First look at Dark Universe monster land coming to Epic Universe
Dracula, Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and other classic Universal Studios monsters will play a starring role in a horror-themed land coming to the new Universal Epic Universe theme park in Florida.
Universal Orlando has pulled back the curtain on the new Dark Universe monster-themed land debuting on May 22 as part of Epic Universe that will feature more than 50 rides, attractions, shows and experiences.
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Dark Universe will drop visitors into the ravaged Darkmoor Village overrun by the Mummy, Invisible Man, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Frankenstein’s Monster from classic Universal Studios horror movies from the 1920s to the 1950s.
The Darkmoor backstory finds the monsters unleashed as a result of an experiment gone horribly wrong by Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein and a new addition to the world of Universal Monsters.
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Frankenstein Manor will serve as the centerpiece of the grim, forbidding and shadowy village that will invite brave visitors into a deserted cemetery and underground catacombs.
The Dark Universe themed land will feature a motion simulator dark ride, spinning roller coaster, two restaurants, gift shop, monster makeover experience and character meet-and-greet photo opportunities.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
The Monsters Unchained motion simulator dark ride coming to the Dark Universe themed land will utilize a Kuka robot arm like the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attractions at Universal parks in California, Florida, Japan and China.
Riders will be chased through the ride by Dracula as he tries to unleash other monsters held in Frankenstein Manor by the new Dr. Frankenstein who believes it’s her duty to capture and rehabilitate Darkmoor’s unearthly creatures. Victoria will be assisted by hunchback lab assistant Ygor as they attempt to save us from Dracula’s wrath.
Along the way, riders will encounter 14 larger-than-life animatronic figures — including the 9-foot-tall, 800-pound Frankenstein’s Monster.
The Phantom of the Opera will play an organ with 14 flames shooting out of the pipes that will dance in the air in sync with the music.
Curse of the Werewolf
The Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster coming to the Dark Universe themed land starts with a warning.
After wandering through a wagon camp, riders will encounter Guild of Mystics leader Maleva who tells us that we each bear the mark of the werewolf during a pre-show moment.
That news upsets the pack of werewolves waiting for us in the dark forest that our coaster is about to traverse. Glowing eyes, gnashing teeth and blood curdling snarls fill the Darkmoor armory as we try to escape our pursuers.
The dual-launch Mack Rides family-friendly spinning coaster will reach a top speed of 37 mph.
Das Stakehaus
The new vampire-themed restaurant coming to the Dark Universe themed land could really only have one name: Das Stakehaus.
According to the backstory, the fast-casual restaurant is housed in an old inn and dining hall built over the ruins of ancient catacombs. What could possibly go wrong?
The darkly opulent Das Stakehaus will be filled with paintings of vampires depicting them as heroes throughout Darkmoor’s history.
The restaurant will be staffed by vampire servants who do the bidding of their masters in hopes of one day becoming immortal themselves.
The menu will include hamburgers, fried chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, barbecue ribs, vegan stuffed cabbage and red velvet cake.
The “stakes” on the menu will actually be kebabs — fish, chicken or brisket meatloaf served with roasted veggies on a stake.
Burning Blade Tavern
The real show at the Burning Blade Tavern will take place outside when the windmill atop the restaurant bursts into flames every 20 minutes.
Inside, the old mill restaurant will be themed as a hang out for monster hunters with their trophies covering the walls.
The Burning Blade menu will feature classic pub grub — hamburgers, wings, bratwursts and pretzels.
Outside, the windmill blades will stay lit day and night thanks to two types of fuel used in different ratios.
Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities
The twisted experiments of the brilliant yet mad scientist Dr. Septimus Pretorius will be on display in his eccentric and eclectic emporium that doubles as the retail shop in the monster-themed land.
The gift shop will sell Dark Universe apparel and souvenirs.
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience
Makeup and special effects artists will take over part of Dr. Pretorius’ old laboratory where visitors can become werewolves, vampires and mummies as part of the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.
The shop will sell monster apparel for those wanting to fully complete their look.
Those not ready to make the leap into monsterdom can settle for a temporary tattoo of their favorite villain.
Character encounters
The Frankenstein monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, Ygor the hunchback assistant and the Invisible Man will make meet-and-greet character appearances in the Dark Universe themed land.
Monster hunters from the Burning Blade Tavern and traveling musicians from the Guild of Mystics wagon camp will wander around the land interacting with visitors.
In addition to the Dark Universe, the 750-acre Epic Universe will feature four other themed lands: Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World and Celestial Park.