Having had the good fortune of residing within a three-hour radius of Universal Studios Hollywood throughout my life, I’ve made numerous visits to the theme park over the years. Although Universal has been continually expanding its attractions, it wasn’t until I learned about the Universal Fan Fest Nights that I felt compelled to venture beyond Hollywood Horror Nights. This special event offers immersive experiences centered around two popular fandoms close to my heart: Star Trek and Back to the Future, which are cherished by my family and me.
On Sunday, I attended the last day of a newly opened event with my father and sister. It was an amazing experience that exceeded my expectations for the kind of theme park adventure I had been longing for (even though I didn’t quite realize it). Now I want to share why it was so enjoyable and what I hope for if it comes back next year.
Not Having To Wait Longer Than 30 Minutes For Anything Gave Me Life
Instead of standing in long queues at theme parks, which can be a real downer for me, I’m drawn to any chance to visit one where I won’t spend my entire day waiting in line. Before purchasing tickets, I heard that Universal Fan Fest Nights was being highly commended for its short lines, and I was genuinely happy to discover that this praise was well-deserved.
Although I nearly chose an Express Pass, which seemed essential to experience everything at a Universal event such as Horror Nights, I’m overjoyed I didn’t splurge on it this time. In truth, it would have spoiled my next HHN trip. Almost everything there was a breeze to get into, with the exception of photo opportunities. We only took advantage of the one featuring the Delorean and Einstein the dog, and it was definitely worth the effort.
For me, Fan Fest Nights is an extraordinary event that takes place once the park has closed. Just witnessing the throng of people exiting as we were entering was enough to make the entire experience worthwhile. It gave us a sense of exclusivity and showed that Universal genuinely cares about its visitors, not just their wallets. I’d gladly return for this unique atmosphere alone.
I’m Already Ready For A Sequel For The Back To The Future: Destination Hill Valley, Because It Was So Cool
Our primary motivation for visiting was the replica of “Back to the Future” on the studio lot, a key attraction if you weren’t aware. Universal Studios chose to recreate the actual Hill Valley filming location to mirror the 1955 set from the movies, resulting in an incredibly immersive experience that transports you straight into the first movie.
You’ll be immersed in the adventure by riding the trams which are typically a highlight of Universal Studios rides, specifically the Studio Tour. Instead of proceeding past Hill Valley on the usual Studio Tour, for Destination Hill Valley, we disembarked there and spent approximately two hours exploring all it had to offer.
At this location, talented actors portray characters from the movie “Back to the Future,” making it feel like their personal stage production. However, unlike a typical play, visitors are encouraged to move around and even engage with them. During our visit to Hill Valley, we witnessed George McFly being bullied, Marty and Doc Brown wandering about before the Enchantment Under The Sea dance took place (complete with a live band), and a dramatic scene unfolded as lightning struck the clock tower.
As a captivated moviegoer, I attended this spectacular event twice and found myself wishing for a repeat performance – perhaps a 2015 or Old West rendition in the same location next year. The unpredictability of each visit is what truly sets it apart; it’s never just a straightforward journey.
I Was Definitely Let Down By Star Trek: Red Alert, But I Have An Idea For How It Could Improve
Additionally, we attended Fan Fest Nights for Star Trek: Red Alert, billed as an “immersive” experience within the Star Trek universe. However, I found it to be less impressive compared to the Back To The Future aspect of the event. As someone who prefers strolling through attractions over thrill rides, especially outside of Halloween, I appreciate the concept. Unfortunately, Red Alert fell short in delivering a satisfying experience.
As a Star Trek enthusiast, stepping aboard one of those iconic Enterprise ships was a dream come true… or so it seemed. However, the thrill quickly turned into unease as we navigated through, facing a menacing anomaly that put our vessel in peril. The cast members checking on us, assuring our safety, felt a bit out of place, given the situation wasn’t truly life-threatening. It was a blast to explore the Enterprise replica, but I couldn’t help but wonder why they didn’t whisk us off to an alien planet like in every Star Trek episode? After all, isn’t that the essence of the Star Trek experience?
It would have been even more enjoyable if they had actors portraying characters from various shows instead of just Deep Space Nine‘s Quark, who had his own themed cafe. Here’s hoping they expand on this idea in the future, with a larger set and a broader range of characters, but remember, it was their first attempt at something like this.
Not All The IPs Highlighted Were My Thing This Year, So I’m Interested In What Next Year Could Look Like
Instead, we opted for the Dungeons & Dragons exhibit (with issues akin to the Star Trek one, in my view) and made a pit-stop at Hogwarts to savor some Butterbeer and marvel at the enchanting projection show. It was truly captivating, with fewer people crowding around the castle.
As an ardent fan of video games, I must confess that I’m not deeply immersed in anime, which is why we bypassed those particular photo opportunities during our visit to Super Nintendo World. We did spend a brief moment in this gaming paradise, but unfortunately missed out on the Yoshi Egg Hunt, as my dad happened to discover who Yoshi was only that day. However, the hunt looked incredibly engaging, and if I were to return, I would definitely give it a try.
I must admit, I was a bit disappointed that the ride wasn’t operational during our visit, as it seemed like an amazing experience. If given another chance, I would jump at the opportunity to enjoy it!
Although not all IPs showcased at Fan Fest captured my interest, I still felt that the experience was worth the cost. I’m eager to discover what next year’s event might bring. Reflecting on it, I started wondering about other non-horror franchises owned by Universal that could be transformed into immersive experiences.
Among the selections not typically found in the park, I favor “Wicked” and “E.T.” as potential additions. Or perhaps one of Universal’s cherished TV shows such as “The Office” or “Parks and Recreation”? It’s worth noting that this year, they might include content outside of Universal movies for a more diverse experience. The time spent there was delightful, and I can’t wait to discover what other surprises the theme park has in store beyond the Halloween season.
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2025-05-24 00:21