As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share my insights about the must-do experiences at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Universal Fan Fest Nights! Although your preferences might be swayed by your favorite fandoms, these seven experiences cater to both casual and die-hard fans alike. Here’s a rundown of each one, so you can make an informed decision when planning your visit to this unique event.
1. Immerse yourself in the world of Harry Potter during the “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” show. The magical experience will leave you spellbound!
2. Don’t miss out on the “Minions Dance Party” at Super Silly Fun Land, where you can groove to the tunes with your favorite Minion friends!
3. Experience the awe-inspiring “Illumination: The Shows of DreamWorks Animation,” featuring characters from Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon.
4. Take a trip down memory lane with the “Back to the Future – The Ride 35th Anniversary” celebration. This iconic adventure is better than ever!
5. Get ready for an adrenaline rush with the “Transformers: The Ride-3D.” This action-packed experience will leave you on the edge of your seat!
6. Join the fun at “The Simpsons Ride” as you become part of Springfield’s craziest adventure yet!
7. Last but not least, don’t forget to catch a glimpse of all your favorite fandoms during the “Universal Fan Fest Nights Parade.” It’s an unforgettable spectacle that brings together characters from across the universes!
Displayed fanbases encompass various genres such as Dungeons & Dragons, Star Trek, Back To The Future, One Piece, Harry Potter, and Jujutsu Kaisen. Each experience offers something unique to fans, while remaining engaging for those who are simply seeking a fun time. Universal Fan Fest Nights take place on specific dates from April 25th to May 18th and require separate tickets. Although this is the inaugural year for Universal Fan Fest Nights, it’s likely that they will become an annual event.
ScreenRant had the pleasure of attending Universal Fan Fest Nights’ grand opening, alongside numerous other media platforms. We immersed ourselves in every available experience to bring you the must-sees, as preferences for these events can differ greatly based on one’s favorite fandoms. To ensure a well-rounded review, we included brief overviews of each event’s content. It’s worth mentioning that although not an official part of Universal Fan Fest Nights, characters from the musical “Wicked,” Glinda and Elphaba, make appearances near the park entrance, interacting with guests. They were as delightful as anticipated, making for a charming encounter if you happen to spare some time.
7. Super Nintendo World
Nothing Exceptional Is Added To A Regular Experience
At the start of Universal Fan Fest Nights, Super Nintendo World opens for a limited time, offering an experience similar to what guests encounter during regular hours. The unique feature here is that you can interact with the charming character, Yoshi, but be aware that this interaction ended by 10:30 PM on the opening night (times may vary on other nights). This area also presents exclusive menu items in honor of Yoshi, such as Yoshi’s Fettucine Alfredo and Yoshi’s Apple Melon Smoothie.
6. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
Meet & Interact With 3 Magical Creatures
At Universal Fan Fest Nights, the rides in Harry Potter’s Magical World remain operational even into the evening hours. However, there are more enchanting experiences for Potterheads beyond just the rides. For instance, based on the book “Magical Creatures and Where to Find Them”, you can encounter three distinct creatures: a Niffler, a baby dragon, and an Occamy. The Occamy and baby dragon freely wander the area, while the mischievous Niffler can be found outside a shop entrance, causing laughter as it is ‘caught’ by a local wizard after stealing various shimmering items, thanks to an amusing performance.
1. “These encounters are truly enjoyable, and it’s quite magical to observe these beings so closely. Additionally, there are some fresh menu options now (consider trying the house churros at the start of your night to sidestep those that have been sitting out for a while). Lastly, a performance titled ‘Hogwarts Everlasting’ is being staged, which you can catch not just on special occasions but on regular nights too.”
2. “These experiences are a blast, and getting an up-close look at these animals is truly unique. There are also some new dishes to try (start with the house churros early in the evening to avoid the ones that have been sitting out for hours), and a show called ‘Hogwarts Always’ is being presented. You can catch this performance not only on special nights but every night as well.”
3. “These interactions are a lot of fun, and it’s quite captivating to see these creatures so closely. There are also some new items added to the menu (try the house churros at the beginning of your night to skip the ones that have been sitting out for long periods), and a show called ‘Hogwarts Everlasting’ is being performed. This performance can be watched not just on special occasions but every regular night as well.”
4. “These exchanges are a lot of fun, and it’s quite enchanting to see these animals up close. There are also some fresh items on the menu (consider ordering the house churros at the start of your evening to avoid the ones that have been sitting out for hours), and a show called ‘Hogwarts Forever’ is being presented. This performance can be enjoyed not only on special nights but every regular night too.”
5. “These interactions are enjoyable, and having the chance to see these creatures up close is really something special. There are also some new dishes available (try getting the house churros at the start of your evening to miss out on the ones that have been sitting out for a while), and a show named ‘Hogwarts Eternal’ is being displayed. You can catch this performance not just on special occasions but every regular night as well.”
6. “These encounters are fun, and it’s truly amazing to observe these animals closely. There are also some new dishes to try (start with the house churros at the beginning of your evening to avoid the ones that have been sitting out for hours), and a show called ‘Hogwarts Everlasting’ is being performed. This performance can be seen not just on special nights but every regular night too.”
7. “These interactions are fun, and it’s quite fascinating to get an up-close look at these creatures. There are also some new dishes to sample (consider getting the house churros early in your evening to avoid the ones that have been sitting out for a while), and a show called ‘Hogwarts Always’ is being displayed. You can catch this performance not just on special occasions but every regular night as well.”
8. “These exchanges are enjoyable, and getting an up-close view of these animals is truly unique. There are also some new items to try (start with the house churros at the beginning of your evening to skip the ones that have been sitting out for a long time), and a show called ‘Hogwarts Forever’ is being presented. This performance can be viewed not just on special nights but every regular night too.”
