Universal’s ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ Coaster Finally Has an Official Opening Date and a New Trailer

Theme park thrill-seekers have been chasing rumors and testing updates for well over a year now, ever since Universal Studios Hollywood first teased plans for a coaster built entirely around one of Hollywood’s most enduring action franchises. That long stretch of speculation, soft openings and delayed timelines is finally coming to an end.

The ride in question, ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift‘, has spent months cycling through technical rehearsals and passholder previews since testing began, with rumors periodically swirling about further delays tied to noise complaints from surrounding neighborhoods. Universal had repeatedly pushed back against those rumors, insisting the coaster would still debut sometime during summer 2026, even as a concrete date remained elusive.

That wait is officially over. Universal Studios Hollywood has confirmed ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ will have its official grand opening on Wednesday, September 16, following the release of a first-look trailer showcasing the ride’s sleek, chrome-heavy visuals set against the park’s iconic backdrop.

Located on the Upper Lot in a red brick garage-themed structure, the coaster is billed as the fastest in Universal’s entire portfolio, reaching speeds up to 72 miles per hour across 4,100 feet of aerial track, roughly the length of twelve football fields. Its signature feature is a 360-degree rotation system built into each vehicle, designed to simulate the sensation of drifting cars as riders spin independently throughout the course.

Part of what’s made the coaster such a talking point among franchise fans is its vehicle lineup, which draws directly from some of the series’ most recognizable rides. The four ride vehicles are modeled after Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger, Han Seoul-Oh’s 1997 Mazda RX-7, Brian O’Conner’s 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R, and his 1994 Toyota Supra, with each car offering a distinct ride experience depending on which vehicle guests are seated in.

The attraction also leans into some notable technological firsts for the park, including a fully independent audio system that surrounds riders with engine and sound effects unique to their specific car, along with a transparent encased section of track that runs directly through the queue to build anticipation before guests even board. Each train seats sixteen people, with a minimum height requirement of 51 inches to ride.

The coaster’s rollout has been part of a broader promotional push tied to the franchise, including a Vin Diesel-narrated television commercial that aired during Super Bowl LX, the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the 2026 NBA All-Star Game earlier this year. Universal is also bringing a version of the ride to Universal Studios Florida in 2027, where it will replace the previous ‘Fast & Furious: Supercharged’ attraction, which closed its doors in mid-August.

With technical rehearsals and passholder previews now giving way to an actual confirmed launch date, longtime fans of both the franchise and the park’s thrill-ride lineup finally have a concrete reason to circle their calendars.

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