Latest news with #ScottStrobl
Geek Tyrant
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Geek Tyrant
Universal Studios Hollywood Goes Full Throttle with 72 MPH Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Coaster — GeekTyrant
Universal Studios Hollywood is throwing the brakes out the window with its wildest thrill ride yet, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. Officially set to open in 2026, this coaster its a massive leap forward for the park in both speed and scale. This will be Universal's fastest roller coaster ever, hitting a top speed of 72 mph. It's also the biggest coaster the Hollywood park has ever built, and it. Rather than fight the park's famously tricky terrain, the design team leaned into it. The track snakes down the hills, accelerating as it goes, like a controlled freefall with Dom Toretto-level attitude. 'Watching the progress of this incredible roller coaster come to life is truly spectacular,' said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Universal Studios Hollywood. '2026 is just around the corner and we are equally as excited as our guests to introduce such an inspiring new ride to our theme park portfolio. 'Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift' will be a powerful game changer for Universal Studios Hollywood that will not only transform the topography of our destination but will infuse an entirely new level of adrenaline to our already dynamic theme park. We look forward to riding it ourselves and to welcoming guests to experience it in the very near future.' The ride will launch from the Upper Lot, right across from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, on the former site of the special effects and animal stunt shows. Guests will start their adrenaline journey in a shady warehouse-style queue designed to mimic the film franchise's underground garage vibes. One of the most eye-catching features is the coaster's ride vehicles that fully rotate 360 degrees. This innovation simulates the iconic drift action from the Fast & Furious movies, spinning riders mid-air in sync with the chaotic energy of the franchise. It's not just fast—it feels fast. The 4,100 feet of track includes elevated segments and plunging drops, leading to a major loop situated near the revamped Jurassic World r ide. It's an aggressive use of space and speed that's clearly designed to keep the blood pumping from start to finish. Universal also unveiled one of the four cars that will be used in the ride vehicles, Toretto's legendary 1970 Dodge Charger. That car is now on display at the park, and yes, it looks ready to explode out of the gates. Universal Studios Hollywood is kicking its theme park game into high gear. Whether you're a thrill junkie or a Fast franchise lifer, Hollywood Drift sounds like it's going to demand repeat rides.
CBS News
24-02-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Universal Studios shutting down "Fast & Furious—Supercharged" Studio Tour attraction
Universal Studios Hollywood is shutting down its "Fast & Furious—Supercharged" Studio Tour attraction to make way for a yet-to-be-announced attraction in its place. "Fast & Furious—Supercharged" launched in 2015, with the studio tram rolling into a virtual high-speed 3D chase. It's set to close on March 10. The Fast & Furious universe will continue at the park, with high speed becoming the literal experience on the new outdoor roller coaster "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift" -- set to open in 2026. It will be the park's first high-speed, outdoor roller coaster. Park officials say its design leads the way with cutting-edge, innovative technology not yet used on a roller coaster. "As Universal Studios Hollywood continues to evolve, the arrival of 'Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift' will be a powerful game changer that will infuse a new level of thrill into our already dynamic theme park, and we look forward to welcoming guests when it races onto the scene in 2026," said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Universal Studios Hollywood. Highlights of the roller coaster include 360-degree rotation of the individual ride vehicles along a speeding track, with sound reduction technology. "These attributions will create a seamless sensation of drifting cars as guests spin in motion at furiously fast speeds," according to the park. "Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift" will be located on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood. Guests will queue up within a large, red brick, garage-style structure before settling into ride vehicles, modeled after several authentic cars featured in the films. Universal Pictures' Fast & Furious films have become the studio's most profitable and longest-running franchise.
Fox News
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, offering free tickets to firefighters
Two Southern California theme parks are offering free tickets to firefighters and other first responders as a way to say thank you for their work in combating the deadly and destructive wildfires that ravaged the area for the last month. Universal Studios Hollywood announced their "First Responder Heroes Ticket Offer" on Jan. 31. "To thank those who assisted our community, all eligible active U.S.-based first responders can enjoy one complimentary general admission ticket and a 50% savings on up to three additional tickets, now through April 10, 2025," said the park's website. The offer is available to "eligible active U.S. based first responders at either a public or private agency/entity," including paramedics/emergency medical technicians, firefighters, police officers/Sherriff's deputies, and National Guard members, said Universal Studios Hollywood. "The selfless dedication and tireless resilience exhibited by the first responders in response to combating the L.A. wildfires has been nothing short of extraordinary and we are very grateful to these unsung heroes for their courage during this difficult time," Scott Strobl, the executive vice president and general manager of Universal Studios Hollywood said in a statement. Strobl continued, "When these first responders are ready for a much needed break, we look forward to welcoming them to our theme park." Tickets can only be picked up in person and first responders must show a "valid government-issued photo ID and valid employee ID card for qualifying first responder occupation," said Universal Studios Hollywood. On Feb. 7, Disneyland announced a similar offer for local first responders, calling it the "Heroes Ticket." The "Heroes Ticket" is two free one-day "park hopper" tickets, which include entry to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. "We are inspired by the endless dedication and contributions of the heroes who battled the fires that took place in the LA area, and our gratitude for their service is immeasurable," said Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort, in a statement released by Disneyland. For more Lifestyle articles, visit "We hope these heroes can enjoy a memorable day with a loved one at our parks, because they certainly deserve it," said Potrock. The Heroes Ticket is available for "eligible California firefighters as well as eligible Los Angeles-based law enforcement personnel and emergency medical technicians who helped combat the LA fires in January 2025," said the release from Disneyland. "The Heroes Ticket will also be available to eligible individuals from other departments that provided mutual aid assistance." The complementary tickets will be valid Mondays through Thursdays from May 5 through Aug. 7, 2025, said Disneyland, and will require a theme park reservation. Additional information will be sent to eligible fire, police, and sheriff departments in April, said the press release.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Universal Studios Offering L.A. Wildfire First Responders Free Theme Park Tickets
If anyone needs a little break, it's fire fighters, police officers and other first responders battling the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. So Universal Studios Hollywood is offering free theme park admission to qualifying first responders until April 10, and a 50 percent discount on up to three one-day general admission tickets for any guests. More from The Hollywood Reporter Former Skydance Interactive President Pleads Guilty to Piloting Drone That Crashed Into Plane During Palisades Fire An Artist's Historic House In Pacific Palisades Was Lost In the Fire. He Hopes to Rebuild My Own Private Palisades: A Writer Remembers His Vanished Neighborhood 'The selfless dedication and tireless resilience exhibited by the first responders in response to combatting the L.A. wildfires has been nothing short of extraordinary and we are very grateful to these unsung heroes for their courage during this difficult time,' Scott Strobl, executive vp and general manager, Universal Studios Hollywood, said in a statement on Friday. 'When these first responders are ready for a much needed break, we look forward to welcoming them to our theme park.' National Guard members, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and other first responders can secure the complimentary and discounted tickets in person at the Universal Studios theme park's 'First Responder Heroes Ticket' ticket booth at the front gate entrance on the same day of a visit. No online redemption is available and first responders will need to show a valid government-issued photo ID and a valid employee ID card. The free ticket offer is not available to retired and volunteer first responders. The LA wildfires started in in Pacific Palisades, before spreading to parts of Malibu and Santa Monica, and then further afield to the Altadena-Pasadena area and elsewhere. The city-wide blazes have destroyed thousands of homes and buildings, requiring around-the-clock efforts by fire fighters, police officers and other first responders. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Highest-Profile Harris Endorsements: Taylor Swift, George Clooney, Bruce Springsteen and More Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2024: Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Olivia Rodrigo and More
