Universal Studios Hollywood
USH finally has a real outdoor coaster, and it's officially open. 72 mph, four launches, spinning cars, inverting elements — an Intamin machine in a Fast & Furious skin that officially opened September 16, 2026, per Universal. Confirmed specs are here; my firsthand verdict is still pending.
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Thrill
High Thrill
Typical Wait
~75 min
Lightning Lane
Express Pass
Height
51" min
Ideal For
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Thrill
High Thrill
Typical Wait
~75 min
Lightning Lane
Express Pass
Height
51" min
Ideal For
—
Sarah's Verdict
Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins · Universal & Coaster Expert
Sarah's Verdict
Universal & Coaster Expert
I've been waiting years for USH to build an actual outdoor coaster instead of another screen-and-motion-base dark ride, and on paper Hollywood Drift delivers — 72 mph, four launches, spinning cars, inversions, built by Intamin. It's officially open now, but I haven't ridden it myself yet, and I'm not going to fake …
Pros
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Worth it if…
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Revenge of the Mummy is better than anything at Disneyland. I said what I said. It's a launched indoor coaster that goes from 0 to 45 mph in the dark and most people walk past it because it looks old from the outside. Those people are wrong and I feel sorry for them.
Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge is the most technically impressive mild-thrill ride I've ever been on, and I say that as someone who thinks screen rides are usually a cop-out. The AR headset and physical set design work together in a way that genuinely surprises. Bring your competitive instincts — there is an actual score and you will want to beat everyone in your kart.
The queue through Hogwarts castle is worth the wait even if you never got on the ride. But you should get on the ride. Just know going in that this is one of the more motion-sickness-prone attractions in any theme park — not because it spins but because it combines physical movement with fast-moving screens in a way that can scramble your head if you're at all susceptible.
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