News has been coming out of Universal Studios Hollywood at a fast and furious pace, and today we learned the “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” roller coaster will open on the Upper Lot in 2026. But we have all sorts of other news from the movie capital of the world… including a new Fall Guy stunt show, updates to the world-famous studio tour, Butterbeer season (yum) and lots more…
Fast & Furious Coaster News
Universal Hollywood’s first-ever, high-speed outdoor coaster (the park currently offers the outdoor family-friendly Flight of the Hippogriff and indoor Revenge of the Mummy—The Ride) will employ innovative technology “never previously employed in a roller coaster.”
According to Universal, the ride’s state-of-the-art ride system is “uniquely designed to immerse guests within the high-speed Fast & Furious universe,” including ride vehicles that rotate 360-degrees (similar to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Walt Disney World) and a track constructed with sound reduction technology, which is undoubtedly good news to nearby neighbors.
According to the Community Impact Report submitted to the city (a process we learned a lot about thanks to DisneylandForward), Universal has committed to several noise-reducing mitigations for this attraction.
“We are excited to introduce our very first, high-speed outdoor roller coaster,” said Universal Studios Hollywood EVP & GM Scott Strobl. “As Universal Studios Hollywood continues to evolve, the arrival of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will be a powerful game changer that will infuse a new level of thrill into our already dynamic theme park, and we look forward to welcoming guests when it races onto the scene in 2026.”
Guests will queue inside a large garage-style structure before boarding ride vehicles modeled after cars featured in the Fast & Furious films and “catapulting” along a track that extends over parts of the theme park.
Construction photos from February show the scope of the project, which explains the 2026 opening date.
The garage-style queue seems similar to the warehouse entrance for the free-standing Fast & Furious – Supercharged attraction at Universal Studios Florida.
Worth noting is that when listing attractions on the Studio Tour, the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift press release does not mention Fast & Furious – Supercharged, fueling ongoing rumors that the 4D experience will be replaced once the new coaster opens.
Fall Guy Stunt Show
A new limited-run “The Fall Guy Stuntacular Pre-Show” debuted April 27, 2024, and runs through May 19, 2024.
Inspired by the new “The Fall Guy” movie starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt (which opened in theaters on May 3, 2024), the new live pre-show features an original storyline celebrating the stunt performers who, let’s face it, are a HUGE reason why we love action movies!
The new pre-show uses the existing “Waterworld” set but features brand-new stunts. An exclusive “The Fall Guy” photo op is also available in the park.
Our Scott Solo was at the first performance of The Fall Guy Stuntacular on April 27th and was delighted by the surprise appearance of Ryan Gosling and director David Leitch. You can see a clip of what Ryan and David had to say and a bit of the show in our video below:
This short pre-show is a love letter to stunt performers and packs a lot of action into a short amount of time.
The pre-show has its own independent storyline, showing the comical backstage perspective of a stunt crew. As the characters in the show are preparing for their stunts there is some quick, funny banter in the show and showing off with wonderful jet ski flips and tricks, and pyrotechnics synced with jumps and stunt falls from 40+ feet into the water. The ‘stunt coordinator’ is constantly antagonizes the movie director about whose stunts are better, and at the end of the show, one of them ends up…hung out to dry.
It’s a quick and loosely written show, but it delivers all the fun and excitement you’d want from a movie stunt show. The star and director of The Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling and David Leitch, actually played a part in the first performance (don’t expect to see them in future performances).
Here’s a look at the movie, which proves Ryan is definitely more than Kenough!
Butterbeer Season & Honeydukes Ice Cream Shop!
This year marked the first-ever Butterbeer Season, a new annual celebration of the iconic Harry Potter beverage! The celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood continues through June 2nd and included the addition of an ice cream counter!
Replacing the Zonko’s store inside Honeydukes at the Wizard World of Harry Potter, Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Counter features 10 soft serve ice cream flavors including Butterbeer, Banana, Chocolate, Mint, Orange, Vanilla, Toffee Nut, Granny Smith Apple, Pistachio, and Toffee Apple— served in either a cup or waffle cone.
While not quite the same as Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, we’re ecstatic to see one of our favorite treats from Orlando making its way to the West Coast. The land previously had pre-packaged hard-pack Butterbeer ice cream, but this new counter is packing in the crowds!
Just like the Orlando ice cream parlor, Florean Fortescue’s soft serve is ice cream with a flavor swirl. So in the case of Butterbeer, it’s a vanilla soft serve with a butterscotch and shortbread flavored syrup swirl.
Returning with the Florean Fortescue remodel is the dessert case. I’m quite partial to the pumpkin cake (a pumpkin-flavored cake that’s decorated like a pumpkin!).
