So overall thoughts…Fan Fest really is for FANS, and if you’re not a diehard, there’s very little here for you outside of walk on rides.
To start with the good - I adore Back to the Future, and the set dressing, shows and character meet and greets were all excellent (though the 45 min event cycle was too short in my opinion and the movie projected on the building was murky). That alone made it worth it for me, but only because I literally live and breathe the trilogy.
I also am a big Trekkie, but found the entire Red Alert attraction to be completely lackluster and sloppy.
I know basic stuff about D&D and like what I know, but I thought that whole walkthrough (save for the animatronic one eyed thing) to be a waste of time.
And finally I don’t like anime, so those things did nothing for me.
So here lies the problem. I doubt anyone is a true top 10% fan of all 5 major properties at the event. Unlike HHN, where you can still enjoy the houses and scares without knowing the movies some are based on, this event requires you to truly love what they present. Because even though it’s the first year, it does feel like HHN on a budget, but without any of the thrills.
Best comparison I can make is that outside of BttF, which benefits from having the set in the backlot, these all feel like free “activations” you would see at San Diego Comic Con. A distraction, that I’m sure some people will drool over, but most will go “oh, ok”.
So I ask myself, if they do this again next year, and BttF isn’t there and are forced to build everything from the ground up, will it even be remotely worth it? And the answer is unequivocally no, unless the crowds stay low and you can walk on rides like we did last night.