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Hollywood Drift's 170-Foot Spike Begins Rising Over Universal Studios Florida
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Hollywood Drift's 170-Foot Spike Begins Rising Over Universal Studios Florida

Michael Travels
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Published

Aerial photos this past weekend show the first major vertical construction at Universal Studios Florida's Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift site. The 170-foot spike (roughly a 17-story building) is the signature vertical element of the upcoming 360-degree drifting coaster, and it's now actively rising over the construction footprint. The coaster is targeting a 2027 debut.

Aerial view of the rising 170-foot spike element of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift under construction at Universal Studios Florida in late May 2026.
Hollywood Drift spike under construction. Photo: Inside Universal.

The headlines:

  • The signature vertical spike is approximately 170 feet tall, or about a 17-story building.
  • It's one of the first major vertical structures associated with the coaster's layout to take shape, per Inside Universal.
  • Inside Universal published aerial photos May 29. WDWNT followed with additional photos showing the spike rapidly rising over the CityWalk-adjacent footprint.
  • Hollywood Drift is a 360-degree drifting coaster based on the Fast & Furious film franchise.
  • Target debut: 2027. Universal has not announced a specific opening date.

What's actually rising

Per Inside Universal's May 29 reporting, the spike is the signature vertical drop / launch element of the ride layout. Hollywood Drift is a spinning roller coaster: each vehicle rotates 360 degrees independently from the track to simulate drifting, which is what gives the ride its "drifting" branding. The 170-foot spike provides the vertical real estate for the coaster's headline maneuver, expected to be a launched climb followed by a rotated descent.

The construction sits adjacent to CityWalk, which means guests crossing between CityWalk and Universal Studios Florida this summer will get a direct line of sight to the rising structure.

How Hollywood Drift fits into the bigger picture

  • Universal Studios Florida's next major ride. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift replaces Fast & Furious: Supercharged at the same site. The new ride is a fundamentally different attraction (full coaster vs. studio tour-style dark ride).
  • Successor to Fast & Furious: Supercharged. Supercharged is scheduled to permanently close in 2027 around the time Hollywood Drift debuts. Construction on Hollywood Drift (built on the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit footprint) has been active throughout 2025.
  • Part of Universal's broader investment cycle. Epic Universe opened May 2025; Hollywood Drift is the next big-ticket coaster across the resort. Mega Movie Parade debuts at USF this Friday June 5 (we covered the delay May 26).
  • The drifting coaster tech has a sibling installation at Universal Studios Hollywood, which is opening its own Hollywood Drift in summer 2026, giving the Orlando build a sibling installation for reference.

What this means if you're visiting now

  • You can see the spike from CityWalk. The construction site is adjacent to the entry corridor, so a quick stop near the Universal Studios Florida gate will get you a clear view.
  • Don't expect a 2026 opening. Universal's timeline is 2027. Hard construction is well underway, but coaster track installation and testing typically take 12 to 18 months after major structural elements rise.
  • Watch the WDWNT aerial photo set. Aerial photography is the cleanest visualization of construction progress; standing-on-the-ground photos can't capture the spike's full vertical scale.
  • The Mega Movie Parade debut Friday June 5 is at USF. If you're visiting that weekend, you'll be inside the park where the Hollywood Drift construction is most visible.

Quick planner notes

  • If you're a Universal Express Pass holder, Hollywood Drift will be a major year-2027 wait-time driver. Plan accordingly when the ride opens.
  • If you're tracking park construction for content purposes, the spike is the photo-friendly milestone. Aerial photographers should expect the structure to fully top out within the next several weeks.
  • The Fast & Furious IP refresh is significant. Supercharged still operates today and is set to close around Hollywood Drift's 2027 debut, so Universal will roll the franchise directly from a screen-based dark ride into a marquee outdoor coaster. That's the kind of investment that signals Universal sees Fast & Furious as long-term load-bearing IP for the Orlando resort.
  • This is a different lane from Epic Universe. Hollywood Drift is at the original Universal Studios Florida park, not at Epic Universe. Multi-day visitors should plan accordingly.

Sources

Image credit: Inside Universal.

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