If you thought Universal Orlando was done making major announcements after Epic Universe opened, think again.
On January 20, 2026, Universal revealed its next thrill ride: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a high-speed coaster that promises to redefine what it means to experience the franchise at a theme park. And based on the details, this thing sounds absolutely wild.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, the coaster is set to open in 2027 at Universal Studios Florida—right where Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit used to stand before it closed in August.
What Makes This Coaster Different
Here’s what we know so far about Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift:
The signature feature: Ride vehicles that rotate 360 degrees to simulate the “drifting” experience from the films. So you’re not just speeding through the track—you’re spinning while you do it.
The spike: A 170-foot vertical spike that will shoot riders nearly 17 stories into the air, towering over Universal CityWalk. That’s the kind of element that makes your stomach drop just thinking about it.
The location: It’s taking over the footprint of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which closed in August 2026 after nearly two decades of operation. The old coaster was iconic, but if Universal’s replacing it with something this ambitious, it’s a signal they’re not messing around.
What This Means for Universal Studios Florida
This isn’t just a new coaster—it’s a statement.
Universal Orlando has been on an absolute tear with new attractions. Epic Universe just opened, DreamWorks Land debuted in 2024, and now they’re dropping another major thrill ride in 2027. The park is clearly committed to staying competitive in a market where Disney is also ramping up its investments.
But there’s also a trade-off. Universal announced that Fast & Furious—Supercharged, the dark ride that opened in 2018, will permanently close in 2027. That ride has been divisive among fans—some loved the immersive experience, others found it underwhelming. Either way, it’s clear Universal is consolidating its Fast & Furious presence into one marquee attraction rather than spreading it across multiple experiences.
Why This Could Be a Game-Changer
The Fast & Furious franchise has always been about high-octane action, and Universal has struggled to capture that energy in its previous attractions. Supercharged was more of a simulator experience, and while it had its moments, it didn’t deliver the visceral thrills that fans associate with the movies.
Hollywood Drift sounds like it could finally nail that. A coaster that combines high-speed launches, drifting rotations, and a massive vertical spike? That’s the kind of ride that could become an instant classic.
It also helps that Universal is designing two versions of this coaster—one for Orlando and one for Universal Studios Hollywood (which is opening later this year). While the two coasters will have different layouts, the fact that they’re building this concept in multiple parks suggests they have serious confidence in the ride system.
What Happens Next
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is slated to open in 2027, which gives Universal about a year to build it out. That timeline feels aggressive, but Universal has proven it can move fast when it wants to—Epic Universe came together in record time, and this coaster is reusing an existing footprint, which should speed up construction.
In the meantime, expect plenty of teaser content, construction updates, and speculation about ride elements. Universal knows how to build hype, and they’re not going to let this one fly under the radar.
For now, all we can do is wait—and maybe start planning our 2027 Universal trips.
Source: Fox 35 Orlando
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