The New Fast & Furious Attraction at Universal Orlando Is the Car Lover's Ride
I don't have friends. I got thrills.
UNIVERSALBefore you get anywhere near the actual ride portion of the Fast & Furious: Supercharged attraction at Universal Studios Florida, you enter a building that looks like a warehouse with a hint of detention facility. It is exactly the kind of building frequented by the motley, lovable characters who populate the eight (and counting) installments of the Fast & Furious movie franchise, which launched in 2001 and has grossed $5.1 billion. In fact, the building has been designed and built with such attention to detail that you forget the theme park that surrounds you—the lovely water-taxi ride from the hotel, the line at the Harry Potter ride, the guy selling churros, the gift shops.
In a way you didn’t quite expect, you are immersed. Nothing about this theme-park attraction looks like a theme-park attraction. The sign that says how tall you have to be to ride looks like some kind of industrial notice outside an abandoned factory. The fencing that guides ride-goers through the queue is the kind you might have to jump over to escape the law. Everything is covered with a patina of real-looking rust.
“The crew did a great job of making everything extremely authentic,” says Mike West, the executive producer behind the attraction. “We’ve got security cameras, which of course are for Tej”—the tech whiz played by Ludacris—“to see what’s going on.”
“WE’VE GOT SECURITY CAMERAS, WHICH OF COURSE ARE FOR TEJ”
As you make your way through the line, the Florida sunshine disappears and suddenly you’re in the garage, a 5,400-square-foot cavern built of steel and concrete and motor oil. Actual cars from the films—the Dodge Daytona and the Ford Escort from Fast & Furious 6, among others—are right there. There are areas designated for NOS replacement, brake repair. “Everything, every tool, every carburetor, every brake—it’s all real,” says West. Dennis McCarthy, the picture car coordinator who consults on the franchise, was instrumental in designing the experience.
The music grows louder, thumping through the walls. The line funnels you into a bus, and you’re told that you’re going to a party, which is when you get to the actual ride portion. And after all this, the ride feels like a bonus. The whole experience is not only a car nut’s dream, it also gives you the same gift you get from watching a great movie in a dark theater: the best kind of escape.
About the Ride
- Opened: April 23, 2018
- Years it took to build: Four-ish
- Number of actual movie cars used: 12
- Number of wax Vin Diesel statues: One
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