Universal Studios Hollywood's "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift" roller coaster opened this week, weeks after noise from rider screams during testing prompted local complaints and plans for additional sound barriers.
The outdoor roller coaster, inspired by Universal Pictures' "Fast & Furious" film franchise, claims to be the fastest coaster in Universal's portfolio, reaching speeds of up to 72 mph. Officials said the ride features four launches along 4,100 feet of track and can reach forces of up to 3.6 Gs. Its ride vehicles rotate 360 degrees to simulate drifting, modeled after iconic cars from the series: the Dodge Charger, Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, and Toyota Supra.
Located on the park's Upper Lot, the coaster travels over and under parts of the multilevel Starway escalator. Universal said the ride was constructed with sound-reduction technology from the outset, including a low-rumble track filled with pea gravel, over 900 feet of sound walls, and two half-pipe shields built around specific track sections.
Despite these measures, noise became a significant issue during testing earlier this summer when passengers were first allowed aboard. Residents in nearby Toluca Lake reported persistent screams from riders, leading to widespread complaints.
Los Angeles City Councilman Adrin Nazarian stated last month that Universal planned to install two additional sound barriers to help reduce the noise. Nazarian noted that recent sound testing had met the park's requirements, but these new barriers were expected to be completed by early September.
In response to ongoing concerns, the Universal City Neighbors, a coalition of residents living near the park, planned to gather in Toluca Lake on opening day. The group aims to highlight the noise issue and allow members of the media to hear it firsthand. The coalition emphasized that it is not opposed to the attraction or the park's expansion but is seeking further noise mitigation and improved communication from Universal regarding efforts to address the problem.
The Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council and the Studio City Neighborhood Council have both separately adopted resolutions, according to the coalition, urging Universal to address the noise and implement additional mitigation measures.
Universal has scheduled a community meeting with residents for September 30 to discuss sound-mitigation plans, the group said.
The attraction's queue incorporates recreated props from the "Fast & Furious" films, alongside murals by artist Tristan Eaton. A transparent enclosure in the queue allows guests to see a section of the coaster's track as it passes through.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the "Fast & Furious" film franchise, adding a notable milestone to the ride's debut.
