Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift Now Open at Universal Studios Hollywood

Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift has finally opened at Universal Studios Hollywood to the delight of thrill seekers everywhere. Designed around the action and street racing elements of the Fast & Furious series, the coaster marks a notable addition to Universal Studios Hollywood’s lineup of attractions. The ride arrives as the film franchise celebrates its 25th anniversary and ahead of the next installment, Fast Forever, which is scheduled to reach theaters in March 2028.

To mark the occasion Universal Studios Hollywood held a “chain cutting” ceremony complete with all the fanfare that you would expect for an attraction of this caliber. While franchise star Vin Diesel backed out of making an appearance at the last minute, the moment was still worthy of this awesome new coaster. Mark Woodbury, Chairman and COO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, and Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Universal Studios Hollywood, helped mark the debut of the new attraction.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Officially Opens at Universal Studios Hollywood!

The queue is actually pretty cool in and of itself. Guests enter the attraction through a garage-inspired setting featuring replica vehicles from the films. An extensive and winding queue features props and displays tied to the Fast Saga. Exhibits include QR codes that connect visitors to Universal’s Backlot Club platform, offering behind-the-scenes information about featured items. Another interesting feature in the queue is a section where the coaster surrounds guests in line offering a full view of what’s to come.

Highlights of the props include:

• Car Cannon, featuring the car driven by Brian O’Conner in Fast & Furious 6
• Roll Cage and Winch, featuring the 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8, driven by Dom Toretto, in Fast 5
• Vault Truck, as featured in Fast 5
• Motorcycle, as featured in F9, driven by Letty Ortiz
• NOS System and Dodge Charger Engine, a recreation of the internal NOS operating system for the modified Fast & Furious ride vehicles in the films
• Ramp Car, driven by Owen Shaw in Fast & Furious 6
• Rolling Bomb, as featured in Fast X
• Rollover Stunt Rig, a recreation of the rollover stunt rigging system used in the Fast & Furious films

Just before boarding, guests are required to store loose items in complimentary lockers and then pass through metal detection. They allow glasses and sunglasses, but that is pretty much it. No phones, no loose jewelry, nothing that could potentially go flying off and causing a problem.

THE VERDICT

So how is the coaster? It’s easily in my top 10, perhaps even top 5. It is a relentless mind scrambler that features four inversions and four launches peaking at speeds of 72 mph over more than 4,100 feet of track. Perched on a hillside, Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift also offers a truly breathtaking view of the San Fernando Valley below. What makes this coaster truly unique though, is the drifting system that rotates individual ride vehicles up to 360 degrees during the course.

Norm & Jeff Take on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift! | Universal Studios Hollywood

The ride vehicles themselves are modeled after the cars in the films. The four vehicles modeled after recognizable cars from the films, include the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra. Each vehicle features its own audio package with engine sounds and effects designed to match the car.

While the queue is impressive, I will say that the coaster itself certainly could have used more theming. Take for example my favorite rollercoaster, VelociCoaster at Universal Islands of Adventure. It runs breakneck speed that leaves everything in your periphery a mere blur. Yet the ride still weaves though rock formations and trees. There are even a few static Velociraptors here and there too. The addition of a few scenic elements would have made a world of difference for this exceptional ride.

With Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift, Universal Studios Hollywood has leveled up as a theme park. This is a truly exceptional ride that starts the second you buckle up and doesn’t stop. It’s an exhilarating, disorienting masterpiece of machinery. Well done, Universal Hollywood! You have added yet another must-do attraction to the list.