For over 50 years, players of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS have been gathering around — snacks and dice at the ready — to face whatever their Dungeon Master might throw their way. Whether they’re having fun with the classic tabletop game, watching the animated television series, or playing the video games, fans have so many ways to escape the real world and immerse themselves inside the magical realms of this incredible franchise. And now, thanks to Universal Fan Fest Nights, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fans have a whole new way to experience the game they love.
Each time fans play DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, they get a chance to role-play as the characters they create. Over the years, monsters have been defeated and befriended. Worlds have been saved and destroyed. Everything and anything can happen. The game is bigger than the tabletop, after all — it is as vast and intricate as our imaginations. Most importantly, players get to have fun with their fellow gamers. Those loyal members of their party can make any campaign fun even when those dice don’t seem to be rolling in their favor (constantly getting a nat 1 during an attack, yikes).
Now, during Universal Fan Fest Nights, this game just got a whole lot more immersive. Whether it’s your first time playing or your 50th, prepare to embark on a classic DUNGEONS & DRAGONS campaign with the creative team at Universal Studios Hollywood as your Dungeon Master. I’m talking dragons, stolen treasure, a perilous quest, and a scary looking BBEG (a.k.a. ‘Big Bad Evil Guy’).
“We’re really making sure that we’re delivering the best-in-class immersive experience,” says Stephen Siercks, senior director, entertainment for Universal Studios Hollywood. To learn about the whole event line-up, check out the Discover Universal article right here.
That means that the game we’ve been playing at the table now comes to life. And you, fellow adventurer, will find yourself in it. Our journey will begin on the Lower Lot, right inside Soundstage 15. As you enter the experience, you will be leaving Southern California behind and entering the world of D&D. Welcome to “DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Secrets of Waterdeep.”
Welcome to Waterdeep, Jewel of the Sword Coast
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Secrets of Waterdeep is an immersive walk-through experience. It begins with a pre-show, where Stephen says DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fans will get to live out a classic D&D campaign. Guests will be grouped together to form a party and be introduced to the game. “As the lights go down, you better understand who you are, what you’re doing, and why you’re there,” Stephen says.
Set in Waterdeep, this city of splendors is built atop the ruins of a dark and dangerous realm. I mean, there is absolutely no way anything can ever go wrong here — right? Wrong. Something has been stolen (no spoilers here!) and we, my fellow adventurers, have been recruited to help find it.
As we make our way below the city, the elaborately designed sets, incredible projections, and themed characters (NPCs basically) will give fans an experience they’ll never forget. “This is that bridge between playing the game and being in the game,” says Stephen. “Being able to develop these large-scale environments and create the authenticity of the D&D world is something that’s really exciting to us.”
Beware the Beholder
Of course, this wouldn’t be a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS campaign if our party didn’t come face-to-face with The Big Bad Evil Guy in the end — and “DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Secrets of Waterdeep” does not disappoint.
Enter: Xanathar the Beholder! This infamous crime lord dwells deep beneath Waterdeep. In D&D lore, Xanathar is a many-eyed evil entity who can shoot rays out of his irises, has an affinity for disintegrating things, and an appetite for most adventurers in his vicinity. Oh, and a word of advice: Don’t mess with his goldfish, Sylgar.
As our experience enters its final stages, we will find ourselves in Xanathar’s lair for the final showdown. That means we’ll be face-to-face with Xanathar the Beholder himself — as brought to life by the geniuses over at the Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. “We have a long relationship with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop,” Stephen says. “So being able to bring Xanathar the Beholder to life in puppetry form has been really exciting.”
Hovering above his giant mound of stolen treasure, this impressive Xanathar recreation is a prime example of what the Jim Henson Company does best: bringing massive and incredibly detailed creatures to life. Longtime DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fans will be amazed (and maybe a little scared) when they finally come eyeball to eyeball with this monster.
Hidden Treasure and Chance Encounters
Because Stephen and the Universal Fan Fest Nights entertainment team aim to create a fan-first experience, they’ve worked closely with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fans on the team to help bring the D&D world to life. These fans are called Fan-agers, or “fan managers.” “They have an affinity for each of these different brands,” Stephen explains. “And they make sure that we’re staying authentic every step of the way.”
This means that there will be interactive moments in this experience where fans will be able to help move the story along, just as if they were actually playing the tabletop game. Die-hard fans of the franchise can also expect to see several D&D easter eggs along their journey and encounter other classic creatures, including everyone’s favorite: The Mimic. This polymorphous monster likes to hide in plain sight, tricking adventurers into touching it and then attacking them as soon as it can. Just keep an eye out — and be very, very careful.
The Campaign Continues
After you’ve completed your quest and (hopefully) defeated Xanathar, your adventure continues! Check out the D&D Gelatinous Cube photo-op (you really can fit several adventurers in there), then shop exclusive DUNGEONS & DRAGONS merch to bring to your next campaign, and indulge in some themed food and beverage options.
Head over to The First Roll Tavern in Jurassic Cove to enjoy a Hunter’s Mark sandwich (marinated beef, arugula and cheese on ciabatta), some Beholder’s Brew Fondue (rosemary and onion tavern loaf with creamy beer cheese fondue), or even a Fireball (shown above – a spicy chocolate brownie with a strawberry, chili and lime filling, topped with POP ROCKS ®).
Chase down your rations with D&D-elicious cocktails including: Red Dragon’s Breath (tequila, dragon fruit syrup, lime juice, hibiscus, ginger beer on dry ice), The Eldritch Blast (vodka, apple and kiwi syrup, lemon juice, lemon/lime soda, edible green glitter, edible electric dust, kiwi popping boba and a mint sprig), the Beholder’s Brew (draft beer), and so much more.
Whether you’ve played DUNGEONS & DRAGONS for decades or haven’t even heard of it, this immersive adventure is not to be missed. And even if you’ve never played before, you’ll probably be itching to join a campaign of your own after experiencing DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Secrets of Waterdeep — just like the Universal Fan Fest Nights Entertainment team.
“What’s been great for us here in Entertainment is that our managers and the team supporting this project have also dived deep into the game.” Stephen says. “Multiple campaigns are going on across the entire department right now, which has been really fun to see.”
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Secrets of Waterdeep awaits you in Universal Studios Hollywood, exclusively at Universal Fan Fest Nights. The time is yours. Roll for initiative!
Must be 21+ with valid Photo ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
Comment below what you’re most excited to see at “DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Secrets of Waterdeep” at Universal Fan Fest Nights.
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