Universal Fan Fest Nights 2026

[Viator]

Wasn't the original plan to have My Hero Academia be the DWT film for FFN 2026? if they are doing a new JJK film this choice must have been made late in the game.

The original plan was not MHA.

I suspect and wonder if USH might be testing rotated films for DWT, with the “new” film and JJK.

 

[BriefCasey]

One of the things I've heard is that the budgeting for 2026 got cut back, and that for the walkthroughs and experiences; that spending the money that they did for something like Star Trek seems to be infeasible.

The budget cuts have me more concerned that the DWT anime show is STILL gonna be undubbed.

I suspect and wonder if USH might be testing rotated films for DWT, with the “new” film and JJK.

For that matter, I fear that dubs in this year's FFN are dead in the water if this happens, since rotating was how I always imagined rotating sub/dub would work. I seriously hope I won't be alone in making that heard in feedback surveys if it comes to that. You'd think that after any criticisms from last year and HHN (where I feel like the reading subtitles + action on screen was even worse at the start) they'd consider trying to alleviate that.

 

[Viator]

The budget cuts have me more concerned that the DWT anime show is STILL gonna be undubbed.

From what it seems, subs for FFN isn't actually a problem like how it is for HHN. The disconnect isn't as prevalent for this event in comparison to the more lukewarm/negative thoughts on Chainsaw Man.

 

[BriefCasey]

Where's this coming from? Again, I genuinely tried to give the subs a chance upon learning of the lack of a dub ahead of watching the one for JJK last year, so it'd suck to be in the minority when I felt like I could only fully divert my attention to the action on-screen the second time around.

Edit: Couldn't fully articulate this the first time around but I just find it hard to believe the subs went with that little criticism, especially when a few others here also shared the opinion of it being difficult to keep up with them and show footage, especially if any little ones are brought to the event.

 

[Wesker69]

I guess I'm biased, but while dubs are fine, the translation isn't always accurate. I do appreciate the English dubs, BUT subs aren't that bad when it comes to paying attention to the action

 

[Jerroddragon]

lol

The OG plan was not even My hero...at the peak of the series?....ok

Anyway you could dub JJK and doubt it would do much, I love dubs but most people are either going to like the show or not either way. I also became a fan of both JJK and chainsaw man from the shows at the parks and watch the anime dubs

Also sucks to hear people didn't like Chainsaw man show, it fit to me much more the theme of the event then the JJK one did....like both are filler adventures but at least Chainsaw man was halloween themed. The JJK one is just a bad filler episode compared to the show just a boring villain with a boring fight

Also sucks we are getting a 3D anime....2D animation just looks better to me 99% of the time.

 

[BriefCasey]

I guess I'm biased, but while dubs are fine, the translation isn't always accurate.

I thought I'd point out (for those unaware) that there's partially a reason why when it comes to accuracy:

Some things do have to be shifted to fit the spoken dialogue into the duration of the characters speaking (as well as making the dialogue feel as close as possible to the lip movements, which I'd imagine would be less important for a theme park ride compared to TV animation), even in English to international dubs. But in most cases the meaning remains intact nowadays, and it's a case by case basis.

As for an example of the English to international thing, I saw a Japanese screening of the Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023 and a line of the Koopa General saying "Time to die, Mario!" got changed to "GAME OVER, Mario!" Engrish and all. It's probably a cultural change since bits of English into a script has always been a fun/cool thing to do in Japanese media (and yet the subtitle script in the screening was still a copy/paste of the English script despite changes like this).

Point is, some things getting changed isn't only an anime English dub thing, and it's not as simple as taking the subtitle script and having it dubbed. Some changes are bound to happen to make a fully translated audio/visual experience feel as natural as possible to the audience it's being made for.

 

[Clive]

I don't think we should be expecting dubs unless one is already available. Sorry, guys.

 

[Viator]

I don't think we should be expecting dubs unless one is already available. Sorry, guys.

Agreeing with this. Unless Osaka adapts to get english dubs as part of their elements (which I doubt due to the global component), subtitled versions that are from Osaka's scripts will be how things are handled. Atleast One Piece they'll be forced to have live english actors, so there's that, but it makes more sense for USH to not go in and make that kind of an expense.

Could we maybe get custom films for Hollywood? Dunno, think that depends on if/when Orlando gets FFN, but I think for now they're mainly going to focus on the element of using what they can get on the cheap.

 

[BriefCasey]

I don't think we should be expecting dubs unless one is already available. Sorry, guys.

Considering the idea of more Mario characters being added to SNW previously got shot down here, only for them to find a way with Yoshi for FFN, I think I've got reason to believe the change is still possible, even if it's still not this year.

I'm just not looking forward to if it's going to be the case for every single anime show that winds up there, since any more than the first year just feels lazy/cheap to me (I know there's a budget and all that to work with but still). I can only hope more people from the anime crowd who missed last year visit and take notice of the issue and make that known on the surveys. For that matter, I can't believe I'm hoping JoJo doesn't get the theater while they continue to do this.

Agreeing with this. Unless Osaka adapts to get english dubs as part of their elements (which I doubt due to the global component)

I can't fully get behind this either, they'd have no reason to with how the park is predominantly advertised towards those in Japan. That's why I was expecting a dub when a Dreamworks theater port first got announced, I thought it'd make logical sense since the focus of a 4D ride has always been having your eyes on what's happening on screen. That's why I felt thrown off by subtitles in practice with the show footage for this type of thing, same with what we got for HHN.

I know I've been the most ardent advocate for this, but I have a horse in the race here because I'm concerned for how anime shows are handled at the event long term, and I want to push the issue while the event is still new.
I really do try to see the best in things, but I genuinely could not with the two shows so far, so I don't want it to be a thing they see they can get away with if not enough people complain.

