First Look: Inside Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood

One of the most anticipated roller coasters in Universal history is nearly here — and we just got our first real look inside. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood is coming this summer, and Inside Universal was invited for a behind-the-scenes preview revealing the ride vehicles, the loading area, and what guests can expect from what might be the most thrilling coaster in the Western United States. Here’s everything we learned.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift — Key Stats

• Location: Universal Studios Hollywood (Upper Lot, spanning the Universal City hillside)
• Track length: 4,100 feet of aerial track — the equivalent of nearly 12 football fields
• Top speed: 72 mph — 2 mph faster than VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
• Technology: 360-degree rotation creating the sensation of a real drifting car
• Capacity per train: 16 guests
• Opening: Summer 2026 (exact date TBA)

The Views Are Going to Be Incredible

The track winds 4,100 feet across the Universal City hillside, passing the iconic Starway escalator and overlooking the Lower Lot and the backlot. If you’ve spent any time on the Upper Lot or ridden the Studio Tour, you know what that view looks like — and now imagine experiencing it at 72 mph while your car is spinning 360 degrees. That’s the ride.

Universal Studios Hollywood has long needed a true thrill coaster, and Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is answering that call in dramatic fashion. The scale of this attraction is genuinely impressive — 12 football fields of aerial track is not a small ride.

The Ride Vehicles: Four Iconic Fast & Furious Cars

Each train carries 16 guests across four ride vehicles, each inspired by an iconic car from the Fast franchise. Here’s the full lineup:

1. Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger

Leading the train is the car that defined the franchise. Toretto’s signature Dodge Charger gets the front position — sleek black, packing 900 horsepower, and widely recognized as the ultimate American muscle car. It’s the perfect way to begin a race.

2. Han Seoul-Oh’s 1997 Mazda RX-7

Bright orange and built for show as much as speed. Han’s Mazda RX-7 features 19-inch wheels, custom interior detailing, racing seats, and upgraded suspension. It’s one of the most beloved cars in the franchise — and one of the most visually striking vehicles in the train.

3. Brian O’Conner’s 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R

Royal blue with extensive styling modifications and performance upgrades, Brian’s Nissan Skyline is one of the most recognizable cars in the entire series. The ride vehicle reflects the car’s customized look that gave it a completely unique identity on screen.

4. Brian O’Conner’s 1994 Toyota Supra

Closing out the train is the car that started it all. Brian’s legendary orange Toyota Supra — the “10-second car” he delivered to Toretto in the original film — features the legendary 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo inline-six engine. It’s one of the most memorable moments in franchise history, and it now caps every single ride vehicle lineup on Hollywood Drift.

The Entrance and Loading Area

The attraction entrance is designed as a worn brick warehouse covered in a massive mural painted in the franchise’s iconic graffiti style. From the moment you walk in, you’re in the world of Fast & Furious — gritty, kinetic, and street-level.

The loading area continues that aesthetic: an abandoned warehouse vibe that mimics the setting of a real street race. The centerpiece is a large-scale spray-painted mural created by world-renowned artist Tristan Eaton — the same artist behind the stunning Universal Monsters murals on the backlot. If you know Eaton’s work, you know this mural is going to be a photo destination on its own.

The loading operation uses dual loading on both sides of the loading area, with a rotating track that alternates between sides for efficiency. With a train capacity of 16, throughput should be solid once the attraction gets into full operation.

72 MPH — Faster Than VelociCoaster

Let’s talk about that speed number. VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is one of the most acclaimed roller coasters in the world, topping out at 70 mph. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift hits 72 mph — 2 mph faster, and that’s before factoring in the 360-degree rotation technology that makes the vehicles spin to simulate drifting.

That rotation technology is the feature that makes this ride truly unique. It’s not a gimmick — the sensation of being in a car that’s actively drifting while traveling at high speed on an aerial coaster is something no other Universal attraction currently delivers. This is a genuine thrill ride at the highest level.

When Does Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Open?

No specific opening date has been announced yet, but Universal has confirmed the ride is expected to open sometime in summer 2026. If you’re planning a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood, keep an eye out for the official opening date announcement — this one will have lines from day one.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is shaping up to be exactly what Universal Studios Hollywood has needed: a top-tier thrill coaster with incredible views, a beloved IP, and genuine technical innovation in the ride system. Summer 2026 cannot come fast enough. Stay with DisMornings for all the coverage as the opening approaches.

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!