THE FAST & FURIOUS: HOLLYWOOD DRIFT!
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOD:
THE THRILL OF A RIDE!
By Emmanuel and Felix Itier.
Once again, and after more than 20 years, here we are, as a family, gracing the divine entertaining land of Hollywood:
Universal Studios Hollywood (https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us ). This time it was even more of a family affair as my oldest boy, Felix, is now married with Alexx and they have a 2-month-old baby girl: Lilé. And so, we all went to Universal Studios, on the eve of Labor Day and on an unexpected very rainy day! Buckle up, and let’s ride! Talking of which, we had to start the day with trying to get on ‘Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift’. This ride was not even open to the public. They were still testing it with a very selective group of people and for the ticket holders of the Halloween Horror nights (https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us ). After a few conversations with various employees and realizing we were a passionate family knowing everything about the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise, they let us in for this insane unique opportunity. Immediately I felt I was back 25 years ago, on the back lot of Universal Studios interviewing a very young cast of fairly unknown actors: Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster and of course, Vin Diesel. That film took Hollywood by surprised and 10 sequels after it is still ruling the box office. Needless to say, that after experiencing the ride: ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood drift’, this roller coaster is 100% certain to dethrone any other experience you had before; period! With groundbreaking 360-degree rotating ride vehicles and at a maximum speed of 72 miles per hour, and using a linear synchronous motor, you will truly get a wild sensation of speed drifting like in a real car. You will be able to board a Mazda RX-7, a Nissan Skyline GT-R, a Toyota Supra or the iconic Dodge Charger from the movies. Not only this is an insane adrenaline rush but with over 4,100 feet of track it’s one of the longest roller coasters I have ever taken. This ride only lasts 90 seconds but trust me, it will feel much longer, and you will jump, right in the line, for a second take; like in the movies! At times you will truly feel like you are flying and about to be ejected from your seat. But safety is a must a Universal Studios Hollywood and you have nothing to fear. These folks know what they are doing since the early days of the public tour date back to March 15, 1915, and with the opening of the “modern” theme park on July 15, 1964. Quite an impressive longevity and such a success story. What also is so unique about this “fast and furious” ride is its unpredictability and leaving you guessing if you are about to accelerate, twist, flip or do a full 360 rotation, truly a mix of thrill, suspense and fun, I had never experienced in such a wild wild ride. With this fantastic, breathtaking ride and combined with the ‘Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ and the ‘Super Nintendo World’, Universal Studios Hollywood has conquered the heart of every family in the US and abroad as the #1 vacation destination. 10 years in the making it is worth the wait and the grand opening to the public starts on Wednesday September 16! Get your tickets: Now! And don’t forget to fasten your mind-belts. The drift is on!
Special Thanks to Universal Studios Hollywood: Anastasia Lee.
