Universal Orlando Introduces Hollywood Drift for 2027

Universal Orlando Resort is trading guitar riffs for tire squeals.

In 2027, Universal Studios Florida plans to add Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift—an outdoor coaster built to make you feel like you just volunteered to be the stunt driver in a Fast & Furious chase scene (but, you know, with a lap bar).

This new ride will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and it promises a very different kind of “hold onto your sunglasses” energy.

Instead of picking a song and screaming in rhythm, you’ll be put in the driver’s seat of a high-speed experience inspired by Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious universe—complete with drifting, big moves, and a vertical moment that sounds like it was invented purely to make your group chat jealous.

Event Details

📍 Location: Universal Studios Florida (Universal Orlando Resort), near Universal CityWalk

📅 Start Date: 2027

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal For: Thrill seekers, coaster collectors, Fast & Furious fans, and anyone who thinks “360-degree drifting” sounds like self-care

What’s New

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is a brand-new outdoor roller coaster scheduled to join Universal Studios Florida in 2027. It replaces the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster, which has long been a “first ride / last ride / why did I do that twice?” staple for a lot of visitors.

Universal says Hollywood Drift will put riders into the high-speed thrills of the Fast & Furious universe “like never before.” Translation: this isn’t just a retheme. It’s a new coaster experience with a signature focus on drifting—yes, drifting—so the ride motion aims to feel more like a slick, sideways car chase than a standard straight-shot coaster layout.

Also worth noting for planning purposes: Fast & Furious – Supercharged will permanently close in 2027 as Universal Studios Florida makes way for this new experience. If that attraction is on your “we should do it once” list, 2026 trips may become your “now or never” moment.

Highlights

Here’s what Universal has shared so far, in plain English (and with minimal corporate sparkle):

360-degree drifting sensation: The coaster is designed to make you feel like the ride vehicle is pulling off full-on drift maneuvers while speeding through the course.

A 170-foot vertical “spike”: You’ll shoot up nearly 17 stories in the air. That’s the kind of height that makes your stomach briefly forget your name.

Big, showy moves: Universal teases “jaw-dropping maneuvers,” which strongly suggests this coaster is going for cinematic drama, not subtlety.

A new anchor coaster for the park: Universal positions it as part of its collection of coaster experiences, meaning it’s intended to be a marquee thrill—not a blink-and-you-missed-it side quest.

A parallel debut in California: Universal Studios Hollywood will debut its own one-of-a-kind Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift outdoor coaster later this year (separate from the Florida version).

Plan Your Trip with Tripster

If you’re the kind of traveler who plans a theme park day with military precision (or you’re traveling with someone who does), this announcement matters now—even with the coaster opening in 2027. Why? Because ride closures and construction timelines can shape what your Universal Studios Florida day looks like, especially if Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit or Fast & Furious – Supercharged are “must-dos” for your crew.

When you book through Tripster, you can keep your whole Orlando trip in one place—park days, nearby attractions, and hotels that don’t make you regret your life choices at checkout. Even better, bundling your attractions and lodging helps you build a trip that actually fits your schedule (and your energy level) instead of turning into a five-tab spreadsheet situation.

When you’re ready to map out your Orlando game plan, Tripster makes it easy to book experiences and hotels together—so you can focus on the fun part: deciding whether you’re brave enough to ride the 170-foot spike before lunch.