Universal Fan Fest Nights have returned, and this time Scooby Doo and the Universal Monsters have joined the party! It’s the mashup of our dreams, when a movie production is put on pause thanks to a mysterious phantom wreaking havoc on the set, Scooby and the gang enlist the help of the movie’s extras (that’s you) to help solve the mystery.
The Phantom has also taken control of the classic Universal Monsters and all of this is incredibly and entirely wonderful, but the most incredible part of this year’s Fan Fest is something the crowds seem to mostly rush past. Guests are given the rare opportunity to walk the same streets where Universal horror was born. Nearly every famous Universal Monster has shuffled, stalked, and sulked through the cobblestone streets of Universal backlot’s Little Europe. (Not to mention the hordes of angry mobs that have chased them through these streets.)
The Court of Miracles is horror movie history. It’s the spot where Lon Chaney Jr. as Quasimodo was shackled and beaten in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and pretty much every Universal Monster has been spotted there at some point. Tragically, a 1967 fire destroyed the original sets, but the reconstructed versions we have today stand in the same location where the movies shot in Little Europe in the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s changed the genre forever.
While the majority of the crowd rushed to the next interactive station or photo opp, I’m sure there must have been fellow monster kids in the mix, happy to just take it all in. It’s a legendary location, the kind that makes you grateful to just stop and bask in it for a bit. I certainly stopped quite often to quietly appreciate the grit of the cobblestone beneath my feet. Who knows, maybe some of that is original, where Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Long Chaney Jr., and many more horror icons once walked right into horror movie history.
The Scooby Doo backlot mystery is an interactive adventure. You’ll be equipped with a mystery manual containing profiles for four prime suspects and instructions on what to do at each of the clue stations. While it may feel a bit confusing at first, Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy will be around to help you through it. As you collect your clues, you’ll be able to eliminate suspects. Once you think you’ve cracked the case, you can head over to The Big Reveal for an iconic style Scooby Doo villain reveal in real life.
And don’t forget to fuel yourself with plenty of snacks for your adventure! There’s a food stand nestled within the streets of Little Europe where you can grab a towering super Shaggy sandwich, a 22” Monster Dog, and of course… Scooby Snacks. I’d suggest grabbing your themed snacks of choice early in the night, because they do sell out.
Universal Fan Fest celebrates other fandoms like One Piece and Sailor Moon, but you know we were there for the monsters. It’s a rare chance to set foot in the Court of Miracles (typically reserved for VIP or private tours), so if you’re like me and have always dreamed of jumping off the tram tour to touch your own sneakers to sacred monster kid ground, this is an excellent chance to do that.
Universal Fan Fest Nights run select nights through May 16. Note: The event requires a special ticket, separate from the general theme park admission. Get your Fan Fest tickets right here.
