Disney4me Posted 8 hours ago Report Share Posted 8 hours ago We’re getting closer and closer to the opening of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort! ©Universal This BRAND-NEW theme park will officially be opening on May 22nd, 2025, and will be home to five different themed lands including Dark Universe. We’ve been keeping an eye out for any potential news ahead of the park’s opening, and we got the chance to peek inside Dark Universe at Epic Universe — here’s what you need to know. We were able to experience Epic Universe during the previews, and now we’re ranking everything you can do at Dark Universe! Dark Universe draws on Universal’s rich history with horror. There are plenty of monsters and spooky vibes to really set the mood, so be prepared for a wild time. ©Universal Once visitors step through the Dark Universe portal, they’ll step into a place full of dark energy — the village of Darkmoor: “Once guests make their way through the cemetery, they will find themselves in the village proper, where misbegotten scientific experiments scar the land and unnatural creations lurk in the shadows. This is Darkmoor, home to monsters, monster makers, monster hunters and the welcoming villagers who are just trying to survive.” 1. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment The ride that we were most excited to ride in this land was Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. This ride has 14 animatronics, but they aren’t your average animatronics. These things are SO REALISTIC that we could have sworn it was a real werewolf coming at us. ©Universal Located in the facade of Frankenstein Manor, this ride follows Dr. Victoria Frankenstein as she continues the work of her ancestors deep below the family estate. A demonstration of her experiments to control monsters goes awry when Dracula leads a revolt of enraged monsters including The Wolf Man, The Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more. ©Universal This ride is unbelievable. Once you go up through the manor — which looks exactly like the concept art — you’ll go through a set of rooms there with laboratory equipment, then you’ll go up through the center staircases into what we’re calling the blue electricity room. Then, you’ll see a little bit more lab work like concept drawings and then you’ll go into the “first” pre-show. This ride is unique because it has a couple different pre-shows that you go through before the actual ride — and the pre-shows are just as incredible as the rest! There are so many cool animatronics (that we don’t want to spoil!) but just know that this ride is incredible. ©Universal This ride was SO incredible — but that’s not the only thing to do in this new land! 2. Meet and Greets We also got to meet with the Invisible Man as we were walking through Darkmoor — the Dark Universe land. He was asking us about our time at Darkmoor and reassured the kiddos in our group. He had a great interaction with them and referred to himself as Jack, telling them that they could blame anything going wrong on him back at home. This meet and greet was incredible and we can’t wait for more! ©Universal This land is so beautiful and dark and immaculate and we’re having a LOT of feelings. We got to meet the Bride of Frankenstein as well, and she was just incredible. She had quick, jarring head movements like you would expect her to have from the movie. 3. Curse of the Werewolf The land’s second attraction is a spinning family coaster inspired by The Wolf Man. It’s called Curse of the Werewolf, and you’re gonna want to RACE to escape the werewolves before you become one. You’ll enter the Guild of Mystics and be “greeted by Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and leader, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf.” ©Universal It’s kind of slow-moving, but it doesn’t seem to need a super-fast thrill ride for it. It sort of moves in a pattern — left and right, left and right, back and forth. There are a few barn scenes that have you sliding all around, too. This is a good introductory coaster for those who don’t need a whole lot of speed and may just be in for the thrill — and, we won’t spoil anything, but the end is really cool. 4. Das Stakehaus and Burning Blade Tavern Das Stakehaus is a quick-service restaurant within Dark Universe themed around an “old inn and dining hall built over the ruins of ancient catacombs,” and The Burning Blade Tavern is an additional quick-service restaurant that pays homage to the iconic windmill from Universal’s 1931 classic Frankenstein! The Burning Blade Tavern will allow diners to eat in an “old mill which Darkmoor Village’s monster hunters [The Hounds] have transformed into their hangout.” ©Universal We got to step inside Burning Blade Tavern, and both of these are incredible. We could die here quite literally and be super happy. The Burning Blade flame is not going right now, but it’s really more so just beer and drinks, so think along the lines of the Hog’s Head Tavern. There’s hardly any seating on the inside — it’s mainly on the outside, but it is super immersive. ©Universal Das Stakehaus was also incredible — we absolutely love the theming. It is like you’re stepping into Dracula’s castle. There are a couple of statues of Dracula with a bunch of stakes in his chest, along with one of his brides on the opposite side. We’d describe this as looking like Be Our Guest at Magic Kingdom, just Gothic, and there are several portraits all along the walls. 5. Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience At Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, Dr. Pretorius’ old lab has been converted into a parlor to continue the spirit of his demented experiments. Here, skilled artisans use their talents to experiment on customers and release their inner love of Universal Monsters – be they werewolves, vampires, mummies, or something even more fashionably monstrous. Dark Universe Concept Art ©Universal We didn’t actually do the experience, but when we stopped by, each of the team members there had a costume that looked like a lab coat, just like Dr. Frankenstein would wear. We think this is going to be a super fun experience for kiddos and monster fans alike! ©Universal We can’t wait for Epic Universe to officially open so we can explore more! In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for the latest Epic Universe updates and more! Don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more theme park news! EVERYTHING We Know About Dark Universe at Epic Universe Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Are you excited about the opening of Dark Universe at Epic Universe? Tell us in the comments.The post A Definitive Ranking of Everything To Do in Dark Universe first appeared on the disney food blog.View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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