Cheers, friends! If you’re the kind of traveler who can quote Star Trek, name every house in Hogwarts, or still gets goosebumps when you hear the Back to the Future theme, this one’s for you. Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is a brand-new after-hours event built for fans who love their franchises.
Universal Studios Hollywood just launched its first ever Fan Fest Nights, a special after-hours event that trades jump scares for joy rides through your favorite fandoms. We’re talking Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons, Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, Super Nintendo World, and yes the highlight of the night: an immersive trip to Hill Valley.
We were lucky enough to attend the first two nights, tickets in hand and cameras rolling, and what we found was a mix of nostalgia, surprising food choices (some good, some… not great), and a whole lot of heart. But was it worth the price? That depends on what you’re looking for.
In this post, we’re walking you through everything we learned, ticket hacks, where to find the best photo ops, what zones are worth lining up for, and what to avoid if you’ve got dietary restrictions. Whether you’re planning your own trip or just curious about what Universal’s newest event has to offer, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s break it all down.
What Is Fan Fest Nights?
Fan Fest Nights is Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest after-hours event and no, it’s not Halloween Horror Nights in disguise. This is a celebration of fandoms, not frights.
Running from 7 PM to 2 AM, this special ticketed event transforms the park into a collection of themed zones representing iconic franchises: Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons, Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, Super Nintendo World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and yes,Back to the Future. If you’ve ever wanted to stroll through Waterdeep, dance under the Enchantment Under the Sea banner, or shout “Sub not dub!” at a 4D anime show, you’re in the right place.
There are no haunted houses here. Instead, you’ll find immersive walkthroughs, costumed characters, exclusive food and drinks, and themed photo ops sprinkled throughout the park. In a lot of ways, it borrows the structure of Halloween Horror Nights, limited time zones, specialty menus, exclusive merch but dials up the joy and dials down the jump scares.
To get in, you need a separate ticket, your daytime admission won’t cut it. But the good news? Once you’re inside, nearly everything is included. That means you can hop on rides, walk through themed zones, and catch live entertainment without paying extra once the event starts.
And yes, adult cosplay is encouraged (just check Universal’s detailed costume guidelines first to avoid any issues. You can find those here).
How Much Does It Cost (and What’s Worth It?)
Let’s talk tickets. Universal didn’t make this one simple. There are a handful of options depending on when you want to arrive and how much access you’re looking for.
General Admission is the base ticket and gets you into Fan Fest Nights starting at 7 PM. That’s when the main event officially kicks off.
Early Access is an optional add-on for $20 per person and absolutely worth it if you’re only going for one night. It lets you enter the park at 5:30 PM and gives you a head start on three big zones: Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons, and Jujutsu Kaisen.
There’s also an After 2 PM ticket that gives you daytime park access starting at 2 PM and includes early access to those same three zones at 5:30 PM. That one starts around $114 per person, so it’s a pricier option but offers more park time.
Express and VIP tickets are also available and let you skip lines, but honestly, we didn’t find them necessary. Most attractions were walk-ons, especially after the initial 7 PM rush.
We originally tried to save by booking a 2-day ticket, which brought the per-night cost down to $55. But here’s a catch Universal doesn’t highlight: blackout rules. You can’t use a 2-day ticket for Friday and Saturday, only Friday/Sunday or Saturday/Sunday. Thankfully, we caught this before using the tickets and were able to get a refund with help from a kind team member at Guest Services.
We ended up going with General Admission plus Early Access, which came to $75 a night. That felt like the sweet spot. Plenty of time to explore, no stress, and we didn’t feel like we were missing out on anything.
Oh, and one last thing, if you’re already in the park during the day and don’t want to leave at 5:30, you might be able to add on Fan Fest access at the gate for $49. It’s not always available, but it’s something to ask about if you’re on the fence.
The Zones and Experiences
Fan Fest Nights brings together some of the biggest fandoms in sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and gaming. From immersive walkthroughs to character photo ops and themed food, each zone offered something unique. And while some areas stood out more than others, the overall vibe was fun and fan-focused.
