Thank you to the folks at Universal Studios for the invite!

TLDR At the bottom the article!

Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Nights is the first-ever after-hours celebration dedicated to all kinds of fandoms. Whether you're into Dungeons & Dragons, anime, blockbuster films, or just curious about fan culture, Fan Fest Nights was made with you in mind. Beginning at 7 PM, the gates open to reveal a transformed park brimming with immersive experiences—walk through a Star Trek mission, battle your way through a live-action D&D campaign, meet your favorite One Piece characters, hunt for Yoshi’s eggs, and even take a trip through time.

What stood out most to me wasn’t just the attractions, but the people. The energy in the park was genuinely uplifting. Fan Fest Nights thrives because guests want to be part of the magic—they come ready to interact, engage, and celebrate what they love. Not once did I sense any judgment toward those in cosplay or anyone geeking out over meeting their favorite characters. It truly felt like a safe space for fans to be unapologetically themselves.

Events like this can sometimes fall flat if attendees are too shy to immerse themselves, but that wasn’t the case here. It was genuinely heartwarming to see so many people excited and completely in their element. And if these are the same actors from Horror Nights—finally getting to see your faces was a treat. You all did an incredible job!

Star Trek: Red Alert!

One of the two story-driven walk-through attractions at Fan Fest Nights, Star Trek: Red Alert takes you aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise-D as a mysterious entity disrupts the ship’s systems, triggering a full Red Alert! The set design is impressively detailed, even featuring a screen-used bridge set piece, which will absolutely wow hardcore Star Trek fans. Even as someone who isn’t deeply into Star Trek, I still had a great time—thanks largely to the incredible performances from the cast.

The walkthrough tells a quick, engaging story. While I think it could’ve benefitted from one or two additional rooms to build more tension, each space had a dedicated actor guiding guests through the narrative. They did an excellent job making everyone feel like part of the experience, despite it being a fixed storyline. The final room—the iconic Bridge—featured three actors in phenomenal makeup, providing a satisfying narrative conclusion. One actor in particular really stood out, doing great crowd work and helping fans snap some truly memorable photos.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed

Imported directly from Universal Studios Japan, Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed came with plenty of hype—and it absolutely delivered. Taking over the DreamWorks Theater, this attraction stands out for its length and quality. Most shows in this theater, like Kung Fu Panda during the day (about 10 minutes) or Late Night with Chucky during Halloween Horror Nights (around 5 minutes), are much shorter. But Hunger of the Cursed runs for a full 20 minutes and truly feels like you’ve stepped into an episode of the anime—complete with the classic, cheesy “Thanks for your help, we hope to see you next time!” farewell.

To my surprise, this ended up being my favorite part of the night. I came into Fan Fest Nights expecting Dungeons & Dragons or Back to the Future to steal the show, but Jujutsu Kaisen took the top spot. The pre-show flows smoothly into the main event, and while the seats don’t move constantly, when they do, it enhances the immersion and makes you feel like part of the action.

This is absolutely a must-see. Even though lines are generally short at Fan Fest Nights, I’d wait for this one—it’s worth every minute.

One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering

Aside from the themed food offerings, the One Piece section of the park functions more like a themed zone than a traditional attraction. While it’s not a scare-zone in the usual sense—there aren’t actors jumping out at you—it’s the central hub for One Piece character meet-and-greets and photo ops. The character actors were out practically all night, and they drew some of the longest lines I saw during the entire event.

Despite the constant crowds, the actors stayed incredibly engaged—especially with kids. The performer playing Luffy, in particular, stood out. He absolutely nailed the character’s infectious energy, and every interaction I witnessed felt personal and genuine. Honestly, he deserves a raise for the level of enthusiasm he brought.

If you're a One Piece fan, this area is definitely worth checking out for the character encounters alone. However, if you're not into meet-and-greets or the franchise, this might be a part of the park you just walk through.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, magical creatures now roam the park—and while I initially wasn’t as excited about them as I was for the Hogwarts Castle show, they completely won me over. The creatures were charming and interactive, especially the Niffler, who was absolutely adorable. A special shoutout goes to the Niffler’s handler, who made the experience even more memorable. Before I got my turn, I watched a young boy approach with his stuffed baby Niffler. The handler let him name the creature—he chose “Sausage”—and while the name might not be official, that moment is something he’ll likely remember forever.

The other highlight in the Wizarding World is the nighttime Hogwarts show. This version runs through iconic moments like the Triwizard Tournament, a game of Quidditch (a theme that pops up throughout the land), and other magical scenes from the films. Every time I watch one of these shows, I leave wanting to rewatch the entire Harry Potter series. The castle looks absolutely massive and awe-inspiring during the performance, adding to the magic.

