We’re going…. BACK TO THE FUTURE! Probably the top highlights for us during Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 was the chance to relive the movie magic from the Back to the Future films with the special Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley interactive experience that included special characters, experiences, entertainment, food, and more.

With hosted tickets, we were given access to the park to uncover all the fun for ourselves. Here’s a look at everything you need to know about Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Video

Check out just some of the magic that happens for Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley with our video below. We have a 21 minute video showcasing the whole offering plus a 2-minute highlight reel.

The Experience

An unfolding adventure takes places several times over the course of the evening with recognizable characters appearing all night for special moments recreating iconic scenes from the film. Think of this as living through key moments in the film and you have a chance to have a direct hand in helping influence the outcome of the evening… all within the actual Courthouse Square set that was used in the Back to the Future films.

What to Know

The whole experience lasts roughly 45 minutes but depending on which tram you get, you might be dropped into an already-in-progress story. The good news is you are free to stay in Hill Valley for as long as you like and once the story has run its course, it will start over again. If you wish, you can stay to catch the early moments of the story that you missed as they unfold again.

The experience begins by boarding the Universal Fan Tram to get a briefing in a pre-recorded message from Doc Brown. As you make your way down into the backlot metro sets, you’ll instantly be transported to Hill Valley, 1955. The trams will stop on Brownstone Street where you’ll see a billboard advertising an all new living community called Lyon Estates. For fans of the films, the nerdy references grow exponentially from there!

As you make your way into the heart of the action, you’ll encounter several storefronts recreated from the original film and see that the Hill Valley High School Enchantment Under the Sea Dance and a carnival are in full swing. As you soak up the atmosphere, you’ll quickly find you’re in the middle of an unfolding story and you have the opportunity to help move the story along.

Characters you can interact with throughout the evening include Marty McFly, the “Doc” Emmett Brown, George McFly, Lorraine Baines, Biff Tannen, Mr. Strickland, Goldie Wilson, and other residents of Hill Valley. Even the “Save the Clock Tower” preservationist lady is on hand soliciting help to spread awareness before you even board the tram. Plus, Doc’s dog Einstein is keeping watch of the DeLorean for a must-do photo-op. You’ll also get to enjoy the smooth musical stylings of live music performed by Marvin Berry and the Starlighters.

The finale is hard to miss, projection effects on the Courthouse help bring the story loop to its conclusion sending Marty back to 1985. Sorry, didn’t include a spoiler warning there.

Quick Tips

1. This experience was designed to be viewed at night. Don’t get in line if there’s still light in the sky!
2. The full story loop lasts approximately 45 minutes and continues on repeat the entire evening.
3. Trams drop guests off continuously throughout the story loop. If you miss the beginning, you are welcome to stay after the finale and the story will loop still start again not very long after.
4. The final tram into Hill Valley departs as early as 12:30 am on some nights. Keep in mind that it seems the lightning effect does not utilize pyrotechnics after 12 am.
5. There’s no time limit to be in Courthouse Square. You can soak up the atmosphere for as long as you’d like.
6. The experience will be less crowded the later you go. The final tram typically departs at 1am but always check on the day of your visit for latest information.
7. Interact with the various characters in the land. You can help move the story along and create really fun interactions with the characters. They might even give you little keepsakes.We got a Save the Clock Tower flyer from the preservationist lady which ended up helping Marty McFly later in in the evening. But other characters might have little things too, we saw Administrator Strickland (he’s not principal yet in 1955!) write up a detention slip for some troublemakers talking to Biff.
8. Don’t be a butthead. Immerse yourself into the world, don’t try to take the characters out of theirs by talking about the movie or “spoil” what lies in their future.

Final Thoughts / Review

Universal has crafted a truly incredible experience here that is both intimate and far-reaching in its world building. It’s all done in a way that allows you to interact as much or little as you everything happens around you; opt to go hard as a fully-active participant or lay low purely as a spectator. The biggest shoutouts go to the cast and crew who juggle not only keeping the story narrative on track but also finding impressive ways to improv with guests, react in real time to guest interactions, and make truly unforgettable moments. As a huge fan of the films, I’m getting goosebumps again just thinking about the interactions we had while we were there!

I helped encourage George McFly to tell Lorraine she was his destiny, told Lorraine that “Linda” could be a good name for a kid, discussed the weather with Doc, and got called a “butthead” for looking at Biff the wrong way. I saw some people get detention from Principal Strickland and others cut a rug with Goldie Wilson on the dance floor. Having an understanding of anything I just said will make or break your full appreciation for what this experience has to offer and we’re ready so so ready to once again go BACK… to the future!

To help round out the experience, there’s also themed dining and shopping which you can learn more about below.

Photos

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Dining

Once you time travel back to 2025, head to Mel’s Dinner on the Upper Lot where you’ll find a selection of treats that will keep you fueled. Highlights include a chocolate malt cookie, Flux Capacitor patty melt, Doc’s chicken pot pie (see what they did there?), a pastrami melt, and a vibrant vanilla malt shake topped with blue raspberry sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry. This location closes at 1 am.

MORE INFO: Complete menu, food and drink for Back to the Future at Universal Fan Fest Nights

Shopping

Of course, you can expect there to be a healthy selection of merch. The film celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year and the collection features themed apparel, including Marty McFly’s signature puffer vest, metallic rainbow hat and more. Commemorative souvenirs include drinkware, pins, magnets and a license plate.

MORE INFO: MERCH RUN: ALL merchandise we spotted for Back to the Future at Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025

See it for Yourself

Universal Fan Fest Nights take place at Universal Studios Hollywood on select nights April 25–May 18, 2025.

MORE INFO: See all MouseInfo coverage for Universal Fan Fest Nights

Tickets

Universal Fan Fest Nights tickets range from the cheapest option at $74 for General Admission (offering entry to the event) to the most expensive option at $373 for the VIP Tour (which includes a guided tour, unlimited express access, private trolley transport, gourmet dinner, and valet parking). Mid-range options offer a combination of daytime park admission with limited express access to rides and attractions, plus evening event access with early entry to select experiences.

One/Two Day Tickets

• General Admission – From $74
• Universal Express – From $173
  • Includes admission & one-time express access to each in-world experience, ride, and attraction.
• Universal Express Unlimited – From $203
  • Includes admission & unlimited express access to each in-world experience, ride, and attraction.
• After 2 PM Day/Night – From $114

  • Daytime admission after 2 p.m. + same-day evening General Admission to Fan Fest Nights.
  • Early event access to select experiences starting at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change).
• After 2 PM Day/Night Universal Express – From $228
  • Daytime admission after 2 p.m. + same-day evening admission with express access.
  • One-time express access to each ride/attraction during the day & event.
  • Early event access to select experiences starting at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change).
• VIP Tour – From $373
  • Guided walking tour, VIP trolley, unlimited express access, gourmet dinner (excludes alcohol), and valet parking.
• Early Access Ticket – From $20
  • Entry to select experiences starting at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change).
  • Requires separate event admission for the same date.

Multi-Night Tickets

• 2-Night General Admission – From $109
  • Select any available event night for your first visit, starting April 25, 2025.
• Ultimate Fandom Pass – From $249
  • General Admission access to all event nights (based on selected first visit date

MORE INFO: Official site for tickets to Universal Fan Fest Nights