'Fast' New Rollercoaster At Universal Studios Has Neighbors Furious

Key Points:

• Roy P. Disney and other Toluca Lake residents have expressed strong opposition to the noise generated by Universal Studios' new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift rollercoaster, which emits loud screams from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
• Residents formed a community advisory panel to petition Universal for noise mitigation, proposing solutions such as adding plastic hard tops to coaster cars and building movie-themed facades to contain sound and enhance the ride experience.
• Universal Studios has implemented some noise reduction measures, including pea gravel under the track, transparent "scream screens," and a 940-foot sound wall, but residents feel these are insufficient and targeted more at protecting employees than the neighborhood.
• Universal Studios states the ride complies with sound ordinances stricter than city and county codes and emphasizes the importance of community feedback in their mitigation efforts, while promoting the coaster as a major new attraction.
• County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is actively involved, pledging to work with residents and Universal to monitor the situation and explore further noise reduction measures to protect the surrounding community.