Universal Studios Hollywood is officially putting guests in the driver’s seat with Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the theme park’s first outdoor, high-speed roller coaster. Entertainment Affair got an early chance to experience the new attraction firsthand during a special media preview, and judging by the photos of our terrified faces, the ride definitely delivered on the adrenaline.

Inspired by the Fast & Furious films, the massive new coaster races across 4,100 feet of track, reaching speeds of up to 72 mph and forces of up to 3.6 Gs. Four launches propel riders through inversions, twists and turns as the coaster winds over and under portions of the park’s multilevel Starway escalator.

What really sets Hollywood Drift apart is right there in the name: the drifting. Individual ride vehicles are capable of 360-degree rotation, with their movements programmed to complement the coaster’s turns and maneuvers. Rather than feeling like a traditional spinning coaster, the vehicles shift your position as you race along the track, creating a sensation inspired by the drifting seen throughout the films.

That ended up being one of the biggest surprises of our experience. From the ground, watching the vehicles rotate while flying across the hillside can make Hollywood Drift look downright terrifying. Once aboard, however, everything feels remarkably smooth and controlled. It’s still intense — the launches come quickly, the speed is immediately noticeable and there are moments when you suddenly find yourself looking across Universal Studios Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley from an angle you definitely weren't expecting — but the result is as much fun as it is thrilling.

Bringing the Fast Saga to Life

The Fast & Furious experience begins before riders ever hit the track. Hollywood Drift’s garage-inspired queue features recreated props and references from throughout the franchise, while riders eventually climb aboard vehicles modeled after four recognizable cars from the films: the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra.

Each vehicle also features its own audio system with engine and sound effects unique to the car, adding another layer to the street-racing atmosphere. The attraction arrives as the Fast & Furious franchise celebrates its 25th anniversary, making the coaster a fitting addition for a series that has built its identity around cars, speed and increasingly ambitious action.

So, What’s It Actually Like?

If you’ve watched Hollywood Drift racing across the hillside and thought, Absolutely not, we understand. We had a similar reaction before getting on, but what surprised us most was just how much fun the coaster is once you’re strapped in.

Hollywood Drift delivers the adrenaline you expect from something this massive without feeling unnecessarily rough or disorienting. The drifting feels purposeful, while the constantly changing orientation gives riders different perspectives of the track and surrounding park throughout the experience.

More importantly, the coaster brings something genuinely new to Universal Studios Hollywood. The park has long been known for attractions that combine immersive environments with major movie properties, but Hollywood Drift adds a serious outdoor thrill ride to the mix while taking full advantage of the park’s unique hillside setting. The panoramic views from the track are pretty spectacular too — assuming you’re brave enough to keep your eyes open. We managed to, at least most of the time.

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is now open at Universal Studios Hollywood, and yes, we survived.