Universal Fan Fest Nights: Our Family’s LA Adventure
We recently headed to Los Angeles for Universal Fan Fest Nights, and it ended up being the perfect mix of studio magic, fandom experiences, and classic theme park fun.
This trip felt a little different for us because it combined something new with some of our favorite California traditions, including the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Day 1: Travel Day to Los Angeles
We picked the kids up early from school and headed straight to the airport to kick off our trip. After landing at LAX around 4:30 p.m., we picked up our rental car and drove to Sherman Oaks, where we checked into our hotel.
After getting settled, we grabbed pizza for dinner and spent the evening relaxing in the room. We watched One Piece together to get everyone excited for the next day’s anime-inspired Universal experiences. It was the perfect low-key start to the trip after a travel day.
Day 2: Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Universal Fan Fest Night 1
We were still on East Coast time, so everyone was up early and ready to go for our 9:30 a.m. Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
This was one of the highlights of the entire trip.
The DC Universe sets and Batmobiles were a huge hit with the boys. Our daughter loved seeing the Gilmore Girls set and taking photos in front of the Chilton gates and Stars Hollow locations. As a big fan, this was a dream stop for her.
The Big Bang Theory set was another favorite, especially getting to sit in Sheldon’s spot for photos. Between costumes, sets, and behind-the-scenes details, the whole tour felt like stepping into television history.
[Insert Warner Bros Studio Tour photo here]
After the tour, we stopped for lunch at Chick-fil-A and talked through all of our favorite moments so far. One of the sweetest surprises of the day was our daughter getting a personalized canvas note from Duffy’s Market with her name embroidered. It was such a small detail but one she absolutely loved.
Universal Fan Fest After 2 PM Ticket
We purchased the Fan Fest after 2 p.m. ticket, and our main goal for the night was to experience the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour, since it is not available at Universal Orlando and remains one of our favorite attractions anywhere.
Once inside the park, we grabbed a quick snack. We tried the mac and cheese cones and picked up refillable cups. The mac and cheese cones were a bit underwhelming for us, mostly bread with less filling than expected, especially compared to similar items we have had at Epic Universe.
[Insert food/snack photo here]
From there, we headed to the Dungeons & Dragons experience. We arrived right as it opened and ended up in the first group, which made the experience even better. The interaction and storytelling were a standout moment of the night.
Next, we explored the Jurassic World area, which was packed with incredible character encounters and photo opportunities. It was one of the most fun immersive sections of the event.
[Insert Jurassic World character photo here]
One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the One Piece stunt show. It was energetic, well done, and clearly one of the most popular attractions at Fan Fest.
Travel Tip: If you go, try to sit in the center or right side of the theater for the best view of the action. We sat on the far left and still enjoyed it, but the perspective is better from those sections.
After the show, we explored a bit more merchandise before heading back to the hotel. Everyone was pretty tired after a full day of touring and park time, and it was nice to reset for the next day.
Day 3: Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Night 2
We slept in and enjoyed a slower morning before heading back to the park for our 2 p.m. Fan Fest entry time.
The afternoon started with Kung Fu Panda attractions, followed by The Secret Life of Pets ride, which felt like a fun California-exclusive experience for us.
We grabbed walking tacos for a snack, which were surprisingly good and perfect for eating on the go.
[Insert snack / walking tacos photo here]
We also spent time meeting characters including Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein, which added a fun seasonal feel to the event.
As the evening continued, we started making our way toward the Harry Potter section of the park, ready to continue exploring more of Fan Fest.
[Continue Harry Potter section here when ready]
Final Thoughts
Universal Fan Fest Nights felt like a unique blend of fandom celebration and theme park creativity. Between studio tours, immersive experiences, and themed entertainment, it was a trip that offered something for everyone in our family.
We left already talking about what we would do differently next time and what we would absolutely prioritize again.