UPDATE October 11 – In an exciting new video update posted to YouTube by America’s Coaster Network we can see that further supports are being erected for the new Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster.
The video shows detailed footage of the site where there are currently two cranes working. At time stamp 3:20 we get to see the station building where the metal facade had been added and they are working to complete the roof ready for the onset of the California rainy season. By the retaining wall there looks to be the beginnings of a structure which could be a facade to act as a sound barrier.
Further supports have been added on the top of the retaining wall. We expect further progress to be made in the coming weeks including the addition of further footers, supports and track.
The new Fast and Furious roller coaster will be manufactured by Intamin and is set to be a multi-dimensional roller coaster. The Intamin spinning model is rumored to include a “drifting” feature possible of sideways, backward, and forward motion to fit the theme.
Although some Universal fans were originally optimistic for a late 2024 opening, we now know that Universal are planning to open this new Fast and Furious roller coaster in 2025.
Earlier this year, conceptual art was found of the Fast and Furious roller coaster on the Universal and You website which aims to reassure local residents of the limited impact, Universal Studios Hollywood’s new headlining attraction will have on the local area when it opens. To view these conceptual rendering images, click here.
A number of images are shown including conceptual renderings of:
- Ground level view from Toluca Estates Dr. looking south towards Universal Studios Hollywood
- Rooftop view from Valley Spring looking south towards Universal Studios Hollywood
- Aerial view from Toluca Lake looking south toward Universal Studios Hollywood
- Aerial view from the Cahuenga Pass toward Universal Studios Hollywood
- Aerial view from Blair Drive looking west toward Universal Studios Hollywood
- Aerial view from The Island community looking east toward Universal Studios Hollywood
- Nighttime view from Valley Spring looking south toward Universal Studios Hollywood
Last year, we heard the news that the ride vehicles for this new Fast and Furious roller coaster will have the ability for“360-degree rotation” and at the IAAPA Expo Intamin has just released a video which potentially shows these ride vehicles in action.
In the video embedded below which was posted to YouTube by Sally Dark Rides, it shows that Intamin and Sally Dark Rides have partnered to create a number of new DARK COASTER options for the theme park and attractions industry. The interesting part of the video for Universal Studios Hollywood fans is at time stamp 2:34 when it shows the new motorized spinning 12-seater car called the “MDC 12 Seater” in an outside setting.
We assume that this layout is very similar to the new Fast and Furious roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood and it is very exciting to see how the 360-degree rotating ride vehicle traverses the track. We will update you with further details on the ride vehicle when they are announced.
Back in October 2023, details were announced and new concept art released regarding the upcoming Fast and Furious roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The new Fast and Furious roller coaster will be manufactured by Intamin and is set to be a multi-dimensional roller coaster. Although it had previously been rumored, it has now been confirmed that the ride vehicles will have the ability for “360-degree rotation”. Now this will certainly please roller coaster fans but this feature is not just for thrill seekers, the primary focus of the new information focused on the ways that Universal are ensuring the sound from this new roller coaster will not disturb the community.
The ride vehicles will be programmed so they are facing away from the community at “key scream moments”. Universal has also stated three other features of Hollywood Drift to reduce the noise and ensure it remains below the property’s sound ordinance including:
- Low rumble track with entire track being filled with pea gravel.
- A sound wall comprised of Acoustiblok, the size of two football pitches will be built.
- Two half pipe shields will be positioned on the roller coaster to encase the sound and lower it by -15dBA.
Some of you may be asking, why is Universal Studios Hollywood focusing all its attention on reducing the sound? Well, as the park is a working studios the property’s sound ordinance is less than other Universal theme parks and therefore has to be seriously considered when adding a roller coaster such as this.
To see a POV of this new Fast and Furious roller coaster including all elements, check out the video posted to YouTube by Amusement Insider below. This has been created based on the released plans.
The more details we discover about this new Fast and Furious roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood the more the hype builds. With the location of this roller coaster being positioned on the hill side between the upper and lower lots and the whole host of elements it will include as well as the new confirmation that the ride vehicles will rotate 360-degress, we believe that it could fight VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and take the crown as the best roller coaster at a Universal theme park when it hopefully opens in 2025.
Here is the full statement which was released on July 12, 2023 regarding the proposed new roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.
“Universal City, California, July 12, 2023 – Buckle up…Universal Studios Hollywood announces construction will soon begin on its new roller coaster, themed to Universal Pictures’ blockbuster saga, Fast & Furious as the world-class entertainment destination continues to elevate the guest experience.
Renowned for creating groundbreaking and imaginative rides and attractions inspired by today’s most compelling movie, television and digital game experiences, Universal Studios Hollywood will bring innovative and technological achievements never previously employed to this all-new thrill ride.
Equipped with a state-of-the-art ride system uniquely created to engulf guests within the dynamic Fast & Furious universe, this all-new roller coaster will benefit from Universal Destinations & Experiences’ decades-long expertise in revolutionizing the development of the contemporary roller coaster across its global theme park destinations.
The Fast & Furious saga is a phenomenon. For more than twenty years, the franchise has stoked passion in an ever-expanding audience and has earned more than $7 billion at the worldwide box office, Universal Pictures’ record-smashing, homegrown Fast & Furious films have become the studio’s most-profitable and longest-running franchise. Across social media platforms, the fan following for the movies and cast has grown into the biggest of any active franchise.”
Are you excited for the opening of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
