Theme Park Scope

Things are getting FAST at Universal Studios Florida…

.. and we’re finally starting to see how the new Fast & Furious coaster’s actual scenes could come together.

Construction continues on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the massive new roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Florida in 2027, and one of the attraction’s first major themed set pieces has officially arrived.

A huge burgundy Peterbilt-style semi-truck cab has been installed right alongside the coaster track, and its location suggests riders could be getting a pretty intense vehicular near-miss almost immediately after leaving the station.

New aerial photos from photographer bioreconstruct reveal the massive truck cab positioned on a grated platform alongside one of the earliest sections of coaster track.

The Peterbilt-style truck is hard to miss, featuring the recognizable long hood, large chrome grille, tall chrome exhaust stacks, and angular design associated with the American truck manufacturer.

And this isn’t simply a random vehicle parked backstage. The truck has been installed directly beside the coaster track as part of what appears to be the attraction’s opening scene.

This is where things get especially interesting.

The truck sits beside the steel framework of a scene currently being constructed outside the coaster’s station. Portions of the structure are already being enclosed with corrugated steel walls, although much of the framework remains exposed.

Based on the current track layout, coaster trains will leave the station facing one of those newly installed corrugated steel walls. From there, the train is expected to turn right, stop and then reverse direction into the attraction’s first launch. And while accelerating backward? You’ll pass right by that enormous semi-truck.

The truck’s positioning suggests it could be used to create an immediate near-miss effect, making it feel like the coaster’s drifting vehicle narrowly avoids the truck as it launches backward.

Universal hasn’t officially detailed exactly how the finished scene will play out, so the near-miss interpretation is based on the truck’s current placement rather than a confirmed show sequence.

But considering this is Fast & Furious, narrowly avoiding a massive vehicle feels pretty on-brand.

There’s another fun detail for longtime fans of the franchise. Peterbilt trucks have appeared in the Fast & Furious films before, most notably during the climactic truck-hijacking sequence in the original 2001 The Fast and the Furious.

Whether this particular set piece is intended as a direct reference to that sequence hasn’t been confirmed, but using a Peterbilt-style truck certainly fits the visual language of the franchise.

It’s also one of the first large-scale themed set pieces spotted inside the Hollywood Drift attraction layout, giving us our first real taste of how Universal plans to blend the coaster itself with physical environments and Fast & Furious storytelling.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is scheduled to open at Universal Studios Florida in 2027, replacing the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

The new coaster will feature some pretty substantial elements, including a towering 170-foot spike that sends trains to a dead end before forcing them to change direction. Construction on the enormous element has already become one of the most noticeable changes to Universal Studios Florida’s skyline.

Meanwhile, Universal Orlando’s previous Fast & Furious attraction, Fast & Furious — Supercharged, permanently closed on August 16th, 2026.

That means Hollywood Drift isn’t simply adding another Fast & Furious experience to Universal Studios Florida…it’s effectively becoming the franchise’s new headlining attraction at the park!

And now that large themed pieces are beginning to arrive, we’re finally getting a glimpse at what the experience itself could look like beyond all that coaster track.

Keep checking back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift construction updates, Universal Studios Florida news, new attraction details, and everything changing around Universal Orlando Resort.