The inaugural Universal Fan Fest Nights event has concluded, and guests in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter were able to interact with special magical creatures including a Niffler, a baby dragon, and an Occamy.
Magical Creatures at Universal Fan Fest Nights
Our first creature interaction of the night was with a Team Member standing next to a small Niffler. The Niffler was sitting on a stack of wrapped packages near the Owl Post window. The performer explained that the Niffler was caught breaking into several packages containing valuable items, such as the box of jewelry the puppet is currently sitting inside.
The Niffler moves from side to side and its mouth opens, emitting some small noises as it interacts with guests. The Team Member allowed a select few guests to get closer to the Niffler, warning them to keep an eye on their jewelry and coins.
The next creature interaction was hosted by a Team Member walking the streets of Hogsmeade holding a baby dragon. The performer was wearing an outfit made of what is supposed to be flame-retardant materials, in case the dragon decided to breathe fire.
The dragon would occasionally growl and lunge forward, snapping its jaws like it was going to bite one of the guests. The performer explained that raising a dragon is technically illegal in the Wizarding World and asked guests in the audience if they worked for the Ministry of Magic.
The final magical creature was an Occamy, which was first seen in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The Occamy is known for having the ability to change size to fit inside any space. The creature looks like a serpent with feathered wings and a somewhat dragon-like head.
For this interaction, a Team Member is carrying the Occamy puppet in both arms, with its serpentine body wrapped over her shoulders and down her left leg. The Occamy is capable of moving its head forward, opening its mouth, blinking its eyes, and making small noises. The performer accents the movements of the puppet by shifting her weight to look as though she is keeping the creature from moving towards the guests.
The Team Member explained some of the creature’s lore and personality, adding that the Occamy was originally sent to her in a teapot by Hagrid. She also invited a few guests in the nearby crowd to step forward and gently stroke the Occamy’s snout.
If you want to see more of these magical creatures, we also have a video of guests interacting with all three of them below.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter also celebrated Fan Fest Nights with the release of event-exclusive merchandise featuring several magical creatures and a new Time Turner popcorn bucket. Tickets for Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood are still available, with the event taking place on select nights from April 25 to May 18, 2025.
Which creature in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.