what you're saying but i think sometimes an indoor coaster can be driven by ambience and atmosphere as opposed to a strict story. Here are a few examples. Laff Trakk. It's sort of clown and circus themed but because you're spinning it just more becomes a general aesthetic with chaos. Verbolten is also well themed yet the story elements are fairly minimal on ride. Even Tron is more focused on the setting than it is telling a story per se. If someone ever did an indoor MACK Extreme Spinner it would be very hard to make it story driven because you'd pass the set pieces so quickly. But if you're just in a cool looking place (like my Barbie dream house idea) you'd be more overwhelmed by the color and bubblegum pop style and you'd sort of just take it in while traversing a series of extreme elements. If they went with something outside of IP they could do something like exploring a mythical cave. You could have several rooms with things like gems, mythical creatures, fog and water features and that wouldn't require a story but still justify the indoor setting. Or you could set in an some sort of Salvador Dali surrealist landscape and it would just be generally trippy but fun. The point is that indoor attractions can be themed without necessarily telling a story. And if you had something as impressive as a MACK Extreme Spinner and added some kind of total sensory experience in a show building with an impressive facade it would quickly because the most talked of coaster inv the world and a common pick for world's best coaster.

[@t-shirt7549]

@@zacg_ Thats very true! That got me thinking of Eurosat Cancan Coaster. I still think especially as a mack extreme spinner it would be better outside with just theming on the ground but thats just an opinion. I was definitely wrong about indoor coasters having to be story driven so yeah!

[@AceAviations2]

As HRRR is the only big coaster in the entire resort without a launch, almost any launch coaster choice would be a bad addition that would instantly kill my fiath in the resort's ability to make good coaster decisions. Lift hills can be themed, look at Alpengiest or Baron 1898, so a ugly lift hill isnt an excuse to mot fix the gaping hole that the resort has in it's lineup already that would only be made worse if HRR would be removed. Starfall Racers should have been a dueling Mack hyper (not actually a hyper, but the model), that would have been a better choice than knock-off VelociCoaster while milking Dragon Challenge nostalgia that adds nothing to the resort's coaster lineup. I dont think that Starfall Racers is a bad coaster, rather that its a bad coaster for the Universal Orlando Resort, the resort has a glaring isdue with the oversaturation of launch coasters, Starfall Racers only makes this problem even worse. However there is one launched coaster model that i could get behind: a launched flying coaster like F.L.Y. over in Germany, yes Manta is also in Orlando, however just by comparing Manta to F.L.Y. you can tell that they're VERY DIFFERENT (more different than Starfall Racers to Velocoaster), F.L.Y. is honest the best looking coaster to open this decade so far, and getting something like it closer to home is something that I can get behind.

[@johnfoltz8183]

Replace it with a new B&M dueling invert

[@jonfams4742]

eagle coaster dollywood

[@Intamindator_305]

Mack spinner

[@t-shirt7549]

That would be cool but what if they replaced it with a normal sized Maurer Spinner!

[@notathoosie]

I say replace with a fast and furious coaster so they can get that crappy motion simulator out of there and just expand diagon alley

[@CoasterGuy2323]

It should definitely be removed soon. It’s one of my least favorite coasters ever

[@theartofparks1051]

Jakeing Off Coasters

[@JakeCoasters]

New segment idea

[@jackcapell8471]

I live in Orlando and have been on this ride more than most and I am with Airtime thrills this coaster is great and gets way to much hate than it deserves. It's almost never down when I go. You get great airtime pops in and out of the so called buzz killing mid course brake runs and the audio is always functioning properly and you get to rock out to great tunes. Lots of coasters feel like a similar experience or a shared experience. With picking your own music I feel like I am the only one riding the ride especially if you sit in the front. You barely hear the person screaming next to you. It's an interesting experience and unique. Coaster enthusiasts are too spoiled. Not saying you are I just dont understand the hate. Besides maybe mummy its Universals best ride in my opinion. The only thing is they need to update the lame mid 2000's guitar hero cartoon cardboard cut out theme in the queue line.

[@universalgames2901]

Lmao fr

[@JakeCoasters]

This coaster would be stellar somewhere else. The problem is, it's against extremely stiff competition, so its weaknesses stick out like a sore thumb. It also goes down at the slightest of breezes, so you've been extremely lucky.