Recently, I had the opportunity to hang out with Vin Diesel at the exciting new Fast and Furious attraction in Universal Orlando Resorts. As part of the Universal “Blog Squad,” there are some perks that come with the experience.
Although the photo shows me standing next to a wax figure of Vin Diesel, he was indeed present at the opening event, along with other stars from the Fast and Furious movie series. Universal Studios Orlando unveiled its latest ride this month, inspired by the Fast and Furious franchise.
Let me tell you, Vin Diesel knows how to make an entrance.
In the ride, you board a party bus heading to a post-race celebration when chaos erupts. The FBI attempts to raid the party, leading the villain Owen Shaw (played by actor Luke Evans in both the film and the ride) straight to your bus. It turns out there is someone on board that Shaw is desperately seeking. As the ride unfolds, you find yourself in a high-speed chase through the streets of San Francisco, with members of the Fast and Furious crew doing everything they can to protect you.
The ride vehicle is similar to the King Kong ride (Skull Island: Reign of Kongโข), although I must admit I have a slight preference for the Kong ride. After all, it’s hard to compete with dinosaurs and a giant ape. Unlike Kong, the Fast and Furious ride is in high-resolution 2D, eliminating the need for 3D glasses. In Hollywood, Fast and Furious premiered as part of the tram ride at Universal Studios, rather than as a standalone attraction.
Fans of the movie series will appreciate the attention to detail in the attraction’s queue. You’ll pass through a warehouse filled with vehicles from the movies, and there are several Easter eggs hidden throughout, including pink slips from street races, electronic boxes referencing previous attractions, and pictures of the stars in the movie series in the “family room” or break room.
Similar to the Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallonโข ride, Fast and Furious features a virtual queue system, allowing guests to obtain a timed entry using either a kiosk near the ride or the Universal app.
One of the challenges of operating a theme park is keeping the rides updated with content that appeals to current fans. Fast and Furious is a solid addition that fans of the franchise will enjoy, although some may wish the ride was a bit longer.
Overall, my experience with Vin Diesel and the Fast and Furious attraction was thrilling, and I highly recommend checking it out for fans of the franchise and adrenaline-packed adventures.
One of the challenges of running a theme park is keeping the rides updated with movies and shows that current fans know. Fast and Furious is a solid upgrade that fans will enjoy, although the ride could be a bit longer.
