Fast & Furious Ride: Is it the Worst Ride at Universal Studios?

ThemeParkHipster Full Fast and Furious Supercharged Ride Review

I know, you’ve heard all the bad reviews flooding the internet. Unhappy fans wanting something new seems to be the majority.

And I can understand why.

No, you don’t have to avoid Fast and Furious Supercharged attraction at Universal Studios Florida.

This ride has been the main source of controversy in many of the online theme park groups and forums.

Before you jump on the bandwagon of negativity, here are some my thoughts on the Fast and Furious ride and why you should or shouldn’t give it a chance.

And trust me, my opinion has changed since it’s over-the-top grand opening at Universal Studios.

Universal Orlando Resort Fast and Furious Supercharged Construction

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REVIEW: Fast and Furious Ride at Universal Studios

The Fast and Furious is a major film series with a huge cult following.

The concept of adding it to a theme park was brought to reality at Universal Studios Hollywood as a stop on the famous tram tour.

Backlot Studio Tour Fast and Furious Supercharged Universal Studios Hollywood California

It was a great addition to the tour and since has been added to the Florida park as its own standalone attraction.

Fast and Furious Supercharged at Universal Studios
Photo Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

With all the hype that surrounded it, many fans were excited for the new ride to open except a small group like myself.

Universal Orlando Resort Fast and Furious Supercharged Ride at Universal Studios Florida

I, myself, had been burn a couple of years prior with the opening of Skull Island: Reign of Kong because I thought it was going to be a totally different type of attraction than what we got.

So disappointed 🙁

Lower Your Expectations

My lack of excitement was due to the fact that it was going to be basically an exact copy of the one in Hollywood, California with just a queue feature added. Which is what we got…

Universal Studios Hollywood California Globe

Because my expectations where so low, I didn’t have any bad words for it, until I took my husband on it for the first time in 2021.

Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot Studio Tour Fast and Furious Garage Scene

He’s a big fan of the franchise and is not into the theme park world like I am, so I kept silent about the overall fan disgust of the ride and wanted him to have his own natural reaction.

And it wasn’t great…

As the party bus pulled into the docking station for us to get off, he looked at me and said, “that was the WORST ride I’ve ever experienced.”

Now keep in mind that he doesn’t give strong opinions on ANYTHING theme park related.

His usually responses to my inquiries are: it’s cool, it’s good, it’s okay. That’s as much as you will get out of him.

Fast and Furious Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida
Photo Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

So, for him to have such a strong reaction to it regarding not understanding what was happening, the screen effects and the lack of views from his area of the bus.

Fast and Furious Supercharged queue. #universalstudios #themepark #traveltips

Plus, the discomfort he felt riding it, made me have to look at the ride differently.

Make Your Own Judgement

Not saying that you shouldn’t give it a chance, it’s just not a Universal Orlando attraction that I will promote as a must-do.

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So, throughout the rest of this guide, I will give you all the details you need to know about Universal’s Fast and Furious Supercharged ride that way you’ll know exactly how to make the most of your experience if you choose to do it.

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Where is Fast and Furious Supercharged located?

This ride is located in the area of the old Earthquake attraction in the San Francisco section of Universal Studios.

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Now let’s touch on what you can expect from this Universal Orlando’s attraction.

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Universal’s Fast and Furious Supercharged Queue

As you approach the warehouse, you will immediately feel as if you’re in the heart of a San Francisco neighborhood.

Universal Orlando Resort Fast and Furious Supercharged Ride at Universal Studios Florida

At busy times, there are return time slips that can be picked up to the right of the attraction entrance, if you’d like to take advantage of the Virtual Line system.

However, due to the lack of popularity over the last few years, I don’t ever see the Universal Virtual Line available for this ride like in the beginning.

How does Universal Virtual Line works?

To use the Virtual Line queue, you can either download the Universal Orlando Resort app to make reservations on there or you can use the kiosks next the Fast and Furious Supercharged as previously mentioned when available.

Universal Orlando Blue and Red Car on Fast and Furious Ride

If the wait is low you can just proceed to the entrance and start your journey with the “family.”

  1. Single Rider Line: gives you the option to bypass the regular line if you’re riding alone.
  2. Express Line: is a pre-purchased voucher used to bypass the main queue.
  3. Regular Line: is the main line with the standard wait time based on the busyness of the attraction.

Once you begin walking through the queue, you’ll see unique items from the franchise with little Easter eggs hidden throughout the attraction.

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6 Hidden Fast and Furious Supercharged Easter Eggs to Look For On Your Trip

  1. A tribute to the former Graveyard Revue with a Beetlejuice doll on top of a desk shelf.
  2. There’s a jacket on a chair in the queue with the Disaster Studios logo on it. A tribute to the ride Fast and Furious Supercharged replaced.
  3. Find the Paul Walker Marine travel box in the queue after you pass the semi-truck.
  4. In the War Room portion of the queue, locate the map with a street named Walker Street.
  5. There’s a reference to Back to the Future with a license plate that reads, OUTATIME.
  6. Try to find Walt Disney’s name in the War Room portion of the queue. It will be written as Walter Elias
Universal Orlando Fast and Furious Earthquake secret key in queue next to blue car
Easter Eggs in the Fast and Furious Queue

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You can read the full list of Fast and Furious Supercharged Easter eggs here.

More Details to Look for in the Queue

As you continue throughout the queue you’ll notice actual cars and car parts to let you know you’re in a garage, but not just any garage.

Fast and Furious Supercharged ride queue

It’s a party garage with “family.”

Dance music starts immediately upon enter the building and the emphasis of “family” is heavily promoted as you wander through.

