The steel is up. Aerial photos captured on April 4 give us the clearest look yet at how the future Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster is taking shape at Universal Studios Florida — and it is officially past the dirt-moving stage.
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What the Photos Show
Bioreconstruct’s latest shots reveal a site that has clearly shifted into high gear. The guest loading and unloading station is now framed in steel, with two elevator shafts rising alongside — one for each station. That means riders will be hoisted to the top before the signature 170-foot vertical spike launches them nearly 17 stories into the air.
Below grade, crews are actively running electrical work across the footprint. The concrete track switch is finished — you can see the conduit sticking up in two spots with anchor bolts already in place, ready for coaster supports. A few weeks back, that same area was still being poured.
Rows of metal beams are staged around the site, many marked with green and orange spray paint — basically a color-coded installation schedule for the crew. The service building in the back is also taking shape with additional steel going up.
Not Universal is First This Time
Here is the interesting part: Universal Studios Hollywood will actually get Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift first. That version stretches 4,100 feet of track, hits 72 mph, and uses 360-degree rotation to simulate drifting through street racing turns. Florida is not getting a clone, though — Universal has said the Central Florida version will match the theming and effects but the layout will differ.
Of course, Florida’s version is replacing something. The current Fast & Furious: Supercharged — the motion simulator with screens and story — will permanently close to make way for this. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit already came down to clear the space.
Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit closes; construction begins |
| Late 2025 / Early 2026 | Universal Studios Hollywood’s Hollywood Drift opens |
| 2027 | Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opens at Universal Studios Florida |
What Comes Next
With steel now going up and the track switch in, the pace of visible progress should really pick up. Similar coasters like VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure moved from this phase to opening in roughly 18 months. If Universal holds to that schedule, coaster fans could be riding the 170-foot spike by 2027.
Have you been following this one? Drop a comment below — and if you want the full picture on what Universal announced back in January, check out our guide to the new Fast & Furious coaster.
Originally reported by WDWNt.
Mark Layton
Mark covers Universal Orlando news, Epic Universe planning, hotel perks, ticket details, and the little fine-print surprises that can make or break a park day. He keeps an eye on official updates and authorized ticket sources so readers can plan smarter, save where it actually makes sense, and avoid vacation math that requires a wizarding degree.
If a guide talks tickets, crowds, hotels, or strategy, the goal is simple: practical advice you can use before you spend real money.
