Today Universal revealed the scope and specifics of Dark Universe – one of the five immersive worlds to be featured at the all-new Universal Epic Universe opening in 2025. Those five worlds are Celestial Park, the first world visitors encounter, that serves as a portal the to the other four — The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; and Dark Universe.
Dark Universe will leverage Universal’s storied history in the horror genre. Created by the Universal Creative team in partnership with Universal Pictures, Dark Universe blends the iconic stories of unearthly legends like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and more with a new generation of monsters and characters, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein – the great-great-granddaughter of the infamous Henry Frankenstein who has continued his misguided experiments.
The journey into Dark Universe begins the moment guests enter its electrified portal, which is said to “harness the dark energy of Darkmoor.”
As guests venture through Darkmoor – the ravaged village within Dark Universe – they’ll encounter the characters and subjects of Frankenstein’s experiments within a theme park environment that offers family-friendly fun while also pushing the boundaries on intensity.
Individual experiences include a ride called Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, the Curse of the Werewolf coaster, a Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience and an up-close opportunity to Meet the Monsters.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment takes guests deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conducts her twisted experiments. She invites guests into her laboratory to witness a demonstration of her ability to control monsters, but her plans go awry when her attempts to control Dracula fail, unleashing a horde of enraged monsters. Guests then ride through the darkness as they try to evade the likes of The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and more.
Deep in the woods that sit on the edge of Darkmoor, guests will find Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning family coaster inspired by The Wolf Man. Entering The Guild of Mystics guests will be greeted by the Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and leader, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf. Guests then board a wagon and venture into the forest, racing to escape the werewolves before they become one themselves.
Guests of all ages can don elaborate face paint and temporary tattoos at Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. Here, monster makers have converted Dr. Pretorius’ infamous old lab into a parlor and skilled artisans use their talents to transform guests into a likeness of their favorite Universal Monsters.
Meet the Monsters: The Monsters of Darkmoor are eager to meet and greet everyone from kids to adults, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster and the alluring Bride of Frankenstein. Guests will also encounter other unusual inhabitants roaming the village, including Victoria Frankenstein’s servant, Ygor, The Invisible Man, an eccentric monster hunter and a talented musician who regales guests with songs and tales related to classic monster stories.
Brian Roberts, CEO of NBCUniversal parent Comcast, was ecstatic about Universal’s fourth theme park and most ambitious theme park on an earnings call with Wall Streeters in January. He called it “completely original” and “the most exciting project I’ve seen since we bought” NBCUniversal. “We are so excited, we are taking the board of directors to see the construction, which is something we have never done before.”
With Epic likely to drive visitors and boost the park’s market share, Comcast-owned NBCU is adding thousands of hotel rooms. The Orlando airport is building a new terminal, which will add capacity. The Epic property will be about three miles from the existing parks on the “north campus,” or a 25-minute ride on a road the company’s rebuilt to include a median for a dedicated Universal fleet of electric buses.
Carol Dennis is an entertainment aficionado with an eye for all things pop culture. She dives into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, from movie premieres to music festivals. Carol’s passion for storytelling extends beyond her reporting, as she’s an aspiring screenwriter in her free time.
