Dark Universe – Your Guide to the Land of Classic Monsters in Universal’s Epic Universe!

Universal’s innovative new theme park, Epic Universe, is officially now open in Orlando, Florida, and welcoming guests to explore five exciting new lands. One of which is Dark Universe, the highly detailed realm featuring Universal Classic Monsters. Compared to its counterparts, the gothic village of Darkmoor makes for one of the smaller lands available to […] The post Dark Universe – Your Guide to the Land of Classic Monsters in Universal’s Epic Universe! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

May 23, 2025 - 23:20

Dark Universe – Your Guide to the Land of Classic Monsters in Universal’s Epic Universe!

Universal’s innovative new theme park, Epic Universe, is officially now open in Orlando, Florida, and welcoming guests to explore five exciting new lands. One of which is Dark Universe, the highly detailed realm featuring Universal Classic Monsters.

Compared to its counterparts, the gothic village of Darkmoor makes for one of the smaller lands available to explore. But what it lacks in square footage, it more than makes up for in its impressive level of immersion. Every detail matters, from shops to interactive taverns, in Dark Universe’s epic lore and storytelling centered around Dr. Victoria Frankenstein and Universal’s best dark ride to date: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

Frankenstein Manor, home of Monsters Unchained. Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting/Meagan Navarro

Dark Universe brings new canon to the Classic Monsters through Monsters Unchained; Dr. Victoria Frankenstein is the great-great-granddaughter of Henry, the scientist pioneer responsible for one of horror’s classic icons. At her side is Ygor, a manic and deranged assistant who eagerly assists Victoria’s bid to clear her family’s tarnished reputation and make all monsters bow to the name Frankenstein. Also on her side is Frankenstein’s monster, only this is a second-generation creation, not the original. Both will prove key allies to Victoria in the technological marvel that is Monsters Unchained, which sees Dracula break out of his containment to unleash chaos.

The ride itself is a breathtaking combination of massive state of the art animatronics and video screens, whisking “volunteers” for Dr. Frankenstein’s demonstration through thrilling monster battles and a showcase of classic characters including The Mummy, Phantom of the Opera, Wolf Man, and so much more. Perhaps this is also a good time to mention that Danny Elfman (Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas) composed the land’s score.

Monsters Unleashed ride queue inside Frankenstein Manor. Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting/Meagan Navarro

Noticeably absent from the ride is the Bride of Frankenstein, who you can meet alongside the new Frankenstein’s monster within Darkmoor Village. The Bride, according to Darkmoor lore, is the original from the films, separate from the canon event that Monsters Unchained introduces. Whereas she rejected her mate, the original creation, the Bride is now friends with the second-gen creation. Also available for meet and greets with guests is The Invisible Man, though expect this interaction to be far less pleasant; the human monster is a deranged narcissist, after all.

Here’s your first tip for exploring Darkmoor: appeal to this maniac’s ego if you’d like a more pleasant interaction.

Violin-wielding bards wander Darkmoor’s central square, regaling curious minds with even more Darkmoor lore, including gruesome details about the village square’s fog-spewing well. Ygor also delights, wandering Darkmoor in search of volunteers, eager to interact and wield severed limbs.

Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting/Meagan Navarro

The land’s second ride is Curse of the Werewolf, which incorporates the lore of the classic film in a thrilling roller coaster that features spinning carts and an animatronic werewolf to afflict riders with lycanthropy. While its theming isn’t quite as intricate as Monsters Unchained or as lengthy, it makes for one of the more high-intensity attractions available at Epic Universe.

Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting/Meagan Navarro

Expect the dining to match the theme, too. For snack-sized appetites, devour pretzels shaped like Frankenstein’s monster at the appropriately titled Food Good kiosk. Where Dark Universe really gets impressive is in its Quick Service offerings. Das Stakehouse is a jaw-dropper for its gorgeous crypt theming and mythology; this is a restaurant run by vampires.

Roam its multiple dining halls for ornate tables and chandeliers adorned in skulls and bats. The walls are home to fallen vampires. Dine on stakes of meat and a rather tasty “Blood Orange” Chicken Sandwich on a black bun.

Inside Das Stakehouse. Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting/Meagan Navarro

You won’t find a shred of garlic within the vampire-run Das Stakehouse, but The Burning Blade Tavern adorns its walls with strings of it along with multiple monster trophy heads. That’s because the quick service bar is home to Darkmoor’s monster hunters, who interact with guests and prepare them for Darkmoor’s denizens. From here, I sampled the Burning Cheddar Bites, which are small but delectable crispy fried poppers of molten cheese wrapped in black dough to resemble small lumps of coal. Why coal? To fuel the blades of the tavern’s windmill above the entrance, which spontaneously combusts for a perfect photo opp. Listen for music to kick in, signaling the brief fiery show is imminent.

The Burning Blade Tavern offers draft beers, mead, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages, but the specialty cocktails come with extra flair. To ward off lycanthropy for two hours, I selected the Pure of Heart, a fruity whiskey concoction that my bartender put into a smoky cloche to infuse it with monster-warding effects. It earned a seal of approval from Gregor, the monster hunter, who commended me on my choice to sit with my back to the wall and eyes on the entrance, ready for any dangerous types.

Gregor moved about the crowd, commending those who seemed survivor-ready and offering tips to those he deemed, well, less prepared to withstand a monster attack. The monster hunter then called upon the crowd to raise their glasses and howl before embarking on a hunt of his own.

The Burning Blade Tavern. Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting/Meagan Navarro

If you’d like to become a monster, artists at Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience use their talents to transform their customers into werewolves, vampires, mummies, and more, and it’s attached to one of two shops dedicated to coveted Universal Classic Monster merch (RIP to my wallet). The shop, named after Doctor Septimus Pretorius, hosts the coffin and portrait of the man responsible for ushering in the Bride and even features his Homunculi. Two of them have escaped their containment, leaving it up to guests to find them hidden within the shelves.

Chatting with people working the shop counter only further reveals storytelling lore within Darkmoor.

Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting/Meagan Navarro

Even more enticing is the way that Dark Universe was designed to be enjoyed by daylight or moonlight. The scorching hot Orlando sun exposes every stunning detail of the well thought out land, and the ornate gothic architecture provides an Epic Universe rarity: shade. Whereas every other land will leave you feeling the sun’s wrath, Darkmoor is noticeably and welcomingly cooler.

By night, though? Frankenstein Manor, the sprawling gothic mansion that houses Monsters Unchained, comes alive with Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s electric experimentation, reverberating throughout Darkmoor. The well glows red as it pumps more eerie mist into the crowds, and the idea that monsters are lurking about feels all the more exciting.

Dark Universe is a gift to horror fans, an immersive and well-crafted tribute to Universal Classic Monsters available all year round. It’s open NOW within the brand new Epic Universe.

Photo Credit: Bloody Disgusting/Meagan Navarro

The post Dark Universe – Your Guide to the Land of Classic Monsters in Universal’s Epic Universe! appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.