Universal Orlando’s recently opened Epic Universe is making waves, and one of the most talked-about lands is the spine-chilling Dark Universe, home to legendary monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein (Dark Universe is one of the five themed lands in Universal’s Epic Universe, and it’s dedicated entirely to Universal’s Classic Monsters).

What is Dark Universe at Epic Universe?

What is the concept behind Dark Universe? Blending gothic architecture, eerie soundscapes, and immersive storytelling, Dark Universe reimagines Universal’s iconic monster lineup for a new generation. We were able to visit this land during previews, and we saw towering castles, foggy villages, and mysterious laboratories straight out of a horror film. It was amazing!

This land reimagines iconic characters like Dr. Frankenstein, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Mummy, and Dracula — but with cutting-edge technology, rich storytelling, and an atmosphere designed to immerse you in the horror lore fully.

While Universal Studios has celebrated monsters in the past (especially during Halloween Horror Nights), Dark Universe marks the first time these legends get their own permanent themed land.

First, Make Your Way Through the Portal..

After walking through the portal that takes you from Celestial Park to the Dark Universe, you are instantly transported to an eerie new world, Darkmoor Village. Universal Studios has had a long legacy with classic monsters, and they knew what they were doing when they designed this land. The attention to detail is astonishing!

Universal’s Epic Universe Monster Attractions

Monster’s Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

Monster’s Unchained was my favorite ride at Epic Universe – maybe one of the best rides I’ve ever experienced. As you make your way through the queue (located inside Frankenstein Manor), you meet Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. Dr. Frankenstein is the great-great-granddaughter of Victor Frankenstein.

During your time in the queue, you will see two preview shows explaining the concept of the ride and the ride itself. You realize that you are volunteering for Dr. Frankenstein’s experiment. The queue/standby line is so entertaining and interactive, I didn’t even feel like I was standing in line for very long! Plus, Monsters Unchained is a high-capacity, constantly loading ride. This keeps the line moving quickly (MUCH more quickly than a static loader ride).

This immersive dark ride uses trackless ride tech and motion effects. I’ve heard it compared to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (but, arguably BETTER). It uses the same robotic arm technology as Forbidden Journey. There are big monsters, fire/heat, water/blood?, digital effects, and physical special effects… it’s FIVE MINUTES of pure insanity, and I loved every minute.

Our group rode this multiple times. Each time we traded seats (I forgot to mention that the seats will buzz your butt during the ride!) and we noticed different aspects of the ride from different seats.

Is it Scary?

Is it scary? Yes? There were some moments where I was sincerely scared for a second, but it wasn’t too bad. It might be too scary for really small or sensitive children. There were some kinda gory moments, but you know it’s fake. There are several jump scare moments as well. I did see one mom (after the ride) asking her tween son if he was ok (he said he was fine). If your kid likes Stranger Things or Five Nights at Freddy’s, then they’ll probably be fine. I HATE scary stuff, but it didn’t faze me, and I loved it.

Meeting Dr. Victoria Frankenstein and her Monster…

The Lockers

Before you get on the ride, you will walk into a room full of lockers. The lockers are sectioned off, and the sections are numbered. They all have facial recognition. You will step up to the screen, which scans your face. Then, you will confirm that your face is actually your face, and a locker will pop open. You will throw *everything* into the locker. We were asked to empty our water bottles or throw them away. My daughter brought a backpack and the lockers were big enough to hold it. We had a party of 4 so we got a second locker to hold everyone else’s sunglasses, phones, water bottles, etc.

After you exit the ride, you will go back to the lockers (BUT on the other side). Scan your face, and your locker will pop back open. You don’t have to remember the locker number or a combination. It’s pretty easy.

Exiting Through the Manor Storehouse Gift Shop

As you exit Monsters Unchained, you will find yourself in a monster-themed gift shop. There are all kinds of goodies here – some scary and some not-so-scary merch.

Cry of the Werewolf

The Cry of the Werewolf is a rollercoaster – a thrill ride. The story is that you are being chased by werewolves because of a curse. The ride sends you into the woods as you spin and rush to escape the wolves. You sit in a group in a circle and your group spins while the roller coaster moves forward. It’s crazy! It’s actually pretty short – less than a minute.