 

[Jerroddragon]

If they can get the Dubs cheap then cool...but also rather the money to go to meet and greets

Gojo would get an insaneeee line

 

[BriefCasey]

Ideally (or maybe in a perfect world), they should be allowing them the money for both; spare no expense in other words (only making that pun given what's heavily implied to be at this year's FFN). So despite any existing criticisms, that's why I still want to support the even so it can hopefully grow to that level.

Aside from that, that meetup idea did give me a funny thought, but I'm not sure if many would get it. To put it simply, there's a Gojo in another popular anime (My Dress Up Darling), and depending on who they are, cosplayers who know enough different anime could go up to him dressed as this other Gojo, or the protagonist of said anime who's often with this other Gojo. Just a funny thought since I saw some cosplayers dressed as Nico Robin going up to the One Piece characters at the event, so it's easy to imagine similar kinds of fun scenarios with meet and greets, especially when cosplay is encouraged.

 

[Clive]

Considering the idea of more Mario characters being added to SNW previously got shot down here, only for them to find a way with Yoshi for FFN, I think I've got reason to believe the change is still possible, even if it's still not this year.

I'm just not looking forward to if it's going to be the case for every single anime show that winds up there, since any more than the first year just feels lazy/cheap to me (I know there's a budget and all that to work with but still). I can only hope more people from the anime crowd who missed last year visit and take notice of the issue and make that known on the surveys. For that matter, I can't believe I'm hoping JoJo doesn't get the theater while they continue to do this.

I can't fully get behind this either, they'd have no reason to with how the park is predominantly advertised towards those in Japan. That's why I was expecting a dub when a Dreamworks theater port first got announced, I thought it'd make logical sense since the focus of a 4D ride has always been having your eyes on what's happening on screen. That's why I felt thrown off by subtitles in practice with the show footage for this type of thing, same with what we got for HHN.

I know I've been the most ardent advocate for this, but I have a horse in the race here because I'm concerned for how anime shows are handled at the event long term, and I want to push the issue while the event is still new.
I really do try to see the best in things, but I genuinely could not with the two shows so far, so I don't want it to be a thing they see they can get away with if not enough people complain.

I get that you have very strong feelings about this, but I'm just telling you what the company's priorities are. By all means, continue to give them feedback if it's important to you - I'm trying to let you now that you shouldn't expect dubs in the near future, unless there are very specific and accommodating circumstances.

 

[Wesker69]

Gojo would get an insaneeee line

*puts on Gojo shirt* alright, I'm going to get in line by 2pm, even if the event doesn't start until 7pm

I'm just hoping they do better casting & costumes for OnePiece than the temu versions last year. I've seen better cosplay at nerd conventions

 

[Mr_Pendington]

These fan fest posters have been put up near experiences that are gonna confirmed to be at the event. One of areas with that poster is Hollywood Drift interestingly enough, and where Star Trek was last year.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Maybe they will point you where you can go?

 

[Mr_Pendington]

Just realized that nobody has posted an image of these screens being on or even talked about it so I'll just dump the info.

I didn't get a photo (sorry!) but when every screen I saw around the park had the same Fan Fest 2026 ad; just the logo (with some text like "Buy Tickets Now!") with a QR code. What I find interesting is that even though each screen displayed that same basic poster, each screen was carefully placed in front of areas that are going to have something for Fan Fest. There was a Fan Fest ad in front of Hogsmeade, in front of where Star Trek was last year, one in front of the Mummy's ticket booth to upgrade your tickets (most likely just to urge people to buy tickets there), and one in front of Transformers which leads into the soundstage for DND. The Transformers one was interesting because it was used to display a sign for stroller parking, but I only entered the lower lot at sunset-night so maybe it was switched to make the sign viewable. The final one I noticed was one placed before the final escalator into the lower lot where guests see the mysterious Jurassic Park display. I didn't go to the tour so I didn't see if there was one there, and of course there was one right in front of Hollywood Drift turned off. But yeah those were all the locations I noticed.

 

[Wesker69]

I wonder if the green "grass" plywood with tree stumps will end up getting the wrecked vehicle & dino ribcage set piece from the former Studio Tour area

I hope the rest of the Jurassic stuff gets relocated, including the electrified gateway portal the tram would pass through.

Event starts in a month & a half, they gotta add so much while also worrying about HHN prep.

 

[Mr_Pendington]

I wonder if the green "grass" plywood with tree stumps will end up getting the wrecked vehicle & dino ribcage set piece from the former Studio Tour area

I hope the rest of the Jurassic stuff gets relocated, including the electrified gateway portal the tram would pass through.

Event starts in a month & a half, they gotta add so much while also worrying about HHN prep.

I have a feeling this is going to be a really high end Fan Zone, considering the auditions they held for Jurassic Park character actors and puppeteers. I really doubt this is going to be a walkthrough; static props would kill any illusions they'd try to make pretty quickly.


(Source)

 

[Wesker69]

I have a feeling this is going to be a really high end Fan Zone, considering the auditions they held for Jurassic Park character actors and puppeteers. I really doubt this is going to be a walkthrough; static props would kill any illusions they'd try to make pretty quickly.

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(Source)

Yea I'm fully aware of all that, I get the audition emails lol

I wasn't expecting this to be a typical walk-through attraction. Also I hate the term "fan zone", it's so lame. The static dino figures don't kill the vibe or experience at all, especially since they existed as photo-ops originally. Just having the Spino back in any photo-op capacity is a welcome addition.

My point was, i sure hope they add an excessive amount more to this area because it's not like they're in short supply of Jurassic props/scenic from storage or the old studio tour area.

This will most likely end up being similar to the 2018 JP25 event set up only contained in this new area. The only difference is having official face characters instead of (really good) cosplaying fans.