Universal Studios Hollywood has officially confirmed that its highly anticipated outdoor roller coaster, “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift,” will welcome its first riders on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Promising an unprecedented surge of excitement, this high-speed addition marks the theme park’s first-ever outdoor coaster, engineered to bring a completely new level of intensity to visitors.
As the fastest coaster across the entire Universal Destinations & Experiences global portfolio, the attraction combines cutting-edge ride mechanics with a striking visual layout. To mark the announcement, the theme park released a new video offering fans a glimpse of what to expect from this flagship addition.
Built on a Legacy of Speed and Action
The new attraction takes direct inspiration from Universal Pictures’ blockbuster Fast & Furious film franchise, a global $7 billion box-office success story currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. Built around street racing, high velocities, and cinematic stunts, the 11-film saga provides an ideal narrative foundation for the park’s latest feature. The legacy will continue on the big screen as well, with the upcoming chapter, Fast Forever, scheduled to arrive in movie theaters in March 2028.
“Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” translates the high-stakes driving sequences of the film series into an actual physical experience. Every drop, turn, and acceleration is crafted to replicate the thrilling stunt driving that has defined the movies for decades.
Cutting-Edge Engineering and Extreme Dynamics
The coaster’s circuit stretches across 4,100 feet of specially constructed aerial track that utilizes advanced sound-dampening technology. Operating on a dual-launch, split-track dispatch system, the ride propels trains through four distinct launches, reaching top speeds of up to 72 miles per hour while exerting forces reaching 3.6 Gs.
Riders will navigate an array of intense maneuvers, including a twisted pretzel loop, an inverted dive loop, and an inverted stall. The track layout takes full advantage of the park’s topography, carrying guests both above and beneath portions of the iconic, multi-level Starway escalator. In a novel structural element, a section of the active track passes directly through a clear, enclosed segment of the queue area, offering waiting guests a front-row look at the passing trains.
Personalized Vehicle Audio and Drifting Mechanics
Each passenger vehicle on the ride is individually programmed to rotate a full 360 degrees, simulating authentic drifting maneuvers along the track. Because each vehicle’s motion profile is completely independent, guests can encounter four distinct ride sensations depending on where they are seated.
Riders are secured with lap-bar restraints inside stylized cars modeled after legendary vehicles featured throughout the film saga, including the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, and Toyota Supra. Furthermore, every car features an onboard, independent sound system that emits realistic engine noises and audio effects tailored specifically to that vehicle model.
Immersive Queue, Signature Artwork, and Guest Safety
Housed within an extensive red-brick building designed to resemble an authentic automotive garage, the queue line actively engages visitors before they board. Guests pass by two stationary prop cars near the entrance archway, while the interior features authentic props from the Fast & Furious cinematic universe. Interactive displays throughout the queue include scannable QR codes that connect users to Universal’s “Backlot Club” platform, unlocking exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Artistic highlights frame the experience at key points. Renowned artist Tristan Eaton created an original, large-scale mural for the arrival platform that depicts the climactic drag race from the original 2001 film, The Fast and the Furious, showing a Dodge Charger and Toyota Supra leaping over a speeding train. A second mural by Tristan Eaton inside the queue line pays tribute to the broader history of the film saga.
To accommodate the dynamic forces of the ride and maintain guest safety, Universal Studios Hollywood will require all riders to store their personal items in complimentary lockers located inside the queue. Visitors must pass through metal detectors prior to entering the boarding area to ensure no loose items, such as mobile phones, are brought onto the coaster.
Clever Use of Terrain and Panoramic Views
Faced with space constraints at the Hollywood property, the creative team at Universal Creative integrated the surrounding hillside into the ride’s core design. By utilizing the natural contours of the land as a structural foundation, the coaster offers sweeping panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley, the Universal Studios film lot, and the surrounding theme park grounds.