Additionally, for the length of Butterbeer season, cold and frozen Butterbeer will be available for purchase in a special collectible silver stein.
It’s not all ice cream and butterbeer, there’s a lot more going on at Universal…
Universal Studio Tour Celebrates 60 Years!
Before 1964, Hollywood studio tours weren’t really a thing, but that was the year Universal Studios began giving behind-the-scenes tours of their studio backlot. 60 years later, it still remains one of the main draws for Universal Studios Hollywood, drawing tourists from all over the world to see a real working movie studio!
Check out our guide for all the details about the 60th-anniversary celebration:
Universal’s Studios Tram Tour Gets Sexy for Sixty – NEW PHOTOS!
With the actual 60th anniversary date fast approaching, Universal Studios has added a few surprises to the tour experience, including the return of the Glamor Trams designed by Disney Legend Harper Goff. While these aren’t the actual original 1964 trams, the modern trams have been gussied up for the 60th anniversary with a beautiful overlay evoking the feel of the original “Glamor Trams.”
The sides are now adorned with the Studio Tour 60th anniversary logo and the classic “Universal Studios Glamor Tram” replacing the standard “Universal Studios” across the doors.
Also, of note is that the Glamor Trams are the older gas-powered trams, which are eventually slated to be replaced by the electric trams. Universal is committed to switching all of their trams to electric and much of the fleet has already been converted.
While the Studio Lot is sprucing up its modern trams, if you’re coming up the hill from the Metro station you’ll spot a familiar tram operating as a shuttle to CityWalk. The cars on the shuttle are actually the original Glamor Trams! It’s wonderful that the old trams continue to stay in operation. We’d love to see this redressed to their original look as well.
Universal Photo Tour
In preparation for the 60th celebration, I dragged my 35mm film camera out to the park to shoot the tour as it is right now. I grabbed a roll of CineStill 800T, which is a modified version of the Kodak film stock that Hollywood cameras use, hoping that it’ll make things look a bit more cinematic. Let me know if you folks think the extra effort of shooting the film was worth it in the comments down below.
Universal Studios backlot is filled with sets, streets, houses, buildings and even lakes seen in movies, TV shows, and commercials all over the world. Some of the backlot dates back to the early 1900s – though, almost everything has been changed, refurbished, or rebuilt over the decades to accommodate whatever the last production was that used them.
Including the Town Square from Back to the Future, a fan-favorite location which burned in a massive 2008 fire that destroyed historic sets, the original King Kong attraction and even movie vaults containing priceless films and television shows. But, just two years later, Universal had rebuilt the area.
Before entering Skull Island, eagle-eyed visitors might spot the defunct Runaway Train which has been moved to the also defunct Collapsing Bridge. Lots of history is still on display in the backlot.
Now entering Skull Island…
While Universal Studios utilizes similar tech in their parks worldwide, King Kong 360’s utilization of 360 screens, 3D, and motion simulation still remains one of the most elegant versions. While getting a bit old and not quite as awe-inspiring as the original huge Bob Gurr-designed animatronic destroyed in the 2008 fire, it retains the cinematic quality of the source material. Although, Universal Studios has a dark sense of humor where they love depicting park guests in danger (as evidenced by the last car of the tram being ripped away by the Skull Island inhabitants).
With the addition of Fast and Furious Supercharged, the previous Fast and Furious picture car demonstration was shelved. The next part of the tour is now just driving through rows of picture cars.
Did you think you were going to stay dry on the tour?
There’s nowhere to hide from Universal’s water effects. Much of Southern California actually looked like the Flash Flood demonstration the past couple of weeks.
Tour guides proudly explain that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood had scenes filmed in Six Points, Texas. It’s almost like Leo is right there.
I was assured by the tour guide that they had caught the shark, but then who’s this?
I always thought that Colonial Street might make for a great Michael Myers chase sequence for Halloween Horror Nights’ Terror Tram…
Jupiter’s Claim from Jordan Peele’s Nope is the newest addition to the Studio Tour, and it’s a feast for the eyes.
This was actually my first time riding through on the tram tour, I had only previously walked through during the Halloween Horror Nights‘ Terror Tram. It’s a lot less menacing without Us’ Tethered walking around.
Of course, definitely don’t look up. Nope.
Although, it’d be pretty hard to do since there’s a roof on the tram.
Finally, the Studio Tour ends with Fast and Furious Supercharged.
My glowing review of King Kong 360 unfortunately doesn’t extend to the use of the same technology for Supercharged. While Kong feels like an authentic extension of the Peter Jackson film, Fast and Furious Supercharged doesn’t have the same cinematic look and feels more like cheap video game graphics.
