Universal Studios Hollywood is installing extra sound barriers to quiet the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster. The move follows complaints from Toluca Lake neighbors who described the sound of rider screams as "disturbing" and "untenable."
The "murderous" screams of Toluca Lake
Toluca Lake residents in the neighborhood below Universal Studios Hollywood have expressed significant distress regarding the auditory impact of the new attraction. According to the report,while the coaster was quiet during testing without passengers, the introduction of riders has changed the soundscape significantly. Some neighbors have gone so far as to claim that the constant, high-pitched screaming from riders sounds like someone is being murdered .
This tension highlights the growing friction between high-thrill theme park attractions and the quietude expected in established residential zones. The complaints have been pouring in since technical rehearsals for the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster began, creating a sense of urgency for local officials and park management alike.
Universal's pea gravel and scream shield strategy
Universal Studios Hollywood has already utilized several noise-reduction technologies to mitigate the mechanical sounds of the coaster. These measures include a low rumble track filled with pea gravel and the use of half-pipe scream shields designed to dampen high-frequency noise. As reported by the suorce, the studio also conducted sound mapping prior to construction by placing speakers on park buildings to observe how noise traveled down the hill toward residential areas.
These technical measures, including the pea gravel tracks, were intended to address the mechanical noise of the coaster itself. However, the current issue appears to be less about the machinery and more about the human element—the involuntary screams of passengers that the existing shields have not fully contained .
Adrin Nazarian's push for two additional barriers
Los Angeles City Council member Adrin Nazarian announced that the studio will now install two additional sound barriers to further reduce the noise footprint. This decision follows direct pressure from the Toluca Lake community, which Nazarian represents. The coaster is currently in its testing and commissioning phase, a period used to evaluate the ride under various operating conditions.
Universal Studios Hollywood has expressed a willingness to engage with the community, stating that feedback is an important part of their process. To facilitate this, the park plans to host a community meeting and has provided a dedicated community hotline at (818) 622-2995 and an email address for residents to voice their concerns directly to the company.
The missing timeline for the Fast & Furious debut
The official debut of the Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster remains unconfirmed, as Universal Studios Hollywood has not yet set an opening date. While the ride is currently undergoing technical rehearsals, the lack of a definitive schedule leaves the Toluca Lake community in a state of uncertainty. Technical rehearsals can start and stop at any time, meaning noise levels may fluctuate unpredictably.
It remains to be seen if the two new barriers will be sufficient to satisfy the neighborhood's concerns. Until the ride moves from the testing phase to a permanent operating schedule, the effectiveness of these new sound-dampening measures will continue to be a point of contention for local residents.
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