9. “These interactions are fun, and it’s quite remarkable to see these creatures up close. There are also some new menu items available (consider ordering the house churros at the start of your evening to avoid the ones that have been sitting out for hours), and a show called ‘Hogwarts Everlasting’ is being staged. This performance can be watched not just on special occasions but every regular night as well.”
10. “These encounters are enjoyable, and having an up-close look at these animals is quite extraordinary. There are also some new dishes to sample (try getting the house churros at the start of your evening to miss out on the ones that have been sitting out for a while), and a show called ‘Hogwarts Always’ is being presented. You can catch this performance not just on special occasions but every regular night too.”
5. Jujutsu Kaisen
Fans Of This Anime Will Have A Blast During This 4D Show
If you’re a lover of Jujutsu Kaisen, you’re in for a treat with this immersive experience! Happening at the DreamWorks Theater, where the Kung Fu Panda show is displayed during the day, a ten-minute show transports fans into the anime world. The seats create the sensation of being an active participant in the on-screen action, even though it seems as if a 3D element has been left out for this particular screening. This same show can also be enjoyed at Universal Studios Japan.
4. One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering
The Characters Take A Long Time With Each Fan & Really Look The Part
At Universal Fan Fest Nights, you’ll find a thrilling event packed with exciting photo opportunities and encounters with your beloved pirate characters! Luffy and his Straw Hat comrades – Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji – are ready to greet you warmly and snap some unforgettable shots. Although queues might stretch long during the night, it’s because the characters generously converse and engage with fans. When Universal Fan Fest Nights began, Luffy and Sanji were stationed at separate meet-and-greet spots nearby, while the remaining trio – Zoro, Nami, and Usopp – were grouped together. By the end of the event, if you’re willing to wait, you can capture fantastic group photos with all five Straw Hat pirates!
Visitors have the opportunity to become infamous pirate characters, as depicted in humorous sketches, or receive personalized wanted posters. Additionally, you’ll find a scrumptious selection of dishes on the menu, such as Franky’s Cola Barbacoa and the Chopper Cupcake.
3. Star Trek: Red Alert
A Fun, But Very Quick, Experience
Regardless of your familiarity with the Star Trek universe, you can still be captivated by the gripping narrative of Star Trek: Red Alert. Visitors find themselves transported into space for a museum tour on the Starfleet Museum and the legendary Enterprise-D. However, events take a turn for the worse when an unidentified force seemingly assaults the vessel, causing its electronics to malfunction. As you’re hurried through various locations, you encounter numerous characters representing diverse races from multiple Star Trek series, culminating in your arrival on the genuine set-used bridge from Star Trek: Picard.
The overall experience is genuinely enjoyable, with plenty to discover; however, some aspects may go unnoticed due to the fast-paced narrative that gives certain scenes a hurried feel. Compared to the Halloween Horror Nights mazes, Red Alert offers a more interactive experience while maintaining an all-encompassing immersion into its world.
2. Back To The Future
Step Into The Film For An Immersive Experience
Among all the magical moments at Universal Fan Fest Nights, none compares to the extraordinary experience of stepping into the world of “Back to the Future.” As a fellow enthusiast, I can confidently say that this unique journey will undoubtedly be a cherished favorite for many.
You’ll embark on a studio tour tram that transports you directly onto the actual set of “Back to the Future.” The meticulously crafted environment around the clock tower has been transformed into Hill Valley 1955, offering an authentic and immersive escape into the film’s timeless narrative.
As you stroll through this captivating setting, iconic characters like Doc Brown, Marty McFly, and even Biff roam around, bringing to life scenes straight from the movie that have become etched in our collective memories.
You have the opportunity to engage with these scenes as if you’re right in the movie itself. Essentially, it’s about a roughly 45-minute immersive journey, and you can opt to stay and rewatch the unfolding events multiple times. Given the abundance of activities and sights, it might be wise to catch everything, though it’s worth mentioning that dining options in Hill Valley are limited to light snacks.
1. Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets Of Waterdeep
A Life-Size Beholder Easily Puts This At The Top Of The List
Enthusiasts of “Dungeons & Dragons” are in for an unparalleled treat when they enter the game itself and encounter a colossal Beholder. The Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in collaboration with Universal has crafted something so awe-inspiring that no words can truly capture its grandeur. As part of the main attraction of “Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets Of Waterdeep“, guests are guided by characters through an immersive, interactive experience filled with Easter Eggs inspired by the D&D world and references that will have players grinning from ear to ear. Assist in casting spells and solve puzzles as you embark on a quest to recover a stolen staff and restore order in Waterdeep.
More About Universal Fan Fest Nights
Really Go There with Interactive and Immersive In-World Experiences
The new seasonal event at Universal Fan Fest, titled “Universal Fan Fest Nights,” promises a thrilling experience filled with unique, immersive activities set within the realms of sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, anime, and more. Expect themes based on Star Trek, Back to the Future, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, ONE PIECE, Jujutsu Kaisen, and even encounters with characters from Wicked (specifically Elphaba and Glinda). Additionally, theme park staples like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will offer exclusive additions and introduce new character and interactive elements specifically for Universal Fan Fest Nights.
Visitors are expected to attend since they’ll immerse themselves in the world of their favorite characters, collaborate with them, express their passion, mingle with fellow enthusiasts, and participate in cosplay activities.
2025’s Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood will take place on certain evenings, starting from the 25th of April and continuing until the 18th of May.
Tickets can be purchased here, as it is ticketed separately from general admission to the park.
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2025-04-28 00:23