At a Glance
- Universal Studios Florida will close its 2018-opened Supercharged ride in 2027 to make way for a new Fast & Furious coaster.
- The new coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, will open in 2027 and replace the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
- Guests will experience a 170-foot vertical “spike” that launches riders nearly 17 stories into the air.
Why it matters: The change signals a major shift in the park’s thrill lineup and marks the end of a long-running attraction.
Universal Studios Florida announced on January 20, 2026 that it will open a brand-new roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, in 2027. The announcement also revealed that the park will permanently close its Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction, which first opened in 2018, in the same year the new coaster will debut. The move will replace the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which closed on August 17, 2025.
New Coaster Announcement
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is described in a press release as a high-speed coaster that will “put guests in the driver seat of the high-speed thrills of Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious universe like never before.” The attraction will feature vehicles modeled after cars from the film franchise, allowing riders to feel the adrenaline of a street chase.
Guests will encounter a 170-foot vertical “spike” that sends them nearly 17 stories into the air over the outskirts of Universal CityWalk. The coaster will also incorporate 360-degree drifting along intense dips and hills, creating a dynamic experience that mirrors the on-screen action.
Closing of Supercharged
Fast & Furious: Supercharged first opened in 2018 and was a screen-based ride that guided guests through the plot of the first film. After boarding the buses at Sullivan’s garage, riders were pursued by the FBI and Owen Shaw, portrayed by Luke Evans. The park’s website described the experience as “Step into an amazing recreation of the crew’s headquarters filled with actual movie props and supercharged vehicles you’ve only seen on the big screen.”
The attraction also offered a “Ride along with Dom, Letty, Hobbs and Roman on a street chase in the middle of the high-octane world of the Fast & Furious blockbuster films.” The ride’s popularity was bolstered by the presence of the film’s stars at its opening, including Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and Jordana Brewster.
Although a specific closing date has not been announced, the park said Supercharged will close in 2027. This decision aligns with the opening schedule for Hollywood Drift and frees up space for the new coaster.
Impact on the Park
The new coaster will occupy the footprint previously used by Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. That attraction, which closed on August 17, 2025, stood at 161-foot tall and was 3,200-foot long. It was the largest X-car model coaster built by German manufacturer Maurer Sohne at the time of its opening.
Replacing a long-running ride with a brand-new, franchise-themed coaster reflects Universal’s strategy to keep the park’s lineup fresh and aligned with popular media properties. The shift also signals a broader trend of leveraging cinematic IP to drive park attendance.
Ride Features and Design
- Vehicle Design: Cars modeled after Fast & Furious franchise vehicles.
- Track Elements: 360-degree drifting, intense dips, and a 170-foot vertical spike.
- Queue Experience: Interactive pre-show elements that immerse guests in the Fast & Furious universe.
- Capacity: Designed to accommodate a high throughput to meet anticipated demand.
The coaster’s design team worked closely with Universal Pictures to ensure authenticity in vehicle styling and thematic elements. The ride’s integration of cinematic storytelling with physical thrills aims to provide a unique experience for both franchise fans and coaster enthusiasts.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 20, 2026 | Announcement of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift and Supercharged closure plan |
| August 17, 2025 | Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit permanently closes |
| 2018 | Fast & Furious: Supercharged opens |
| 2027 | Supercharged closes; Hollywood Drift opens |
This timeline illustrates the park’s phased approach to replacing older attractions with new, franchise-aligned experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Universal Studios Florida will close its 2018-opened Supercharged ride in 2027.
- The new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster will open the same year, featuring a 170-foot vertical spike and 360-degree drifting.
- The new attraction will replace the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which closed on August 17, 2025.
- The move reflects Universal’s strategy to refresh the park’s lineup with high-profile, cinematic experiences.
Universal’s decision to retire Supercharged and launch Hollywood Drift underscores the evolving nature of theme-park entertainment, where blockbuster franchises continue to shape guest expectations and park offerings.
