Universal Just Made a Major Move to Silence Guests at This California Park
Universal Studios Hollywood has installed sound shield panels on Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift to address noise concerns before the coaster opens in summer 2026. The transparent panels with a slight green tint now cover white frames positioned around the coaster track curves, designed to reduce noise from the ride mechanism and from guests screaming.
Sound levels were a major concern from neighboring property owners before construction began. Universal conducted sound tests and committed to implementing sound reduction technology, allowing the park to build an intense thrill ride without creating noise pollution affecting surrounding areas.
Why Sound Reduction Is Necessary at Universal
Universal Studios Hollywood operates within a developed area of Los Angeles County surrounded by residential neighborhoods, commercial properties, and active film production facilities. Unlike parks built on massive isolated plots, Universal must carefully manage sound to maintain positive relationships with neighbors and comply with local noise ordinances.
The sound shield panels demonstrate Universal’s proactive approach to addressing concerns before they become problems. By implementing reduction technology from the beginning rather than adding it reactively after complaints, Universal positions itself as a responsible neighbor.
The panels also serve a secondary safety function by helping catch or slow wayward objects that could fly from guest pockets during the ride.
Additional Construction Details
The panels match the aesthetic of the glass canopy over the escalators connecting Universal’s Upper Lot and Lower Lot, maintaining visual consistency across the park’s infrastructure.
Additional construction is happening on the stairs next to the escalators, which previously had no canopy. White frames are in place where the stairs cross under the coaster track. Presumably to be filled with matching green-tinted glass providing both shade for guests and additional sound buffering. This stretch of stairs is currently closed for construction.
In the outdoor queue, string lights were recently spotted illuminated during daytime visits, crisscrossing above the queue with red triangular fabric shades providing thematic decoration and sun protection.
The Coaster’s Timeline at Universal
Universal officially announced Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift will open in the summer of 2026. Providing a firm seasonal timeline after months of construction without confirmed opening windows. The announcement came with a teaser video and the line “It’s time to ride like never before. Buckle up for the next chapter of Fast & Furious at Universal Studios.”
The coaster represents Universal’s attempt to return the Fast & Furious franchise to its street racing roots rather than focusing on international missions from later films. The story will be set in Southern California, the region tied to the original film.
Testing and Camouflage
The coaster trains are currently being tested while wrapped in dazzle camouflage, concealing their actual car designs. Each ride vehicle resembles a car from the Fast & Furious franchise, though aside from the lead Dodge Charger, these haven’t been officially revealed. Their designs were visible in a concept video, but Universal has maintained mystery around the full vehicle lineup.
The Gift Shop
The Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift gift shop, 101 Exchange Store, opened in September 2025 and received Fast and Furious merchandise months later. The shop recently installed a new light-up red-and-white sign on the side of the brick building, much bigger and brighter than the text above the doors, helping indicate that the store is open while the coaster remains under construction.
Coming to Universal Studios Florida, Too
Universal announced last month that Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is also coming to Universal Studios Florida, already under construction to replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. That decision to replace such an iconic thrill ride demonstrates Universal’s confidence in the new coaster concept.
The Florida version will also see Fast & Furious: Supercharged close, just like it did at Universal Studios Hollywood. That attraction became controversial at Universal Orlando Resort. Making the coaster replacement feel like an attempt by Universal to reset the Fast & Furious narrative.
The Big Reveal Tease
Three weeks ago, Universal Studios Hollywood teased a “big reveal” about the coaster coming soon, but hasn’t announced anything new. That ongoing mystery keeps fans speculating about what Universal might be withholding. Could it be specific ride elements? Or unique vehicle features, or special effects?
The summer 2026 opening gives Universal several months to complete construction. This also gives them time to conduct testing and build anticipation. Hollywood Drift could become one of the most talked-about theme park additions of the year.
