UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT. THE NEWEST COASTER JUST ANNOUNCED THIIT’S PROJECTED TO C SKYLINE OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA. AS WESH 2’S CHRISTINA WATKINS TELLS US, FAST AND FURIOUS HOLLYWOOD DRIFT IS NOT THE ONLY PROJECT IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW. ACROSS THE RESORT. CHOPPER TWO VIDEO SHOWS THE ONGOING WORK AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA. THIS IS WHERE THE NEW FAST AND FURIOUS HOLLYWOOD ROLLER COASTER WILL SOON TAKE GUESTS ON A WILD ADVENTURE. UNIVERSAL ORLANDO SAYS WHEN IT OPENS NEXT YEAR, RIDERS WILL EXPERIENCE 360 DEGREE DRIFTING WHILE SPEEDING THROUGH JAW DROPPING MANEUVERS. THIS IS SIMILAR TO WHAT’S OPENING AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD, BUT THERE IS ONE BIG DIFFERENCE. WITH THE VERTICAL SPIKE SENDING YOU NEARLY 17 STORIES INTO THE AIR. I THINK IT’S EXCITING THAT THE SPIKE MANEUVER OVER BY THE CITYWALK SIDE WILL BE SO TALL, 170FT. THAT’S EVEN THREE FEET TALLER THAN RIP RIDE ROCKIT THAT IT’S REPLACING. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A PRETTY INTENSE COASTER FOR SUCH A SMALL, SKINNY SPACE. NOW TO ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE AND THE LOST CONTINENT AREA. UNIVERSAL DID NOT CONFIRM WHAT’S PLANNED, BUT THEY DID SAY THEY’RE MAKING SURE THIS SITE IS READY FOR ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS. SO FAR, THE ONLY THING THAT PERMITS ARE SHOWING IS THAT THEY’RE DEMOLISHING PORTIONS OF THE LOST CONTINENT. PROBABLY IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. BUT AS FOR WHAT WILL REPLACE IT OR WIN AT, THAT’S ANYONE’S GUESS. PARK FANS ARE ALSO CLOSELY WATCHING UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE. CHOPPER TWO FLEW OVER THE NEW THEME PARK WEDNESDAY. PERMITS SHOW AN EXPANSION IS IN THE WORKS FOR A 150,000 SQUARE FOOT SPACE. THIS IS A MASSIVE STRUCTURE THAT’S BEEN PERMITTED, PROBABLY ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC RIDE, WHICH IS THE LARGEST INDOOR ATTRACTION AT EPIC UNIVERSE. SO WE COULD BE DOUBLING THE RIDE CAPACITY IN THE POTTER AREA FOR THAT PARK. COVERING ORA
Universal Orlando Resort announces new coaster, park expansion plans
Updated: 6:25 PM EST Jan 21, 2026
Universal Orlando Resort is undergoing significant changes with the introduction of the Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift roller coaster, which will feature 360-degree drifting and a vertical spike reaching nearly 17 stories high.Alicia Stella from Orlando Park Stop said, “I think it’s exciting that the spike maneuver over by the CityWalk side will be so tall — 170 feet. That’s even three feet taller than Rip Ride Rockit, that it’s replacing. So, this is going to be a pretty intense coaster for such a small, skinny space.”At Islands of Adventure, Universal is preparing the Lost Continent area for future developments, though specific plans have not been confirmed. Stella noted, “The only thing that permits are showing is that they’re demolishing portions of the Lost Continent, probably in the next few months, but as for what will replace it or when, that’s anyone’s guess.”Additionally, Universal Epic Universe is set for expansion, with permits indicating a 150,000-square-foot space. Stella explained, “This is a massive structure that’s been permitted, probably about the same size as the Ministry of Magic ride, which is the largest indoor attraction at Epic Universe. So, we could be doubling the ride capacity in the Potter area of that park.”
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Universal Orlando Resort is undergoing significant changes with the introduction of the Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift roller coaster, which will feature 360-degree drifting and a vertical spike reaching nearly 17 stories high.
Alicia Stella from Orlando Park Stop said, “I think it’s exciting that the spike maneuver over by the CityWalk side will be so tall — 170 feet. That’s even three feet taller than Rip Ride Rockit, that it’s replacing. So, this is going to be a pretty intense coaster for such a small, skinny space.”
At Islands of Adventure, Universal is preparing the Lost Continent area for future developments, though specific plans have not been confirmed. Stella noted, “The only thing that permits are showing is that they’re demolishing portions of the Lost Continent, probably in the next few months, but as for what will replace it or when, that’s anyone’s guess.”
Additionally, Universal Epic Universe is set for expansion, with permits indicating a 150,000-square-foot space. Stella explained, “This is a massive structure that’s been permitted, probably about the same size as the Ministry of Magic ride, which is the largest indoor attraction at Epic Universe. So, we could be doubling the ride capacity in the Potter area of that park.”