Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood are just around the corner, and Universal has shared cosplay costume guidelines for those attending.
Universal Cosplay Costume Guidelines
At Universal Fan Fest Nights, guests will be able to gear up in costumes as their favorite characters from franchises dedicated to sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and anime. With that in mind, Universal has set some rules in place for guests’ cosplay.
The term “cosplay” originated in Japan and is a combination of the words “costume” and “play.” It refers to when fans dress up in a character’s costume and makeup, even role-playing the character’s mannerisms and personality, bringing them to life.
One of the cosplay rules is that all weapons and items that can be used as a weapon are strictly prohibited at Universal Fan Fest Nights. Some prop weapons are permitted, but they cannot have sharp edges or be functional as a weapon. Guests are encouraged to be creative with foam and cardboard to make props and accessories.
As far as costumes, guests may not wear clothes or carry accessories that could create confusion that they work for Universal or are part of an emergency response team. Service animals are also not allowed to be in costume. All costumes must be appropriate and family-friendly as the event is for fans of all ages.
Guests should also keep in mind that certain costume elements will need to be removed before boarding certain rides and should ensure that the entire costume can fully fit into a ride vehicle. Costumes that have special effects such as smoke, fog, or sounds are not permitted. Oversized costumes or ones that include stilts or long trains and veils are also not allowed.
Face paint is allowed, but masks or coverings that fully or partially obscure your face are not permitted. Alcoholic beverages will not be served to guests whose face painting covers more than one-half of the face (applied vertically).
Universal Studios Hollywood’s full cosplay costume guidelines are also available online.
Universal Fan Fest Nights take place on select nights from April 25 through May 18, 2025. The all-new after-hours event highlights different fandoms, including the worlds of Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Super Nintendo World. Glinda and Elphaba from “Wicked” will also make their debut at Fan Fest Nights with a meet and greet.
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