Coaster Footers & Service Building Progress in Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Construction Update at Universal Orlando

Construction continues at a rapid pace on the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Florida, replacing the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit attraction. Recent updates, shared via X by @bioreconstruct, reveal significant progress in the building of the high-speed outdoor coaster.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Construction

Universal Orlando Resort recently announced that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will take the place of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Since then, construction has moved forward quickly, with pilings recently cast to form the coaster’s track footers. This involved drilling holes and filling them with concrete.

Did You Know? The first version of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will open at Universal Studios Hollywood this year and features 4,100 feet of track.

Construction crews are actively on site and multiple sections of roller coaster track footers are visible between the former Blue Man Group building and Villain-Con Minion Blast. Various types of footers are being used, including rectangular concrete forms, circular casts on underground foundations, and pilings.

Steel framing for the coaster’s service building is also underway, visible from the Music Plaza Stage. A smaller building is being constructed near the former firehouse entrance, where the Rip Ride Rockit track previously ran. Another structure is quickly taking shape, already showing the beginnings of a second floor.

Expert Insight: The variety of foundation types suggests a complex track layout designed to maximize thrills and potentially accommodate the unique “drifting” sensation the ride promises.

From CityWalk, the footers appear ready for track supports, and framing for the service building is visible. A straight line of footers could indicate a launch component to the ride. The service building itself is two stories and appears to be developing a service elevator.

Rectangular concrete forms at the construction site hint at the possible location of a track switch, allowing for varied ride experiences. The Florida version of the coaster, opening in 2027, will differ from the California version due to land differences—the Florida site is flat, while the California site is on a mountainside—but is expected to maintain the same theming and drifting effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift open at Universal Studios Florida?

The new ride is scheduled to open in 2027.

What ride is being replaced by Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift?

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida.

What is unique about the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster?

The coaster features 360-degree rotation to create the sensation of drifting cars, and the California version includes 4,100 feet of track and sound reduction technology.

Will the differences in terrain between the Florida and California versions of the ride impact the experience?