Start your engines because Universal Studios Hollywood’s biggest new attraction is already taking guests for a spin!
Universal Studios Hollywood visitors may finally have the opportunity to experience Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the park’s highly anticipated outdoor roller coaster, before its official grand opening. The new attraction quietly began soft openings on July 27th, giving some lucky park guests an unexpected chance to board the franchise-inspired coaster. However, before you race over to Universal Studios Hollywood, there are a few important things you need to understand about this early testing period.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift began welcoming its first public riders through an unannounced soft opening on July 27th, 2026.
Photos and reports shared on social media showed guests gaining access to the attraction even though Universal Studios Hollywood had not formally announced that soft openings were beginning. Universal has also not confirmed an official grand-opening date for the new Fast & Furious roller coaster.
The coaster had been undergoing extensive testing for months ahead of its planned summer 2026 debut. Universal previously confirmed that the attraction would open sometime during the summer, but the company has not yet provided a specific opening date.
What Is a Theme Park Soft Opening?
A soft opening is essentially an extended operational test that allows a theme park to run a new attraction with real guests before its official opening date.
During this period, Universal Team Members can test loading procedures, ride capacity, safety protocols, technical systems, and other day-to-day operations. It also gives the attraction’s team an opportunity to identify and address potential issues before the ride officially opens to the general public.
However, a soft opening is never guaranteed.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift could open late, close early, experience extended downtime, or remain unavailable for an entire day. Access may also be limited to a smaller number of guests. Anyone visiting Universal Studios Hollywood during the soft-opening period should treat a possible ride on Hollywood Drift as an exciting bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the day.
Universal has not publicly announced how long the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift soft opening will continue.
What to Expect From Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is Universal Studios Hollywood’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster, and it appears ready to deliver exactly the kind of over-the-top action fans would expect from the Fast & Furious franchise.
The attraction will reach speeds of up to 72 miles per hour as its track twists, turns, and races above different areas of Universal Studios Hollywood.
The complete track measures approximately 4,100 feet, which Universal has compared to nearly 12 football fields. The sprawling coaster layout travels across portions of the theme park and passes over the Starway escalator system connecting Universal Studios Hollywood’s Upper Lot and Lower Lot.
That means guests will not only be able to experience the coaster but will also likely see its ride vehicles speeding overhead as they move around the park.
The Ride Vehicles Will Create a Drifting Sensation
The roller coaster’s ride vehicles will use 360-degree rotational technology designed to recreate the sensation of drifting.
Instead of simply facing forward throughout the attraction, riders will rotate as the vehicles travel along the track. The combination of high speeds, coaster maneuvers and controlled rotation is intended to make guests feel as though they are racing and drifting alongside the Fast & Furious crew.
Universal Studios Hollywood has revealed four different ride vehicle designs, each inspired by an iconic car associated with the Fast & Furious film franchise.
The complete lineup includes:
- Dominic Toretto’s black 1970 Dodge Charger
- Han Seoul-Oh’s Mazda RX-7
- Brian O’Conner’s blue Nissan Skyline GT-R
- Brian O’Conner’s orange Toyota Supra
Each vehicle features custom details inspired by its movie counterpart, including themed interior elements and onboard audio.
The coaster’s loading area is housed inside a red-brick, garage-inspired structure on the park’s Upper Lot, continuing the street-racing and automotive atmosphere associated with the films.
Can You Ride Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Right Now?
Possibly, but there is no guarantee that the coaster will be operating during your visit.
Because Universal has not officially announced the soft opening, the attraction’s operating schedule may change without notice. It could temporarily accept guests before closing for additional testing, technical adjustments, or Team Member training.
Guests visiting Universal Studios Hollywood should check the Universal Studios Hollywood app after entering the park and look for signage or Team Member instructions near the attraction.
It may also help to arrive early, but an early arrival still does not guarantee access. Soft openings can begin or end at practically any point during the operating day.
When Will Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Officially Open?
Universal Studios Hollywood has only announced that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will open in summer 2026.
As of July 28th, Universal has not confirmed a specific grand-opening date. The beginning of public soft openings suggests that the attraction is moving closer to its official debut, but that does not necessarily mean an announcement is imminent.
Testing and previews can continue for days or even weeks depending on the attraction’s operational needs.
A Fast & Furious Coaster Is Also Coming to Universal Orlando
Hollywood Drift will not remain exclusive to California forever.
Universal Orlando Resort has officially announced that a version of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will open at Universal Studios Florida in 2027. The Florida roller coaster is replacing the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit attraction and will be located near the park’s front entrance.
Universal has not revealed every detail about how the Orlando version will compare to the California coaster. However, the company is describing it as a high-speed, high-octane attraction based on the same Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift concept.
The project is also bringing another major change to Universal Studios Florida.
Fast & Furious — Supercharged will permanently close after August 16th, 2026. The attraction will no longer be available to guests beginning August 17th.
That means the upcoming coaster will eventually become Universal Orlando Resort’s primary Fast & Furious-themed attraction.
Should You Visit Universal Studios Hollywood for the Soft Opening?
Guests who were already planning a Universal Studios Hollywood vacation may now have an unexpected opportunity to experience one of the year’s biggest new theme park attractions.
However, we would not recommend purchasing a park ticket solely because Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has entered soft openings. Since the attraction does not currently have a published operating schedule, there is always a chance it will be unavailable when you visit.
Still, seeing the coaster accept its first public riders is a major milestone. After years of announcements, construction updates and testing, the Fast & Furious crew is finally getting ready to welcome guests into the family.
We’ll continue watching for an official opening date, additional operating information and any changes to the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift soft-opening process.
Be sure to check back with Theme Park Scope for the latest Universal Studios Hollywood news, Universal Orlando updates, new attraction announcements and everything else you need to know before your next theme park vacation.
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