← All stories
Universal Studios Hollywood

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift May Be Delayed Until the End of the Year as Universal Addresses Noise Concerns

Universal Studios Hollywood’s highly anticipated roller coaster was originally expected to debut this summer, but new reports suggest the opening could slip to late 2026 as the park works to reduce noise during ride testing.

By FirstDrop TeamJul 17, 20264 min read

Universal Studios Hollywood’s most anticipated attraction may not be arriving as soon as fans had hoped.

After months of construction progress, ride testing, and speculation that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift was nearing its grand opening, new reports indicate the coaster’s debut could be pushed back until the end of 2026 while Universal works through an unexpected issue that has surfaced during testing.

Photo Credit: Universal Destinations & Experiences
Photo Credit: Universal Destinations & Experiences

The reported delay comes as nearby residents have voiced concerns over noise generated during the attraction’s ongoing test runs. While the coaster itself is relatively quiet from a mechanical standpoint, the combination of high speeds, elevated track, and rider screams has reportedly created far more neighborhood noise than originally anticipated.

Universal has not officially announced a new opening date, and the resort continues to list the attraction without a specific debut date. However, several recent reports point to the park shifting its internal target from summer to later this year while additional mitigation efforts are completed.

This marks a significant change from earlier expectations.

Earlier this year, Universal heavily promoted Hollywood Drift as opening in summer 2026. The ride even briefly appeared with a June opening date on Universal’s website before the company clarified that the listing had been published in error. Since then, the park has remained committed only to a broad opening window without providing a firm date.

Construction itself has progressed rapidly.

The massive steel coaster now dominates Universal Studios Hollywood’s skyline, weaving above the park’s famous Starway escalators and stretching across areas of both the Upper and Lower Lots. Ride vehicles have been revealed, the station is nearing completion, and testing has become increasingly frequent over the past several months.

Many guests visiting the park have been able to spot trains completing full circuits throughout the day, leading to widespread speculation that previews or soft openings were just around the corner.

Instead, attention has shifted toward an issue that wasn’t receiving much discussion only weeks ago.

Residents living near Universal Studios Hollywood, particularly in the Toluca Lake area, have expressed frustration over the volume of screams carrying from the elevated coaster during test cycles. According to reports, engineers have been actively measuring sound levels while exploring several ways to reduce the attraction’s impact on surrounding neighborhoods.

Universal says it has already implemented several changes.

Among the reported solutions are nearly 900 feet of sound walls, strategically placed scream shields, additional landscaping, and sections of pea gravel designed to absorb noise around the attraction. Engineers have also pointed to the coaster’s unique rotating ride vehicles, noting they were intentionally designed so riders won’t always face residential areas while screaming.

Even with those improvements, testing continues as the company evaluates whether additional modifications are necessary before opening the ride to thousands of daily guests.

The reported delay also raises questions about Universal’s busy fall season.

If Hollywood Drift ultimately opens closer to the end of the year, it would miss the park’s peak summer attendance and potentially remain closed throughout much of Halloween Horror Nights, one of Universal Studios Hollywood’s busiest operating periods.

For many fans, that would be disappointing.

Since the closure of Fast & Furious – Supercharged on the Studio Tour in 2025, Hollywood Drift has become one of the resort’s most anticipated additions in years. It represents the park’s first major outdoor roller coaster and will also become the fastest attraction in any Universal destination, reaching speeds of up to 72 miles per hour while sending guests through three inversions in rotating vehicles themed to iconic cars from the Fast & Furious franchise.

Universal has invested heavily in making the attraction a flagship experience.

The queue will immerse guests inside a large automotive garage inspired by the films before launching riders onto more than 4,100 feet of track suspended throughout the park. Unlike traditional spinning coasters, the ride’s vehicles rotate independently while racing through launches, twists, and inversions designed to recreate the feeling of high-speed drifting.

Despite the latest reports, it’s important to remember that Universal has not officially confirmed a delay or announced a revised opening timeline.

For now, the company continues testing the attraction while working through the reported noise concerns.

Given the scale of the project and the amount of testing still taking place, it’s clear Universal wants to ensure Hollywood Drift is operating exactly as intended before welcoming its first guests.

After years of construction, most fans would likely agree that waiting a little longer is preferable to opening a ride before it’s truly ready.

For now, all eyes remain on the towering track above Universal Studios Hollywood as enthusiasts wait for the official announcement that the engines are finally ready to start.

/ More from FirstDrop