Universal Studios Hollywood has shifted a major “Fast & Furious” attraction into gear, officially opening “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” on Sept. 16.
The new outdoor roller coaster brings one of the park’s most prominent film franchises into a high-speed ride experience, putting guests into vehicles inspired by four cars associated with the $7 billion “Fast & Furious” franchise: the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra.
Designed as a “unique dual-launching, split-ride track,” according to Universal Studios Hollywood, the attraction sends riders across 4,100 feet of aerial track, with cars that drift 360 degrees in individual ride vehicles. The coaster reaches speeds of 72 mph and subjects riders to forces of up to 3.6 Gs.
The ride’s layout places it directly into the visual fabric of the park. The cars spiral over and under portions of Universal Studios Hollywood’s multilevel escalator system, giving the attraction a highly visible presence as it moves through the park environment.
A Franchise Ride Built for Speed
“Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” is built around a sequence of coaster elements including four launches, an inverted dive loop, a twisted pretzel loop, an inverted stall and additional thrill elements. Universal Studios Hollywood said the aerial track was constructed with sound-reduction technology.
For fans who have followed the “Fast” saga through its car culture imagery and street-racing spectacle, the attraction leans directly into the franchise’s most recognizable visual language. The ride vehicles include models tied to the series’ on-screen identity, including the Dodge Charger and Toyota Supra, giving guests a chance to strap into cars connected to the world of Dominic Toretto, Letty and the franchise’s larger racing mythology.
Scott Strobl, executive VP and general manager of Universal Studios Hollywood, positioned the opening as a major step for the park.
“‘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,” Strobl said. “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.”
A Nod to the Film That Started It
The attraction also connects back to the beginning of the franchise through a new visual centerpiece. “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” is anchored by an original mural from artist Tristan Eaton. The mural depicts the finale street racing action scene from 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious,” the film that launched the franchise.
That historical reference arrives as the franchise marks its 25th anniversary this year, adding another layer of timing to the ride’s debut. With the coaster now open, Universal Studios Hollywood is placing the “Fast & Furious” brand at the center of a new physical experience built around acceleration, drifting and the cars that have helped define the franchise’s identity.
The Sept. 16 opening follows anticipation for the outdoor roller coaster and gives park guests a new way to engage with a franchise that Universal Studios Hollywood describes as one of the most celebrated in film history.