Universal Orlando Resort has announced two new roller coasters: an indoor Universal Monsters attraction planned for Dark Universe at Epic Universe and Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, due at Universal Studios Florida in 2027.
The Dark Universe coaster will use an original story inspired by Universal Monsters, joining Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf in the Epic Universe land. Construction has begun, but Universal has not announced an opening date or height requirement.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is set to replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which permanently closed in August 2025. Universal has described the incoming coaster as featuring rotating vehicles and high-speed launches.
For families planning a Universal Orlando visit with babies, toddlers or preschoolers, the announcements also underscore the resort’s mix of attractions for smaller children. Several signature rides at Epic Universe require riders to be at least 40 inches tall, including Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Curse of the Werewolf, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Stardust Racers has a 48-inch minimum.
Even Yoshi’s Adventure requires riders to be 34 inches tall. Constellation Carousel and Fyre Drill do not have minimum height requirements, subject to applicable seating rules, and the park also offers character encounters, shows and interactive play areas.
Other Universal parks have limitations that may matter to families with very young children. At Islands of Adventure, The Cat in the Hat and The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! each require riders to be 36 inches tall. E.T. Adventure at Universal Studios Florida has a 34-inch minimum. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem offers stationary seating for smaller guests, but participants must be able to stand independently.
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Universal does have some rides without minimum height requirements, including One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl. Child swap also allows adults to take turns riding when a child cannot participate.
By comparison, Walt Disney World has a broader selection of attractions without minimum height requirements, including Magic Kingdom rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan’s Flight, Jungle Cruise, “it’s a small world,” and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Families considering Walt Disney World tickets can also find no-minimum-height attractions at EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, according to the source material.
Universal’s new coaster plans add to the resort’s thrill lineup, but the accessibility of the Dark Universe attraction for younger guests will remain unclear until the company releases its height requirement.
