Guests visiting Universal Studios Hollywood may soon have another expense to consider if they want to experience the park's newest roller coaster without spending too much time in line.
The California theme park is introducing a new paid option for one of its biggest attractions, and the price could add up quickly for families.
While visitors can still experience the ride without paying extra, those hoping to bypass the regular standby queue will have a new decision to make beginning November 2.
And with Universal preparing to open a similar coaster in Florida, this development could offer a preview of what's coming to Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal's Fast & Furious Coaster Brings Major Thrills
Universal Studios Hollywood recently introduced Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, an outdoor roller coaster inspired by the hugely popular Fast & Furious movie franchise.
The attraction gives visitors a high-speed experience that brings some of the films' most memorable driving sequences to life.
Unlike traditional roller coasters, Hollywood Drift features vehicles that rotate 360 degrees as they travel along the track. This technology creates the feeling of drifting around turns, adding another element to an already intense experience.
The coaster also reaches speeds of up to 72 miles per hour, making it a major addition to Universal Studios Hollywood's lineup of attractions.
However, guests hoping to experience those thrills without waiting in the regular line may soon need to open their wallets.
Universal Introduces $19.95 Express Purchase November 2
Starting November 2, Universal Studios Hollywood will offer a separately priced Universal Express option for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.
The starting price is $19.95 per person, but there's an important catch.
Unlike traditional Universal Express, which provides priority access to multiple participating attractions, this purchase covers only one ride on Hollywood Drift.
Think of it like Walt Disney World's Lightning Lane Single Pass. Guests pay separately for priority access to a particular attraction rather than purchasing a service that covers several different rides.
The $19.95 fee also doesn't include theme park admission. Visitors must already have a valid ticket to enter Universal Studios Hollywood before purchasing this additional experience.
And because Universal lists $19.95 as the starting price, guests could encounter higher prices depending on when they visit.
For a family of four, the minimum advertised cost comes to $79.80 before any applicable taxes or fees. That means the total could exceed $80 just to access the Express queue for one roller coaster.
Guests Face Another Theme Park Expense
The good news is that Universal isn't requiring guests to purchase Express to experience Hollywood Drift.
Anyone with regular park admission can still enter the standby queue and ride without paying this additional fee.
However, the introduction of another paid service raises questions about how much families should expect to spend during a theme park visit.
A group visiting Universal Studios Hollywood for a single day might appreciate the opportunity to shorten a lengthy wait. After all, standing in line for hours can take valuable time away from other attractions.
But spending nearly $80 before taxes for four people to receive priority access to one ride isn't exactly a small purchase.
Families already paying for admission, parking, meals, and merchandise may decide the additional expense simply isn't worth it.
Others might feel that saving time matters more, particularly during crowded periods when standby lines become difficult to manage.
Either way, Universal is giving guests another choice that comes with another potential cost.
Could Universal Orlando Resort Introduce the Same Pricing?
The announcement also raises an interesting possibility for visitors planning future trips to Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal Studios Florida is preparing to welcome its own Fast & Furious roller coaster sometime in 2027.
Although the Florida attraction will feature a different layout, including a massive vertical spike, it will share the Hollywood coaster's movie franchise.
That connection has created questions about whether Universal might eventually introduce the same separately priced Express system in Orlando.
Nothing has been confirmed regarding Express availability, individual ride pricing, or operating procedures for Florida's upcoming attraction.
Still, Hollywood's approach suggests that a similar option could eventually appear when the Orlando coaster opens.
Is Universal Making Theme Park Visits More Expensive?
For now, the November 2 announcement applies to Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Guests can continue riding in the regular standby queue without paying extra, but visitors seeking shorter waits will incur an additional expense to consider.
Whether that convenience justifies the price will depend on each family's budget and priorities.
With another Fast & Furious coaster arriving in Florida next year, Universal fans will also be watching to see whether this pricing approach eventually expands nationwide.
