Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift
Universal Studios Hollywood · Upper Lot
Overview
Cars styled after the Fast & Furious films anchor this launch coaster, each spinning a full 360 degrees along the track to simulate the sensation of drifting at speed. Riders launch out of a garage-themed queue building onto an elevated track on the Upper Lot. At 72 mph it's the fastest coaster at any Universal park.
ParksLog verdict
The park's marquee new coaster: a genuinely fast, novel spinning launch coaster with real Fast & Furious pedigree. Thrill-seekers should put it first on the list, and fans of the films will enjoy the theming, but younger or motion-sensitive guests may find the spinning on top of the launches a lot.
About this experience
High-speed outdoor launch coaster with 360-degree spinning vehicles themed to the Fast & Furious franchise, launching riders across an elevated track above the Starway.
Best for
- Coaster enthusiasts chasing the fastest launch at any Universal park
- Fast & Furious franchise fans
- Thrill-seekers looking for the park's most intense ride
Tips
- As the park's newest headliner it draws the longest standby waits, so ride it early in the day or use Express.
- Check the app for a single rider line once standby settles in.
- The elevated track is easy to spot around the Upper Lot, so you'll likely see it in action before you ride it.
Details
History
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift was built on the Upper Lot site formerly occupied by Universal's Animal Actors and the Special Effects Stage, both of which closed in January 2023 to make way for it. It soft-opened for limited technical rehearsals on July 27, 2026, and officially opened on September 16, 2026, after earlier announced dates were pulled.
Fun facts
- At 72 mph, it's the fastest coaster at any Universal theme park.
- It replaced Universal's Animal Actors and the Special Effects Stage, which both closed in January 2023 on the same Upper Lot site.
