On Thanksgiving night, riders at Universal Studios Florida Theme Park in Orlando experienced a terrifying ordeal when they became stuck in a vertical position on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster for nearly an hour. The incident occurred on Thursday night, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

Eyewitnesses at the park, including Dennis Malesky, described the scene as they witnessed people trapped in a vertical position on the ride. Malesky, who was leaving the park at closing time, noticed a group of individuals taking pictures of the Rip Ride Rockit. Intrigued, he looked up and was shocked to see the riders stranded on the roller coaster. He recounted, "Shortly after, the Fire Department arrived, but nothing seemed to be happening." Universal employees took immediate action by asking those who did not have friends or family on the ride to leave, as the incident occurred after closing time. As Malesky and others made their way out of the park, they finally witnessed the car start moving again after an agonizing hour. Malesky expressed his decision to avoid the ride in the future, stating, "This is the only ride in the park I have not done yet and, needless to say, it will probably stay that way."

Video footage captured during the incident revealed the fear and concern felt by the trapped riders. In one video, a woman can be heard saying, "They're stuck way up there, at the tip. They're literally on their backs right now." The distressing scene has raised concerns among park visitors and sparked questions about the safety of the attraction.

Despite the media's attempts to reach out for comment, Universal Studios did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the incident. This lack of response leaves many wondering about the cause of the malfunction and the steps being taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster is known for its thrilling features, including a 167-foot-tall vertical lift and a series of twists, turns, and loops. However, this incident has undoubtedly left riders and potential visitors questioning the reliability and safety of the ride. Universal Studios will need to address these concerns promptly to maintain the trust and confidence of their guests.