Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicUniversal Orlando Resort has been making changes lately that don’t feel normal, even by theme park standards. This isn’t the usual cycle of a quick refurbishment, a seasonal offering, or a ride being down for a few weeks. These are significant decisions that permanently reshape what guests see the moment they walk into the parks.
And what’s happening right now feels especially intense.
Universal has wiped out an entire area of Universal Studios Florida, and demolition is still actively underway. What makes it even more dramatic is the speed. Universal isn’t dragging this process out or letting the site sit behind walls for months. Steel is disappearing, dirt is moving, and fans are treating every construction photo like a clue to what’s coming next.
Universal isn’t just making upgrades anymore.
It’s tearing something down and replacing it with a brand-new centerpiece.
Universal Studios Florida Is Changing Fast
Universal Studios Florida has always been the park with the strongest “classic” identity. It’s built around Hollywood energy, movie sets, and big blockbuster thrills. Even after years of additions, it still feels like the most traditional Universal park.
But Universal has never been afraid to reinvent itself. That’s why this moment feels so extreme. Universal isn’t slowly phasing out a ride here or there. It’s clearing space aggressively, almost like it wants a complete reset of the park’s layout.
And it started by taking down one of the most recognizable icons in the entire resort.
Saying Goodbye to Rip Ride Rockit
For more than a decade, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was one of the most recognizable landmarks in Universal Studios Florida. Guests could see it almost immediately after entering, and the towering lift hill dominated the skyline.
It also split opinions. Some guests loved the thrill and the music, which made every ride feel different. Others felt the coaster got rough over time and stopped being worth the wait.
But love it or hate it, Rip Ride Rockit was always part of the conversation. It was a ride you could point to from almost anywhere.
Universal permanently closed Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in August 2025, ending the run of one of Universal Studios Florida’s biggest icons.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Is Official
Once Rip Ride Rockit shut down, rumors started spreading immediately. Fans knew Universal wouldn’t remove something that massive without already having a replacement plan locked in.
Now, the replacement is official.
Universal has confirmed that a brand-new roller coaster called Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will take Rip Ride Rockit’s place. That announcement doesn’t just confirm a new thrill ride. It confirms Universal is betting heavily on one of its biggest franchises.
And that’s a bold move, because the Fast & Furious name comes with pressure. Fans have spent years criticizing Fast & Furious Supercharged, arguing it never delivered the kind of experience the franchise deserved.
Universal clearly knows it has something to prove.
Demolition Has Already Changed the Skyline
What makes this project feel even more dramatic is how quickly Universal has moved into complete demolition. Rip Ride Rockit didn’t close and sit untouched. Universal immediately began dismantling it, and significant portions of the structure have already been removed.
The park’s skyline looks completely different now.
Guests returning to Universal Studios Florida can tell something huge is missing the moment they walk in. The area feels wider, emptier, and unfinished, almost like the park suddenly has a gap where a major landmark used to stand.
Universal is clearing the land quickly because it wants the next phase to move as soon as possible. This isn’t a slow project. It’s a rapid transformation.
Universal Is Targeting a 2027 Opening
Universal has confirmed that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is scheduled to open in 2027. That timeline suggests Universal isn’t building a small replacement or a quick drop-in coaster.
Universal is building something significant.
A 2027 opening date means guests will likely have to deal with construction walls and equipment for a long time. The park will feel different while Universal pushes toward the next big attraction.
For Universal, this is a serious investment in the future of Universal Studios Florida. For fans, it’s a sign that the park is about to enter a new era.
The Area Has Been Completely Cleared
New construction photos have emerged showing just how far Universal has already progressed. The images reveal that the former Rip Ride Rockit area has been almost completely cleared, leaving wide-open space where the coaster’s structure once stood.
That’s an important detail because Rip Ride Rockit was so massive that most guests never realized how large the footprint truly was. With the steel removed, the land suddenly looks far bigger than expected.
Even more interesting, the photos suggest new foundations may already be in place. That means Universal isn’t just demolishing anymore. It’s already moving into early groundwork.
The project seems to be moving faster than many anticipated.
Construction Is Expanding Behind Jimmy Fallon
One of the more surprising details from the construction photos is the activity behind Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon. Fans tracking progress have noticed visible work in that area, which appears to be connected to the larger coaster project.
Universal Studios Florida doesn’t have endless space, so major builds often require backstage restructuring. That’s why this detail matters.
The work behind Jimmy Fallon could mean Universal is rerouting access roads, adjusting infrastructure, or expanding the project’s footprint beyond what guests initially assumed. Even if Hollywood Drift stays mainly in the Rip Ride Rockit zone, it still suggests Universal is reshaping more than just one ride location.
It’s adjusting an entire section of the park.
Aerial photos of Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift construction behind the Jimmy Fallon ride. pic.twitter.com/Bvo0QQBTyQ
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 31, 2026
Fast & Furious Supercharged Will Also Close
Universal’s changes don’t stop with Rip Ride Rockit. Universal has also confirmed that Fast & Furious Supercharged will close in 2027, which instantly fueled even more speculation.
This closure feels significant because Supercharged occupies a large amount of space and has been one of Universal’s most criticized attractions for years. Many guests felt the ride never delivered the thrill or immersion the Fast & Furious franchise deserved.
Now, Universal is officially preparing to move on.
That creates an opportunity for Universal to build something much bigger in that location, especially if the company wants to keep rebuilding this park into something that feels more modern and more competitive.
Fans Are Already Guessing What’s Next
As soon as the Supercharged closure was confirmed, rumors started spreading fast. Many fans believe Universal could replace the attraction with a Ghostbusters dark ride, especially with the franchise’s strong presence at Halloween Horror Nights. Others have suggested themes like Twisters or The Fall Guy, though nothing has been confirmed.
Still, the bigger picture is obvious. Universal hasn’t just removed Rip Ride Rockit. It has started a complete rebuild of Universal Studios Florida. With Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift set for 2027 and Supercharged also closing that year, Universal is clearing the board for a new era.