Last year, Universal Studios Hollywood launched a new event, Universal Fan Fest Nights. Think of it as several immersive experiences in the iconic theme park keyed to particular IP, similar to their Halloween Horror Nights. Only with far more family-friendly vibes. This year, they’re bringing in new experiences to Fan Fest Nights, including Scooby-Doo, and one epic-looking One Piece: Grand Pirate Show. As a way of celebrating this year’s FFN, Nerdist recently attended a preview of everything coming to this year’s event. Here’s an overview of what to expect from this year’s event, including all the new merchandise and copious amounts of new and tasty food offerings.
Scooby-Doo Meets the Universal Monsters: Mystery on the Backlot
Scooby-Doo x The Universal Monsters is maybe the experience we’re most excited about. In Mystery on the Backlot, guests will venture into the century-old Little Europe and Court of Miracles sets on the Universal Backlot, via Studio Tour tram. During this immersive walk-through experience, fans are transported into a real-life Scooby-Doo episode.
At last, you’ll get to solve a mystery with the Mystery, Inc. gang. Only this time, they’re not fighting cheap monster knock-offs with “Old Man Fill-in-the-Blank,” they’re running scared from the actual Universal Classic Monsters, including Frankenstein, Dracula, Bride of Frankenstein, and the Wolf-Man. Zoinks!
In addition to the experience itself, in which guests will become embroiled in “The Case of the Phantom Director,” there will be several Scooby-Doo-themed food items available. You’ll be able to buy actual Scooby Snacks, which consist of honey and cinnamon dog tags, and chocolate paw prints. We can confirm these are delicious, and we finally get Scoob’s longtime obsession with them. You’ll also be able to taste a Super Saggy Sandwich and Colossal Monster Dog. And when they say “colossal” they mean it. These are exactly the kind of gigantic items you’d see the ever-hungry pair of Scooby and Shaggy eat on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon show. You can have a sneak peek at these tasty offerings above.
One Piece: Grand Pirate Show
After a successful character meet and greet last year, in 2026, the iconic anime One Piece returns to Fan Fest Nights, only this time, with a live-action spectacular on the Waterworld staging area. The show, featuring Luffy and friends, is called the One Piece: Grand Pirate Show. The Universal Studios Japan production inspired this new one at the Hollywood location. Beloved One Piece characters Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew will put on an action-packed show filled with laughs and stunts, and will also introduce Buggy to Fan Fest Nights.
In addition, there will be a One Piece-themed takeover of the surrounding area, including a new menu of food options. You’ll be able to taste Brook’s Spicy Katsu, along with Jinbee’s Watermelon Salad. But we think the biggest hit will be the Pirate Funnel Cake. At the preview event, we got the chance to taste Luffy’s Meat on the Bone, which was indeed delicious. Other food items include Sanji’s Seafood Rice, Franky’s Loco Moco Burger, Luffy’s Straw Hat sugar cookie, and one very sweet-looking Chopper Cupcake. In terms of drinks, they’ve got Luffy’s Monkey Punch, Zoro’s Santoryu Strike, and Nami’s Tangerine Breeze, among others.
Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep
Returning from a successful run last year that left fans thrilled is Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep. Although this is a returning experience, expect some updates and surprises. Like last year’s activation, Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep transports guests to the town of Waterdeep within the world of D&D. Guests can join the heroic spy network called the Harpers to help put an end to the Beholder known as Xanathar and save the realm. The Xanathar animatronic, created by Jim Henson Studios, was a big hit with guests last year. We expect he’ll thrill newcomers just the same.
A Dungeons & Dragons bar will also return, featuring a new menu of food options. There’s the Beholder’s Brew Fondue, Cockatrice Hot Wings, and the sweet Dragon Egg Cheesecake. These look especially tasty. For drinks, if you really want to celebrate, there’s Red Dragon’s Breath, a cherry-red cocktail, and Detect Magic, a non-alcoholic blue-tinged beverage. Will any of these give you magic powers to defend the realm? Only one way to find out.
Super Nintendo World: Colorful Yoshi Celebration
During Fan Fest Nights, we’re sure Super Nintendo World: Colorful Yoshi Celebration will top off the event for many guests. This activation will bring in a metric ton of Yoshis to the Mushroom Kingdom located in the park. Expect new photo ops with a whopping five new Yoshis, among them green, light blue, pink, yellow, and purple ones. Guests will have their choice of several Yoshi smoothies, and a Yoshi and egg drink bottle will be on sale as well, which you can see below:
And there’s even more at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Fan Fest Nights 2026, including a Sailor Moon CGI short film, shown for the first time in the United States, as well as others. Universal Studios Fan Fest Nights run for 12 select nights this spring. The dates are April 23-25, May 1-3, 7-9, and 14-16. For more information, and for how to purchase tickets, be sure to head on over to Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Nights’ official site.