Use our Virtual Line™ experience and get your return time to be a guest at The Tonight Show! Experience the history and fun of The Tonight Show in Studio 6B. Send a “Thank You Note” at the interactive desks. See Hashtag the Panda and enjoy a hip-hop barbershop performance by the Ragtime Gals! Then, join Jimmy Fallon and all your favorite characters from The Tonight Show in a fun-filled race through, below and above New York City. Secure your Virtual Line™ Pass through The Official Universal Orlando Resort™ App (free download). You’ll need to be on property to select a Virtual Line™ return time.
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
(3.9)
Land: New York City
Status
Closed
02/03 21:06
Type
3D Motion Simulator
Universal Express
Yes
Duration
4 minutes
Wet Factor
None
Recommended age
8 years old
Or older
Has virtual queue
Yes
Has single rider queue
No
Wheelchair accessible
No
Takes photo
No
Popularity
Light to Moderate
Some curiosities
Development
Jimmy Fallon originally pitched the idea to Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, while at the helm of his Late Night tenure. Initially, Woodbury declined to the idea, until Fallon's move to the Tonight Show proved to be an immediate success. After Woodbury reached out to develop the idea, Jimmy Fallon worked with two of his main writers on the ride's concept for three and a half years.
Jimmy Fallon originally pitched the idea to Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative, while at the helm of his Late Night tenure. Initially, Woodbury declined to the idea, until Fallon's move to the Tonight Show proved to be an immediate success. After Woodbury reached out to develop the idea, Jimmy Fallon worked with two of his main writers on the ride's concept for three and a half years.
Construction
Construction began in March 2016, when the first supports for the ride's facade were brought to Stage 50, where the ride is housed. The building's facade is based on 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York, where Studio 6B is located.
Construction began in March 2016, when the first supports for the ride's facade were brought to Stage 50, where the ride is housed. The building's facade is based on 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York, where Studio 6B is located.
Queue
The attraction is housed inside a replica of 30 Rockefeller, where The Tonight Show is taped. The corridors of the actual NBC Studios are also replicated in the queue. Divided in two parts, the queue is composed of one in a lower level and the second in the upper. As guests enter the lobby in the lower level, they receive a ticket that matches one of the six colors in the NBC peacock logo. This level features displays of items from the entire history of The Tonight Show, including exhibits dedicated to each of its past hosts. Items on display include suits and desk props used by the hosts, admittance tickets from each host's tenure, and an NBC video camera used for the show's taping in the golden age, all adjacent to a display of Jimmy Fallon as the current host. Guests may continue to the upper level once the lobby's lighting changes to the color of the NBC ticket they were given.
The attraction is housed inside a replica of 30 Rockefeller, where The Tonight Show is taped. The corridors of the actual NBC Studios are also replicated in the queue. Divided in two parts, the queue is composed of one in a lower level and the second in the upper. As guests enter the lobby in the lower level, they receive a ticket that matches one of the six colors in the NBC peacock logo. This level features displays of items from the entire history of The Tonight Show, including exhibits dedicated to each of its past hosts. Items on display include suits and desk props used by the hosts, admittance tickets from each host's tenure, and an NBC video camera used for the show's taping in the golden age, all adjacent to a display of Jimmy Fallon as the current host. Guests may continue to the upper level once the lobby's lighting changes to the color of the NBC ticket they were given.
Pre-show
Guests are called in to enter Studio 6B once the lighting in the upper level waiting area changes to the color of the NBC ticket they were given at the receptionist desk. After guests are ushered into the doors that lead to Studio 6B, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon begins in the screens. The show begins with its intro and music played by The Roots, with Steve Higgins announcing the guests for this episode: you (the audience) "and featuring the Legendary Roots Crew". The shot cuts to Questlove yelling "Universal Studios!" followed by Higgins introducing Jimmy Fallon. As he emerges from the curtains, studio applause lights flash, indicating the guests to do so as the show intro proceeds.
Guests are called in to enter Studio 6B once the lighting in the upper level waiting area changes to the color of the NBC ticket they were given at the receptionist desk. After guests are ushered into the doors that lead to Studio 6B, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon begins in the screens. The show begins with its intro and music played by The Roots, with Steve Higgins announcing the guests for this episode: you (the audience) "and featuring the Legendary Roots Crew". The shot cuts to Questlove yelling "Universal Studios!" followed by Higgins introducing Jimmy Fallon. As he emerges from the curtains, studio applause lights flash, indicating the guests to do so as the show intro proceeds.
The Tonight Shop
After the ride concludes, guests exit downstairs to The Tonight Shop, with merchandise from both the ride and Fallon's Tonight Show tenure, like in the real NBC Studios in New York City.
After the ride concludes, guests exit downstairs to The Tonight Shop, with merchandise from both the ride and Fallon's Tonight Show tenure, like in the real NBC Studios in New York City.
Ride
The race through New York begins with Jimmy Fallon emerging once again from backstage through the stage curtains, this time driving "The Tonight Rider", challenging the audience to the race. The Roots can be seen to provide the music as Steve Higgins counts down the start of the race. The race begins through Studio 6B's backstage corridors, racing through NBC personnel, passing by Tight Pants and Hashtag the Panda. After almost crashing into Hashtag, Jimmy's vehicle skids through the corridor and crashes through the wall along with the audience, landing at West 50th Street between the NBC Studios marquee and Radio City Music Hall. From there, the race immediately continues through Times Square, after Jimmy crashes into a taxi driven by Travis Bickle (Fallon).
The race through New York begins with Jimmy Fallon emerging once again from backstage through the stage curtains, this time driving "The Tonight Rider", challenging the audience to the race. The Roots can be seen to provide the music as Steve Higgins counts down the start of the race. The race begins through Studio 6B's backstage corridors, racing through NBC personnel, passing by Tight Pants and Hashtag the Panda. After almost crashing into Hashtag, Jimmy's vehicle skids through the corridor and crashes through the wall along with the audience, landing at West 50th Street between the NBC Studios marquee and Radio City Music Hall. From there, the race immediately continues through Times Square, after Jimmy crashes into a taxi driven by Travis Bickle (Fallon).
Effects
Universal debuted a new ride vehicle for the attraction, which seats up to 72 people, as "a unique flying theater". The 3D ridership experience features various effects such as smells of New York-style pizza, wind and water spritzes through the East River as well as a full immersive motion experience.
Universal debuted a new ride vehicle for the attraction, which seats up to 72 people, as "a unique flying theater". The 3D ridership experience features various effects such as smells of New York-style pizza, wind and water spritzes through the East River as well as a full immersive motion experience.