First Look at Universal Studios Hollywood's New DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Experience

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:45 AM ET, Fri April 18, 2025

Universal Studios Hollywood, Dungeons & Dragons, universal fan fest nights

WHY IT RATES: Universal is giving a first glimpse of a new DUNGEONS & DRAGONS experience at Universal Fan Fest Nights. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Editor, TravelPulse

Universal Studios Hollywood?debuts a first look at the legendary beholder, Xanathar, and his beloved pet goldfish, Sylgar, as they will appear in the all-new?DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep?in-world experience at Universal Fan Fest Nights, kicking off on Friday, April 25.

Tickets are on sale?for the inaugural event which takes place: April 25-27; May 2-4, 9-11 and 15-18, 2025.

Universal Studios Hollywood collaborated with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create this spectacular, larger-than-life, fully articulated Xanathar. For over 40 years, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has been a world-renowned innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation.

The all-new?DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep?in-world experienceis inspired by the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game?, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D) from Hasbro and its Wizards of the Coast division. This epic experience will welcome guests and fans to partake in a one-of-a-kind adventure and explore the fantastic world of D&D. Guests will join the Harpers—a heroic spy network—to foil a plot by the legendary beholder Xanathar and save the city of Waterdeep.

Launching exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Fan Fest Nights will feature all-new, uniquely curated experiences inspired by sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime, along with an enticing menu of themed foods created by Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Chef Julia Thrash, all-new merchandise and cosplay.?

Guests will?really go there?as they tap into their inner fandom and join forces with their favorite characters while sharing their enthusiasm with like-minded fans. They will also have a chance to participate in?cosplay?while experiencing such renowned favorites as Star Trek, Back to the Future, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, ONE PIECE and Jujutsu Kaisen, as well as special meet and greet opportunities with?Wicked?characters, Elphaba and Glinda. Additionally, theme park favorites, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD? will offer special additions and introduce character and interactive elements during the event.

All in-world experiences and activations will be included every event night for guests to enjoy when they attend Universal Fan Fest Nights (subject to change).

Adding to the adventure, guests will be able to experience select theme park attractions during the event, including “Mario Kart?: Bowser’s Challenge,” “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey?,” “Flight of the Hippogriff?,” “Jurassic World—The Ride,” “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride” and “The Simpsons Ride?”.

For more information visit?www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com?and?Universal Fan Fest Nights, follow @UniFanFestNights on?Instagram, visit Universal Studios Hollywood on?Facebook?and follow @UniStudios on?Instagram?and?X.

SOURCE: Universal Studios Hollywood press release.

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Lacey Pfalz

Associate Editor

Lacey Pfalz is Associate Editor at TravelPulse. She's a passionate advocate of responsible travel and believes the best travel experiences happen outside of a planned itinerary. Lacey currently lives in rural Wisconsin. She can be reached at lpfalz@ntmllc.com.