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    Universal Studios Hollywood to install sound barriers due to noise complaints
    • August 11, 2026

    Universal Studios Hollywood will install additional sound barriers to address noise complaints from nearby residents who say near-constant screaming by riders on the new Fast & Furious coaster sound “like someone is getting murdered.”

    Los Angeles City Council member Adrin Nazarian, who represents the nearby Toluca Lake community, announced Universal Studios Hollywood will install additional sound barriers to reduce noise from the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster.

    “We know the community is concerned about the noise from Universal’s new Fast and Furious ride,” Nazarian wrote on Instagram. “While recent sound testing met the park’s requirements, they will be installing two additional sound barriers to help reduce noise.”

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    ALSO SEE: Fast & Furious riders wait in the middle of the action to ride new Universal coaster

    Construction of the two new sound barriers is expected to be completed by early September, according to Nazarian.

    The noise complaints from Toluca Lake residents began shortly after Universal Studios Hollywood started “technical rehearsals” of the new Fast & Furious coaster on July 27.

    The first test run of the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Courtesy of Universal)
    The first test run of the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Courtesy of Universal)

    Universal has not yet set an official opening date for the highly anticipated new roller coaster. Technical rehearsals can start and stop at any time prior to the official grand opening of the ride.

    “We appreciate hearing from the community and that feedback is an important part of the process,” according to a statement from Universal Studios Hollywood. “The coaster is currently in its testing and commissioning phase, which is designed to evaluate the attraction over time and under a variety of operating conditions. As part of that process, we are actively reviewing sound levels to ensure the coaster is operating in compliance.”

    A behind-the-scenes tour of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride queue at Universal Studios Hollywood featuring props and ride vehicles from the film franchise. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
    A behind-the-scenes tour of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride queue at Universal Studios Hollywood featuring props and ride vehicles from the film franchise. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Universal used a low rumble track filled with pea gravel, half pipe scream shields and other sound reduction technology to lessen the coaster noise for residential neighbors.

    ALSO SEE: See all 4 ‘Fast & Furious’ coaster cars at Universal Studios Hollywood

    Before construction, Universal placed speakers on theme park buildings to see how sound traveled down the hill and tracked noise levels at sites around the park and in Toluca Lake.

    The orange 1994 Toyota Supra MK IV ride vehicle on the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
    The orange 1994 Toyota Supra MK IV ride vehicle on the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Toluca Lake residents in the tiny neighborhood below the movie studio and theme park said the new coaster was quiet during testing without riders, according to the Los Angeles Times.

    “I was amazed at how quiet it was,” Toluca Lake resident Leonard Garner Jr. told the Times. “I could not hear it at all.”

    ALSO SEE: See the Fast & Furious stunt vehicles in the Universal coaster queue

    Then the riders got on and the screaming started.

    Neighbors called the coaster rider screams “disturbing,” “untenable” and “like someone getting murdered out there.”

    The Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Courtesy of Universal)
    The Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Courtesy of Universal)

    Noise complaints have been pouring in from Toluca Lake residents since technical rehearsals began on the new Fast & Furious coaster, according to Nazarian.

    “We heard you,” Nazarian wrote on Instagram.

    A behind-the-scenes tour of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride queue at Universal Studios Hollywood featuring props and ride vehicles from the film franchise. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)
    A behind-the-scenes tour of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift ride queue at Universal Studios Hollywood featuring props and ride vehicles from the film franchise. (Photo by Brady MacDonald, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Universal plans to host a community meeting so Toluca Lake residents can hear directly from the park and ask questions, according to Nazarian.

    Toluca Lake residents with questions or concerns about noise issues related to the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster can contact Universal’s community hotline at (818) 622-2995 or community.hotline@nbcuni.com.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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