With the new Universal Hollywood Marquee event right around the corner, Universal has been rolling out information regarding the brand new fan event they’ve dubbed Fan Fest Nights. This event, ushered in by the park’s Halloween Horror Nights team, promises to blend the fan experience with the immersion and event planning that Universal is best known for, by bringing an elevated themed experience to guests looking to immerse themselves in the worlds of pop culture icons like Star Trek, Back to the Future, Harry Potter, and select Anime properties like One Piece, which has gained a new wave of first-time and old-school followers after its live action adaptation premiered on Netflix in 2023.
You can read more about the information previously released about Fan Fest Nights on Theme Park Shark, [here] and [here].
As with all of Universal’s most esteemed events, it wouldn’t be complete without an intricate menu of highly-themed food items and beverages. From the kitchen of Executive Chef Julia Thrash comes an innovative menu that pays homage to some of greatest hits of pop culture. Each item on the menu was conceptualized after a deep dive into the original source material, allowing Thrash and her team to build an authentic experience that weaves the stories and characters we love into every bite.
In addition to being able to purchase your tickets to the first ever Fan Fest Nights, guests can also purchase the exclusive Fan Fest Nights Dining Pass, which will allow them to sample a variety of the specialty foods and beverages throughout the night for a single price. Located within the event at two kiosks as well as at participating restaurants in the park, the Fan Fest Dining Pass allows guests to sample a total of six items, including two eligible entree items and four eligible sides, snacks, desserts, or beverages. Not sure which items are eligible for this Dining Pass? Don’t worry! All eligible items will be marked with a special logo on their menu, to make it easy to tell them apart and pick your faves!
Universal Hollywood has given us an at-a-glance menu, to really whet the appetite and get guests geared up for this stellar new event.
STAR TREK: RED ALERT
Quark’s Cafe at Hollywood & Dine
- Klingon Targ Legs: Charsui honey pork wings served with kimchi fried rice
- Andorian Red Bat Sandwich: Herb marinated chicken breast on a bao bun with garlic aioli, charred red onion and arugula served with Andorian Tuber Root
- Vulcan Fritters: Fried mushroom fritters served with hummus and dusted with a Redspice Vulcan logo
- Bajoran Hasperat: Slow-cooked spicy pork, gochujang, pickled vegetables with sriracha mayonnaise
- Cardassian Dog: Hot Cheeto covered Korean-style Corn Dog with Yamok sauce, made with smoked Gouda, nacho cheese, gochujang and jalapeños
- Orion Spice Funnel Cake: Matcha dusted funnel cake topped with matcha icing, whipped cream, and Orion spice crumble
- Tribble Truffle Trio: A trio of chocolate truffles topped with coconut
10 Forward Bar at Laemmle Courtyard
- Klingon Bloodwine: A popular Klingon wine
- Andorian Ale: Originated on the planet Andoria, this blue-colored alcoholic beverage is made with gin, blue Curacao, lemonade, lemon-lime soda and garnished with blue vanilla cake frosting and pop rocks, served in a shot glass
- Plomeek Tea: This refreshing beverage features hibiscus iced tea, fresh raspberries, and is garnished with mint sprig
- Bajoran Ale: A traditional Quark cocktail served with or without alcohol. With alcohol, this cocktail features tequila, mezcal, pineapple and lime juice, ginger and simple syrup, bitters and soda water, and is garnished with ginger candy. The mocktail version includes non-alcoholic spirits, ginger ale and orange juice and is garnished with ginger candy
- Kanar: A popular Cardassian liquor made with aged rum, pomegranate juice, black cherry syrup, lemon juice and soda water and garnished with a black cherry fruit gummy candy
- Orion Hurricane: Served on the USS Enterprise, this strikingly green beverage is made with coconut, pineapple and lime rum, melon liquor, lime juice, green apple syrup, soda water and edible glitter and garnished with a silver dusted dehydrated lime slice
