“Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift” was announced as the upcoming replacement for “Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit” at Universal Studios Fla. Although the coaster’s theme was only rumored due to decorations on surrounding construction walls in the area, it was officially confirmed by Universal that the coaster would be “Fast and Furious” themed.

Speculations rose before the announcement due to other decorations on the same construction walls put there to intentionally throw people off. Hints to a “Ghostbusters” theme and “Back to the Future” themes were teased along with the now confirmed “Fast and Furious” theme.

“My brother thought it was going to be “Ghostbusters” but I thought it was going to be some sort of brand deal similar to how Disney is retheming “Rock N’ Roller Coaster” to “The Muppets,” Paige Tomasello, sophomore Universal enthusiast, said.

Although a “Fast and Furious” coaster is currently being built at Universal Orlando, a coaster with the same name already exists at Universal Hollywood and is expected to open by Summer of 2026. The ride is a multi-launch spinning coaster uniquely built into the mountainous terrain which Universal Studios Hollywood sits on. 

Much like the ride in Hollywood, Orlando’s version will be manufactured by Intamin, the same company behind “VelociCoaster” at Islands of Adventure. However, these coasters will have a completely different layout because Orlando’s version will be taking the place of the former “Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.”

“Riders will experience the exhilarating sensation of 360-degree drifting as they speed through jaw-dropping maneuvers – including a 170-foot vertical ‘spike’ that will send riders nearly 17 stories in the air over the outskirts of Universal CityWalk,” Universal said.

As of now, Universal has officially begun construction of the ride by putting footers in place to hold the track supports. As soon as “Rip Ride Rockit” closed, it was demolished as quickly as possible and construction on “Hollywood Drift” was started in order to waste no time in creating this new coaster.

“Hopefully this ride will be a good replacement for “Rip Ride Rockit” because I thought that ride had a really unique concept,” Tomasello said.

Although Universal is opening one “Fast and Furious” attraction, they are removing another. “Fast and Furious Supercharged” is a 3-D screen based motion simulator known for how underwhelming and disappointing it is. However, it will be removed with the opening of “Hollywood Drift,” leaving room for speculation of what could replace it.

“I don’t really like “Fast and Furious Supercharged.” It’s like the “King Kong” ride where you look out and watch what’s happening on a screen. It’s basically a glorified bus ride,” Tomasello said.

“Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift” is set to open in 2027, taking “Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s” spot as Universal Studios major thrill ride. Many fans anticipate the upcoming coaster, not only for the new thrill, but also for the guaranteed end of “Supercharged.”