Well, it finally happened. Universal’s actually doing it. They’re ripping out that… that experience people loved to hate. You know the one. Fast & Furious: Supercharged. And if I’m being brutally honest? Good. Freaking. Riddance.
Goodbye, Supercharged. Nobody’s Gonna Miss You.
Look, let’s not pretend here. Fast & Furious: Supercharged, which opened its doors in 2018, was never really a fan favorite. That’s putting it mildly. It was, shall we say, a bit of a universally panned disaster. People queued up, they got on, they sat in a bus, and then… not much happened. There were screens. Some yelling. A few explosions that felt less “Hollywood blockbuster” and more “my uncle’s garage band trying to light a firecracker.” It was supposed to be this big, immersive thing, and it just… wasn’t. It never had that spark. That energy. The kind of thing you expect from Universal, you know? The place that gives you Spiderman, Hulk, and those crazy Gringotts vaults.
I mean, people literally made memes about how bad it was. It wasn’t just “okay” or “meh.” It was actively disliked. And that’s a tough pill for any theme park to swallow, especially when you’re dealing with an IP as massive as Fast & Furious. This franchise is a money-printing machine at the box office, but in Orlando, it just kinda sputtered out. Like a car running on fumes. So, Universal’s announcement on January 20th that it’s closing after just nine years? Not a surprise. Not even a little bit. It was, in fact, a long time coming. And I’m pretty sure a collective sigh of relief just swept through the entire theme park fandom.
But here’s the kicker, and this is where it gets interesting. They’re not just closing it. Oh no. They’re replacing it. And get this: with another Fast & Furious ride. But this time? It’s a coaster. A proper, honest-to-goodness roller coaster. Called Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. And it’s slated for 2027. Now, I have to admit, that part? That’s kinda wild. It’s like, “Okay, we messed up the first time. Really messed up. But we’re going to try again. And we’re going to try HARDER.”
A Coaster? Really?
A drift coaster, specifically. That’s what the rumor mill has been churning out for ages, and now it seems official. People.com dropped the news, referencing Universal’s announcement, and yeah, it’s happening. A drift coaster sounds pretty cool, if I’m being honest. Think about it: the whole Fast & Furious vibe is about insane driving, impossible stunts, and, well, drifting. Taking that concept and translating it into a coaster experience? That actually makes a ton more sense than a bus tour with screens. A lot more. It could actually work.
But Wait, Why Double Down on Fast & Furious?
This is the question, isn’t it? After the first ride’s performance, you’d think Universal might just… quietly retire the brand from the park for a bit. Let it breathe. Re-evaluate. But no. They’re going all-in. Again. And I think there are a few reasons for this. One, obviously, the IP is still huge globally. It’s recognizable. People know it. And Universal owns it. They’ve invested a ton in this brand, and they’re probably not ready to just let it go without giving it a proper shot in the theme park world.
“You can’t just ditch a billion-dollar franchise because one ride flopped. Universal’s playing the long game here, trying to find the right fit for a massive IP.”
Two, Universal is in an arms race, plain and simple. With Epic Universe opening in 2025, they’re adding a whole bunch of new, cutting-edge rides. They’re pushing the envelope. And while Hollywood Drift won’t be in Epic Universe (it’s going in Universal Studios Florida, where Supercharged is now), it shows they’re committed to refreshing their existing parks too. Disney’s got Tron Lightcycle/Run. Universal needs to keep bringing the heat. And a coaster, especially a unique “drift” coaster, is definitely bringing the heat.
The Meat of It: What This New Coaster Could Be
So, we’re talking a coaster that drifts. What does that even mean? From what I can tell, and from what we’ve seen of other coaster tech (like the Mario Kart ride at Super Nintendo World, which uses a trackless system and AR), this isn’t just a standard loop-de-loop. It implies vehicles that can move independently, maybe even turn sideways or rotate on the track, simulating those iconic drifts from the movies. Imagine your ride vehicle skidding around a corner, feeling like you’re actually in one of those ridiculously over-the-top car chases. That’s a whole different ballgame.
This isn’t some slow-moving dark ride. This is an actual thrill ride. And that’s what Universal Studios Florida needs, especially in that area of the park. That Production Central/San Francisco area has always felt a little… disjointed. Supercharged wasn’t helping. Putting a legitimate, high-energy coaster there? That could totally change the flow and the feel of that whole section. It brings a new type of ride experience to the park that isn’t just another screen-based simulator (which, let’s be real, Universal has plenty of already). It’s a commitment to actual, physical thrills.
And honestly, it kind of feels like Universal is listening. Fans have been begging for more actual rides, more coasters, less screen stuff. And while Supercharged had screens, it wasn’t even good screen stuff! This new coaster, even with the same IP, seems like a direct response to that feedback. It’s saying, “Okay, we hear you. You want something exciting? Something that moves? Here you go.”
What This Actually Means
For Universal, this is a major play. It’s a chance to redeem the Fast & Furious brand in their parks. It’s also a clear signal that they’re not just focusing on Epic Universe; they’re investing heavily in keeping their existing parks fresh and competitive. And for us, the park-goers? It means one less dud of a ride and, hopefully, one more genuinely thrilling, innovative experience to look forward to.
Will it be good? I mean, who knows, right? It’s 2027. A lot can happen between now and then. But the concept? A drift coaster based on Fast & Furious? It’s got potential. Real potential. Far more than a bus ride ever did. And I’m willing to give Universal another shot on this one. Because if they can actually pull off a coaster that captures the insane, over-the-top energy of those movies… well, then maybe, just maybe, they’ll finally have a Fast & Furious ride worth talking about for the right reasons. Fingers crossed, because I’m kinda tired of talking about the bad ones, you know?
