Universal Studios Hollywood has officially set a grand opening date for its newest thrill ride, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. The long-anticipated outdoor coaster will welcome theme park guests starting Wednesday, September 16. However, some lucky visitors have already had a chance to experience the ride, which began what the park calls "technical rehearsals" or a soft opening on Monday afternoon.
These technical rehearsals, where Universal fine-tunes operations, mean the ride is not yet officially open to the public and its availability isn't guaranteed daily. While annual passholders or those who simply cannot wait might find it worthwhile to try their luck, visitors seeking assurance before buying a ticket are advised to wait until the official September 16 opening. This method of previewing eagerly awaited attractions is not new for the park; Super Nintendo World also welcomed guests about a month before its official 2023 debut using a similar approach.
First announced three years ago, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift was initially slated to open this summer. Its construction has been visible to park-goers for years, with tracks winding over and under the escalators connecting Universal's upper and lower lots. The ride is described as the park’s first outdoor, high-speed coaster, designed to spin vehicles 360 degrees while on the track to simulate a “drift” sensation. These custom ride vehicles are based on iconic cars from the Fast & Furious franchise, including Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, and Toyota Supra models, traveling at speeds up to 72 miles per hour.
The new coaster’s operation hasn't been entirely without local notice. Despite initial promises of "sound reduction technology" when the ride was announced, reports surfaced this month of Toluca Lake residents complaining about hearing screams from the initial test rides. Rumors circulated that these noise concerns might delay the opening further. However, according to the L.A. Times, these claims appear to be unfounded, clearing the path for the announced September opening, though the ongoing situation with local residents is still to be determined.
This addition marks a significant thrill ride for Universal Studios Hollywood, whose only other high-speed coaster, Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, dates back to 2004. With the park's history of popular, if brief, coasters like Flight of the Hippogriff, there are high expectations for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.
