Universal Orlando has released more details about Dark Universe, the monster-themed land under construction for its Epic Universe theme park. Visitors may encounter a dark ride featuring Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, a Wolf Man-inspired roller coaster and a vampire-driven restaurant called Das Stakehaus.
The dark ride will be named Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and it’s touted as “Universal Orlando’s most chilling ride ever” in a Thursday news release from the company. The setting, Frankenstein Manor, includes experiments by Victoria Frankenstein (great-great-granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein), who loses control of various enraged creatures. Riders must try to evade the Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Wolf Man, the brides of Dracula and others, Universal says.
Curse of the Werewolf is described as a spinning family coaster set in a forest on the edge of Darkmoor, the village setting for Dark Universe.
Other monstrous appearances will involve the Invisible Man, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and Ygor (Victoria’s servant), “an eccentric monster hunter and a talented musician who regales guests with songs and tales of the classic Universal Monsters stories,” according to the news release.
“We made a place for the monster lovers. We made a place for the thrill seekers,” said Gregory Hall, assistant director, creative design, said in the video.
Epic Universe, which also includes areas themed to Harry Potter and the “How to Train Your Dragon” movies, will almost double the size of Universal Orlando when it opens near the Orange County Convention Center, a few miles southeast of the company’s Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks. No opening date or ticket prices have yet been announced, though it is expected to debut sometime next year.
The new park is expected to attract between 5 million and 6 million visitors in its first year, according to Dennis Speigel, owner of International Theme Park Services. In 2019, the last full year before the coronavirus pandemic, Universal Studios Florida reportedly had 10.92 million visitors and Universal’s Islands of Adventure welcomed 10.38 million people, according to the annual AECOM/TEA attendance report.
In a video released on Universal’s social-media platforms Thursday, Universal Creative executives hinted at new technologies and the intensity level of the rides in Epic Universe’s Dark Universe land.
“Monsters Unchained has the most technologically advanced animated figures that have ever been built,” said Peter Carsillo, senior creative director. “They are visceral. They are powerful. They are intense.”
Dark Universe takes place in a realm where all the classic-monster stories have already happened.
“You want to ride this ride as almost a badge of honor that I can do one of the scariest rides that we’ve created,” said Frances Franceschi, production designer.
Dark Universe eating options will include Das Stakehaus (with kebabs, burgers, sandwiches) and Burning Blade Tavern, themed as a hangout for monster hunters and with a menu featuring burgers, wings, bratwurst, pretzels and “specialty beverages.”
“We will have steaks … on stakes,” said Jen Wilson, assistant director, project, in the video.
Universal’s release also mentions a retail location named Pretorious’ Scientific Oddities, a food stand called De Lacy’s Cottage (cinnamon bread, twisted taters, other snacks) and Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.
Universal Orlando has opened a preview center for Epic at Universal CityWalk, and it includes a scale model of the park. An augmented-reality option for the model shows some special effects, including burning blades of a Dark Universe windmill.
According to the Epic model, aerial photography and other renderings, Dark Universe will be wedged between Super Nintendo World and the 500-room Helios Grand Hotel. Other previously announced lands include Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, which has not yet been detailed by the resort.
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