Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster (Opening 2026)

[Rhian]

I think modern-day design pushes for designers to allow guests to keep their phones with them for longer before putting them into a locker. Hulk, Top Thrill, and a few others were before this time where people were are keen on sharing their in-line experience and being in constant communication. For new attractions it would be a disservice to guest experience to require putting things in a locker as soon as you enter the queue. Hopefully the lockers are closer to the end of the queue than the start.

This coaster looks amazing and imposing like VC. I'm so happy the west coast is getting such a great meaty coaster and can't wait to ride it someday!


Those are definitely not churros!

 

[Hello]

I think modern-day design pushes for designers to allow guests to keep their phones with them for longer before putting them into a locker. Hulk, Top Thrill, and a few others were before this time where people were are keen on sharing their in-line experience and being in constant communication. For new attractions it would be a disservice to guest experience to require putting things in a locker as soon as you enter the queue. Hopefully the lockers are closer to the end of the queue than the start.

This coaster looks amazing and imposing like VC. I'm so happy the west coast is getting such a great meaty coaster and can't wait to ride it someday!

View attachment 24270
Those are definitely not churros!

What are those things wrapped up

 

[Viator]

Doing some skimming on researching the Intamin MDC's that will be used, and a thought occurs as part of the process.

Unless there is a radical change as part of this being of the "Extreme" variety, Hollywood Drift is going to operate with only a simple lap bar restraint system, with no chin guards whatsoever. I mused on this prior with the mockups, but now with that nugget in place; it kind of occurs to me just how *intense* this coaster is going to be overall.

From the 5 inversions, the dive roll, the dive loop, high five stall, the inverted top hat, and the Hollywood Roll; it is going to easily be the most intense coaster in California (and might even be one of the most intense coasters in the world). It's gonna be interesting to see compared to X2, how people feel with the ride's rotation profile as a result of the necessity of having the rotational as part of sound mitigation.

For photo context:

 

[chris.g]

I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but unless grandfathered in, modern Cal OSHA regulations require coasters that go upside down with only lap bars to include seat belts too.

 

[Freak]

I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but unless grandfathered in, modern Cal OSHA regulations require coasters that go upside down with only lap bars to include seat belts too.

Yeah I think they are going to have to include seatbelts as well.

I’m apathetic. I don’t think it adds or takes away the thrill aspect of it. Although a lap bar is sufficient, I’m not going to complain if there are seat belts.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

View attachment 24277

Huh, the Studio Tour looks a little different in this photo.

 

[Pacific]

Doing some skimming on researching the Intamin MDC's that will be used, and a thought occurs as part of the process.

Unless there is a radical change as part of this being of the "Extreme" variety, Hollywood Drift is going to operate with only a simple lap bar restraint system, with no chin guards whatsoever. I mused on this prior with the mockups, but now with that nugget in place; it kind of occurs to me just how *intense* this coaster is going to be overall.

From the 5 inversions, the dive roll, the dive loop, high five stall, the inverted top hat, and the Hollywood Roll; it is going to easily be the most intense coaster in California (and might even be one of the most intense coasters in the world). It's gonna be interesting to see compared to X2, how people feel with the ride's rotation profile as a result of the necessity of having the rotational as part of sound mitigation.

For photo context:
View attachment 24276
View attachment 24277

Tatsu and X2 got some competition.

(Tatsu is so freaking painful for me, that Pretzel loop always makes me black out).

 

[Ron101]

I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Someone correct me if I’m wrong but unless grandfathered in, modern Cal OSHA regulations require coasters that go upside down with only lap bars to include seat belts too.

Unfortunately we don’t have a recent example that’s not from a cedar fair/six flags park. Even on non-inversion coasters there’s seatbelts at those parks. Also other variables I’ve heard but can’t confirm like park preferences, manufacturer requirements (all RMCs have seatbelts), insurance/liability costs.

I’m sure Universal is heavily leaning towards no seatbelts.

 

[Rideguy70]

As I seem to recall, if a ride goes upside down (at least in CA), they must have a secondary restraint of some kind. So that could be: lap bar and seat belt, or lap bar and OTS (as Revolution had for many years). A grandfathered exception may be Viper, which is only OTS.

 

[fryoj]

If they had to choose between seat belts and otsr, I'd think they'd go with otsr from a throughput perspective. Those would have to be a quicker check than seat belts wouldn't they?

 

[Rideguy70]

Maybe, but on the whole, they are not considered as comfortable... and you'd still need a lap restraint, which makes things real bulky. Do you not remember what Revolution was like during that period?

Others have gone with the comfort collars, but as you can tell from WCR or Electric Eel, they aren't super popular with guests either. Easier for the ops to check, but a pain in the butt for the guest to maneuver around.... so ops still end up being slow at the end of the day.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Pacific]

If they had to choose between seat belts and otsr, I'd think they'd go with otsr from a throughput perspective. Those would have to be a quicker check than seat belts wouldn't they?

Nah, I wanna be able to throw my hands up and feel like I'm flying out of my seat when I'm on this thing. I'll take slower ops.

 

[Rhian]

What are those things wrapped up

Not actually sure, I was remarking on the simple visual similarity of churros when they're wrapped up in paper:


They're likely related to construction materials like foundational stuff rather than coaster parts themselves for something on the track. I'm not sure if the caps laying on the side are related but there is one of the black pool noodle things just above the wrapped bundles. They appear hollow so it might be some kind of insulation. Anyone local can take more pics to answer what they're being used for?

For a second I thought it was another roll like VC.



If they spin the car during that hop it's gonna create some unique sensations. I don't think this coaster will be equally forceful as VC but will have more fun playing with gravitational forces.

 

[fryoj]

Nah, I wanna be able to throw my hands up and feel like I'm flying out of my seat when I'm on this thing. I'll take slower ops.

We aren't making the decision though.

 

[bdubsCEO]

So, what’s the consensus on why this is opening 2026 instead of mid-late 2025? At the rate construction is going, will it really take two more years to be ready for guests?

 

[Freak]

So, what’s the consensus on why this is opening 2026 instead of mid-late 2025? At the rate construction is going, will it really take two more years to be ready for guests?

I’m thinking early 2026 but I think late ‘25 softs are totally possible. I doubt it will OFFICIALLY open this year though.

 

[Ron101]

I see a similar Nintendo World situation happening with softs late 2025 and opening early 2026.

 

[Rideguy70]

So, what’s the consensus on why this is opening 2026 instead of mid-late 2025? At the rate construction is going, will it really take two more years to be ready for guests?

This was kind of already discussed here... but basically, everyone is anticipating a LOT of testing for this ride. Not only is it a new technology to California and all of it's standards, but it's suspected it will need all kinds of sound testing due to the residential in the area, with numerous adjustments needing to be made before it opens. Most of us are thinking it will test for months.

 

[BillM]

Why do you want them to rush it? Let them do it right, unlike Nintendo World.