Things to Know:

• Child Swap is allowed on this ride
• It has a single rider line
• Universal Express Pass can be used here

Look at how scary this thing is at night!!

Dining With a Dark Twist

The Burning Blade

The Burning Blade is a tavern where local monster hunters hang out. I think the food here is really good, too. It’s more casual, and you can grab a burger or just a snack. It’s a great spot to grab a cocktail, mocktail, beer, or wine. See the full menu here.

Above Photo: Hunter’s Garlic Stake at The Burning Blade Tavern. Pretzel with garlic butter and a garlic dipping sauce

Above Photo: Burning Cheddar Bites at the Burning Blade Tavern. They are Pimento Cheese and Jalapeno bites with sriracha ranch on the side

Das Stakehaus

Das Stakehaus is a quick-service restaurant with mobile ordering. You simply find a table and scan the QR code on the table. You will be taken to the Das Stakehaus menu on the Universal Orlando APP. Create your order from the online menu and pay with the card you have on file on the Universal APP. You will type in your table number (next to the QR code) and your food will be delivered when it is ready.

The atmosphere here is very spooky. It feels like you are in a vampire’s dungeon. There are vampire artifacts and artwork on the walls and chandeliers with blood-red light fixtures. From what I understand, this is a vampire’s old inn that has been built above ancient catacombs.

The food here felt more “adult” friendly to me. And, most of it has a spooky theme – “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich, Carved Staked Steak (with a bloody jus), Forager Salad (with chicken impaled on a stake), Red Velvet Death cake (served in the shape of a coffin), etc. They even have a Labotocotta for dessert – a greek yogurt vanilla panna cotta “BRAIN” with raspberry sauce!

See the full menu here.

Photo Above: This lady playing the violin is probably the nicest person alive, but she played her role well. I was scared of her.

Above photo: The Forager Salad and Chicken Stake

Above Photo: Carved Stake Steak with Mashed Potatoes

Photo Above: Red Velvet Coffin cake at Das Stakehaus

Meet Classic Monsters from Universal Studios Movies

The land features interactive experiences with Igor, Invisible Man, Frankenstein, and Bride of Frankenstein. It’s the perfect blend of thrills and storytelling. They offer a meet-and-greet with photo opportunities, and sometimes the monsters are just roaming around the park, interacting with guests.

Even The Bathrooms are Cool!

It’s not the best picture, but the bathrooms are spooky too. The toilets are black!

What Else Can I Do Here?

• Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience – Very detailed face painting for adults and kids. You can be a mummy, a werewolf, or a vampire. I even saw one person painted up as Dr. Frankenstein’s Monster.
• Pop in De Lacey’s Cottage for some Cinnamon Bread Donuts or a Pretzel and a drink
• Shop at Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities for all things strange and macabre
• Visit The Manor Storehouse for monster-themed merch (this is the gift shop you enter after exiting Monsters Unchained).
• Shop for magical charms and jewelry at The Guild of Mystics

Dark Universe at Night

By day, it’s spooky fun. By night, Dark Universe transforms into a fully immersive horror haven, with fog effects, eerie lighting, and maybe a few monster sightings. Honestly, I was kinda scared after dark, but my kiddos loved it.

Is Dark Universe Scary for Kids?

While intense in theme, it’s more family-friendly during the day, with more intense vibes for brave souls after dark. Once the sun goes down, you really do feel like you are in a scary movie.

I think it depends on the kid. My son watched Stranger Things, and my daughter watched Five Nights at Freddy’s. They were unfazed by the Dark Universe, but it would have scared them a few years ago. You might want to skip this Universe if your kiddo is easily scared or sensitive.

Is Dark Universe Worth the Hype?

I say yes! It is a smaller land at Epic Universe, but it is full of adventures. I visited this park last because I didn’t think I would like it at all. But, it ended up having some of my favorite food options and my absolute favorite ride (Monsters Unchained).

If you’re a fan of monsters, thrill rides, and immersive theming, Dark Universe will be a must-visit destination for you. Whether you’re a horror enthusiast or just love the classic charm of Universal’s original monsters, this land offers something unlike any other theme park in the world.

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