Universal Orlando Announces One New Ride as 5 Other Park Projects Take Shape

Universal Orlando Resort has one newly announced ride on its public slate: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the outdoor roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Florida in 2027. But across the resort, five other locations are tied to demolition, permits, expansion work, confirmed closures, or future-experience language—without five corresponding attraction announcements. Universal currently promotes Hollywood Drift as its new Orlando coaster for 2027.

That distinction matters. Universal has officially named Hollywood Drift and confirmed its 170-foot vertical spike and drifting ride vehicles. Elsewhere, the evidence ranges from public construction filings to redevelopment plans and unconfirmed rumors. For families planning future Universal Orlando vacations, the resort may look considerably different before every replacement has a name.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Is the One Confirmed New Ride

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which permanently closed in 2025. Universal says the new coaster will open in 2027 and send riders through 360-degree drifting maneuvers, including a 170-foot vertical spike rising over Universal CityWalk.

Inside the Magic previously covered Hollywood Drift’s construction progress as the former Rip Ride Rockit footprint was cleared and new track rose over Universal Studios Florida.

The change also reshapes the Fast & Furious presence at the park. Fast & Furious – Supercharged permanently closed on August 17, 2026, after Universal initially said it would close in 2027. Inside the Magic documented the accelerated closure. Universal has not announced a separate attraction for the now-vacant Supercharged site.

Islands of Adventure Is Clearing the Lost Continent

At Islands of Adventure, demolition has continued through the Lost Continent, including the former Poseidon’s Fury area, while Universal has not publicly identified the intellectual property or attraction lineup that will replace it.

Inside the Magic has tracked the Lost Continent demolition as original structures disappeared behind construction walls. Pokémon has become a prominent rumor for the land, but it remains exactly that: a rumor. Universal has not confirmed Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, Middle-earth, or another franchise as the replacement.

Guests can count on redevelopment; they cannot yet count on a specific franchise or opening date.

Epic Universe Permits Point to Two Major Expansion Projects

The strongest evidence of additional rides comes from Universal Epic Universe, where two separate expansion areas have generated substantial permit activity.

Documents tied to Project 987 describe a proposed two-story building of roughly 95,748 square feet associated with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Universal has also teased “more magic,” but it has not formally announced the attraction, its ride system, name, or opening date. Inside the Magic previously examined the Ministry of Magic expansion permit trail as filings pointed toward major construction.

Across Epic Universe, Project 680 is more concrete in one important respect. Orange County documents describe a three-story structure of about 93,308 square feet and reference a “Ride Maintenance Bay,” according to permit reporting. Site preparation has also been observed behind Dark Universe.

That supports the conclusion that the submitted project is designed around a ride, but not what ride it will be. A Creature from the Black Lagoon attraction has circulated in rumor reporting, yet the permits do not name the Creature, a boat ride, or any specific Universal Monsters concept. Inside the Magic’s review of the Dark Universe filings likewise found the paperwork supports a ride project without establishing its theme.

Two Universal Studios Florida Sites Have Unannounced Futures

Universal Studios Florida has two additional spaces worth watching, although neither should be treated as a fully defined attraction project.

Animal Actors On Location! is scheduled to permanently close after its November 2, 2026 performances. Universal has said the opening-day show is making way for a “new experience,” but has not revealed what that experience will be or when it will arrive. Inside the Magic has followed the final countdown for Animal Actors and the unanswered replacement question.

Then there is the former Fast & Furious – Supercharged site. The ride is already gone, and Universal’s Hollywood Drift announcement described Supercharged’s closure as making way for the new Fast & Furious experience. However, Hollywood Drift occupies the former Rip Ride Rockit area, not the Supercharged building. No independent replacement for the Supercharged space has been announced.

That is why “five additional attractions” overstates what Universal has actually confirmed.

Universal Orlando’s Next Expansion Wave Is Taking Shape Quietly

For guests, the practical takeaway is less about counting six guaranteed rides and more about watching six consequential pieces of Universal Orlando’s future at once.

Hollywood Drift is the confirmed 2027 attraction. Lost Continent is undergoing redevelopment. Epic Universe has two substantial permit-driven projects, with Dark Universe paperwork providing particularly strong evidence of a future ride. Animal Actors has a confirmed successor described only as a new experience, while the Supercharged site remains without a separately announced replacement.

Universal’s current “What’s Happening” page highlights Hollywood Drift as the new coaster coming to Orlando in 2027. The other projects require more announcements before guests can attach firm names, ride types, or opening dates to them.

For vacation planning, construction walls and changing attraction lineups are real now, while much of the payoff remains undefined. The next major development could be an Epic Universe reveal, a Lost Continent identity announcement, or details for one of Universal Studios Florida’s vacated spaces. Until Universal makes those moves official, permits and demolition can show where the resort is changing—but not fully reveal what comes next.