Get ready to feel the rumble! Universal Orlando is gearing up for a high-octane addition to its theme park, and it's all about the adrenaline-pumping world of Fast & Furious.
This exciting news comes directly from Universal Orlando Resort, announcing that a brand-new roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, is set to roar into Universal Studios Florida. This thrilling new attraction will be taking the place of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a coaster that permanently closed its doors last summer. While the official announcement was made recently, construction has already been underway, confirming that we're indeed getting a spectacular new roller coaster experience.
Let's take a closer look at the latest developments at the construction site. You can already catch glimpses of the coaster's progress from Universal CityWalk. Although a walkway is still available to navigate around the construction zone, it occupies a significant area, extending beyond the original footprint of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Interestingly, the former Blue Man Group theater, located at the rear of the site, remains untouched for now.
Scattered across the site, you'll find various construction vehicles, including powerful excavators. While there hasn't been a massive amount of vertical construction visible yet, the ground is dotted with concrete footers, each topped with wooden forms that are ready to be filled with more concrete. It’s like the foundation of speed is being laid, piece by piece!
We've also managed to get another perspective on the construction progress from the vicinity of the Hard Rock Cafe. Here, some metal poles have been erected, surrounded by temporary yellow fencing, with a crew member actively operating an excavator nearby. It's a hive of activity!
Behind the secured fencing, a series of completed concrete footers and their forms are clearly visible. These tall forms are specifically in place to cast additional concrete footers, crucial for the stability and structure of the coaster. Even the pavement has been removed right up to the overhang outside the theater, with toolboxes neatly arranged beneath it. Closer to the Hard Rock Cafe, you can spot metal cylindrical frames, also destined to become future footers, with piles of wooden planks and boxes nearby, waiting to be used.
Sheets of metal framing are stacked next to a hole in the ground, which is currently blocked off with caution tape and barriers. Around the footers near the edge of the construction zone, some metal frames stand tall, and in front of them, what appears to be the very beginning of a wall is starting to take shape. Closer to the main Universal Studios Florida entrance, another section of land is cordoned off with caution tape. Within this area, a deep hole, several concrete footers, and a flat concrete surface are evident.
On a recent Thursday visit, most of the construction vehicles not actively in use were parked conveniently near the CityWalk path.
But here's where it gets really exciting for fans inside Universal Studios Florida! The front construction wall, located at the end of the New York City-themed street, has been transformed with a vibrant Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift graphic. It proudly features the iconic image of Dominic Toretto's legendary 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. While the green construction walls on the sides still display their themed flyers and signs, a building is beginning to materialize in a backstage area beyond these walls. Right now, it's primarily a steel framework, with some horizontal roof beams already installed. Crew members in cranes are actively working on its construction, and in the background, you can even see the Hogwarts Express chugging along its track.
Now, for those who love the Fast & Furious franchise, here's a detail that might spark some debate. The Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift attraction is also under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood. The California version boasts an impressive 4,100 feet of track, incorporates advanced sound reduction technology, and features 360-degree rotation to truly simulate the sensation of drifting. While the Florida version is expected to be similar, it won't be an exact replica. The California version is slated to open this year, with the Florida version scheduled for a 2027 debut.
And this is the part most people miss: With the grand opening of Hollywood Drift, the infamously criticized Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction is slated for permanent closure in 2027. For context, the California version of Supercharged actually closed last year, making way for its roller coaster counterpart.
So, what are your thoughts on this electrifying new attraction? Are you brimming with excitement for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift? We'd love to hear your opinions! Share your excitement, your predictions, or even your reservations with us on social media!
Do you think replacing a simulator ride with a roller coaster is always the right move for a theme park? Or is the Fast & Furious brand strong enough to carry both types of attractions? Let us know in the comments below!
