Universal Orlando Resort has announced details of Dark Universe, the Epic Universe land inspired by Universal Classic Monsters.
Dark Universe
The land’s name comes from a canceled series of Universal Monsters movies. Guests will enter Dark Universe from Celestial Park through a portal in a giant dead tree. A coil on top will crackle with purple energy.
Once they pass through, guests will find themselves in a foggy, derelict cemetery on the edge of a village named Darkmoor.
Universal previously stated that in Dark Universe, guests “will encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to a shadowy landscape where monsters roam in this world of myth and mystery.” The land’s music is composed by Danny Elfman.
Once guests travel through the cemetery, they’ll be in the village itself, “where misbegotten scientific experiments scar the land and unnatural creations lurk in the shadows,” according to Universal.
We created a village and a world beyond it where not only can these stories come together, but new stories can come in as well. Now you’re in the same place where all those stories come together, but it’s the current day.
Pete Carsillo, senior creative director for Dark Universe
Attractions
Dark Universe will host two attractions, as well as meet and greets with some of Universal’s most famous monsters. As Darkmoor exists in the present day, there is also a new Dr. Frankenstein to encounter.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
In the distance is Frankenstein Manor. It is here that guests will experience the dark ride titled “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.”
Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, great-great-great granddaughter of Dr. Henry Frankenstein, is inviting guests to see her latest experiment. She has already brought her own Creature back from the dead, and is now working to “rehabilitate” the monsters terrorizing the village and restore her family name.
As Victoria’s guests, riders will see her attempt to tame Dracula backfire as chaos erupts and they are pursued deeper into the catacombs by Universal Monsters.
We see a maniacal side of her even though she’s our hero. The monsters are released and it’s up to her, Frankenstein and Ygor to help save the day while we’re stuck in the middle of this chaos.
Greg Hall, creative director of Dark Universe
Riders will see all sorts of monsters who have become the subjects of Victoria’s experiments, including the Brides of Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Wolf Man, the Mummy, and the Phantom of the Opera. Ultimately, the question will be asked: who is the real monster?
What I want guests to say is, ‘That was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done in my life — and you have to try it. It’s hard to scare people these days. We want to make sure they have fun, and they see something they’ll never forget.
Greg Hall, creative director of Dark Universe
Curse of the Werewolf
In the woods that border the village lies the other Dark Universe attraction, Curse of the Werewolf. This family coaster will be located in a colorful encampment named The Guild of Mystics, where guild seer and leader Maleva, will warn visitors that they bear the mark of the werewolf.
Though Maleva appears in the 1941 film “The Wolf Man,” this version of the character has been updated to reflect the fictional culture of the Guild of Mystics.
It feels really updated, but you could literally trace this Maleva back to another Maleva back to the movie. So now you experience Maleva and her Mystics, but it’s with a lot of richness and a lot of color — stuff you couldn’t get in the old black and white.
Pete Carsillo, senior creative director for Dark Universe
Following Maleva’s warning, riders will set out on their adventure under the light of the full moon, speeding through the forest as they’re pursued by werewolves. Guests will eventually come face-to-face with the fearsome beasts, spinning out as they avoid their teeth and claws in the Darkmoor armory.
We’ve previously seen this coaster testing.
Meet and Greets
Guests will also be able to encounter characters in Dark Universe, including Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, Ygor, and the Invisible Man.
In addition, guests may also run into one of The Hounds — monster hunters who have set up shop in The Burning Blade Tavern and attempt to defend Darkmoor and its villagers.
A roaming musician can also be spotted wandering through the village performing songs of old.
There’s so much for guests to do and see and discover. I really hope that the strokes that we’ve taken here feed the monster kids that are out there — the people who really love the legacy. And I hope that it starts a fire of passion for these characters in new audiences!
Chris Frisella, executive producer of Dark Universe
Restaurants
Das Stakehaus
One restaurant offering is Das Stakehaus, located “deep under Darkmoor” in the ancient catacombs that vampires call home. It is said that the famliiars of said vampires oversee the establishment, which will be decorated with classical artwork and opulent relics that hearken back to vampiric culture.
This fast-casual restaurant will offer kebabs, burgers, sandwiches, and ribs, as well as other offerings.
Burning Blade Tavern
This restaurant is inspired by a scene in the 1931 “Frankenstein” film, where an angry mob of villages set the old mill aflame during the infamous “Frankenstein incident.” Now, Darkmoor’s monster hunters haunt the halls.
Here, guests can enjoy tavern fare, peruse the hunters’ trophies, and hear tales from the village’s residents. And as for why it’s called the Burning Blade Tavern? The mill that sits atop the structure will erupt into flames every 20 minutes.
The menu will include burgers, wings, bratwursts, pretzels, and beverages.
Shopping
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience
Those who enjoyed the Monster Makeover temporary offering at Universal Studios Florida earlier this year will be happy to know that a new experience will be available in Dark Universe: the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.
Here, guests can transform into their inner monster in Dr. Septimus Pretorius’ former lab, with the help of “monster makers.”
If you want to be a monster, you can actually be made up like a monster. Or if you want to be a little more meta, you can come in and get your whole family covered up in temporary tattoos. In Dark Universe, you can walk around with [temporary] tattoos on when you’re five!
Pete Carsillo, senior creative director for Dark Universe
It’s really about the care that has been taken, as we’ve crafted these stories and this land, to really respect the history of these films. But we’re not being charged with creating a museum. We are being charged with creating a living, breathing world and experience.
Chris Frisella, executive producer of Dark Universe
Also read about How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, and Celestial Park. Universal Orlando Resort has yet to reveal details of the park’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Merchandise inspired by each land is available at the Epic Universe Preview Center in CityWalk.
Watch the reveal video for Dark Universe:
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