News that a brand new coaster is coming to a theme park in California has fans ecstatic but especially because this one in particular has a special feature like no other – the highest speeds ever
If you’re a fan of thrills, spills and all things theme park, then you’ll be just as over the moon as other avid fans who are delighted with news of a brand new rollercoaster coming to a fan-favourite park. And not just a new coaster, but one with a big name brand attached to it that fans of the movie franchise, that has spanned over 11 movies no less, will revel in.
As if zipping about at ultra high speeds isn’t thrilling enough, the new ride coming to Universal Studios Hollywood is the fastest coaster they’ve ever created, with expected speeds of 72mph – faster than the park’s Islands of Adventure ride, Velocicoaster, which reach dizzying speeds of 70 mph, and is located over in Orlando, Florida.
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Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is the first-ever, high-speed outdoor roller coaster for the Californian park, launching in 2026, and will debut as the fastest roller coaster in the Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio. Work is already well underway and fans are ecstatic to see the exhilarating Fast & Furious universe brought to light.
Theme park super fan Karen McGregor, revealed the new coaster will see her travelling to the other coast of America. “I’m always in Orlando’s Universal parks as an annual passholder, but this news means I’ll be looking at flights to LA as soon as I find out the exact opening date.
“It’s so exciting to have a new outdoor coaster come to the west coast and I can’t wait to ride – and take the whole family. The teens will love it!”
Although an exact date hasn’t been released yet, fans already know what they’re in for after the ride vehicle was recently released. Riders can expect to zip along 4,100 feet of elaborate track inside a replica of main character Dominic Toretto’s car, which will have a groundbreaking 360-degree rotation.
Dom, played in the movie franchise by Hollywood actor Vin Diesel, is famous for driving a black 1970 Dodge Charger. The fully rotational ride vehicles will create a seamless sensation of drifting cars as guests spin in motion at furiously fast speeds while being catapulted along an aerial track that winds its way over sections of the theme park, including the multi-level escalator that connects the Upper and Lower Lots.
And in classic Universal style, the queue sounds just as fun as the ride itself, with fans expected to line up within an expansive garage-like structure before settling into one of four ride vehicles, designed to look like the iconic cars from the films. The ride will be located on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood bringing a whole new perspective to the park for visitors.
The ride will join Universal Studios Hollywood’s slate of unprecedented groundbreaking attractions, including the interactive land, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, featuring the critically-acclaimed Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge ride; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, Jurassic World—The Ride; Illumination’s award-winning The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash as well as the theme park’s signature, behind-the-scenes Studio Tour attraction.
If you fancy visiting, then you can buy a one day Universal Studios Hollywood ticket and get a second day free with AttractionTickets.com. Prices for 2026 start from £89 per adult and £85 per child based on Spring arrivals. The second day can be used any time within a week of the first.