Universal Orlando Is Getting a Fast & Furious Coaster — Here’s What We Know
Buckle up, because Universal Orlando just dropped some turbocharged news. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is burning into Universal Studios Florida in 2027, promising 360-degree drifting and a top speed of 72 mph. If you love the rush of VelociCoaster and the storytelling of Gringotts, this new beast aims to blend both.
Here is everything you should know now, plus how to plan your trip around opening hype.
1. What exactly is Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift
Universal Studios Florida is introducing Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a next gen coaster revving up for 2027. Think street racing energy fused with blockbuster staging, all wrapped around 360 degree drifting moments. Trains are expected to rotate with the action, so you feel like your car is sliding through corners.
Top speed is slated at 72 mph, putting it in elite company among Orlando thrill machines. The vibe is showtime ready, capturing the films’ high stakes chases without the downtime. If you crave velocity and cinematic immersion, this promises both.
Expect a new headliner that reshapes the park’s skyline and touring plans. It is built to be a must ride, the kind you rope drop or save for night laps.
2. The ride system and 360 degree drift mechanics
The headline feature is controlled rotation that simulates drifting, so the train can whip sideways through turns. Instead of uncontrolled spinning, expect synced choreography, pointing you toward set pieces and stunt beats. It should feel like a camera pan, framing the action as you slide.
Rotation will likely be magnetic or motor assisted for precision. That means moments of sudden yaw, then smooth reorientation, never random. The 72 mph speed adds punch, while banking and launch forces sell the slide.
Think of it as a story tool, not just a trick. The mechanism lets Universal aim your view at explosions, rival cars, and city sets. You get drift style thrills with scene perfect timing.
3. Where it fits in Universal Studios Florida and what it replaces
Hollywood Drift will replace a classic ride footprint, tightening Universal Studios Florida’s front of park energy. Expect a Hollywood backlot feel, where chrome, palm trees, and billboard scale set pieces meet racing culture. The skyline will change, adding trackwork and show buildings you can spot from pathways.
Positioning near established headliners should ease flow between lands while giving the park a fresh icon. It adds a marquee thrill outside Wizarding World, balancing the lineup. For touring, that means more options earlier and later in the day.
You will likely see reworked queues, sightlines, and nighttime lighting packages. The area should pop after sunset, with photo friendly angles and engine note audio cues guiding you closer.
4. How it compares to VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s, and The Incredible Hulk
VelociCoaster is raw speed and airtime artistry. Hagrid’s favors whimsical launches and creature encounters. Hulk is classic launch power with inversions.
Hollywood Drift aims to slot between them, adding rotation driven showmanship that keeps eyes on the story while hitting 72 mph.
Expect fewer traditional inversions than Hulk, but more camera like reorientation than VelociCoaster. Compared to Hagrid’s, the set pieces should skew urban and explosive rather than magical. The vibe is neon, chrome, and heat.
At night, VelociCoaster glows blue. Hollywood Drift should radiate city street hues and headlight streaks. If you chase variety, this widens the thrill buffet, giving you four distinct flavors of speed without redundancy.
5. Trip planning tips for 2027 opening and beyond
Opening year means crowds, so build a flexible plan. Aim for early entry with an on site hotel, then stack the Universal Orlando app’s alerts. Prioritize Hollywood Drift at rope drop or just before park close, when lines can dip.
Express is valuable, but not guaranteed on brand new rides at first. Watch policies as opening nears. Practice single rider where offered, and keep mobile ordering handy to reclaim time.
Schedule a buffer day in case of weather or downtime. Evenings add gorgeous lighting and cooler temps for repeat laps. Between rides, CityWalk offers food and photo breaks without reentering lines.
You will leave with better photos and less stress.
