By Jim Carchidi
January 20, 2026
The Fast & Furious saga is continuing at Universal Orlando Resort with a new ride based on the popular movie franchise. The theme park company announced on Tuesday that a version of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster, currently under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood, will occupy the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit site and open next year.
The announcement comes after Universal issued a social media tease post on January 17 showing a speedometer accelerating to 70 mph with an odometer reaching 012026.
Fast & Furious construction
The upcoming Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood (diagram above) is also under construction at Universal Orlando. No project renderings are available for the Orlando version yet. Images courtesy of Universal Destinations & Experiences
A preview video still of the Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood illustrates ride cars rotating as they move along the track.
Theme park enthusiasts have speculated the Hollywood Drift coaster as a possible replacement for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which opened on August 19, 2009, and closed nearly 16 years later on August 18, 2025. Demolition began soon after and bloggers recently noted the installation of new coaster footers at the site.
Universal Studios Hollywood has been building its Hollywood Drift coaster since 2023 and will open the ride this year. The open-air coaster features 4,100 feet of track and reaches speeds up to 72 mph. Each car is capable of a 360-degree rotation, creating the sensation of drifting.
A news release states the Orlando ride will also feature, "a 170-foot vertical “spike” that will send riders nearly 17 stories in the air over the outskirts of Universal CityWalk."
Riding the franchise
The first Fast & Furious film opened in 2001, spawning 10 sequels, several video games, and two Fast & Furious – Supercharged motion simulator rides. The first opened at Universal Hollywood in 2015, the second at Universal Orlando 2018. The ride closed in Hollywood last year and Universal has confirmed the ride will close in Orlando next year.
More attractions updates
Gideon's Bakehouse is working on a new Disney Springs location dubbed Six Ravens, which will feature savory selections. Images courtesy of Gideon's Bakehouse
Universal’s new coaster is the latest heads-up from Orlando’s tourism industry.
Gideon’s Bakehouse is celebrating five years at Disney Springs with an expansion. Owner Steve Lewis posted an Instagram message on January 16, touting the upcoming addition of the Six Ravens grab-and-go space. Its savory selections will include yeast bread hand pies called Coffyns, along with potato sides and local craft beer. An opening date was not included, but the post states the pies are created, “not only by the talented minds in Gideon’s kitchen but also by some of your favorite Orlando culinary superstars.” The post seems to answer the ongoing questions about the new tenant occupying the former Art of Shaving storefront, where work seems to be under way behind the gothic raven logo that accompanies the Instagram post.
SeaWorld Orlando;s Seven Seas Food Festival and concert searies begins January 31. Image courtesy of SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando last week announced the lineup for its Seven Seas Food Festival concert series, running select dates between January 31 and May 17. More than 30 concerts across multiple genres and generations are included with park admission. Artists include Flo Rida, Boyz II Men, The Beach Boys, Trace Adkins, The Fray, Omar Courtz, Gene Simmons, Fitz and the Tantrums, Smash Mouth, Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, and many more. The event also features a menu of more than 200 international dishes with many limited selections, rotating throughout the event.
For more information and tickets, log onto the Seven Seas Food Festival web page.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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