We Told You So: Universal Confirms 'Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift' for Orlando
Universal officially confirms that the new drifting coaster will retire Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit while simultaneously killing off the much-maligned Fast & Furious – Supercharged.
ORLANDO, FL – This morning, Universal Orlando Resort finally confirmed what we have been telling our readers for months: a high-octane Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster is officially coming to Universal Studios Florida in 2027. While some corners of the internet remained skeptical (and perhaps hopeful for a more “worthy” IP), the data we’ve tracked—from the shift in construction manpower to the permit-based “Rocket Project” layouts—has finally validated what we’ve been saying since last year. This isn’t just a new ride; it is a total reconfiguration of the park’s skyline and the final nail in the coffin for one of the resort’s most controversial attractions.
The official announcement describes a state-of-the-art outdoor coaster featuring 360-degree drifting maneuvers and a staggering 170-foot vertical “spike” that will send riders 17 stories into the air over the outskirts of CityWalk. This mirrors the technical specs of the Hollywood version currently under construction, but for Orlando, the implications are much deeper. By officially naming Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit as the victim of this expansion, Universal is clearing the path for a modern thrill machine that utilizes the “warehouse-themed” entry courtyard we previously identified in backstage permits. As we predicted, the guest flow will shift backstage behind the New York facades, finally allowing the iconic Ghostbusters firehouse to be restored to its full, unobstructed glory once the old Rockit track is cleared away (and the firehouse will most likely used for meet & greets).
However, the most explosive part of today’s confirmation isn’t just the coaster—it’s the collateral damage. Universal has officially confirmed that Fast & Furious – Supercharged will permanently close in 2027. This is the move we told you was inevitable, as did anyone else who had ever ridden this ride.
Having two attractions based on the same IP, one a world-class drifting coaster and the other a slow-moving “party bus” simulator, is simply bad show. With Supercharged’s departure, Universal will soon hold a massive, soundstage-style show building in a prime San Francisco location. The “domino effect” has begun, and the industry is already looking at what fills that vacuum.
The strategic logic points toward a major IP resurgence. While the fan-favorite Knight Bus concept remains a “thematic loophole” that could bridge the gap to London, the momentum is swinging heavily toward a Back to the Future revival. Industry insiders, including Touring Plans’ Len Testa, have hinted at a potential Hill Valley re-do. With a Back to the Future coaster already rumored for Universal’s upcoming UK project, the infrastructure is there to bring the DeLorean back to Florida in a massive way. Transforming the Supercharged building into the Hill Valley Courthouse, complete with a trackless dark ride through time (or a cheaper and more cost effective overlay), would be the ultimate “correction” for the park’s creative soul. Today’s news proves that the first domino has fallen; the drift is real, and the future of Universal Studios Florida is finally catching up to the speed of its fans (and perhaps USF is back on its way to becoming a full-day park).
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