The night I attended, there were three showings, and I had no trouble fitting it in after seeing both Star Trek and Jujutsu Kaisen. Still, I recommend arriving at least 10 minutes early if you want a good view—this one’s worth the short wait.

Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley

This was easily the part of Fan Fest Nights where I spent the most time—and for good reason. Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley takes over the Tram Tour, transforming it into an actual time-travel experience. Doc Brown has rigged the tram to jump through time, delivering guests right into the iconic Hill Valley town square. And yes, it's the actual movie set.

The moment I stepped off the tram, I couldn’t help but explore every inch of the space. It’s not every day you get free rein on such a legendary set, and the experience is deeply interactive in a way that rewards curiosity. The longer you stay, the more you discover. Just when I thought I’d seen it all, another skit or moment would begin, pulling me back in.

Walking through the square was surreal—though the buildings are just façades, everything together felt alive, like you’d actually stepped into a living, breathing town. And the actors absolutely brought it all to life. They weren’t just spouting generic "what's a cellphone?" lines; they fully embodied their roles. From classic 1950s bullies slinging era-appropriate insults to singing mechanics and curious townsfolk, every interaction felt authentic and fun.

The area is packed with photo ops—from the flaming tire tracks and spinning license plate to the legendary DeLorean. And yes, Einstein, the best boy himself, makes an appearance for the perfect fan photo.

There are also larger-scale story moments that unfold over time. One highlight was the recreation of the famous lightning strike under the clock tower, complete with projection effects that captured the scene beautifully. Then there’s the "Enchantment Under the Sea" dance, where Marty has to make sure his parents fall in love. The crowd even joined in, chanting “George! George! George!” until the big kiss, followed by a round of cheers. It was hilarious and heartwarming.

Like I said, events like this only work if the crowd is engaged, and that night, it felt like everyone was on the same page—excited, present (or past), and just having a blast.

Super Nintendo World: Let’s Go Yoshi!

This part of the night clearly leaned more toward younger guests—and that’s not a bad thing. It’s great to see that Universal planned ahead for families and expected a sizable kid-friendly turnout. However, Super Nintendo World was the only themed area to close early. On the Saturday I attended, it shut down by 10 PM.

That said, if you begin your evening in the Lower Lot, you’ll likely experience everything there long before closing time becomes an issue. Honestly, this portion of the event felt more like a soft introduction to Yoshi rather than a fully fleshed-out attraction. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t offer much for those outside of its intended demographic.

Unless you’re an absolutely die-hard Yoshi fan, this is one part of Fan Fest Nights you can probably skip without regret.

Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep

This was the last experience I did for the night (aside from grabbing food), and it was the one I’d been looking forward to the most—and it absolutely delivered. The adventure begins in a themed waiting area where you're introduced to the city of Waterdeep. From there, you’re given a quest and led through the experience by one of the heroic characters. And yes, I know I keep saying this—but the actors truly made the experience. They were hilarious, engaging, and fully committed, making the whole thing feel like a chaotic, live-action D&D session.

At times, it genuinely felt like there was a Dungeon Master guiding the narrative behind the scenes, while the actors brought the party to life. One standout moment for me: I was playing a Fighter, and when asked to sense danger, I pointed off into the distance—completely guessing—and accidentally nailed the exact location of a hidden creature. I won’t lie, I was way too excited about that.

Of course, the Xanathar animatronic was as impressive as expected, but what stood out most was how immersive and interactive the entire experience felt. It was everything I hoped it would be—I just wish it had lasted a little longer.

Dinner & Snacks & Drinks

One of the major highlights of the event was the themed food and drinks—and for the first time, Universal offered a tasting card for $65. It included two entrées and four snacks, desserts, or non-alcoholic drinks. Personally, I thought it was a solid deal, especially if you’re attending with a friend. Split it down the middle, and you each get a full meal and two snacks—or you can share everything. One small improvement I’d suggest: offering an upgrade option that includes alcoholic beverages. Even just allowing two of the snack credits to be used for alcohol (with limits to prevent overindulgence) would make the pass even more appealing.

As for the food itself, I found the snacks and drinks generally more impressive than the entrées—but overall, I enjoyed nearly everything I tried.

Must-Visit: Quark’s Cafe

If you’re only going to try one food location, make it Quark’s Cafe. The Star Trek-themed offerings were easily the best in the park. The sleeper hit of the night was the Tribble Truffle Trio. We grabbed it as a last-minute snack using our final tasting card credit, and it was so good I nearly turned around to buy another. Even if you’re not craving sweets, Quark’s has the most diverse menu among all the themed food spots. Pro tip: don’t let the brightly colored bun scare you off—the chicken sandwich is a standout.