I suspect we’ll be receiving that visceral feeling when the Fast and Furious coaster opens. When it does, I hope that Universal Studios can find a new property to take residence in this spot. The studio had three big hits last year: “Fast X,” “The Super Mario Bros Movie,” and “Oppenheimer;” I’m sure they can figure something out. What do you folks think should replace Fast and Furious Supercharged?
The Earthquake sequence also received a refurbishment for the 60th.
The tram didn’t drive through the Psycho or War of the Worlds sets (which are located next to each other).
Celebrating One Year of Super Nintendo World!
It’s been more than a year since Super Nintendo World officially opened at Universal Studios Hollywood! Universal celebrating the milestone with a golden Mario Power-Up band and a new Mario-themed restaurant.
The anniversary Power-Up band is $52 and is available at any of the Super Nintendo World shops around the park as well as inside the land itself at the Power-Up band kiosk.
A Nintendo-themed snack shop on the Upper Lot. Power-Up Cafe is cleverly integrated into the New York facades across from the central plaza.
Popcorn, pretzels, calzones, and specialty drinks are available for sale. I appreciate the dedication to keeping all the food items heavily themed to Mario (like Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World).
Let’s take a brief tour of the land…
Incredibly, Universal Studios’ maintenance team has managed to keep all the little animated figures in working order. Most if not all looked like they were moving during my visit. Impressive work.
This is also a great time to revisit the video I shot last year for the opening of the land. Super Nintendo World is so densely packed with detail that no photos or video is going to do it justice, but it’s fun to capture as much as possible.
For more information about the 1st anniversary and general information about Super Nintendo World, check out our article below:
Let’s-a-Go! Universal Studios Hollywood Celebrates One Year of Super Nintendo World
This and That
Universal is also now offering a rewards credit card and has set up shop to sell it in the park. Other theme park competitors have been doing this, but this is new for Universal Studios.
The team members selling the card are offering extra in-park applications bonuses.
Almost all of the Upper Lot’s French street is getting refurbished. Looks like new paint.
There are walls up around Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’s extended queue (about where the Weasley’s magical car is). Not sure what exactly is being built here. There are also walls up around the stage where the Frog Choir performs.
Universal Studios Hollywood MiceShots
I’ll round out this update with some pretty MiceShots from around the park, but first, a story.
Above is a photo of what happens when film is improperly exposed to light. The latch on the back of my 35mm film camera broke (again) right before I was going to get in line for the Studio Tour. This exposed the loaded film to full sunlight, ruining about $1 worth of film.
Shout out to the team members who got me over to the Kwik-E-Mart and hooked me up with some tape and rubber bands to hold the camera together to shoot the 35mm photos for this update. Shooting with a camera that came out when I was two years old has…interesting quirks. Still, can’t deny the results:
There was a heavy haze in Hollywood when I visited Universal Studios. Surprisingly, this didn’t affect many of my photos, but it did create a beautifully warm sunset that filtered through the haze.
I love visiting Super Nintendo World in the evening as the lighting is strikingly gorgeous.
Coming here reminded me there’s another Jurassic World film coming out next year.
As I was writing this, it was announced the sequel will be directed by Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla,” “Rogue One,” “The Creator”)! If you didn’t see “The Creator” last year, it’s an underrated intimate character-driven sci-fi flick (and absolutely not the low-brow action film the marketing made it out to be). Regardless, exciting news for Jurassic World 4.
I came to Universal planning to shoot Waterworld, but not the evening show. Additionally, my telephoto lens was giving me trouble (it decides to randomly not fire now), so these ended up being the weakest photos in the roll.
Still, great show! Highly recommend the evening show for cool temperatures and dramatic lighting.
I’ll end with some evening photos around Hogsmeade. It really was hard to just pick a few for the end of the roll.
That’s it for now from “The Entertainment Capital of LA.” With surprises coming to the world-famous Studio Tour, a massive new coaster coming soon, and the continued success of Super Nintendo World, there are many exciting things to come and we can’t wait to come back!
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Let’s Hear From You!
Do you like what you see of the Fall Guy Stuntacular? Ready for some butterbeer soft-serve ice cream? What do you think of the return of Glamor Trams? Are you ready for another Fast & Furious attraction? Let us know in the comments below.
- UPDATED March 12, 2024, with photos and news about the Glamor Trams.
- UPDATED March 14, 2024, with photos and news about Butterbeer Season and a new butter beer ice cream shop.
- UPDATED March 27, 2024, with photos of the newly opened ice cream shop.
- UPDATED April 27, 2024, with Fall Guy stuntacular photos and video.
- UPDATED May 3, 2024, with Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opening date.