Universal has a major new attraction nearly ready for its official debut, but the coaster’s early rides aren’t generating excitement for everyone.
Guests have spent months waiting to experience Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. Now that riders are finally getting aboard, some are discovering that the biggest obstacle isn’t the coaster itself.
Reports from early riders have raised concerns about restrictive seating, particularly for taller and larger guests. While plenty of people have ridden without problems, others have struggled to get the restraint into an approved position or have been unable to ride at all.
And for Universal, this isn’t exactly unfamiliar territory.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Takes Universal in a New Direction
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is set to become one of the biggest thrill rides at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The attraction marks the park’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster and turns the Fast & Furious franchise into a completely different experience. Rather than relying primarily on screens, Universal created a coaster with ride vehicles inspired by cars from the films.
Those vehicles can rotate as they travel along the track, giving riders the sensation of drifting through portions of the course.
Universal is also bringing the concept to Florida. Another version of Hollywood Drift is under construction at Universal Studios Florida, where it will replace the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. That coaster is scheduled to open in 2027.
Hollywood guests, however, are getting the first opportunity to see how the new coaster works.
Early Riders Are Running Into Restraint Problems
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift entered technical rehearsals ahead of its official grand opening, giving regular Universal Studios Hollywood guests an early opportunity to ride.
Annual Pass Members are also getting exclusive previews on August 19, 20, 21, and 23.
While that should be an exciting opportunity, some guests have walked away disappointed.
Early riders have reported problems fitting into the coaster’s restraints. One guest said they traveled from Colorado, waited three hours, boarded the attraction, and then learned they couldn’t ride because they were too tall. That guest reported being 6 feet, 4 inches tall.
Larger guests have also described difficulties getting the lap restraint into the required position.
There isn’t one simple height or weight that determines whether someone will fit. A person’s thighs, waist, height, and overall proportions can all affect the restraint.
Some larger and taller guests have successfully ridden Hollywood Drift. Others haven’t, which makes checking the test seat particularly important.
Universal Has Heard Similar Complaints Before
Hollywood Drift isn’t Universal’s first attraction to create concerns among larger riders.
Revenge of the Mummy can pose difficulties for some guests due to its lap restraint and limited lower-leg space. Some riders have also reported problems with the restraint on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Then there are major coasters such as Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster, where test seats help guests determine whether they can safely fit before committing to the full queue.
That doesn’t mean Universal can simply loosen its requirements. Coaster restraints must reach specific positions for riders to experience an attraction safely.
Still, repeated complaints across multiple rides raise questions about whether future vehicles could accommodate a broader range of body types.
Disney’s Coasters Can Be More Accommodating
Disney provides an interesting comparison.
Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can accommodate many plus-size riders.
That doesn’t mean every Disney attraction works for everyone. Taller guests may encounter limited legroom, and every restraint still has safety requirements.
However, Disney ride vehicles often provide more flexibility for different body sizes. Many Disney attractions also need to accommodate families, including adults riding alongside younger children.
Universal has placed greater emphasis on intense coaster experiences, and those rides come with complex restraint requirements. Even so, Hollywood Drift provides another example of why ride accessibility remains an important conversation.
Check Before Joining a Long Universal Queue
Anyone planning to ride Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift should remember that height and weight don’t tell the entire story.
Individual body proportions can make a major difference, so guests concerned about fitting should use the test seat before entering a lengthy queue whenever possible.
The same approach can help at Universal Orlando attractions, including Revenge of the Mummy, VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Hollywood Drift could become a major hit for Universal Studios Hollywood. Unfortunately, for some guests who have already waited only to discover they couldn’t ride, the experience has ended before the coaster ever left the station.
