Comic-Con 2025 was packed with 27 pop-ups, fan activations, and wild brand experiences. Some were worth the wait, others… not so much. I ran around the Gaslamp Quarter, stood in lines, solicited feedback, and checked out as many events as I could. Here’s my take on what Comic-Con experiences worked, what didn’t, and what totally caught me off guard.
What Worked:
Paramount+ Lodge
This was one of the most talked-about pop-ups at Comic-Con this year. People loved the variety of activations from popular shows like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Dexter: Resurrection, and The LANDMAN Patch Café. The staff was friendly, and the wait times were shorter than expected if you got there early. The setup from Paramount+ was immersive and fun, and lots of cool photo opportunities.
Fandom Party (All‑American Rejects headliner)
People loved the energy, live music, surprise performances, and photo ops. The vibe was fun and welcoming, and fans said it was one of the best events of the weekend.
King of the Hill experience
This activation impressed fans with how fun it was. You could try the Alamo Pong, customize your own trucker hat, and enjoy a cookout while sitting on lawn chairs in the shade. The number of photo opportunities that Hulu provided was a hit. People who got in said it was worth the wait.
Interactive Zone at Petco Park
This was a fan favorite again. It had lots of free things to do, cool booths, food trucks, and giveaways. Easy to access and full of activity all day.
Doctor Who "Black Archive"
Doctor Who fans were impressed. The set felt immersive and well done. You could explore props, step into the TARDIS, and take part in a mission-like walkthrough.
Crunchyroll Anime FanFest
This was a hit with anime fans. It had music, giveaways, merch, and live performances. A lot of people called it one of the most fun off-site events.
Alien: Earth
This immersive activation drew praise for its eerie spaceship crash zone and authentic alien specimens. Visitors found it creepy in a good way, and perfect for sci-fi fans seeking an experience. But it was hard to get tickets to it.
Abbott Elementary: A Very Abbott Block Party
Attendees said it was joyful and nostalgic. It had a Ferris wheel, giveaways, ice, and fun vibes. Some were hoping for free merch, but most said it delivered big on energy.
Marvel Egg Vault Experience
They had interactive displays and collectible merchandise which got positive reviews from Marvel fans.
What Didn’t Work:
Long Waits and Early Closures
Many of the experiences had long lines. Some closed their lines early, even before the scheduled end time. It left people disappointed.
RSVPs Filled Up Fast
A lot of pop-ups needed a reservation. Those spots were gone quickly. Some people showed up and couldn’t get in at all.
Drone Show – No-Show
There was high expectations of a drone show after it being such a highlight last year – alas, no drones for fans who kept watching the skies above San Diego.
Shudder horror “Clown in a Cornfield”maze
While visually spooky, some fans critiit as predictable and gimmicky. Many described it as entertaining but not deeply frightening or cohesive across the maze.
Nerd Out Activation
This got little publicity, and it seems like most people skipped it due to unclear branding or low energy.
