Universal Studios Hollywood has set a grand opening date for the new Fast & Furious coaster that will let riders hop into Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger and take a spin along the hillside-hugging track on the first-of-its-kind ride.
The new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster will open on Sept. 16 at the Hollywood movie theme park.
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Universal has been conducting “technical rehearsals” of the highly anticipated new ride since late July.
Universal installed additional sound barriers to address noise complaints from nearby residents upset about the near-constant screaming by passengers on the new ride.
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The coaster employs a low rumble track filled with pea gravel, half pipe shields and other sound reduction technology to lessen the noise from the coaster for Universal’s residential neighbors.
The new Fast & Furious roller coaster features 360-degree rotating coaster vehicles designed to look like drifting race cars from the street racing film franchise that has earned $7 billion at the worldwide box office.
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Hollywood Drift riders enter through a red brick auto repair garage before boarding one of four coaster ride vehicles themed to look like an authentic Fast & Furious film car.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is the first high-speed outdoor coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. The park’s two existing coasters include the 2004 Revenge of the Mummy indoor coaster and the 2016 Flight of the Hippogriff outdoor kiddie coaster.
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The Hollywood Drift in the coaster name references the 2006 Universal Pictures “Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” action film. Drift racers intentionally oversteer to the point of losing traction while maintaining control of the car.
The addition of the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster forced Universal Studios Hollywood to remove the former Fast & Furious—Supercharged experiential attraction that was part of the park’s signature behind-the-scenes Studio Tour.