Theme park fans, buckle up. Universal Studios Hollywood is about to change the game with its first-ever outdoor, high-speed roller coaster, and the wait is almost over. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift officially opens on Wednesday, September 16, and based on everything we know about this ride, it is going to be absolutely wild.
What Is Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift?
This is not your average theme park coaster. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is the fastest roller coaster in the entire Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio, reaching speeds of up to 72 MPH with a force of up to 3.6 Gs across 4,100 feet of aerial track.f The ride features four launches, an inverted dive loop, a twisted pretzel loop, and an inverted stall, all while your ride vehicle drifts 360 degrees independently around the track.
What makes it especially unique is the dual-launching, split-ride track design, which alternates trains to send guests on an adventure that weaves over and under the park’s multilevel Starway escalator. A portion of the track even runs through a transparent enclosed section of the queue, so you can watch riders blast past while you wait. That is a seriously cool touch.
Choose Your Ride Vehicle
Guests will board one of four iconic Fast Saga cars: the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, or the Toyota Supra, all modeled after the actual vehicles driven by fan-favorite characters throughout the film series. Each car has its own fully independent audio system loaded with engine sounds and effects specific to that vehicle, and because every car rotates and drifts independently along the train, each one delivers a slightly different experience. That means repeat riders have a real reason to keep coming back.
An Incredible Queue Experience
The queue itself sounds like a museum and a thrill in one. Guests will walk past recreated props from across the Fast Saga films, including the Car Cannon from Fast & Furious 6, Dom Toretto’s Roll Cage and Winch from Fast 5, the Vault Truck, Letty’s motorcycle from F9, the Rolling Bomb from Fast X, and more. Many displays include QR codes linking to Universal’s Backlot Club fan engagement site for behind-the-scenes context on each piece.
Two massive murals by world-renowned street artist Tristan Eaton anchor the experience visually: one in the arrival platform depicting the iconic street race from the original 2001 film, and another within the queue paying tribute to the franchise as a whole. The setting itself is built into the natural hillside terrain of the Upper Lot, delivering panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, the Universal Studios movie lot, and the theme park below.
A Milestone for the Franchise
The timing couldn’t be better. The Fast & Furious franchise is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and with Fast Forever set to race into theaters in March 2028, Universal is clearly leaning all the way in on its $7 billion IP. This coaster is the centerpiece of that celebration.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opens September 16 at Universal Studios Hollywood. For more information, visit UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.
Are you planning a trip to ride Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift when it opens? Which of the four cars are you hoping to board first? Let us know in the comments!
You May Also Enjoy: Halloween Horror Nights Honors Ozzy Osbourne With All-New “Prince of Darkness” Haunted Houses
Mouse Fan Travel® an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, has been planning and creating magical Disney vacations since 2005. Their mission is to provide premium service and expert advice to help you get the most for your vacation time and dollar. Their Disney Travel Agents operate with the highest degree of integrity and will handle your family vacation, reunion, honeymoon, corporate incentive trip or getaway, as if it were their own. They pride themselves on expertly representing and advocating for you – their client.
The next time you and your family are planning a Disney vacation, visit Mouse Fan Travel for your no obligation quote or to answer any Disney vacation questions you may have. Are you looking for a beach vacation, tour or cruise to destinations across the globe? Visit MEI-Travel for exceptional expertise with ZERO agency fees.