Universal Studios Hollywood has announced that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will officially open on September 16, 2026.
This all-new roller coaster, featuring cutting-edge ride technology, is the fastest in the Universal Destinations & Experiences lineup.
Inspired by the Fast & Furious franchise, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the coaster offers guests a chance to experience the energy and thrill of high-speed action firsthand. An all-new film in the saga, Fast Forever, arrives in theaters in March 2028.
Located on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift sits within an expansive red-brick, garage-like structure. Two stationary, photo-op prop car reproductions welcome guests just outside the ride as they make their way through the entry archway toward the queue.
In a technological first, a portion of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride track will race through a transparent, encased section of the queue, building anticipation as guests wait to ride.
A unique dual-launching, split-ride track will alternate trains from dispatch to propel guests on an epic adventure that will take them over and under portions of the multilevel Starway escalator, through four spectacular launches, an exciting inverted dive loop, twisted pretzel loop and inverted stall, among others, at speeds of up to 72 MPH and a force of up to 3.6 Gs along 4,100 feet of elaborate aerial track constructed with sound-reduction technology while drifting at 360-degrees in their individual ride vehicles.
Guests can ride in one of four iconic Fast Saga ride vehicles – the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, and the Toyota Supra – each modeled after the cars driven by favorite Fast characters in the film series. The arrival platform will be anchored by an all-original, large-scale mural created by world-renowned artist Tristan Eaton, which depicts the finale street racing action scene in the very first Fast film, 2001’s The Fast and the Furious, with a montage of the aerial-bound Dodge Charger and Toyota Supra vehicles racing against a speeding train. Another inspirational Tristan Eaton mural will be featured within the queue in tribute to the entire film franchise.
Equipped with a fully independent audio system, each ride vehicle will surround guests with true‑to‑type engine and sound effects unique to the car they are riding in. 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.
Universal Creative cleverly used the hillside terrain as the foundation for the coaster. They utilized the natural contours and scenic vistas both as the structural core and a key part of the ride’s creative design. This approach results in stunning panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, the Universal Studios movie studio, and the park itself.
The queue guides guests through an environment filled with recreated props from the Fast Saga films. Select displays will feature QR codes that guests can scan for additional behind‑the‑scenes insights and context about the displays. The QR code opens to Universal Studios’ fan engagement site, the “Backlot Club.” From there, guests can either create a new account or log in to their existing account to enjoy the behind-the-scenes information as it pertains to the various displays.
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
Guests must place all belongings in complimentary lockers located within the queue area. They will also be required to pass through metal detection before entering the ride platform to ensure all loose articles, including mobile phones, among other items, are placed securely in the lockers.
Stay tuned to Inside Universal for all the latest news on Universal Parks & Resorts. Want to join the conversation? Head over to our Forums where fans are discussing the latest Universal news, rumors, and park updates. Join the Discussion!
Planning a Universal trip? Get a free, no-obligation quote from our trusted travel partner, MEI Travel. Their team can help with hotels, tickets, and planning at no extra cost to you.
