Universal Studios Hollywood is progressing toward the public opening of its newest rollercoaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, with the attraction entering technical rehearsals this week. The ride, inspired by the film franchise, is slated for an official opening by the end of the summer, according to Universal.
Recent weeks have seen speculation among fans that noise complaints from residents of the neighboring Toluca Lake community could be causing delays. However, Universal representatives stated earlier this month that the coaster would open as scheduled, denying any significant delays. Technical rehearsals, which began Monday, allow select parkgoers to experience the ride before its full public launch.
During its testing phase throughout the summer, the coaster's noise drew criticism from some residents. Dr. Christopher Zito described the sounds as "disturbing," while another resident, Patrick Nazari, characterized them as startling. Rob Cerny, a long-time Toluca Lake resident, reported that the noise made his backyard unusable and was "extremely prominent."
Universal has stated that the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift was constructed with sound-reduction technology, including pea gravel in the track, a sound wall along parts of the ride, and specific vehicle designs intended to direct screams away from the community. Half-pipe shields have also been installed around elevated sections to minimize sound impact. The park noted that the testing phase is designed to evaluate the attraction under various operating conditions and that sound levels are being reviewed for compliance.
Some residents, like Don Yorkshire, who has lived in the area for 30 years, noted that the amusement park aspect of Universal has grown over time, changing the character of the neighborhood. John Heim mentioned hearing screaming late into the night, even with doors closed, and observed that while some noise-mitigation efforts appear to be in place, their effectiveness varies.
The Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is designed to be Universal's fastest rollercoaster across all its locations, reaching speeds of 72 mph with 360-degree rotations. This new attraction follows a previous Fast & Furious-themed ride that debuted in 2006 but had a limited run.