UPDATE February 20 – In the latest video update from Theme Park Wizard we can see the recent developments on the upcoming Fast & Furious rollercoaster.From timestamp 6:01 we get to see that a lot of the mountain where footers have been dug has been covered in preparation for the expected rain. At timestamp 6:50 the supports and footers have begun to be dug for the immelmann of the dive loop.At timestamp 7:59 we see that all construction is currently focused on the station as the hillside is covered due to the forecasted rain. We can see that the retaining wall is almost complete and work continues on the footers with concrete being poured for the station platform.In a recent video posted to YouTube which is embedded below by AmusementInsider, we get to see a new unofficial NoLimits 2 POV On-Ride animation for the new “Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift” 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. 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 optimistic for a late 2024 opening, it now seems that this is an impossibility with latest rumors being 2025. We will continue to bring you construction updates over the coming weeks and months as this new roller coaster begins to be installed.January 28 – We are interested to be keeping up to date with the construction developments for the new Fast and Furious roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood.In a new video update posted to YouTube by Theme Park Wizard we get to see the latest construction updates. At timestamp 4:45 the retaining wall for the station can be seen. Construction vehicles can be seen working and at 6:50 more progress can be seen from the Starway with heavy vehicles in place in preparation for drilling supports for the new roller coaster.At 7:45 we get to see the sheer scale of the hillside where the new Fast and Furious roller coaster will be installed. The location is surely going to be a challenge but we will continue to bring you construction updates over the coming weeks and months as this new roller coaster begins to be installed.
Image: Universal
January 20 – Construction for the new Fast and Furious roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood is progressing well and there has been exciting news this week regarding the queue line.In a new video posted to YouTube by Theme Park Wizard we get to see a permit which reveals where the queue line will be for the new Fast and Furious roller coaster. The permit also confirms that there will be double-sided lockers and metal detectors.Earlier this week, 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 HollywoodRooftop view from Valley Spring looking south towards Universal Studios HollywoodAerial view from Toluca Lake looking south toward Universal Studios HollywoodAerial view from the Cahuenga Pass toward Universal Studios HollywoodAerial view from Blair Drive looking west toward Universal Studios HollywoodAerial view from The Island community looking east toward Universal Studios HollywoodNighttime view from Valley Spring looking south toward Universal Studios HollywoodIn the recent video update posted to YouTube by Theme Park Obsession on January 12, we got to see the latest developments on the upcoming Fast and Furious roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. When starting at timestamp 4:39 you get to see views from the look out at Universal Studios Hollywood where the sheer scope of this site can be appreciated. It is a really huge area.In this recent update on the new Fast and Furious we get to see a massive crane which is now in place and will be tasked with lifting the roller coaster pieces into place.Forms can be seen for concrete walls in the area of the station. This project is going to be extremely exciting and we will continue to update you on developments during the coming weeks and months. In a new video posted to YouTube by Theme Park Wizard back in mid-December at timestamp 3:32 you can see that work hasdbeen taking place on the upper lot where the station for the new Fast and Furious roller coaster has now gone vertical. Further work has been continuing on the lower level with more grading and pile driving for footers being carried out. Electrical work is also ongoing.The biggest development is that a large crane is being built on site which will enable construction of the roller coaster to begin. It is rumored that track from Intamin is already at Universal Studios Hollywood in preparation for it being moved to the site when it is needed. This is very exciting and we expect to see work ramping up on this new roller coaster in the coming weeks.There was a construction update posted to twitter by Coaster Empire on November 21, showing the hillside where the new Fast and Furious roller coaster will be located at Universal Studios Hollywood. As you can see in the short video, the clearing of the hillside is now complete.Site overview video. Really gives you the full scope of the project. Sorry folks no way this opens in 2024. Let me know if you think I’m wrong! @screamscape @ParkWizar1 @insideuniversal @ParkPredictions @UniNewsToday @AliciaStella @Universal__Core pic.twitter.com/c4LDLfVrPi— Coaster Empire (@coasterempire86) November 21, 2023Also last week there was a video update posted to YouTube by Theme Park Obsession. If you look at the time stamp 4:32 you get to see the hillside with construction crews beginning work at the top of the hill. We can see cement trucks heading up the hill and work has now begun on digging the footers. These footers could be for the roller coaster structure itself or the station or the queue line.Universal has so far not announced an official timeline for this new Fast and Furious roller coaster but it is expected to open either late 2024 or early 2025. Some are speculating that with footings only now beginning, an end of 2024 opening seems very unlikely but as with the other Fast and Furious roller coasters, we aren’t expecting huge theming surrounding the actual roller coaster itself with majority of the theming being expected up in the queue line which should cut the construction time.
Image: Coaster Empire
We are expecting to see further progress on the ground work over the coming weeks. We will continue to update you on construction progress We recently 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, 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.
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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.For previous updates, continue reading…
