By far, the most extreme ride at Universal Studios Florida is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. You can’t miss it when you walk through the main gates, especially at night. There are many things about Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit that seem intimidating at first glance, which might scare some people off. Let’s take a moment to go over all the facts — how scary is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit?
Whether you’re hesitant about getting on rides or live with travel anxiety (like us!), we’re glad that you’re here! We’ve been on this ride many times and we’re sharing all that we know. Be sure to check out our tips for overcoming fear on roller coasters!
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida
Where is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit? While there are several Universal Studios parks around the world, you can only find this ride at Universal Studios Florida. It’s part of the Universal Orlando Resort, one of our favorite destinations!
To get on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, you’ll need to buy tickets for Universal Studios Florida, but we highly recommend buying passes that allow you to also check out Universal’s Islands of Adventure. If you’re into thrill rides, you’ll want to check out the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (the Jurassic World VelociCoaster is coming soon, too!). You can easily travel between these two parks by taking the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Once inside the main gates at Universal Studios Florida, look to your left and you should see this big red and yellow ride. At nighttime, you’ll see blinking lights on the attraction which makes it look even cooler!
Is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit a Roller Coaster?
Yes. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is absolutely a roller coaster, and it’s extreme in several ways but we’ll get into that in a bit. Since this is the biggest ride at Universal Studios Florida, the wait times can get very long, so check the queue before lining up. Also, always check the ride height requirements before getting in line.
The thing that makes people nervous the most (from what we’ve heard), is complete vertical climb at the beginning of the ride. It’s definitely a unique feeling that we will explore later on. Also, while Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit does not have a full inversion (there are no complete “loops”), you will feel like you’ve gone upside down.
Related post: How to Overcome Fear on Roller Coasters
Here are some quick facts about the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit:
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- Opening date: August 16, 2009
- Length: 3,800 ft
- Height: 167′
- Duration: 1:39
- Inversions: 0
- Lift/launch system: Vertical Lift
- Max speed: 65 mph
- Ride Height Requirement:
- Trains: 7 trains with 2 cars. Each train can accommodate 12 riders arranged in rows of two.
Queue Area
You’ve got to pass through a metal detector to get on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. If you’ve got any loose items in your pockets or on your body, you won’t be able to ride. Instead, put everything into a locker beforehand.
In line, you’ll see some large screen displays that cover safety features and instructions for choosing songs on the ride. Aside from that, there’s really nothing exciting about the queue area for this ride. For those who need it, there is an elevator to take riders to the loading platform.
Loading Area, Seats & Restraints
The loading area for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is really industrial. There’s a lot of metal and concrete, but very little theming. To get on the ride, you’ll have to maneuver into a train that is on a moving conveyor belt. If you’re already nervous, this may not help. For me, though, it served as a distraction the first time I rode this roller coaster and helped me focus on something other than my fear.
Each row seats two passengers, and you’ll just have a lap restraint. Much like the Hagrid and Hulk roller coasters at Island’s of Adventure, there are speakers in the headrests of each seat. On Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, though, YOU choose the soundtrack from a screen on your lap restraint. My favorite is “Sabotage” by the Beastie Boys, but Josh has been known to pick Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” haha!
What is Scary About Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit?
We’ve covered some of the technical details on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, but let’s talk about things from a human perspective, shall we?
Queue
There is nothing scary about this queue except that it’s boring. Terrifyingly boring. Also, loading onto the conveyor belt could be intimidating for some.
Vertical Lift
Once you leave the loading area, your train will almost immediately proceed into a fully vertical lift. You will feel like you are flat on your back as you climb to the top, because you will be. The climb itself is neither too slow, nor too fast — you might feel like an astronaut but there’s no sudden launch. It’s a unique feeling, though, but it doesn’t last more than a few seconds.
Non-Inverting Elements
While there is no inversion (you won’t go fully upside down), this ride pulls some tricks to make it feel like you do. The “Double Take” happens early in the ride and is a non-inverting loop. Then, there’s the “Treble Clef” helix section, and the “Jump Cut” non-inverting corkscrew.
So, again, there’s technically no inversions on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, but you’ll feel like you did. If that sort of thing scares you, then please consider this before you get in line.
The Dip
Midway through this ride there’s a dip. It’s not a drop, but it’s a decent dip.
Speed
At 65 mph this is a mid-speed roller coaster. While Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure feels really fast at just 50 mph, we’d say Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit feels true to speed.
It’s Not Smooth
This. Is. A. Clunky. Ride. There are many moments on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit that feel rough and bumpy, when it should be smooth. For that reason, I’ve had my fill, and I won’t get on it again. I’m not saying it’s so terrible that you shouldn’t try it (because I rode it many times), but this isn’t as smooth as a roller coaster should be. If you’re prone to queasiness, you may want to skip it or try our tips on fighting motion sickness!
Best Things About Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit scary? Yes, but there are many things to love about it. Having a personalized soundtrack for a roller coaster is pretty darn cool. It blocks out the sounds from the rest of the theme park, and for a minute and a half, you’re living the song you chose. It’s awesome.
Also, if you ride it at night, the lights are spectacular. This is a pretty unique roller coaster (and some of it reminds us of the much smoother version, Hollywood Dream, at Universal Studios Japan), so it’s an experience in itself.
Here are some helpful links for your next trip to Universal:
- 25 Magical Tips for Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- 5 Ways to Avoid Germs at Theme Parks
- Where to Eat at Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- 5 Reasons to Stay at Universal Orlando Resort
- Where to Eat at Universal Orlando Resort
- Top 5 Rides at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Top 5 Rides at Universal Studios Florida
