Universal Orlando officially announced last week that a roller coaster called Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift will open at Universal Studios Florida theme park in 2027. The construction site is visible from Universal CityWalk.
The ride essentially replaced the Hollywood Rip Ride Rock-It, which closed in August and demolition began soon after.
Yes, this new coaster has the same name as the thrill ride scheduled to open at Universal Studios Hollywood this year.
No, it’s not the same ride, Universal confirmed.
That’s right, the Fast & Furious Supercharger attraction, a screen-centric motion simulator dark ride in Orlando, is scheduled to be shut down in 2027.
No, it hasn’t caused much outrage.
Yes, this would create two attractions in that location with “Hollywood” in the name, but neither of them are in the Hollywood section of the park.
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Shortly after this announcement, construction walls inside Universal Studios were changed to include large stylized images of cars promoting the 2027 opening. While it’s eye-catching, it’s also a bit disappointing, as it may remind visitors of Rockit’s (now removed) breakthrough curve, which was one of its attractions.
(King Kong posters were added to the construction wall last month. At first glance, they look like movie posters. In fact, they are from 1933. Inspired in part by the 2017 film Kong, Carl Denham’s character introduces Kong, a “savage mindless beast” on display at the Alhambra Theater (old-school park fans will recognize these posters just a few steps from the site of the Kong Frontage ride).
Hollywood Drift’s announcement shared several details about the Orlando ride. Most notably, it features a 170-foot-tall vertical spike designed to transport passengers to the “suburbs of Universal CityWalk.” It also mentions maneuvers that give the driver a “360-degree drift sensation.”
Details for the California version include a top speed of 112 mph, four inversions, and 4,100 feet of rail. There is no sign of vertical spikes.
Since we’re in comparison mode, the Jurassic World Velocicoaster at Islands of Adventure is 155 feet tall, inverts four times, and travels at 110 miles per hour. Stardust Racer, an Epic Universe coaster, has a top speed of 102 mph, a height of 133 feet, and one inversion on each of its two rails.
SeaWorld Orlando’s hypercoaster, Mako, travels at 113 miles per hour and rolls up to 200 feet off the ground. (Also, SeaWorld’s Icebreaker scorpion tail maneuver reaches a maximum height of 80 feet.)
Hollywood Drift manufactures three coasters that are under construction or announced at Orlando-area theme parks. The Galactic Coaster is scheduled to open at Legoland Florida on February 27th. Themed hanging coasters are planned at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and this year the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will also be rethemed to incorporate Muppet characters. The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is scheduled to reopen at Magic Kingdom this year after an extensive renovation.
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news and notes
• The last day to ride dinosaurs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Sunday. The attraction will be transformed in an “Indiana Jones” style, with a tropical American theme taking over the territory of Dinoland. For more information, please visit disneyworld.com.
• SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival begins Friday. The first musical act of the event will be Flo Rida at the park’s Bayside Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. Universal’s Mardi Gras festivities begin February 7th. More information: seaworld.com/orlando and universalorlando.com
• Deserland Park once again hosts Orlando Family Fest, with an afternoon of indoor activities and vendors. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Adults can enter for free if they pre-register. More information: theexpopros.com/orlando-familyfest
• The second agouti baby was born in the last six months inside the Orlando Science Center’s “Life” exhibit. The Brazilian mammal is part of the Species Survival Plan, a conservation effort certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Agouti family can be seen at Loch Haven Park Museum. More information: OSC.org
• The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering viewing packages for the next Artemis II launch scheduled through February 6th. Tickets are $99. The “Feel the Heal” level package ($250) is sold out. More information: kennedyspacecenter.com
• For those keeping score at home, we have final seating numbers for the new Blue Man Group Theater at Icon Park. The number of seats will be 604 people. The first show is scheduled for May 1st. More information: blueman.com
Email us at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Blue Sky: @Theme Park Database. Thread account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to Theme Park Ranger Newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
