Attractions

Guide to Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon at Universal Studios Florida

February 22, 2022
Outside Building Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

Do you love 1) Speed 2) New York City and 3) The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon? 

If you answered yes to any/all of these, then you have to join in on the fun and come head to head with Jimmy on a high-speed-action-packed race through the Big Apple on Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon in Universal Studios Florida.

The Queue

People Looking NBC Lobby Displays Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

As you enter the ride building, you’re walking through the hallways of the iconic NBC Studios, the studio’s headquarters in New York City. The downstairs lobby plays tribute to The Tonight Show hosts through the years and displays sets, props, and memorabilia of each era. You are then greeted into the ride by an NBC Page who will give you a color-coded pass for later.

Th Ragtime Gals in the Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon attraction queue

Head on over to the upstairs area where you might just be serenaded by The Ragtime Gals barbershop quartet, can enjoy some Hashtag the Panda moves, or play with some very cool interactive games. Once you see the room light the color of your card, go see the NBC Page who will guide you into Studio 6B.  You will be greeted by Jimmy himself, who will share one of his famous monologues followed by safety precautions like you’ve never seen before — all in preparation for you and Jimmy to board your vehicles and experience the race of a lifetime.   

FUN FACT: As you receive a ticket from the NBC Pages for the virtual queue, the cards match one of the six colors in the NBC Peacock logo.

The Ride

Jimmy Fallon in The Tonight Rider

In this motion simulation 3-D ride experience, Jimmy Fallon challenges you to race him through New York City aboard his race car, The Tonight Rider. The competition starts inside the corridors of Studio 6B’s backstage and heads through iconic New York landmarks.

You can literally smell the pizza and feel the underground heat of the manholes while creating some turmoil within the city that never sleeps. From driving through construction sites, swarming through the busy traffic, and riding away from the honking and beeping of the yellow taxis to riding underground and invading the subway tracks, this is an adventure where you will have to hold on tight to the steering wheel. 

While racing, you will encounter some friendly faces such as Tight Pants, Hashtag the Panda, The Ragtime Gals, and even Sara (with no “H” because “Hs are eeeww”) and their stepdad (nobody cares about Gary’s name) who cheer you on as you embark on this high-speed adventure.

This fast-paced journey even takes you to new heights and depths as the vehicles convert into hovercrafts that fly through the city’s skyscrapers, dive into the East River for a very close shark encounter, and then up again, soaring over the city, around Lady Liberty’s torch, and through the city’s fireworks. 

Warning: Be careful with Hashtag the Panda, who has taken on a King Kong persona and is trying to catch you.

We can say that this ride is out of this world — literally, as the race’s next checkpoint is the moon. Enjoy some zero-gravity entertainment and some lunar thank you notes by Jimmy.  In no time, go from floating to zooming as you are sent back to earth in a hyperdrive tube that takes you back to the finish line at 30 Rock’s Studio B6. May the best driver win!

Ride Details

  • Height requirement: 40” (102 cm)
  • Children under 48” (122 cm) require a supervising companion
  • Universal Express Pass is available

Gift Shop

Hashtag Panda plush and merchandise in background

The fun doesn’t have to stop after you finish the race. Celebrate your victory and stop by the NBC store to stock up on NBC merchandise and apparel — just like the ones you find at the NBC Studios store in New York City.  If you love the show and its characters, grab yourself a Hashtag the Panda plush and some white tight pants. Or if you think all of this is “ewww”, well, then you can get some Sara-approved souvenirs.  

After you ride neck-to-neck with Jimmy Fallon, share with us your favorite part of the ride in the comments below!

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6 Comments

  • Reply jam February 23, 2022 at 8:31 am

    my favorite part is that you really feel like you are at the tonight show! racing through the streets of new york is pretty fun too ☺️

  • Reply Christian Hundley February 25, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    Never been to universal Orlando. Like to go sometime but can’t afford it. Maybe one DAY.

  • Reply Lorena April 5, 2022 at 3:05 pm

    Heading into the ride, a worker named John D asked if we’d like a behind the scenes tour & we said yes!! He was so sweet & nice. He explained a lot of fun facts about the Tonight Show’s history and showed how the building is set up so similar to the real Tonight Show’s studio. If you get asked for a tour be sure to say yes!!

  • Reply Kathy November 5, 2022 at 4:23 pm

    this is my favorite ride at Universal. it is amazing???????

  • Reply colinjon mccartney November 9, 2023 at 2:41 pm

    so its definitely not a roller coaster?

    • Reply Digital Guest Communications November 9, 2023 at 4:56 pm

      Hey there! This is a 3-D / 4-D Experience that will take you on a fun-filled race through, below and above New York City!

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