Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest attraction is already generating plenty of excitement—and plenty of noise. According to KTLA 5, some residents living near the theme park say the screams coming from the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster have become an unwelcome part of daily life as the attraction has entered technical rehearsals.
The coaster, which recently entered a soft-opening phase, is Universal Studios Hollywood’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster. Featuring high-speed launches, inversions, and rotating ride vehicles, the attraction has quickly become one of the park’s most anticipated additions.
However, people living in the neighboring community of Toluca Lake say the constant sound of screaming riders is carrying beyond the park despite Universal’s efforts to reduce noise.
Universal says it is actively monitoring sound levels while the attraction remains in technical rehearsals, and a public opening date has not yet been announced.
Neighbors Say the Noise Is Constant
Several Toluca Lake residents have spoken publicly about the impact the coaster has had during testing. One resident described the experience by comparing the continuous screams to a horror movie playing throughout the day.
Others said the attraction adds to a gradual increase in noise they have noticed as Universal Studios has expanded beyond its movie studio roots into a larger theme park destination.
Some residents also expressed frustration over online reactions, saying criticism of their complaints overlooks the fact that many have lived in the neighborhood since long before the park began adding major outdoor thrill rides.
Universal Says It’s Monitoring the Situation
Universal Studios says the attraction is currently undergoing technical rehearsals designed to evaluate performance under a variety of operating conditions before its official debut.
The company said it is actively reviewing sound levels to ensure the coaster complies with applicable requirements. Neighbors have also said Universal has been responsive by opening a hotline for concerns and installing microphones throughout the surrounding area to monitor noise.
When the attraction was designed, Universal incorporated several features intended to reduce its impact on nearby communities. These include sound shields positioned around parts of the track and pea gravel installed beneath sections of the coaster to help absorb noise.
A Different Kind of Fast & Furious Ride
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift represents a major milestone for Universal Studios Hollywood, which historically focused on movie production and studio tours before gradually expanding into thrill rides.
The new attraction features rotating ride vehicles themed after several iconic cars from the Fast & Furious franchise, including Dom Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger, Brian O’Conner’s Nissan Skyline GT-R and Toyota Supra, and Han’s Mazda RX-7.
Each vehicle seats four riders and can rotate 360 degrees throughout the ride, allowing passengers to experience portions of the course facing both forward and backward while navigating high-speed turns and inversions.
Balancing Thrills and the Neighborhood
Theme parks and nearby communities have long had to balance entertainment with quality-of-life concerns, particularly as attractions become larger, faster, and louder.
Universal’s efforts to install noise-reduction features suggest the company anticipated potential concerns, but the current complaints indicate some residents believe additional measures may still be needed. Whether further adjustments are made before the coaster’s official opening remains to be seen.
For now, technical rehearsals continue as Universal evaluates the attraction’s performance and sound levels. Judging by the volume of the screams, however, the roller coaster is already delivering the thrills it promised.
If you lived near a major theme park, would occasional roller coaster screams bother you, or is it simply part of living close to a popular attraction? Let us know what you think.