Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026

[wedgeskywalker9]

In the same vein I am wondering if the creature puppets might not return to HP since some or all of them might be present in the walkthrough attraction?

It seems to me that would make that walkthrough more popular plus eliminate some of the bottleneck created by the walk around characters/puppets.

YMMV if you went on a Thursday or a Sunday, but when I went the swarm of people that surrounded the creatures made it nigh impossible to see them, much less interact with them, unless you were lucky or knew where to be when they came out. Moving them into a walkthrough is a plus in my book.

My group had similar issues with the BTTF stuff; it felt like unless you knew where the scenes would occur so you could position yourself ahead of time, you'd only really get lucky enough to catch one or two of the scenes. Hoping they figure something out to control the crowd for Scooby, especially since it'll be an original (albiet simple) story. Miking up the actors so you can still hear them from the back of the crowd would go a long way.

 

[Michonne M]

I feel ripped off. The strengths of last year's event were character interactions within immersive environments. The recent reveals seem to focus on shows and meet and greets rather than personal experiences.

Weeks ago I purchased the event pass, not for the collectible medallion(another commemorative eventually lost in a drawer), but to show support for the event. "I believe in this event, Universal. Last year was extraordinary. Build it and they will come."

But what's been announced seems weak and predictive, with fewer opportunities for memorable engagement: Potter walk through appears similar to an HHN progressive with no opportunities to engage with characters. One Piece show at Waterworld has potential for great entertainment, but again, is a show and not an interaction. D&D remains a show, with perhaps a few changes. Yoshi is hardly conversational. Scooby is likely a group event accompanying the Gang on a mystery quest, not an open-ended story. Possibly fun, but if everyone is following clues or searching for the next reveal, will there be time to discuss science with Velma, or debate with Shaggy about what's the most excellent sandwich?

I still think about the interactions I had with George, Doc, Marty,Biff, and most surprisingly, Goldie Wilson. A year later BTTF /Hill Valley / Courthouse Square is discussed among production and performance professionals as a model of interactive character experiences. It wasn't perfect, but it was unique and groundbreaking. It's almost negligent for this not to be continued, in some form, each year. If the courthouse isn't available, Mel's Diner is themed to the period, even if it isn't in-world, and could be converted into a BTTF mini-experience. What fan wouldn't want to sit next to George when Biff arrives? Talk with Goldie about running for mayor? Order a Pepsi - or a coffee - with Marty? Bring back last years F&B menu inside an immersive experience and Universal would be printing money.

To recoup the cost of my pass I need to attend a minimum four nights. But coming from NorCal, the price of gas, hotel, and park food and drink has me wondering if I should attend only one weekend, or cut my losses and not go at all. When I phone to say I need to change my starting date from the first week to the second, I will certainly state one of my main reasons is the absence of BTTF.

I don't know the status of the IP, but Star Trek could have been saved with the addition of a few lines and fifteen - twenty seconds runtime resulting in an unexpected twist. Think a variation of Ramcon Six. During its 60th anniversary, there should be a presence of Trek.

Last year, between one and two a.m. when sounds had to be lessened,fireworks were prohibited, and the scripting wasn't as important as the characterisation, the most Crispin-like George began imagining 'dates with Lorraine' ideas with the now, much smaller crowd. For a fourteen-day gig, this actor was exceptional, fully committed, and became George. At one point his stories veered into fantasy and fairy-tale scenarios. Of the dozen or so guests surrounding him, someone called out 'That's good, George. But a little too Disney." This year, I'm afraid Fan Fest is trying to be more Disney, and less Universal.

 

[Clive]

I feel ripped off. The strengths of last year's event were character interactions within immersive environments. The recent reveals seem to focus on shows and meet and greets rather than personal experiences.

Weeks ago I purchased the event pass, not for the collectible medallion(another commemorative eventually lost in a drawer), but to show support for the event. "I believe in this event, Universal. Last year was extraordinary. Build it and they will come."

But what's been announced seems weak and predictive, with fewer opportunities for memorable engagement: Potter walk through appears similar to an HHN progressive with no opportunities to engage with characters. One Piece show at Waterworld has potential for great entertainment, but again, is a show and not an interaction. D&D remains a show, with perhaps a few changes. Yoshi is hardly conversational. Scooby is likely a group event accompanying the Gang on a mystery quest, not an open-ended story. Possibly fun, but if everyone is following clues or searching for the next reveal, will there be time to discuss science with Velma, or debate with Shaggy about what's the most excellent sandwich?

I still think about the interactions I had with George, Doc, Marty,Biff, and most surprisingly, Goldie Wilson. A year later BTTF /Hill Valley / Courthouse Square is discussed among production and performance professionals as a model of interactive character experiences. It wasn't perfect, but it was unique and groundbreaking. It's almost negligent for this not to be continued, in some form, each year. If the courthouse isn't available, Mel's Diner is themed to the period, even if it isn't in-world, and could be converted into a BTTF mini-experience. What fan wouldn't want to sit next to George when Biff arrives? Talk with Goldie about running for mayor? Order a Pepsi - or a coffee - with Marty? Bring back last years F&B menu inside an immersive experience and Universal would be printing money.

To recoup the cost of my pass I need to attend a minimum four nights. But coming from NorCal, the price of gas, hotel, and park food and drink has me wondering if I should attend only one weekend, or cut my losses and not go at all. When I phone to say I need to change my starting date from the first week to the second, I will certainly state one of my main reasons is the absence of BTTF.

I don't know the status of the IP, but Star Trek could have been saved with the addition of a few lines and fifteen - twenty seconds runtime resulting in an unexpected twist. Think a variation of Ramcon Six. During its 60th anniversary, there should be a presence of Trek.

Last year, between one and two a.m. when sounds had to be lessened,fireworks were prohibited, and the scripting wasn't as important as the characterisation, the most Crispin-like George began imagining 'dates with Lorraine' ideas with the now, much smaller crowd. For a fourteen-day gig, this actor was exceptional, fully committed, and became George. At one point his stories veered into fantasy and fairy-tale scenarios. Of the dozen or so guests surrounding him, someone called out 'That's good, George. But a little too Disney." This year, I'm afraid Fan Fest is trying to be more Disney, and less Universal.

I think it's a little early to be declare that the event has abandoned character interactions and immersive environments... and I say that as someone who is an immersive theater enthusiast. They haven't announced all of the offerings yet, and presumably, quite a few of them will be unique or rare character interactions.

Some of the issues you've laid out here are beyond the park's control. It would appear the studio currently has control over Courthouse Square and the Metro Sets, so Back to the Future returning was a non-starter, unfortunately. My understanding is that Scooby-Doo will fill its role as a more open-ended immersive experience on the backlot, so I'd encourage you to keep an open mind there.

I'm not saying that every change the event makes this year will necessarily for the better - but you don't know that, either. That's the gamble you make when you buy an event pass before the entire lineup is announced.

 

[BriefCasey]

I agree with Clive. I'm pretty sure even HHN has had its ups and downs from year to year.

One Piece show at Waterworld has potential for great entertainment, but again, is a show and not an interaction.

For what it's worth, the One Piece Fan Zone is still returning too in case you missed it. The characters won't be locked to the stunt show.