- Ceti Eel Margarita: Inspired by the Ceti Eel that enters the body via the ear and wraps itself around the cerebral cortex, this cocktail features vodka, lime juice, agave, pineapple juice, jalapeno syrup and bitters and garnished with electric fire dust and a gummy Ceti Eel
- Romulan Ale: This drink features vodka, blue Curacao, lemon juice, simple syrup, lemon-lime soda and bitters, and is garnished with blue rock candy
- Tea, Earl Grey, Cold and Hot: A cocktail twist on Captain Picard’s favorite; available both cold and hot, this drink features bourbon, Earl Grey tea, honey syrup and lemon juice, and is garnished with a dehydrated lemon slice
- Chateau Picard: A French Bordeaux wine inspired by the Picard family vineyard, Chateau Picard
BACK TO THE FUTURE: DESTINATION HILL VALLEY
Mel’s Diner
- Outatime Cookie: Chocolate malt cookie with crunchy pieces and chocolate pieces and garnished with edible flame colored icing
- The Time Machine: Pastrami melt with Swiss cheese and cabbage slaw served on toasted sourdough
- Flux Capacitor Patty Melt: All-beef patty, sweet caramelized onions, American cheese and Thousand Island dressing served on a Flux Capacitor branded sourdough
- Doc Brown’s Chicken Pot Pie: Chicken pot pie dusted with crispy cheddar cheese flakes
- Time Traveler’s Malt Shake: Vanilla ice cream, blue raspberry sauce and whipped cream topped with blue and silver sprinkles with a cherry on top
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: SECRETS OF WATERDEEP
The First Roll Tavern at Jurassic Cove
- Hunter’s Mark: Marinated beef, arugula and cheese served on a ciabatta roll
- Beholder’s Brew Fondue: Rosemary and onion tavern loaf served with creamy beer fondue
- Traveler’s Rations: Dried fruit, hardtack, cheese and dried meats
- Fireball: Spicy chocolate brownie with a strawberry, chili and lime filling and topped with pop rocks
- Gelatinous Cube: Blue raspberry gummy filled with candy bones and sugar weapons
- The Eldritch Blast: A neon green cocktail made with vodka, apple and kiwi syrup, lemon juice, lemon-lime soda, edible green glitter, edible electric dust, kiwi popping boba and a mint sprig
- Red Dragon’s Breath: A cherry red cocktail made with tequila, dragon fruit syrup, lime juice, jalapeño, and hibiscus ginger beer served over dry ice
- Goodberry: A brick-red cocktail made with white rum, blackberry syrup, lavender syrup, lemon juice, and soda water and garnished with candy
- Charm Person: A golden-yellow cocktail made with spiced rum, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, honey and mango syrup and garnished with habanero, chili and lime and a tamarind-infused straw
- Beholder’s Blueberry Shandy: Draft beer, lemonade and blueberry syrup and garnished with blueberries
- Beholder’s Brew: Draft beer
ONE PIECE: GRAND PIRATE GATHERING
Sanji’s Galley at Cocina Mexicana
- Franky’s Cola Barbacoa: Shredded beef tacos topped with pickled onion, jalapeño and cilantro served with a side of tortilla chips
- Luffy’s Meat on a Bone: Braised ribs topped with mole, sesame seeds and cilantro
- Zoro’s Torta: Grilled shrimp with chili lime crema, cabbage slaw and avocado with a side of tortilla chips
- Sanji’s Chicken Adobo: Marinated chicken simmered in a blend of chili and garlic served over Spanish rice, refried beans and cotija cheese
- Straw Hat Crew Nachos: Tortilla chips layered with Caribbean jerk chicken, queso, pineapple salsa and cilantro
- Pirate’s Plunder Chips and Dip: Tortilla chips served with a trio of dipping sauces
- Chopper Cupcake: Vanilla sponge cake filled with crispy cotton candy pieces, topped with cotton candy frosting and chocolate cookie antlers
- Devil Fruit Concha: Sweet bread roll with ginger pineapple filling
- Namie’s Tangerine Breeze: Tasty orange beverage made with tangerine and lime juice, honey syrup and club soda, garnished with a tangerine slice and mint sprig
- Nico Robin’s Tropical Iced Tea: Black iced tea, pineapple juice, coconut water and honey, topped with a pineapple wedge, pineapple frond and fresh raspberries
- Thousand Sunny Donut: Donut filled with mango, chili and lime, emblazoned with an edible Thousand Sunny emblem. This treat will also be available at Voodoo Doughnut at Universal CityWalk Hollywood.
