The wait is over: Universal Studios Hollywood guests can finally ride the theme park’s high-speed outdoor roller coaster themed after the “Fast & Furious” film franchise.
On Wednesday, Universal Studios opened “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” to the greater public after several weeks of testing and a soft opening over the summer.
The new, high-speed thrill ride is—fittingly—the fastest ride across Universal’s theme parks division, and the first outdoor roller coaster at the Los Angeles location.
“This all-new spectacular roller coaster redefines the thrill ride experience and delivers an unprecedented surge of adrenaline to Universal Studios Hollywood, renowned for creating world-class rides and attractions inspired by today’s most iconic entertainment properties,” theme park officials said in a news release.
What to expect on Universal Studios’ new roller coaster
Utilizing a dual-launching track system, the coaster reaches speeds of up to 72 mph along 4,100 feet of aerial track and sends riders up, down and backward around the park’s towering Starway escalator system.
It features “an exciting inverted dive loop, twisted pretzel loop and inverted stall,” among other ride gimmicks, propelling riders at a force of up to 3.6 Gs while completing 360-degree drifts.
Built into the side of the large hill dividing the upper and lower lots, the ride also features large decorative sound barriers that are meant to reduce noise from screaming riders—a growing complaint among nearby Toluca Lake residents.
Riders enter through a brick garage-styled building to join the ride queue, which also boasts a “transparent encased section of the queue” where a portion of the ride track races through. Officials called that portion of the loading area a “technological first.” The queue also features film props and QR codes to keep visitors engaged with the ride’s story while waiting for their turn to speed off in one of the film franchise’s iconic cars.
Speaking of those cars, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift features ride vehicles directly modeled after cars seen throughout the film series, including Dominic Toretto’s unmistakable 1970 Dodge Charger and Brian O’Conner’s vibrant Toyota Supra.
Each ride vehicle is equipped with its own sound system to provide “true-to-type” engine and sound effects that are unique to the iconic vehicles in which they are riding.
“And, because each ride vehicle is fully rotational and independently programmed to drift in motion along each train, guests can enjoy four varying experiences depending on which vehicle they are seated,” officials added.
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The ride is described as “intense” with choreographed sequences that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
“’Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ is officially open, and we are so excited to be able to put guests in the driver’s seat of one of the most celebrated film franchises in history,” said Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Vice President Scott Strobl. “The debut of this first-of-it-kind roller coaster is a literal game changer for Universal Studios Hollywood, and we look forward to sharing this thrilling experience with fans of the Fast Saga and our guests visiting from around the world.”
In addition to the roller coaster it inspired, Universal is also celebrating the 11-film Fast & Furious franchise that is marking its 25th anniversary this year. A new edition in the film series, “Fast Forever,” arrives in theaters in March 2028.
For additional information about Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, click here.
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