When a brand-new roller coaster debuts at a major theme park, figuring out how to experience it without spending half your afternoon in a two-hour standby queue is top of mind for most travelers. That is exactly why Universal Studios Hollywood has quietly introduced a new single-ride line-skipping option for its latest headline attraction—and it comes with a few surprisingly flexible booking perks.
According to Frommer’s, Universal began offering the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Timed Express Access Add-On on November 2, 2026. Priced between $19.95 and $24.95 per person depending on the date (in addition to standard single-day park admission, which ranges from around $100 to $155, and $40 parking), the add-on grants one-time Express lane entry during a preselected return window on the park’s new mountainside coaster, which opened in September.
Universal describes the custom-built thrill ride as featuring “groundbreaking 360-degree rotation technology designed to create a seamless sensation of drifting cars as guests spin in motion at speeds up to 72 mph, while careening along 4,100 feet of elaborate aerial track-the equivalent of nearly 12 football fields-that winds its way over sections of the theme park.” Without Express access, average standby wait times for the coaster hover around 90 minutes. Notably, Universal’s standard Universal Express Pass—which starts at $190 per day including park admission and covers most other rides—does not include Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, making this standalone add-on (or a VIP Experience tour) the primary paid shortcut.
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While the $20-to-$25 price range mirrors what Disney charges for individual Lightning Lane Single Pass attractions, Universal built in two notable scheduling differences that make advance trip planning a breeze.
First, guests do not have to wake up at 7 a.m. a few days before their trip to compete for a time slot. Universal lets visitors book their Timed Express Access Add-On any day in advance using an online calendar under the “Extras” section of its website. Second, Universal gives guests the option to pay $1.40 extra at checkout to cancel for any reason and receive a full refund—a rarity for theme park line-skipping passes, which are typically nonrefundable once purchased unless an attraction experiences extended downtime.
If you’re planning an East Coast theme park trip next year, keep an eye out: Universal is slated to open a sister version of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Florida in 2027, though the company has not yet announced whether single-ride Express access will debut alongside it in Orlando.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Nov 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
