Universal Orlando made it official last week: A roller coaster named Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will open at Universal Studios Florida theme park sometime in 2027. Construction is visible from Universal CityWalk.
The ride essentially replaces Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which was closed in August, and its demolition began soon thereafter.
Yes, the new coaster has the same name as a thrill ride set to open at Universal Studios Hollywood this year.
No, it’s not the same ride, Universal has confirmed.
Yes, the Fast and Furious – Supercharged attraction, a screen-centric motion simulator dark ride in Orlando, is going away in 2027.
No, that hasn’t sparked much outrage.
Yes, this will have made two attractions in that spot with “Hollywood” in the name, but neither of them in the Hollywood section of the park.
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Soon after the announcement, the construction walls inside Universal Studios were altered to include a big, stylized car image that touts the 2027 opening. It’s eye-catching but also a slight bummer as it might remind visitors of Rockit’s (now removed) breakthrough curve, which was one of its charms.
(Added to the construction wall last month were King Kong posters, which at first glance may look like movie posters. In reality, they’re inspired by a segment of the 1933 “Kong” movie, in which the Carl Denham character puts Kong — “a vicious mindless beast” — on display at the Alhambra theater. Old-school park fans will appreciate that these are mere steps away from the former site of the Kongfrontation ride.)
The Hollywood Drift announcement shared a few details about the Orlando ride. Notably, it will have a 170-foot vertical spike designed to send passengers over “the outskirts of Universal CityWalk.” There’s also mention of a maneuver that gives the “sensation of 360-degree drifting.”
Details about the California version include a top speed of 72 mph, four inversions and 4,100 feet of rail. There’s no sign of a vertical spike.
Since we are in comparison mode, Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure goes 70 mph with a height of 155 feet and four inversions. Stardust Racers, the coaster at Epic Universe, tops out at 62 mph with a height of 133 feet and one inversion on each of its two rails.
Mako, the SeaWorld Orlando hypercoaster, runs at 73 mph and rolls up to 200 feet off the ground. (Also, the scorpion tail maneuver of SeaWorld’s Ice Breaker tops out at 80 feet tall.)
Hollywood Drift makes three coasters that are under construction or announced in Orlando-area theme parks. Galacticoaster is scheduled to open at Legoland Florida on Feb. 27. A “Monsters, Inc.” themed suspended coaster is planned for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which is also retheming its Rock ‘n Roller Coaster to incorporate Muppet characters this year. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to reopen at Magic Kingdom this year after an extensive refurbishment.
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News and notes
• The final day to ride Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Sunday. The attraction will get an “Indiana Jones”-style makeover to fit into the Tropical Americas theme taking over the Dinoland territory. More info: disneyworld.com.
• SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival begins Friday. The first musical act of the event is Flo Rida at 7 p.m. Saturday at the park’s Bayside Stadium. Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration begins Feb. 7. More info: seaworld.com/orlando and universalorlando.com
• Dezerland Park again will host Orlando FamilyFest, an afternoon of indoor activities and vendors. Kids aged 12 and younger get in free. Adults can get in free with advance registration. More info: theexpopros.com/orlando-familyfest
• The second agouti baby in six months has been born inside the “Life” exhibit at Orlando Science Center. The Brazilian mammals are part of the Species Survival Plan, a conservation effort accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The agouti family can be seen at the Loch Haven Park museum. More info: OSC.org
• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering viewing packages for the upcoming Artemis II launch, which will be no earlier than Feb. 6. Tickets are $99. The “Feel the Heal” level package that went for $250 has sold out. More info: kennedyspacecenter.com
• For folks keeping score at home, the final seat count is in for the new Blue Man Group theater at Icon Park. The space will seat 604 people. The first shows are set for May 1. More info: blueman.com
Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.