LET’S ROLL! It’s time to step into the world Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep during the Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 where we had the chance to interact in real life with special characters and experiences inspired by “the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game.”
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 Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep for Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025 at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Video
Check out just some of the magic that happens for Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep with our video below.
The Experience
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (or D&D for the pros) is an iconic tabletop role-playing adventure game that comes to life with a one-of-a-kind interactive experience. One part traditional maze type experience, one part escape room, you’ll venture deep into the lore of Waterdeep, encounter a larger than life figure of Xanathar the Beholder (brought to life by the real life wizards at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop), and help defeat the evil forces trying to overtake the city.
What to Know
Head to the Lower Lot to the right of the Transformers: The Ride 3D attraction and you’ll be guided backstage towards an actual soundstage where the the world of D&D has been crafted. The whole experience lasts is roughly 15-minutes and your journey starts in a contemporary space outfitted as the ultimate D&D game room, you’ll find both game boards and game pieces as well as toys and collectibles before you are given your briefing for today’s mission.
Like magic, the world of Dungeons and Dragons will literally open up before your eyes and the adventure carries forth from there. You will quickly find out that you are joining the the Harpers — a heroic spy network — to help foil a plot by the legendary Xanathar the Beholder and save the city of Waterdeep. Join Throckery and Evalina to find the rod of absorption, escape the fire-breath of Tiamat the Queen of Evil Dragons, recover the Dragonstaff of Ahghairon, and make it out alive!
Quick Tips
- This is an interactive experience where your participation is welcome. Interact with the characters, answer their questions, and help solve the puzzles to advance.
- Pay close attention to the instruction given by the characters so you can follow along and help.
- If you make this experience (and the adjacent Let’s Go Yoshi offerings) an early part of your evening then there will be no need to return to the Lower Lot later in the evening.
- If you visit after 10pm, waits should be lower and the amount of people put into the experience with you should be considerably smaller than at the beginning of the night.
- Don’t be a p’tak. Immerse yourself into the world, don’t try to take the characters out of theirs by talking about the movies or show.
Final Thoughts / Review
This is a really surprising and fun component in the line up of offerings. We didn’t expect the escape room type vibe of this experience that helps break up the routine of what fans might expect at events like Halloween Horror Nights.
Rather than just passively walkthrough vignettes and scenes, you are shuttled to various parts of Waterdeep encountering D&D sytle challenges along the way. While your participation helps move the story along there isn’t much of a say that you have in how the action unfolds. Still, the small bits of interaction here help make this a standout offering. And no, you do not have to know anything about Dungeons & Dragons to follow along. This is a medieval adventure with dungeons, dragons, magic, and mystery. Game on!
To help around out the experience, there’s also themed dining and shopping which you can learn more about below.
Photos
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Dining
The First Roll Tavern takes over Jurassic Cove on the Lower Lot and is ready to power up your adventures with several drinks and snacks to get you into the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons. Highlights include marinated beef sandwiches, tavern loaf with fondue, dried meat and cheese rations, a chili-spiced brownies, candy-filled Gelatinous Cubes, and fantasy cocktails featuring vivid colors, fun garnishes, and enchanting flavors.
Shopping
Of course, you can expect there to be a healthy selection of merch. A treasure cache of new items includes a Paladin-inspired lace-up hoodie, bag of holding and exclusive playing mat, with something unique for every Wizard, Rogue and Fighter.
MORE INFO: MERCH RUN: ALL merchandise we spotted for Dungeons & Dragons 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.
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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 NightsÂ