Star Trek: Red Alert
This walkthrough takes you aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise-D with screen-used set pieces from Star Trek: Picard, including the actual bridge. It is a short experience but well done, especially for longtime Trekkies. Live actors guide you through a mini-mission as a mysterious entity messes with the ship’s systems. The sets are clean and polished just like you’d expect, but the story moves quickly and there is little time for interaction. It is not for newcomers, but for fans, it is a solid hit.
You can fuel up nearby at Quark’s Café with Klingon Targ Legs or grab a Ceti Eel Margarita at Ten Forward Bar. Just know that these spots are lightly themed and located far from the walkthrough.
Dungeons and Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep
Set inside Soundstage 15 behind the Transformers ride, this walkthrough feels like stepping into your own fantasy campaign. You journey through the city of Waterdeep to stop Xanathar the beholder. The sets are filled with detail, and the live actors make it feel like a guided medieval adventure. You do not need to know anything about D&D to enjoy it, but fans will appreciate the references to spells, items, and tropes. The pacing is solid and the effects are surprisingly strong.
Themed snacks are available at First Roll Tavern nearby. We tried the Traveler’s Rations and Fireball dessert. Food was fun and creative but did not feel like a true tavern experience. Still, it added to the flavor of the night.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed 4D
Located at the DreamWorks Theater, this 4D anime experience uses motion seats, air blasts, and light mist to immerse you in a battle-filled storyline. The movie is in Japanese with English subtitles, something anime fans often prefer. If you are not familiar with the show, you may not follow the plot, but you will still enjoy the intensity of the effects. There is a brief pre-show to help set the scene.
Outside, the JJK food cart had unique treats like a strawberry drink with chili-lime rim and cursed-themed cookies, but lines were long and items seemed to sell out early.
One Piece
This zone was clearly more popular than Universal expected. It was packed all night and located in a tight space, which made it feel even more crowded. The meet and greet with Luffy, Zoro, or Nami had long lines, but the performers were fantastic. The area leaned into the cartoony vibe of the anime with bright sets and costumes.
You could buy a custom wanted poster for $45 in black and white or $65 in color. We stood in line for food at Sanji’s Galley but were disappointed to find no gluten-free options available even though some dishes sounded like they might be.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This zone didn’t need many changes, and honestly, it was better for it. Hogsmeade was almost empty when it reopened for the event at 7 PM, and that peaceful experience was magical. We grabbed hot Butterbeer without a wait, wandered Ollivanders, and enjoyed the Hogwarts Always projection show which plays every half hour from 9 to 11:30 PM.
Fan Fest offered an exclusive three-course dinner at Three Broomsticks for $40 with advance reservations. Just be warned, we were told food allergies could be accommodated but found out the menu had only one gluten-free option. The dinner setup also takes up a lot of your night, so weigh your priorities.
Super Nintendo World
Another area that didn’t need many additions. This land already nails the immersive factor. It reopened at 7 PM and the line to get in stretched all the way back toward the escalators. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi were out for meet and greets, and a light scavenger hunt gave guests a fun mission. Complete the hunt and you get to meet a special Yoshi.
Toadstool Café required day-of reservations via a QR code near the entrance. The area was lively, and Mario Kart had almost no wait at all.
Wicked Meet and Greet
Near the front of the park, across from Quark’s Café, this was a small but charming touch. You could meet either Glinda or Elphaba depending on when you stopped by. There was a simple backdrop and short line, making it a great bonus photo op.
Back to the Future: Hill Valley
This was the crown jewel of the night. Guests board the Studio Tour tram and head down to Courthouse Square, the actual filming location from the original movie. The entire area is transformed into 1955 Hill Valley. Actors perform scenes from the film, interact with the crowd, and ad-lib between segments. There’s a live band at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance and plenty of photo ops, including Doc’s garage with the DeLorean and Einstein the dog.
The show runs on a 45-minute loop with no posted schedule, so you can stay as long as you like. Just plan ahead, food and bathrooms are limited once you’re down there.
Ride Access and Wait Times
While Fan Fest Nights is all about the themed zones and fandom-focused experiences, Universal Studios Hollywood also kept most of the major rides running. And honestly? It was a great bonus.
