Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Brought the Fun for Fans of SCOOBY-DOO, D&D, SUPER MARIO BROS. and More
This week was the kick off for Universal Studios Fan Fest, an epic nighttime event that allowed fans access to the theme park’s rides, as well as some exclusive events set up just for attendees.
My daughter and I got to go, and we had a blast! Media and VIP guests were treated to some themed foods from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Sailor Moon, One Piece, D&D, and Scooby-Doo.
We got to enjoy the attractions and rides and many shops from a typical day in the park, but some of the highlights were the revamped Dungeons & Dragons Secrets of Water Deep experience, where we got to walk through a live in-game story, and participate in saving our campaign. The actors in the show were incredibly funny and engaging, and they made the experience feel fun and one of a kind.
Another tailor-made encounter took place inside the iconic Universal Backlot Tour, which was transformed into Scooby-Doo Meets The Universal Monsters, a walk-through experience titled Mystery on the Backlot. Fans were given a set of clues about a masked man who had infiltrated a monster movie at the studio, and we got to wander around Little Europe and the Court of Miracles, sites used in Frankenstein (1931) and The Wolf Man (1941) to find out who was behind the mask.
We got to interview the whole Mystery Inc. gang and take notes on the case. As with any great Scooby-Doo story, it all ended with the unmasking of the villain and a show by the talented cast.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was an absolute blast, offering its incredible rides and shops to guests, and The Super Nintendo World was just as impressive, with rides and amazing sites, as well as an in-world game and many colorful Yoshis to take photos with.
The night was a blast, with something for fans of all kinds.
Fan Fest Nights will continue its run as a separately ticketed event for a limited 12-night run, scheduled for April 23-25; May 1-3, 7-9, and 14-16, 2026, and it’s exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood.
