Full Breakdown
Noise Complaints Spur Additional Sound Barriers for Universal Studios’ Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift
8/12/2026, 3:54:57 AM
Core Event
Universal Studios Hollywood’s new high-speed outdoor roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, has generated a wave of noise complaints from residents of the adjacent Toluca Lake neighborhood. The coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 72 mph and runs through a series of twists and inversions between the park’s Upper and Lower Lots, entered a soft-launch testing phase last month. Residents report that the screams of riders echo through the suburb, prompting the park and local officials to announce the installation of two additional sound-reduction barriers.
Background & Context
Toluca Lake is a residential area that predates Universal’s expansion into thrill attractions. For decades the park’s primary draw was its backlot studio tour and a handful of live-action shows. Beginning in the 1990s the park added dark rides, followed by the indoor/outdoor Jurassic Park water ride and a family-oriented Harry Potter coaster. Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is the first outdoor coaster of its kind at the park, and its testing has coincided with heightened sensitivity from longtime neighbors.
Data & Statistics
- Maximum speed: 72 mph.
- Testing schedule: Operates from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through most of August; hours extend to 10 p.m. beginning on Sept. 3 for Halloween Horror Nights.
- Mitigation measures already in place: sound walls, “scream shields,” and pea gravel within the steel track.
- Planned additions: two extra sound barriers to be installed this week, with completion expected by early September.
Official Statements & Responses
Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian announced via his office’s social-media channel that Universal will add the extra barriers, noting that recent testing met county sound-requirement standards but that the park chose to act further to address community concerns. The park also indicated that a community meeting will be scheduled in collaboration with the Toluca Lake Homeowners Association, and that a hotline and monitoring microphones have been set up for residents to report ongoing noise issues.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I heard it, and I thought to myself, ‘There are going to be problems with this,’” — Toluca Lake’s Leonard R, resident
- “We have refined our testing schedule to evaluate the coaster’s performance under a variety of real-world operating conditions and how sound is being experienced in the surrounding communities,” — Universal Studios Hollywood
- “By the third time, you know what it is.” — John Heim, toluca lake resident
What’s Next
Universal plans to begin construction of the two new sound barriers within the coming days, aiming for completion by early September. A community meeting involving park officials and the Toluca Lake Homeowners Association will be organized shortly thereafter. Residents are encouraged to use the park’s dedicated hotline or email address to report any further noise disturbances.