Every ride we checked out during the event was basically a walk-on. We’re talking The Secret Life of Pets, Mario Kart, and even The Mummy, all without virtual queues or Express Passes. If you’ve ever dealt with long lines on a regular park day, this alone might make Fan Fest worth the ticket.
Jurassic World was a bit of a no-go since the weather was too chilly for water rides, and Transformers was closed during our visit. But with everything else open and easy to access, we didn’t feel like we missed out.
Even the Studio Tour was in on the fun, though it was re-routed specifically for the Back to the Future experience in Hill Valley. On the ride back up from the lower lot, we passed through an active film set for a new project called The Burbs. That unexpected behind-the-scenes peek was a real treat.
And for anyone wondering about Express Passes, you probably don’t need one. Unless you’re planning to squeeze everything into one tight evening or absolutely hate any kind of wait, general admission should be just fine.
Atmosphere and Crowd Insights
One of the biggest surprises at Fan Fest Nights was just how relaxed the whole evening felt. For an event packed with major franchises and exclusive experiences, the crowds were surprisingly manageable.
Yes, there were a few hot spots. The One Piece meet and greet area stayed busy all night. Lines formed early for re-entry into Super Nintendo World and Hill Valley as soon as those lands reopened at 7 PM. But outside of those moments, the park felt open and easy to navigate.
Universal kept the energy up by blasting themed music throughout the park. Each zone had its own curated playlist, which helped make every area feel distinct. Hill Valley and One Piece were the most well-lit and lively, while other parts of the park held onto that classic nighttime theme park vibe.
There were also two music stages that added to the fun. In Universal Plaza, an 80s cover band had folks dancing between fandom stops. Over in the Lower Lot, a DJ near Jurassic World kept things upbeat, even though the ride itself was closed.
We didn’t feel the need to close the park down since we attended both nights. But if you only have one evening, you could definitely hit all the major zones and still have time to relax. There were plenty of quiet corners too. Minion Café, French Bistro, and the food stand across from Transformers were all peaceful if you needed to catch your breath.
The crowd itself was as diverse as the fandoms being celebrated. Trekkies, anime fans, Nintendo lovers, and Back to the Future diehards all mingled with ease. If you struck up a conversation in line, chances were good the person next to you shared your love for the same universe. And while rides are great, most people weren’t there for them. The real joy came from the shared love of fandoms and the low-key, welcoming vibe that tied it all together.
Final Thoughts and Who This Event Is For
Fan Fest Nights feels like Universal Studios Hollywood finally said, “Let’s give the fans their moment,” and for the most part, they pulled it off.
If you’re a Back to the Future fan, this is your event. The Hill Valley experience is something special, you get to walk the real Courthouse Square, watch scenes from the movie unfold around you, and interact with the cast between performances. It’s emotional, immersive, and completely unique.
Anime fans will feel right at home too. Between Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, and the general cosplay vibe, it’s clear that Universal underestimated how strong the turnout would be for those franchises. And while the Star Trek and Dungeons & Dragons zones didn’t go as deep into their worlds as they could have, they were still fun and accessible for fans of all levels.
The real win here is the crowd size. Super Nintendo World and Hogsmeade without the usual shoulder-to-shoulder traffic? That alone made the night feel worth it. And thanks to minimal wait times, even the major rides felt like bonuses you could squeeze in without stress.
That said, this event is not without flaws. The food situation was a recurring headache — long lines, limited options, and little accommodation for guests with dietary restrictions. If you have food allergies or sensitivities, bring your own snacks and save yourself the frustration.
As for tickets, Early Access is only worth the upgrade if you’re trying to do everything in one night. Otherwise, General Admission will get you into all the major experiences with time to spare, especially if you’re not racing between zones.
Overall, Fan Fest Nights isn’t perfect, but it has heart. It’s a love letter to fans of all ages and genres. And if Universal brings it back next year with a few improvements, we’ll absolutely be there again.
If you’re planning a bigger Southern California trip around Fan Fest Nights, consider spending a couple of extra days down the coast. We had a fantastic time exploring Coronado Island. It’s charming, walkable, and a great way to wind down after a high-energy park visit.
Helpful Links
https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/faqs/ffn-costume-guidelines