Credit: Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood is denying recent reports about the delay of the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster.

The new ride is set to open this summer, though an exact date has not been revealed.

It was reported on Friday (July 17) that the opening was delayed due to noise complaints from neighbors of the Los Angeles theme park.

However, a spokesperson for Universal is denying that this is true.

What was said about the ride opening’s delay

Fox 11 in Los Angeles reported, “Early human test runs have sent a wave of screams echoing into nearby residential areas, prompting locals to demand immediate noise control.”

The local outlet stated that the outdoor ride’s acceleration speeds, which reach up to 72 miles per hour, has led to “intermittent screaming that carries directly across the fairway of the nearby Lakeside Golf Course and into the surrounding Toluca Lake neighborhood.”

They said the noise complaints were causing the coaster’s opening to be delayed to the end of the year.

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Universal Studios spokesperson disputes reported cause of delay

Per the LA Times, a spokesperson for the theme park says these reports of the opening being delayed to late this year are “not accurate” and notes it is still on track to open this summer!

“We expect to announce an opening date soon,” they said in a statement. “The information online is incorrect.”

The outlet also says sources with knowledge of the ride’s operation are denying that the noise is a reason for the delay. Instead, they are pointing to routine mechanical issues that have come up during the testing phase.

According to LA Times, before the ride was even built, the park completed a series of tests to find out how the noise would travel through the nearby neighborhoods.

There have been multiple sound walls and shields installed to muffle some of the noise and screams that would come with the ride’s operations.

“It’s incredibly quiet,” Jon Corfino, lead creative at Universal Studios Hollywood, said. “We were able to do that by putting materials inside portions of the track to deaden the sound. I’m not sure we would have needed it, but it was important to do the right thing. It’s pea gravel and rocks. It’s quieter than I ever thought it was going to be.”

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More details about the Fast & Furious rollercoaster

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift pays homage to the film franchise, with the ride vehicles modeled after four cars from the movies – the Dodge Charger that Toretto owns, the Mazda RX-7 that Han Seoul-oh drives in Tokyo Drift, the Nissan Skyline GT-R inspired by Brian O’Connor’s car from 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Brian O’Connor’s Toyota Supra from the first movie.

The coaster is located on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood and features “groundbreaking 360-degree rotation technology designed to create a seamless sensation of drifting cars as guests spin in motion at speeds up to 72 mph, while careening along 4,100 feet of elaborate aerial track—the equivalent of nearly 12 football fields—that winds its way over sections of the theme park, including the multi-level Starway escalator that connects the Upper and Lower Lots.”

Check out more photos of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift below…

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Posted To:Theme Parks Universal Studios