1
Credit: Inside The MagicUniversal Orlando fans around the globe are rejoicing as “the worst ride” in Universal Studios Florida’s history is finally going away, as a new 170-foot-tall vertical spike roller coaster has been confirmed to be replacing Rip Ride Rockit.
Universal Orlando Resort Confirms New ‘Fast & Furious’ Roller Coaster
There’s a certain kind of magic that lives inside Universal Studios Florida. It’s the adrenaline rush of sprinting toward a headline attraction at rope drop, the hum of coaster tracks overhead, and the promise that something bigger and bolder is always just around the corner. For decades, Universal Orlando Resort has built its identity on high-thrill experiences, cinematic immersion, and jaw-dropping engineering feats.
From The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Jurassic World VelociCoaster, guests have come to expect not just rides, but spectacles. Attractions here don’t just open—they arrive with cultural impact, reshaping crowd patterns and redefining what thrill rides can be. And lately, fans have felt like something major has been missing.
Because one of the park’s most controversial fixtures quietly vanished last year, leaving behind a massive hole… and an even bigger sense of anticipation.
The Magic of Universal Studios Florida Has Always Thrived on Reinvention
Universal has never been afraid to bulldoze the past in pursuit of the future. Beloved classics like Jaws and Back to the Future gave way to modern mega-hits, proving that nostalgia, while powerful, doesn’t always outweigh innovation.
But not every ride earns a fond farewell. Some attractions linger long past their prime, becoming punchlines rather than icons. For years, one towering coaster dominated Universal Studios Florida’s skyline—visible from CityWalk, audible across Production Central, and infamous among hardcore theme park fans.
It was supposed to be a showstopper. Instead, it became a lightning rod for criticism.
A Vague but Growing Change Had Fans Watching the Skyline Closely
When that towering coaster abruptly shut down last year, Universal never made a dramatic announcement. No farewell merch. No emotional tribute videos. Just silence… and construction walls.
Almost immediately, rumors exploded across Reddit threads and X (formerly Twitter). Was Universal finally admitting defeat on one of its most maligned attractions? Were we getting a brand-new coaster? Or was this simply another slow-moving refurbishment?
Fans began tracking permits, watching crane movements, and speculating about coaster manufacturers. Every blurry construction photo fueled theories that something massive—and fast—was on the way.
The Context Behind Universal’s Desperate Need for a Thrill Upgrade
Universal Orlando Resort is currently locked in an escalation war. With Epic Universe opening in 2025 and Disney World rolling out new lands like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and future expansions to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, the pressure is on.
Universal Studios Florida, in particular, has been overdue for a next-generation headliner. While Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and VelociCoaster transformed Islands of Adventure, the front-gate park hasn’t seen a true thrill blockbuster in years.
And fans have been vocal about it.
One Reddit post summed up the mood bluntly: “Universal needed to do something big. Keeping that coaster around was embarrassing.”
A Shocking Development Confirms the Rumors Were Right All Along
Here’s the moment fans have been waiting for.
Universal has officially confirmed that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is racing into Universal Studios Florida in 2027. The high-speed coaster will replace the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit site and promises a wildly ambitious ride system featuring 360-degree drifting vehicles and a 170-foot vertical spike.
NEW: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is officially racing into Universal Studios Florida in 2027. The high-speed coaster will feature 360-degree drifting vehicles and a 170-foot vertical spike, opening next year on the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit site. – @ScottGustin on X
NEW: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is officially racing into Universal Studios Florida in 2027. The high-speed coaster will feature 360-degree drifting vehicles and a 170-foot vertical spike, opening next year on the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit site. pic.twitter.com/wE2QWMfCxk
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) January 20, 2026
Yes—vertical spike.
Get ready for high-speed, high-octane thrills on the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster, coming 2027 to Universal Orlando Resort. – @UniversalORL on X
Get ready for high-speed, high-octane thrills on the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster, coming 2027 to Universal Orlando Resort. @TheFastSaga pic.twitter.com/AwCtr3cACj
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) January 20, 2026
The rumors that exploded after Rip Ride Rockit closed last year weren’t just wishful thinking. The “worst ride finally going away,” as many fans called it, was only the beginning. And now, the Fast & Furious franchise is about to claim one of the most prime pieces of real estate in the entire park.
At this time, Universal has not revealed full ride details, story elements, or opening-day experiences. But the core concept alone signals a massive leap forward in coaster design—and a dramatic upgrade over what previously stood there.
For a park that thrives on cinematic thrills, this is a statement move.
Social Media Erupts as Fans Celebrate the End of an Era
The internet wasted no time reacting.
On X/Twitter, one fan wrote, “The end of an era. RIP Rip Ride Rockit. You were loud, rough, and mostly terrible.”
Another Reddit commenter added, “Guests are rejoicing left and right. Universal finally listened.”
With the arrival of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, Fast & Furious – Supercharged will permanently close in 2027, Universal Orlando announced. – @AshleyLCarter1 on X
With the arrival of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, Fast & Furious – Supercharged will permanently close in 2027, Universal Orlando announced. pic.twitter.com/NznXuKCrSl
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) January 20, 2026
Theme park vloggers immediately began speculating about ride capacity, manufacturer involvement, and whether this coaster could rival VelociCoaster in intensity. The mood across social platforms is electric—and a little vindictive.
“Fast & Furious replacing that thing is poetic justice,” one user joked.
What This Means for Future Travelers—and Universal’s Future
While no additional news has been released today, this confirmation alone reshapes the future of Universal Studios Florida.
A 170-foot vertical spike coaster with drifting vehicles isn’t just another ride—it’s a new park icon. It signals Universal’s commitment to pushing thrill technology forward while leveraging one of its biggest franchises.
For future travelers, this means longer lines, bigger crowds, and a new must-do attraction that could rival VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s in popularity. It also marks a turning point for the front-gate park, which desperately needed a next-gen headliner.
The question now isn’t whether Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be huge.
It’s whether it will finally erase the bad taste left behind by its predecessor.
What do you think—are you thrilled about this new coaster, or worried Universal is betting too hard on the Fast & Furious franchise? Let us know in the comments.