San Diego, Saturday, July 27, 2024, Bayfront Parking Lot — SDCC is always packed with excitement, but Hulu’s Animayhem Factory took things to a whole new level. Set up just outside the Convention Center, it transformed a parking lot into a vibrant, interactive cartoon factory celebrating Hulu’s animated shows. Free and open to the public, it drew fans in with color, chaos, and a promise of hands-on fun.
After hours of waiting in the queue, the moment we finally entered felt like stepping into a cartoon. The “factory” had sections dedicated to different series, including Futurama, Family Guy, The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Solar Opposites, and Hit-Monkey. Rather than just posing for photos, guests were encouraged to interact with the sets, play games, and explore each show’s unique quirks.
One of the stops was the Solar Opposites area. There was a stress test screen that measured your level of tension, and based on your results, a mystery box would drop out. I got the verdict “sorta stressed”, and inside was a character-shaped stress toy of The Pupa, a perfect nod to the show’s humor.
Nearby at American Dad, we attempted the infamous Roger the Alien organ challenge, racing against the clock to reassemble his insides. We didn’t finish in time, which made the chaotic game even more fun and fitting for the series’ zany style.
We grabbed donuts from The Simpsons LardLad Donut Factory, which had green “toxic” icing instead of Homer’s classic pink-frosted donuts, a creative twist on a Springfield staple.
At the Bob’s Burgers station, we joined a dance and lip-sync photo-op, performing along with the show’s music (they had four to choose from).
Over in the Futurama section, we got to do a Slurm tasting, sipping bright yellow drinks that looked straight out of New New York. At the end of the factory, fans received themed giveaways: we walked away with a 2D-style fanny pack and a Futurama pin set, which felt like the perfect souvenir after exploring all the interactive areas.
Hulu’s Animayhem wasn’t just a promotional activation. It was playful, interactive, and packed with tiny details that rewarded exploration. From games and snacks to photo ops and character-themed swag, every corner offered something new. For fans of animated TV, it was one of the most entertaining off-site experiences at SDCC 2024 and a must-visit for anyone looking to step inside the worlds of their favorite shows.