Fast and Furious Supercharged Queue at Universal Studios
Photo Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

You will be treated by multiple appearance of Chris “Ludacris” Bridges while waiting and you’ll also experience the classic Universal treat of having real life actors in the two pre-shows.

Universal Orlando Black Car Fast and Furious Ride

They let you know that the FBI is targeting their location and the villain, Shaw, is also following you.

Once you finish the final pre-show, you’re taken to the loading platform where it’s time to really get this party started.

Backlot Studio Tour Fast and Furious Supercharged Universal Studios Hollywood California

There used to be a virtual Fast and Furious trivia game that used to be play on your phone through Universal Orlando app.

The objective of the game was to get the highest score among other guests waiting in the line.

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Fast and Furious Supercharged Ride Breakdown & Storyline

This is a screen-based attraction with the same video taken from the Fast and Furious ride over at Universal Studios Hollywood.

You hop unto the party bus, exactly like the Skull Island Reign of Kong ride in Islands of Adventure.

The truck pulls up with dance music and lights. You’re sent to a party with the family, which is ruined by an agent.

Next, you’re sent on an action-packed race through San Francisco to escape the so-called “bad guy” Shaw.

Terror Tram Studio Backlot Experience Fast and Furious Area Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights

Once the intense experience is over, you land in a garage-like warehouse escaping Owen Shaw and officially becoming a part of the “family.”

Hipster Power Tip: Try to sit in the middle towards the edge if you want the best seat.

Is Fast and Furious Supercharged a roller coaster?

The Fast and Furious ride is not a roller coaster. It’s a 3-D immersive attraction that takes you right into all the movie action!

Does Fast and Furious ride go upside down?

The Fast and Furious Supercharged ride at Universal Studios does not go upside down so you won’t have to worry about that. It is a bit of a bumpy ride experience so that’s the most discomfort you’ll get.

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Pros of Fast and Furious Supercharged at Universal

I honestly was surprised by how much I enjoyed this ride the first time (like I mentioned earlier, my standards were low).

Universal Studios Hollywood Backlot Studio Tour Fast and Furious Garage Scene

I hated Skull Island Reign of Kong mostly because I envisioned something totally different than what we received.

Fast and Furious Supercharged queue
Outdoor area of the queue.

This time I had very low expectations, but since I’d experienced portions of this attraction in Hollywood, I just wanted to give it a shot.

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These are some of the great features of this ride:

  • There are live teams members a part of the experience. A classic Universal touch that I truly love!
  • The Virtual Line system is superb. It operates smoothly and is easy to use when it’s available.
  • A beautify queue, with lots of space. The queue is very detailed and has lots of props to keep you distracted. Not to mention the fun trivia game that makes waiting in the line much easier.
  • Great theming throughout the attraction.
  • Universal learned from Skull Island and made the ride vehicles have a front clear window, limiting view obstruction.
  • Street area with actual cars. During the actual ride experience, you’ll notice real street cars parked, which adds to the storytelling of Fast and Furious Supercharged.
  • The chase was so much fun! I truly enjoyed the great effects such as, smoke, wind, and sound. It gave me a wonderful sensory overload. There was also a nice surprise effect at the end that I don’t want to ruin for you.

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Cons of Fast and Furious Supercharged Ride at Universal

Although I truly enjoyed this ride, I do understand some of the negative complaints about this attraction.

  • CGI doesn’t look realistic.
  • No wind down from the ride. There’s an abrupt ending with no resolution to the story.
  • Actors were a bit awkward, which may improve with time.
  • Half-naked women dancing in one of the first scenes, which was just a bit uncomfortable to watch.
  • If you sit on the edges of the bus, you can see the screen cut off. This takes away from the magic.
  • The story is not congruent. You think you’re in store for ride with a party and family storyline, then you’re on this chase across San Francisco to escape a bad guy. Pretty confusing.

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What to Know Before You Go to Universal Studios Florida

Now that you have an understanding on the Fast and Furious Supercharged ride at Universal Studios, let’s go through a few things you should now before your vacation.

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What’s the best itinerary for Universal Studios Orlando?

You’ll want to save time on your Universal Orlando trip, so you must have a game-plan to save time and see the most popular attractions.

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What time does Universal Studios open?

Universal Studios Florida is open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the regular season. Hours may change based on the busyness of the park.

How much does it cost to go to Universal Studios in Florida?

The cost of admission starts at $119, but I like discounts so I use Groupon to find cheap Universal Studios tickets.

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What should I do first at Universal Studios Orlando?

One of the best Universal Studios Orlando tips that I can give you is to start at Diagon Alley first.

Universal Orlando Resort NikkyJ next to Hogwarts Express and Hedwig the white owl in Harry Potter World Diagon Alley at Universal Studios

This Harry Potter-inspired area will fill up quickly making the line for the two attractions (Escape from Gringotts and Ollivanders wand experience) extremely long.

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My Final Review of the Fast and Furious Supercharged Ride

Overall, I do recommend this attraction for anyone visiting Universal Studios Florida if the wait is low.

Universal Orlando Resort Fast and Furious Supercharged Construction

It’s an easy ride to beat the Florida heat and a cool place to listen to some great music while looking at incredible cars.

I personally feel it’s an okay addition to the Universal Studios theme park and it will help offset some of the crowd level on the busy days at the park. 

Universal Studios Fast and Furious Supercharged
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If you go into this attraction with an open mind, then you may come out of it satisfied.

Do you think this is Universal Creative’s best work? Is it the worst ride? Comment below and let me know your thoughts.

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Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

Hoop Dee Doo Revue NikkyJ Dinner Show Disney World. Author bio of theme park expert Nikida Metellus.

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

(Original Article Date: June 17, 2018/Updated February 23, 2024)

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