USS Angeles beams onto Enterprise-D, goes ‘Back to the Future’

Editor’s note: This same story appears on STARFLEET’s Region 4 website (region4.org), but with different photos.

By Commodore Dave Mason

UNIVERSAL CITY — Red alert!

Lisa Sobien, Christopher Mulrooney and I had just boarded the Enterprise-D when we discovered the ship was in trouble. You could see the panic in the face of the doctor in Sick Bay.

We went from there to the Enterprise-D bridge: the actual set that was used for filming in “Star Trek: Picard” during its third and final decision. We got there just in time. The ship was still in danger!

Fortunately, we not only surived, but thrived as we explored Enterprise-D areas such as Engineering and went “Back to the Future” during Universal Studios’ Fan Fest Nights.

The USS Angeles mission on April 26 began with Chris and I meeting at Quark’s Bar and Grill on Universal’s upper lot, where Chris enjoyed some of the “Star Trek”-themed food offered by Universal Studios. Dishes vary from Vulcan Fritters to Klingon Targ Legs and the Tribble Truffle Trio, a treat featuring chocolate and butterscotch.

From there, we went on the studio tram, which took us into the back lot and the Courthouse Square where “Back to the Future” was filmed. That’s where we saw actors re-enact a scene from the movie in which George McFly defends Lorraine from the evil Biff. We also were entertained by Marvin Berry and the Starlighters playing at the Enchantment Under the Sea prom in front of Hill Valley High School. Later in the same block as the school, gas station attendants sang with a smile around a 1950s car. Talk about a full service station!

Lisa later joined us at the square, where we ran into Doc Brown and other characters from the 1950s, played by Universal Studios cast members. We remembered the tram guide’s advice to avoid mentioning anything from 2025 and use terms like “nifty.” In addition, many fans came dressed in the orange vest jacket that Michael J. Fox wore as he played Marty McFly, the outfit that caused a malt shop owner to think Marty was in the Navy.

Back on the upper lot, we saw the special activities at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where we posed for photos with a small but clever fantastic beast and its handler. We also saw special projections on the Hogswarts castle.

Universal Fan Fest Nights, which continues May 16-28, features “Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley,” “Star Trek: Red Alert,” “Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep,” “Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed,” “One Piece: Grand Pirate Gathering,” and special additions to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. For more information, see www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/california/2025/01/29/universal-fan-fest-nights-takes-guests-back-to-the-future-and-beyond/78013179007.

USS Angeles Command Staff member Lisa Sobien stands in the Courtyard Square, the Universal Studios Hollywood area where the first two “Back to the Future” movies were filmed. Angeles members went there April 26 during Fan Fest Nights. (Photos by Dave Mason/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)

Marty McFly leaves behind tracks of flames after traveling at 88 mph in his DeLorean to go back in time.

Gas station attendants sing at Courthouse Square during Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. For a photo of the courthouse, see region4.org.

Lisa Sobien meets a fantastic beast and its handler at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during Universal Studios Hollywood’s Fan Fest Nights.

Starfleet officers stand ready for action on the Enterprise-D bridge set from “Star Trek: Picard,” which is on display at Universal Studios Hollywood for Fan Fest Nights. USS Angeles members explored the set April 26. For another photo of the bridge, see region4.org, the website for STARFLEET’s Region 4.

Chris Mulrooney takes the conn on the Enterprise-D bridge.

USS Angeles member Lisa Sobien sits in the Enterprise-D captain’s chair at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Dave Mason sits on the captain’s chair of the Enterprise-D at Universal Studios Hollywood. (Photo by Lisa Sobien/USS Angeles/Angels Flight)