Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift takes a significant step closer to opening at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal’s engineering team has begun riding the coaster — the clearest signal yet that the park’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster is on track for its summer debut.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has welcomed its first human riders at Universal Studios Hollywood, with Universal Creative team members — including Ride Engineers and Programmers — boarding the coaster as part of the formal commissioning process. The ride vehicles remain wrapped in dazzle camouflage, though unwrapped trains have been visible on the track since March. An original mural by artist Tristan Eaton, depicting the climactic street racing scene from the first film, is already visible in the load station.

First ridership is a meaningful milestone in coaster construction. It marks the point at which a ride transitions from mechanical testing to human-loaded refinement — the final phase of adjustments before a public opening. Universal Studios Hollywood’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster has been in testing since October 2025. The Intamin-manufactured ride spans 4,100 feet of track, features 360-degree spinning vehicles themed to iconic cars from the franchise, and will reach speeds of 72 mph — making it the fastest coaster in the Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio.

An exact opening date has not been confirmed. Universal has consistently pointed to summer 2026, and this commissioning milestone is consistent with that window. A Florida version of the ride — replacing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, which closed in August 2025 — is also under construction at Universal Studios Florida, with a 2027 opening scheduled.

The TT Take: First ridership doesn’t mean imminent opening, but it does mean the hard engineering work is largely done. Universal now has people on this ride, gathering data, making final adjustments — and that is exactly where you want to be if summer 2026 is the target. The 360-degree spinning cars, the Tristan Eaton mural, the 72 mph top speed: on paper, this has the makings of a genuinely landmark addition — not just for Universal Hollywood, but for the US theme park market. The one thing the announcement still doesn’t answer is the only thing visitors actually want to know: a date. Until Universal confirms one, the summer window remains a promise rather than a plan.

Source: Universal Creative Official Instagram