I Need Universal Studios’ Limited One Piece Event To Become Permanent

1 week ago 29

Published May 13, 2026, 8:40 PM EDT

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero.

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

Having never attended before, Universal Studios Fan Fest Nights 2026 was far more impressive than I initially expected. Featuring exclusive experiences connected to multiple major franchises, there was a lot to love.

In 2026, Fan Fest Nights features a Scooby-Doo mystery crossover with classic Universal Monsters on the backlot, a new Jurassic Park walk-through experience, a surprisingly elaborate Dungeons & Dragons experience, a new Sailor Moon animated short, and special additions to both Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

However, the new One Piece stunt show was by far the biggest and most entertaining draw of the entire night. Replacing the classic Waterworld experience (which is nearly as old as the 1995 Kevin Costner movie it's based on), I can confirm after seeing it firsthand that the One Piece experience is a must-see for fans of the beloved pirate manga/anime/live-action Netflix series. Combined with everything else Universal Studios included as part of their big One Piece expansion for Fan Fest Nights, I personally believe some serious conversations should be had about Waterworld's future.

Universal Studios' One Piece Stunt Show Was The Biggest Draw At Fan Fest Nights 2026

While everything I got to experience at Fan Fest Nights 2026 was lots of fun, the most entertaining was by far the One Piece stunt show. Offering multiple showings a night, the stands were absolutely packed with guests clearly prioritizing the stunt show over everything else (and for good reason).

Originally developed for Universal Studios Japan, the One Piece stunt experience transforms the existing WaterWorld arena into a live-action pirate adventure starring the entire Straw Hat crew. Riding in on boats and traveling across ziplines above some serious pyrotechnics, characters like Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji all appeared throughout the show to massive cheers and applause. Shown fighting Marines led by Tashigi and even an encounter with Buggy, the action and stunts were quite impressive, including the practical effects used to showcase Luffy and Buggy's Gum-Gum and Chop-Chop Devil Fruit powers.

There were also some great surprise appearances, including Tony Tony Chopper (who naturally received one of the loudest cheers in the 20-minute show). To that point, the energy in the arena was completely different from the standard WaterWorld experience I've seen in the past during a normal day at Universal Studios Hollywood. After all, the performers are playing beloved characters from a franchise that's currently enjoying a major peak of engagement from fans both old and new.

All Things Considered, Universal Studios Should Absolutely Sunset Waterworld In Favor Of One Piece

Although the One Piece stunt show alone is a huge success, Universal’s Fan Fest pirate expansion didn't stop there. One of the park's restaurants was fully re-themed as "Sanji’s Galley", serving exclusive One Piece-inspired menu items like Luffy’s Meat on the Bone or Sanji’s Spicy Chicken Katsu (I'd personally recommend the chicken), with the restaurant being absolutely packed the entire night.

The Ultimate · Straw Hat Challenge Set Sail for Trivia “I’m gonna be King of the Pirates!”

⚕CrewNakama!

🌊SeasEast Blue

🍋Devil FruitsGomu Gomu!

☠VillainsFear the sea

🏆DreamsOne Piece!

SET SAIL →

Monkey D. Luffy accidentally ate a Devil Fruit as a child, giving him rubber-like abilities. What is the name of that fruit?

AFlame-Flame Fruit BChop-Chop Fruit CGum-Gum Fruit DSmoke-Smoke Fruit

✓ Correct! The Gum-Gum Fruit (Gomu Gomu no Mi) turned Luffy’s body into rubber. He ate it from Shanks’ treasure chest as a kid, gaining stretchy powers but losing the ability to swim forever.

✗ Overboard! The answer is the Gum-Gum Fruit. The Chop-Chop Fruit belongs to Buggy, the Flame-Flame Fruit to Ace, and the Smoke-Smoke Fruit to Captain Smoker — but Luffy’s rubber powers come from the Gomu Gomu no Mi.

Luffy’s iconic straw hat was given to him as a child by a famous pirate who inspired his dream. Who gave Luffy the hat?

AGold Roger BMonkey D. Garp CDracule Mihawk DRed-Haired Shanks

✓ Correct! Red-Haired Shanks entrusted his straw hat to young Luffy in Foosha Village, telling him to return it when he becomes a great pirate. That promise drives Luffy’s entire journey.

✗ Overboard! The answer is Red-Haired Shanks. While Gold Roger originally wore the hat, it was Shanks who passed it down to Luffy after saving his life from a Sea King — a defining moment in the series.

Before joining the Straw Hats, Sanji works as a sous chef at a floating restaurant on the ocean. What is the name of this restaurant?

AThe Galley-La BThe Baratie CThe Sea Rat DMakino’s Tavern

✓ Correct! The Baratie is the ocean-going restaurant run by Chef Zeff, Sanji’s mentor. In the live-action series, it’s one of the most stunning sets — a fully realized ship-restaurant on the open sea.

