A lot of what you discuss in here has been rumored/speculated by reputable insiders for years, nothing new.
Some notes:
- Disney has been well aware about a UOR expansion as far back as 2015 when Universal Orlando started to acquire land. While Potter's success gave the resort capital, Cabana Bay's opening in 2014 showed Comcast just how much potential revenue there was to be gained from onsite resorts, which cause the ridiculous amount of growth throughout the resort.
- Rip Ride Rockit's closure has been hinted at by insiders for about a year now
I'm more concerned about how Universal responds to Epic themselves... they're staffing and operations is nowhere near Disney's quality... I don't know how they will bulk up to a 3rd park. (Epic Universe will be staffed well... but USF/IOA will suffer).