Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift
Official ride logo (Hollywood)
Universal Studios Hollywood
Park sectionUpper Lot
StatusUnder construction
Opening dateSummer 2026
ReplacedAnimal Actors on Location
Special Effects Stage
Universal Studios Florida
Park sectionNew York
Coordinates28°28′30.8″N 81°28′09.1″W / 28.475222°N 81.469194°W / 28.475222; -81.469194
StatusUnder construction
ReplacedHollywood Rip Ride Rockit
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched – Spinning
ManufacturerIntamin
DesignerUniversal Creative
Lift/launch systemLSM launch
Length4,100 ft (1,200 m)
Speed72 mph (116 km/h)
Inversions3
Trains4 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 16 riders per train.
ThemeFast & Furious
RestraintsLap bar
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at RCDB

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift refers to two upcoming drift/spinning roller coasters under construction at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida. Manufactured by Intamin, each installation will feature a unique layout but will share many of the same features, including spinning cars themed to the Fast & Furious film franchise, as well as a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system. The Hollywood installation is undergoing testing and is expected to open in mid-2026, while the Florida installation is scheduled to open in 2027.

History

As early as May 2022, rumors began circulating that a new roller coaster themed to the Fast & Furious film franchise was under development at Universal Studios Hollywood.[1] Stage show attractions Animal Actors on Location and Special Effects Stage were both permanently closed the following year to make way for the new rumored ride.[2][3] On July 12, 2023, the park announced that construction was set to begin on a new Fast & Furious coaster, confirming earlier speculation.[3][4][5] The new coaster was later unveiled as "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift" in May 2024, billed as the park's "first ever high-speed outdoor roller coaster" and scheduled to open in 2026.[6][7] Its track was completed by April 2025.[8]

At Universal Studios Florida, construction began on a similar version of the coaster, which was officially announced by the park in January 2026.[9][10] Although not identical,[10] it will feature many of the same features, including cars that spin 360 degrees along the track layout.[11] The Florida installation will notably add a 170-foot-tall (52 m) vertical spike situated close to Universal CityWalk.[11] The coaster is being constructed on the former site of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.[9][10]

An television commercial promoting the ride at Universal Studios Hollywood, narrated by Vin Diesel, was released on February 5, 2026.[12] The 30-second advertisement, which aired during Super Bowl LX, the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, revealed that the ride is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.[13]

Characteristics

On June 12, 2025, Universal Studios Hollywood released official concept art and a video promo for the new ride, showcasing riders spinning and racing up and down the track in different model cars from the film franchise.[14][15] The ride is 4100ft long in length and will travel up to speeds of 72mph, making it the fastest Universal coaster in the world.[16] On the same day, ahead of Universal Hollywood's Mega Movie Summer event, a model of one of the ride's trains was unveiled. This model is an authentic resemblance of Dom's 1970 Dodge Charger R/T with lap bar seats, on-board speakers, which would remain on display until the end of the event on August 10, 2025.[17]

On March 4, 2026, Universal Studios Hollywood released a video revealing the final lineup of cars alongside the Dodge Charger being Han’s 1997 Mazda RX-7, Brian’s 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 and 1994 Toyota Supra MK IV.[18] On the same day, many amusement park insiders also got an exclusive look inside the ride’s station where a large-scale mural by Hollywood graffiti artist Tristan Eaton is displayed on the left side of the station.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Stella, Alicia (May 1, 2022). "Fast & Furious Drifting Coaster Rumored for Universal Studios Hollywood". Orlando Park Stop. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  2. ^ Davis-Friedman, Samantha (November 10, 2022). "Two Universal Studios Hollywood shows are closing". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Martinez, Christian (July 13, 2023). "New 'Fast & Furious' coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  4. ^ White, Abbey (July 13, 2023). "Universal Studios Hollywood to Get New 'Fast & Furious' Coaster". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  5. ^ Chen, Eve (July 12, 2023). "Calling all speed demons: Fast & Furious roller coaster coming to Universal Studios". USA Today. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  6. ^ Tapp, Tom (May 3, 2024). "360-Degree Spinning "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift" Roller Coaster Set For Universal Studios Hollywood". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  7. ^ "Universal Studios Hollywood's First High-Speed Outdoor Roller Coaster, "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift", Set to Launch in 2026, Based on Universal Pictures' Fast & Furious Blockbuster Film Franchise". NBCUniversal Media. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  8. ^ Palm, Iman (April 9, 2025). "New 'Fast & Furious' coaster track completed at Universal Studios Hollywood". KTLA. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Bevil, DeWayne (January 20, 2026). "New Universal Studios coaster will be Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 20, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  10. ^ a b c Chen, Eve (January 20, 2026). "New 'Fast & Furious' coaster coming to Universal Studios Florida". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 21, 2026. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  11. ^ a b Nolfi, Joey (January 20, 2026). "Universal Orlando permanently closing Fast & Furious ride ahead of jaw-dropping new roller coaster themed to film series". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 21, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ^ MacDonald, Brady (February 5, 2026). "Universal Studios Hollywood to open Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster this summer". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on February 6, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  13. ^ Palm, Iman (February 5, 2026). "Universal's 'Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift' to open this summer". KTLA 5. Retrieved February 6, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ^ "First Look – Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Coaster Unveiled at Universal Studios Hollywood". NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  15. ^ Universal Studios Hollywood (2025-06-12). Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coming to Universal Studios Hollywood. Retrieved 2025-06-12 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "Universal releases video of 'Fast & Furious' roller coaster". UPI. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  17. ^ Ace, Shannen (2025-06-12). "FIRST LOOK at Dodge Charger Ride Vehicle for Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  18. ^ Universal Studios Hollywood (2026-03-04). Your First Glimpse at the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Ride Vehicle Fleet. Retrieved 2026-03-04 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ Aikins, Adjoa (2026-03-05). "Universal Studios Hollywood reveals new cars for “Fast & Furious” roller coaster". KMPH. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
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