✗ Overboard! The answer is The Baratie. Run by the legendary pirate-turned-chef “Red Leg” Zeff, this floating restaurant is where Luffy recruits Sanji as the Straw Hats’ cook.

Roronoa Zoro is famous for his unique sword-fighting technique. How many swords does he wield in his signature style?

AOne BTwo CThree DFour

✓ Correct! Zoro uses Three-Sword Style (Santoryu), wielding one sword in each hand and a third in his mouth. His dream is to become the world’s greatest swordsman by defeating Dracule Mihawk.

✗ Overboard! The answer is three. Zoro’s iconic Three-Sword Style places one blade in each hand and a third clenched between his teeth — a fighting technique unique to him in the One Piece world.

Each Straw Hat crew member has a personal dream. What is Nami’s ultimate goal that drives her journey?

ATo find the One Piece treasure BTo become the greatest navigator CTo draw a complete map of the world DTo defeat every pirate on the Grand Line

✓ Correct! Nami’s dream is to draw a map of the entire world. Her cartography skills and navigation talent make her indispensable to the crew, and her passion for mapmaking was nurtured by her adoptive mother Bell-mère.

✗ Overboard! The answer is to draw a complete map of the world. Nami is a gifted cartographer whose dream goes beyond just sailing — she wants to chart every sea and island so no one is ever lost again.

A powerful Marine Vice Admiral is revealed to have a surprising family connection to Luffy. Who is this high-ranking Marine?

ACaptain Smoker BAdmiral Akainu CCaptain Morgan DVice Admiral Garp

✓ Correct! Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp is Luffy’s grandfather. Known as “Garp the Fist,” he’s a Marine hero who wanted Luffy to become a Marine — not a pirate. Their family dynamic is a major subplot in the live-action series.

✗ Overboard! The answer is Vice Admiral Garp. Monkey D. Garp is Luffy’s grandfather and one of the most legendary Marines alive. Despite being on opposite sides of the law, their bond runs deep.

Usopp is recruited into the Straw Hat crew after the pirates help defend his home village from Captain Kuro’s Black Cat Pirates. What is the name of Usopp’s village?

AFoosha Village BShells Town CSyrup Village DCoco Village

✓ Correct! Syrup Village is Usopp’s peaceful hometown where he was known for telling tall tales. It’s also where Kaya lives, and where the crew acquires the Going Merry from her estate.

✗ Overboard! The answer is Syrup Village. Foosha Village is Luffy’s hometown, Shells Town is where Zoro was held captive, and Coco Village (Cocoyasi) is Nami’s home — but Usopp hails from Syrup Village.

The Netflix live-action adaptation was praised for its casting. Which actor plays Monkey D. Luffy?

AMackenyu BTaz Skylar CIñaki Godoy DJacob Romero Gibson

✓ Correct! Mexican actor Iñaki Godoy won fans over with his infectious energy and earnest portrayal of Luffy. Mackenyu plays Zoro, Taz Skylar is Sanji, and Jacob Romero Gibson plays Usopp.

✗ Overboard! The answer is Iñaki Godoy. The young Mexican actor perfectly captured Luffy’s boundless enthusiasm. The other actors all play Straw Hat crew members — but Luffy is all Iñaki.

REVEAL MY SCORE →

Voyage Complete Your Pirate Record

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Are you King of the Pirates — or lost at sea?

↻ SET SAIL AGAIN

Likewise, the exclusive One Piece merchandise was also impressive. It's no exaggeration to say that at any given moment, you could find at least one or two guests wearing a straw hat or Chopper's hat with antlers. Various shops also featured souvenir mugs, plush Devil Fruits, clothing, and more. All things considered, I know I can't be the only one thinking about the long-term potential Universal has on its hands with a franchise as big as One Piece. By comparison, it feels fair to say that 1995's Waterworld has really only remained in the public consciousness because of Universal Studios' stunt show.

One Piece is arguably one of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world right now. Between the manga and anime’s global popularity, the live-action series on Netflix, and more projects like the upcoming remaster, Universal Studios has an enormous opportunity sitting right in front of it if it were to permanently replace its Waterworld stunt display with One Piece going forward. After its proven success at Fan Fest Nights, it really does feel like the logical next step.

Universal Studios Fan Fest Nights 2026 occur on select nights from April 23 to May 16th.

First Film One Piece: The Movie

Cast Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Ôtani, Yuriko Yamaguchi

Created by Eiichiro Oda

Character(s) Monkey D. Luffy, Roronora Zoro, Nami (One Piece), Nico Robin, Usopp (One Piece), Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Franky (One Piece), Jimbei (One Piece)

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