The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Experience delivered some extra magic to San Diego Comic-Con this year. Created by the always-impressive 15/40 team, the offsite transported fans into the new season for “Sea of Monsters”, blending mythology, interactivity, and some surprisingly great performances along the journey.
Our quest began with a quiz to determine which Olympian would claim us — a fun, easy introduction to the world of Percy Jackson. From there, we were led inside, where the space had been transformed into a diner worthy of the Gods. Our guide — a standout actor who fully committed to the bit — explained what each God represented, while setting the stage for what was to come.
And then things got… stormy.
As the lights dimmed, the screens around the diner which had previously shown a sunny city, now revealed a sea monster attack outside. Thunder rumbled. Lightning cracked. It was immersive in the best way — a blend of screens, sound, and staging that brought the world to life without overreaching. After the chaos subsided, the sun returned, and we continued our journey through the diner.
Upon entry, each guest had received a drachma — a cleverly themed currency you could exchange for God-inspired swag. This could be redeemed for an oversized water bottle emblazoned with your God’s symbol, but as press, we were handed a second drachma (thanks, Disney) and were able to snag an exclusive Percy Jackson t-shirt as well. Regular attendees could also earn extra drachma from staff or by tracking them down throughout the Gaslamp.
At the far end of the diner, the Gray Sisters awaited — and honestly, they stole the show. These actors were hilarious, committed, and fully leaned into their all-seeing roles. After a quick interaction and a few snarky prophecies, we were guided to redeem our drachma for merch. The swag was strong here — genuinely useful water bottles, cool t-shirt designs, and an added bonus: a printed claim ticket for an exclusive art print redeemable inside the convention center.
All in all, the Percy Jackson Experience was smartly executed, with strong performances, fun interactions, and a clear narrative that didn’t rely too heavily on prior show knowledge to enjoy (and I say that as someone who hasn’t watched it yet — but is certainly now more interested).
With all of that said, lines reportedly reached six to eight hours at peak times throughout the week — and while the experience was definitely memorable, it’s tough to say any activation is worth a full-day wait.
Still, for fans of the series (or those like me who just love well-themed offsites), this was a standout offering. Detailed, playful, and polished — and proof that even demigod-level chaos can be a good time when you’re in good hands.
