It’s never easy saying goodbye to a fan-favorite attraction—but change is always around the corner at Universal Orlando Resort. With new lands, new coasters, and new intellectual properties demanding space, some rides are being pushed closer to retirement. And in a few cases? That retirement is already on the calendar.From a confirmed coaster closure to heavily rumored replacements, here are five rides that could be heading for permanent closure—sooner rather than later.Credit: Inside the Magic1. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit(New York, Universal Studios Florida)This one’s not a rumor—it’s happening. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit will take its final drop on August 18, 2025. The towering red coaster has been part of the park’s skyline since 2009, letting guests blast their own soundtrack as they zipped through a vertical lift and non-inverting loop. But over the years, the ride’s rough track, frequent downtime, and outdated theme have made it a likely target for replacement.Universal has already filed permits for a new coaster in the same area, and construction walls are expected to go up immediately after the ride closes. Most fans believe a new Fast & Furious-themed high-speed launch coaster is heading to that space—potentially built by Intamin. It’s a significant loss for nostalgia lovers, but a massive gain for thrill seekers.Credit: Universal2. Fast & Furious: Supercharged(San Francisco, Universal Studios Florida)Let’s be honest—this one’s been on borrowed time for a while. Though Fast & Furious: Supercharged is technically still operating in Orlando, its sister ride in Universal Studios Hollywood officially closed on March 10, 2025. That closure made way for a brand-new ride: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a high-speed coaster opening in 2026.Now, all eyes are on the Florida version. Fans widely criticize it for being too screen-heavy and underwhelming compared to other Universal rides. Many believe it was only kept around this long because of the franchise’s popularity and lack of space elsewhere. But with Rip Ride Rockit closing and rumors swirling about a new coaster, there’s a real chance Universal will shut this version down and replace it with a more exciting, kinetic experience that lives up to the high-octane movies.Nothing is confirmed yet, but let’s just say that if this ride disappears overnight, most guests won’t be surprised.Credit: Universal3. Pteranodon Flyers(Jurassic Park, Islands of Adventure)This suspended kiddie ride has always been a bit of an enigma. Pteranodon Flyers opened in 1999 as part of Jurassic Park, but it’s had an unusual restriction. Only kids (between 36″ and 56″ tall) can ride it, unless they’re with an adult. Even then, capacity is limited. That’s made the ride hard to access and easy to overlook.It shut down for “refurbishment” in April 2024, and while a short-lived reopening was reported in early 2025, it hasn’t been operating consistently. The extended downtime, visible signs of wear, and no updates from Universal have led many to believe the ride is quietly being phased out. The surrounding area could easily become home to an expanded family coaster or a new interactive Jurassic experience. Maybe Universal could even expand Camp Jurassic.For families who loved this peaceful flight above Camp Jurassic, the ride’s future feels more uncertain than ever.Credit: Universal4. The Simpsons Ride(Springfield, Universal Studios Florida)No official word on this one, but longtime fans have been watching The Simpsons Ride closely. It opened in 2008, replacing Back to the Future: The Ride. For a while, it was a headliner simulator attraction. But in the years since, it’s aged—and not all that gracefully. The animation style feels dated, the motion platform lacks the punch of newer simulators, and Universal seems more focused on other IPs.Then there’s the complicated relationship between Universal and Disney, which now owns The Simpsons. That makes the future of the entire Springfield area murky at best. While Universal has licenses to continue using the property for now, they may eventually opt to move in a different direction, especially with valuable real estate being taken up by a single simulator.If a new attraction were to take over this space, fans believe something DreamWorks-related could be a strong contender—especially after the success of DreamWorks Land in 2024.Credit: Universal Orlando Resort5. The Lost Continent(Islands of Adventure)Of all the sections in Islands of Adventure, The Lost Continent feels the most… lost. Once home to elaborate shows and walkthrough attractions, it’s slowly been reduced to a shell of its former self. Poseidon’s Fury closed in 2023. The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad show shut down in 2018. Aside from the Mystic Fountain and a few themed food options, little is left.That’s led to increasing speculation that Universal may finally pull the plug on the area and repurpose it for something bigger. Two of the most widely discussed replacements? The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon. Both franchises have passionate global followings and strong merchandising potential—plus, they’d fit right in with Universal’s push for more immersive, interactive lands.Rumors of a Zelda land have popped up, especially given Universal’s relationship with Nintendo through SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. If that expansion ever crosses over from Epic Universe into Islands of Adventure, the Lost Continent could be its gateway. And Pokémon? It’s been the holy grail of theme park speculation for years. A land featuring interactive battles, themed food, and AR-powered attractions could turn the area into one of the most visited zones in the entire resort.While nothing’s been officially announced, it feels more like a “when” than an “if” for this land’s transformation.Credit: UniversalOut With the Old, In With the ThrillsWith Rip Ride Rockit already set to close, and other rides like Fast & Furious, Pteranodon Flyers, The Simpsons Ride, and The Lost Continent facing growing speculation, it’s clear that Universal is shifting gears.The park isn’t just chasing thrills—it’s chasing innovation. And that means slower, older, or underperforming attractions could be replaced by faster, more immersive, IP-heavy experiences. While it’s sad to see longtime favorites fade away, the future of Universal Orlando Resort looks anything but boring.The post 5 Rides on the Brink of Permanent Closure at Universal Orlando appeared first on Inside the Magic.