{"id":942055,"date":"2026-07-17T22:57:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T22:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/942055\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T22:57:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T22:57:16","slug":"fast-furious-coaster-is-not-delayed-by-noise-complaints-universal-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/942055\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Fast & Furious’ coaster is not delayed by ‘noise complaints,’ Universal says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Universal Studios Hollywood has long been slated to have the biggest theme park opening of 2026 with its new high-speed coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.<\/a> But with no officially announced opening date, questions have started to intensify and rumors have begun to swirl as to what may be causing the park to go radio silent on what is expected to be its centerpiece attraction. <\/p>\n

According to Universal, there is no need for concern.<\/p>\n

Yet speculation has zeroed in on the potential noise of the coaster as being a problem for residents of the nearby of Toluca Lake. Rumors were fueled Friday by Fox 11 Los Angeles reporting, via a since-deleted post on social media network X that Hollywood Drift\u2019s opening had been delayed at least until the end of year due to neighborhood complaints. Videos of audible screams of riders<\/a> on the coaster have gone viral in recent weeks. <\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Universal said reports that the coaster\u2019s opening is postponed until the end of 2026 are \u201cnot accurate\u201d and disputed the notion that the coaster has been delayed. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, the spokesperson said, is still on target to open before the end of summer. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe expect to announce an opening date soon,\u201d read an official statement from the company. \u201cThe information online is incorrect.\u201d<\/p>\n

The summer season lasts through the end of September. The park begins its popular fall Halloween Horror Nights on Sept. 3. Tickets for the latter are currently on sale, and Universal is promising access<\/a> to Hollywood Drift for those who purchase its line-skipping express pass, which starts at $259. <\/p>\n

Sources familiar with the coaster\u2019s operations have also disputed the notion that noise is a cause for the coaster having not yet opened, instead pointing to more routine mechanical issues that have arisen during its test and adjustment phase. One theme park insider, however, stressed that when Hollywood Drift does open, it will likely be a considered a \u201ctop-5, or top-10 coaster, in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The view of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift from Universal Studios Hollywood\u2019s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. <\/p>\n

(Todd Martens \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is unique in that it is a 72 mph ride with vehicles created to rotate 360 degrees through multiple inversions. Designed to mimic the feel of stunt cars, its four-seated vehicles will twist and turn through banks in the track in an effort to create a drifting sensation. <\/p>\n

Universal\u2019s own website earlier this summer posted June 26 as an opening date, and while that was once the targeted launch, the date was quickly removed from the site. Universal began hosting media for walkthroughs of the coaster in May.<\/p>\n

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has been in the works for than a decade. Built essentially on a cliff between the park\u2019s upper and lower lots, the ride\u2019s existence is a feat of engineering, and Universal has described it as among the most intense attractions in its global park portfolio.<\/p>\n

Before land was moved, Universal began a series of tests to track how noise would travel through the surrounding neighborhood. Universal placed speakers on the old special effects and stunt buildings to see how ride screams traveled down the hill. <\/p>\n

Ultimately, the tracks would be complemented with multiple sound walls and shields, the latter clear structures designed to block coaster rumbles and audience screams. And because the cars can rotate 360 degrees, Universal can in theory direct rider yells away from the studio below and the neighborhood nearby. The actual track has been filled with pea gravel, designed to minimize noise from any reverberations.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly quiet,\u201d said Jon Corfino, the lead creative at Universal Studios Hollywood. \u201cWe were able to do that by putting materials inside portions of the track to deaden the sound. I\u2019m not sure we would have needed it, but it was important to do the right thing. It\u2019s pea gravel and rocks. It\u2019s quieter than I ever thought it was going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift isn\u2019t the only notable coaster slated to open in Southern California this year. Buena Park\u2019s Knott\u2019s Berry Farm initially intended to launch its reimagined Montezooma\u2019s Revenge, now known as Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress, on Monday. Late last night, the park indefinitely delayed its public unveiling, with a spokesperson citing additional fine-tuning that surfaced during its final days of testing.<\/p>\n

The delay is not expected to be a prolonged one. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe appreciate everyone\u2019s understanding and look forward to welcoming media and guests in the coming days when we can showcase the attraction exactly as intended,\u201d read a statement from the park. Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress has been in development for the past four years. <\/p>\n