UniversalParksBlog News for October 4th, 2026
Universal Studios has opened a new roller coaster, resident complaints be damned!
So, this week’s edition of UniversalParksBlog News is all about family.
The Loudest Drift
Image: Universal
Okay, you should know the story by now, just as you realize I’m not joking.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift has opened at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Image: Universal
That’s the great news. The horrible news is that the locals despise it.
In fact, they’re currently organizing against it as we speak.
Photo: Universal
This story has been ongoing for a minute, as the ride debuted on September 16th.
I didn’t cover it last time because A) I had HHN stuff to discuss and B) I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
CNN
Well, that shoe remains hanging in the air, as Deadline recently discussed.
On the ride’s opening day, while fans celebrated, residents fumed.
Universal
That’s not hyperbole, either, and it leads to the weirdest anecdote in recent memory.
One of the upset neighbors is…Roy P. Disney, the son of the late Roy E. Disney.
Image: Disney
The latter individual famously feuded with Michael Eisner about the direction of Disney.
The younger Disney is now feuding with Universal over roller coaster noise levels.
Photo: Universal
Roy P. Disney lives in the same area as Universal Studios Hollywood.
He’s honestly right to be upset, as the theme park has an understanding with the locals.
The park supposedly won’t do anything to reduce the quality of life in the area.
Alas, someone involved with the design of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift didn’t get the memo.
They’ve created an ultra-loud attraction that has the neighbors openly revolting.
The Ride and the Revolt
Photo: Universal
How problematic is this issue? Yeah, it’s pretty bad, at least according to Disney.
The person who knows a lot about theme parks says he can hear “shrieks from inside his bedroom.”
Photo: Universal Orlando
That’s either the plot of a horror movie, bragging about his bedroom prowess, or a real noise issue.
We have reason to believe that the ride is super-loud, though. Universal bills it as:
Photo: Universal
Having “speeds of up to 72 MPH and at a force of up to 3.6 Gs along 4,100 feet of elaborate aerial track.”
Clearly, people can hear that 72 MPH and g-force from their bedrooms.
The screaming fans on the ride accentuate the problem, and it’s not going away.
Think about the problem from the perspective of people who live in the area.
Image: Universal
Thousands of guests ride Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift each day.
Let’s say that a quarter of them scream, and we know the ride lasts for 90 seconds.
Image: Universal
Here’s a video of someone absolutely wailing throughout the experience:
You can check YouTube and TikTok to find other clips in case you believe I’m cherry-picking.
Image: Universal
I’m not. People get LOUD on this ride, which is a good thing from Universal’s perspective.
Clearly, many riders are having a fabulous time on this thrilling roller coaster.
I mean, the moment when the car spins is absolute genius, and I can’t wait to ride it.
Still, the fact that Universal Studios Hollywood is located in a residential area is a problem.
I wouldn’t want to deal with this noise every two minutes, and neither would you.
What Happens Next?
Universal
Universal has indicated that it’s taking steps to address that problem.
Park officials met with their neighbors on September 30th.
Universal
So, we’ll see whether anything comes from it, but Disney remains dubious.
He’s part of a community advisory border relentlessly petitioning Universal.
Today Show
Given the immediate and extreme popularity of the ride, I’m skeptical Universal does anything, though.
Recently, the new roller coaster has driven attendance to a comical degree.
Universal
On some days, its average wait time has rivaled that of Halloween Horror Nights Houses.
We’re talking about a massive start for Universal’s newest ride.
Image: Universal
That’s music to the ears of Universal Orlando Resort officials, as they need a hit.
The East Coast version of this coaster will arrive next year. By that point, the buzz should be off the charts.
I’m typing this on a random weekday afternoon, and the ride’s wait time is 90 minutes.
Obviously, that’s partially because roller coasters generally offer low throughput.
Image: Universal
But the lines are mainly that long due to the impeccable quality of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.
Universal has struggled with many of its recent roller coasters. This one’s a blockbuster.
Universal Miscellany
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
In news that matters to me more than anyone else on this planet, Five Guys is now open!
Yes, my favorite fast food/casual restaurant has opened at Universal CityWalk Orlando.
Photo: CityWalk
If you’re not eating fries and sipping a milkshake while reading this, you’re doing it wrong.
Fat One’s Hot Dogs and Italian Ice also opened a few days ago.
It’s the restaurant owned by Joey Fatone…thus, the name.
Universal also just confirmed the 2027 dates for its Mardi Gras celebration.
Insta: Fat One Dogs
Next year’s event will debut on February 6th and run through March 27th, 2027.
In funnier park news, King Kong took a beating, forcing a ride closure.
Universal
Yes, Skull Island: Reign of Kong is currently offline due to a maintenance accident.
Someone broke part of the Kong Audio-Animatronic, leading to emergency repairs.
I hope that Godzilla has an alibi since he’s the most obvious suspect.
Finally, something’s been happening lately with Universal Celestial Goodnight.
The nighttime presentation at Universal Epic Universe has taken a sabbatical.
Apparently, there’s a technical issue with the two-month-old show.
Photo: Orlando Sentinel
On many evenings, Universal has hosted the presentation…but without the fireworks.
That’s not the same thing at all. So, Epic officials will hopefully figure this out quickly.
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Feature Photo: Universal
