The new Jimmy Fallon attraction at Universal Studios began "soft openings" last week.

  • Race Through New York opens April 6
  • Attraction features elements from 'Tonight Show'
  • 1st Universal attraction to use virtual lines

It was the first chance the public got to test Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, which is scheduled for a grand opening April 6.

Race Through New York will be the first Universal attraction to feature the park's "Virtual Line" system. The virtual line can be accessed through kiosks in the park or the Universal Orlando app. Riders will be assigned a time to return, allowing them to be “in line” for the attraction while taking in other experiences in the park.

Riders will be given color-coded cards shaped like a piece of the NBC peacock logo.

Here’s how you know it’s time to move to the next part of the attraction: The lights change color, and the NBC chime will sound. If the lights match the color of your card, you are sent upstairs for the next part of the attraction.

Volcano Bay will also use Virtual Lines when it opens in May.

On Tuesday, members of the media got an opportunity to preview the ride and talk with the creative minds behind it.

The wacky celebrity races that have been featured on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon were a source of inspiration.

The attraction combines the talk-show element with a friendly competition between the audience and show host Jimmy Fallon, who challenges you to a race through — you guessed it — New York.

The focus on New York City was intentional, making it more translatable to people who might not have seen the “Tonight Show.”

Jason Surrell with Universal Creative said that international guests can still appreciate all the sights, sounds and smells of NYC.

According to Surrell, it was important for Universal to bring that world to life.

"Just because it's a TV talk show and not a huge movie franchise doesn't mean that we want to treat it with any less deference," Surrell said Tuesday. "For us, it was as important to create a lush environment with a rich attention to detail as it would be if you're creating Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley."

The talk-show element allows Universal to continuously update the attraction so that it remains “timely, topical,” Surrell said.

New bits, sketches and material for the Ragtime Gals, Fallon's barbershop quartet, could be introduced at anytime.

The queue/pre-show

The outside of the attraction captures New York’s iconic Rockefeller Center, complete with a marquee.

As you enter the building, you’re taken through the history of the Tonight Show. Displays featuring previous hosts like Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and even Conan O’Brien line the walls of the ground floor.

Each display contains memorabilia from the various incarnations of the talk show.

The next part of the attraction is a lounge area, which is upstairs.

This is where visitors can take pictures with Hashtag the Panda, play games on the interactive tables, watch pre-recorded “Tonight Show” clips, charge their phones or catch a performance by the Ragtime Gals.

The lounge area also features couches. However, the designers of the attraction want people to move around the room, play games and interact with the space.

“Tonight Show” fans will appreciate this: At the interactive tables, you can send your very own Thank You Notes.

From here, you are ushered toward an actual ride queue where you pick up your 3D glasses and watch a preshow video with a safety spiel featuring Fallon and The Roots.

Then, it’s off to the ride…

Race Through New York

You are taken to a large theater that features the ride vehicle and a giant screen.

Fallon, in a “Tonight Rider,” then challenges the audience to a race.

Riders then careen and dip through Times Square and the subways, before taking a trip into the East River and flying past the Empire State Building.

Fallon favorites make appearances in the ride, including the Ragtime Gals, The Roots (in an out-of-this-world sequence), Ew! Girl and Hashtag the Panda.

Throughout the ride, there are a few 3D moments. For example, during one sequence, Fallon uses a T-shirt cannon to fire 3D shirts at the audience.

Race Through New York also has plenty of Fallon's brand of humor. Listen carefully for a few one-liners.

The ride itself is not jerky, although some might feel a little dizzy once it's over.

NOTE: The ride doesn't move around like Transformers: The Ride-3D or Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  

Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon opens April 6.