Sweet Tooth? Try the Jujutsu Kaisen Cart

If dessert is your priority, stop by the Jujutsu Kaisen snack cart. The brownie was one of the best I’ve had in a theme park—super fudgy with surprisingly good frosting (and I usually skip the frosting).

Cocktails & Chaos: The First Roll Tavern

Gelatenous Cube & Eldritch Blast cocktail

For drinks, The First Roll Tavern in the Dungeons & Dragons area is a must. The cocktails are both creative and delicious. I saw a lot of people grabbing the Dragon’s Breath, but I went with the Eldritch Blast—a tart, sour option that I’d definitely recommend for fans of bold flavors. I also couldn’t resist trying the gelatinous cube dessert. It looked awesome in photos, but flavor-wise, it’s skippable. The rest of the food here is decent—good for snacking while you wait in line—but not particularly filling. It would’ve been fun if they had a dice tower at the counter so you could literally roll too decide what you got.

Other Food Stops

I didn’t get a chance to eat at Super Nintendo World, so I can’t comment on the Yoshi pasta or milkshake, but they seemed pretty standard. Mel’s Diner looked appealing but offers more classic, no-frills diner fare—nothing groundbreaking.

If you’re considering the three-course meal at Three Broomsticks, plan ahead—it fills up fast. The meal itself was fairly standard, but the price was better than expected. Just a heads-up: themed food tends to sell out early, especially items like the house churros. From what I heard, the Slytherin churro was the fan favorite (and likely the reason it sold out), while the Gryffindor churro had a sweet, cereal-like flavor and the Ravenclaw churro was a unique surprise, though not my personal favorite.

Sanji’s Galley

The food here looked great, but the theming was only mildly present. The Franky Cola Barbacoa was decent for theme park fare, though I’ve definitely had better elsewhere (which isn’t surprising, given the mass production). That said, the tea from Sanji’s Galley might’ve been the best non-alcoholic drink I had all night.

Merch

If you’re planning to pick up some merch—which, let’s be honest, most people are—I recommend heading straight to the shop that carries items from all the featured fandoms. While I liked the color scheme of the official Fan Fest merchandise none of the merch indicated that it was the first ever Fan Fest Nights which I think would’ve been a great memento. Plus I think it would’ve been even cool to see something like the Universal Studios entrance design featuring characters from across all the fandoms. That kind of crossover artwork would’ve made for an awesome centerpiece.

Surprisingly, my favorite merch collection ended up being the Star Trek line—even though I’m not a huge fan of the franchise. The designs just stood out. And honestly, if you take your time to browse, you’re bound to find something that speaks to you, no matter what fandom you’re into.

Tips & Recommendations

First things first—check the weather before you go. It might seem obvious, but when I visited, it was raining on and off, and tons of people were caught without raincoats or umbrellas. Don’t be one of them.

As for getting around, you probably won’t need a Fast Pass, but if your goal is to knock everything out quickly, it can definitely help. Just keep in mind that it won’t give you front-of-the-line access for meet & greets or food stands—so expect to wait in those lines regardless.

One of the best things you can do is plan ahead. Figure out what food you want to try and where it’s located so you’re not zigzagging across the park all night. Unlike Halloween Horror Nights, this event isn’t packed shoulder-to-shoulder, which makes it a lot more manageable.

If you want a solid strategy: hit the Star Trek area early, take care of any meet & greets you’re interested in, and then work your way back through the park. Most lines stayed under 30 minutes, and when I did Dungeons & Dragons around midnight, it was a complete walk-on. As long as you pace your food breaks between experiences, you’ll probably be able to finish everything before closing time.

Also, don’t be afraid to revisit anything. You might catch something you missed the first time—or you can even try the alternate side of one of the walkthroughs for a slightly different experience.

Final Verdict (TLDR)

Overall, I had a fantastic time at Universal Fan Fest. From immersive experiences like Secrets of Waterdeep and Star Trek: Operation Enterprise to the surprisingly strong lineup of themed snacks and drinks, the event delivered way more than I expected. Sure, there were some areas that felt like they could’ve used a bit more polish—like Super Nintendo World closing early or a few missed opportunities with merch—but none of that took away from the fun. The actors were all-in, the atmosphere was lively without being overwhelming, and the layout made it easy to enjoy everything at a relaxed pace. With a little planning, it’s easy to get through most (if not all) of the offerings, and there’s plenty of variety no matter your fandom. I’m genuinely excited to see how this event evolves in the future—it’s a strong foundation, and with a few tweaks, it could become a must-visit staple. Universal is clearly onto something here, and I can’t wait to see where they take it next.

Universal Studios Fan Fest Nights is going on now during weekends until May 18th, so hurry before it’s too late!