JUJUTSU KAISEN: HUNGER OF THE CURSED
Re-themed DreamWorks concession cart
- Sukuna Cursed Crunch: Red velvet cookie with white chocolate chips
- Ten Shadows Churro: Chocolate and cream sandwich cookie drizzled with vanilla frosting atop a powdered sugar churro drizzled with chocolate frosting
- Yuji’s Chocolate Brownie: Vanilla and Chocolate churros coated in vanilla and chocolate icing, sprinkles and printed token
- Nobara’s Strawberry Hammer Smash: A frozen strawberry beverage with sweet and spicy chili and lime rim and garnished with a fresh strawberry
THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER
This one’s a little different. To dine at The Three Broomsticks during this event, guests will have to make reservations via the Universal Hollywood app – but once they do, they can enjoy a lavish three-course meal served at the famous Wizarding tavern, in which guests may choose one menu item from each of the following categories:
Appetizers: Hogwarts Cornish Pasty
- Gryffindor: Potato and pea Cornish pasty with red pepper chutney
- Slytherin: Potato and pea Cornish pasty with cilantro and mint chutney
- Hufflepuff: Potato and pea Cornish pasty with mango chutney
- Ravenclaw: Potato and pea Cornish pasty with blueberry chutney
Entrees:
- Sunday Roast: Herb-crusted roast, served with roasted vegetables, potato puree, onion gravy and Yorkshire pudding
- Curry Chicken: Served with steamed rice, charred red onion and yogurt drizzle
- Fish and Chips: Fresh beer-battered cod, served with chips, smashed peas and grilled lemon
- Toad in the Hole: Vegan Yorkshire pudding with plant-based sausage, served with roasted vegetables, potato puree and onion gravy
Desserts:
- The Golden Snitch: Vanilla sponge cake, chocolate mousse and orange marmalade topped with honey tuile wings.
- The House Cup Trifle: Pineapple, kiwi, strawberries, and blueberries layered with a vanilla orange sponge cake and vanilla bean pastry cream
If you’re not looking for a sit-down meal, however, there are other places within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that will also be serving up Fan Fest Nights bites. These other locations do not require reservations, and can be visited at your leisure during the night, so you can keep the fandom fun moving!
Magic Neep Cart
- Hogwarts Meat Pie: Puff pastry filled with braised beef, potatoes, peas, onions and carrots
- Hogwarts House Churro
- Gryffindor: Churro rolled in cherry sugar and topped with vanilla icing
- Slytherin: Churro rolled in green apple sugar and topped with vanilla icing
- Hufflepuff: Churro rolled in pineapple coconut sugar and topped with vanilla icing
- Ravenclaw: Churro rolled in blue raspberry sugar and topped with vanilla icing
Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream counter
- Niffler’s Bounty Ice Cream Cone: Caramel soft serve served in a chocolate waffle cone, topped with a chocolate gold coin and edible pearls
- The Pygmy Puff Sundae: Vanilla soft serve served in a blueberry waffle cone, topped with cotton floss
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: LET’S GO YOSHI
At Toadstool Cafe, guests can enjoy two Yoshi themed items prepared by Chef Toad.
- Yoshi’s Smoothie (Apple Melon): Bursting with the flavors of green apple and honeydew melon with a touch of milk for creaminess and topped with whipped cream, honeydew melon syrup and a mint sprig
- Yoshi’s Fettuccini Alfredo: Pesto Alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, broccoli and mushrooms topped with Yoshi Egg bread
Universal Fan Fest Nights will be taking place over select weekends this spring, with event nights on April 25th-27th, May 2-4, 9-11, and 15-18. Tickets are on sale now via the Universal Hollywood website, and can be found [here] for those interested! Tickets start from 74 dollars for single-night admission, with optional tickets including one-time Express Pass, Unlimited Express Pass, Daytime Park Admission after 2 PM, and VIP Tour experiences.
Multi-night tickets are also available, starting at 65 dollars per night, and the Universal Fan Fest Nights Ultimate Fandom Pass retails for 249, with all event nights included.
Annual Passholders can also register their Pass Member ID to access special pricing.
In addition to access to this incredible new event, guests visiting for the Fan Fest Nights experience will also have access to all of the incredible attractions typically in operation during daytime hours, like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Jurassic World: The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy, and Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.
Check back with Theme Park Shark for more information as we draw closer to the event, and be sure to follow Universal Hollywood’s official social media account for Fan Fest Nights [here] for more of the theme park’s newest event!
