Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe

UPDATED July 4, 2025

A brand NEW theme park is NOW OPEN in Orlando, Florida as of May 22, 2025: Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe! Five themed lands make up Epic Universe: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and the land we’re discussing here: Dark Universe.

The Portal to Dark Universe

Are you ready to enter Dark Universe?

“It’s Alive! It’s Alive!”

Once visitors step through the Dark Universe portal, they’ll enter 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.”

Darkmoor

Here, visitors “encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.”

Roaming Monsters — The Invisible Man

That’s right… if you already love Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights event held in the fall, you’ll be THRILLED to know that there are now MONSTERS at Universal Orlando all year ’round!

That’s right… if you already love Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights event held in the fall, you’ll be THRILLED to know that there are now monsters at Universal Orlando all year ’round!

Dark Universe Attractions

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

Dark Universe’s signature attraction is the massive E-Ticket level ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

Located in the facade of Frankenstein Manor, this ride’s official synopsis from Universal reads, “Dr. Victoria Frankenstein 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.”

Dr. Victoria Frankenstein

This “state of the art dark ride” will “defy what you think of a theme park attraction.” It’s also been claimed that the ride boasts the most technologically advanced animated figures ever built. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment has 14 animatronics placed throughout the ride.

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

These impressive figures are said to be “some of the most visceral, powerful, and fast-moving animated figures ever created”. The Frankenstein’s monster figure itself stands at nine feet tall and weighs over 800 pounds.

When it is time to board, riders get into a rotating ride vehicle on a conveyor belt. (If you are familiar with the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, then you have an idea of this unique ride vehicle and its wide range of motion.)

Ride Vehicle

And from here… well, it’s basically all monsters and mayhem in THE BEST WAY possible! Dracula frees all of the monsters, creating chaos. There are so many famous monsters throughout the ride, including Dracula’s Brides, The Creature From The Black Lagoon, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, and more. All of the monsters come after you as you race through the catacombs of the manor.

See MORE of the MONSTERS from Monsters Unchained HERE! (Just BEWARE of Spoilers…)

Monsters Unchained Specifications:
Ride Category: Thrill and Motion Simulation (You can read our thoughts on Motion Sickness here)
Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 40” tall
Single Rider Line Available: Yes
Locker Storage Required for Personal Belongings: Yes
Included with Universal Express Pass: Yes

Curse of the Werewolf

The land’s second attraction is a spinning family coaster themed to The Wolf Man.

Curse of the Werewolf

Guests enter the Guild of Mystics to be “greeted by Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and leader, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf.”

“Even One Who Is Pure of Heart…”

“May Become A Wolf…”

“Guests then board a wagon and venture into the forest, racing to escape the werewolves before they become one themselves.”

Curse of the Werewolf

But, hey, there’s really nothing to worry about. I mean, there’s only trouble if there’s a… umm…

FULL MOON!!

…well, if there’s a full moon… WHOOPSIE!!

Curse of the Werewolf Specifications:
Ride Category: Thrill
Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 40” tall
Single Rider Line Available: Yes
Locker Storage Required for Personal Belongings: No
Included with Universal Express Pass: Yes

Dark Universe Dining

What’s a monster got to eat around here? Well, these are the dining options inside Dark Universe…

Das Stakehaus

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.” The name is not only a play on the Eastern European setting of vampire lore, but a literal play on words — “stake” instead of “steak” as it relates to vampires is a funny double entendre!

Das Stakehaus

The restaurant features vampire artwork and artifacts and meals are served by “familiars”, also known as vampire servants!

“Our Favorite Familiar”

The immersive theming is meant to give you the perspective of vampires themselves, as the paintings and architecture depict vampires as “heroes in their stories while displaying some of Darkmoor’s history, and referencing its architecture.”

Das Stakehaus

The menu features burgers, kebabs, sandwiches, and more including… steaks. 😉

Carved Stake Steak

P.S. According to the area’s lore, the town of Darkmoor features a coven of vampires living beneath it. (These are the same vampires who operate Das Stakehaus within the land.)

The Burning Blade Tavern

The Burning Blade Tavern is an additional quick-service restaurant that pays homage to the iconic windmill from Universal’s 1931 classic Frankenstein!

Burning Blade Tavern

The Burning Blade Tavern allows diners to eat in an “old mill which Darkmoor Village’s monster hunters [The Hounds] have transformed into their hangout.”

The Burning Blade Tavern

Instead of the monsters being portrayed as heroes like Das Stakehaus, this restaurant focuses on hunters who protect regular folk from these legendary beasts. Surrounded by trophy heads of conquered monsters, diners can enjoy a menu of burgers, pretzels, wings, bratwurst, and specialty beverages while they listen to tales of victory from the hunters.

Oh, and that “burning blade” referenced in the name?

The Burning Blade Tavern

This tavern erupts into flames several times an hour!

De Lacey’s Cottage

At De Lacey’s Cottage, guest can find sweets and like cinnamon bread and themed pretzels.

De Lacey’s Cottage

Located near Frankenstein Manor, this snack stand pays homage to where Frankenstein’s Monster received friendship and sustenance.

Dark Universe Characters and Entertainment

YES, my friends… MEETING MONSTERS is part of your visit to Dark Universe!

The Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein’s Monster

The land presents several meet and greets, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein. And, as you explore the village, you may encounter roaming characters such as Victoria Frankenstein’s servant, Ygor, and The Invisible Man.

Ygor

You may also encounter a violin playing storyteller out on the Burgomaster’s porch.

Darkmoor Storyteller

The storyteller shares stories about the classic Universal monsters between interludes on the violin.

MORE Monstrous FUN in Dark Universe

Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience

Do you happen to have a little monster of your own? Or perhaps you’d like to channel your own inner monster?

Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience

Dark Universe also offers the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, where “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.”

Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience

These premium face paint and monster makeup transformations (for ages 5 and up — including adults*!) allow you to become Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, and more. (*Adults should be aware that alcohol purchases are NOT allowed while wearing Monster makeup.)

Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience

There are two options for this experience: Experiment Ticket and Transformation Ticket: The Experiment Ticket includes full face makeup only and starts at $45 per person. The Transformation Ticket includes full face makeup and matching accessories. The Transformation Ticket starts at $169 for adults and $109 for children ages 5-9. (Universal Orlando Annual Passholders are eligible for a 10% discount.) Guests under the age of 18 must always be accompanied by a guest 18 years or older.

Interested guests may book and purchase a Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience on the Universal Orlando Resort website.

Secrets of Darkmoor…

Everything you hear inside this incredibly immersive land from the characters is characterized as a rumor, and YOU decide whether to believe it or not. Everything begins in a foreboding graveyard…

Welcome to Darkmoor

Here you’ll discover a statue that is an ode to the incident with the little girl in the Frankenstein story.

Darkmoor

And in the middle of the land is a well where residents can “provide blood” to vampires during the day.

The Well of Darkmoor

In fact, if one listens closely…

Blood in the Well of Darkmoor as seen in the evenings

… you may just hear the vampires at the bottom of the well.

Dark Universe Stores and Merchandise

Stock up on souvenirs to calm (or RELEASE) your inner monster with cosplay attire at Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities!

Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities

You’ll also find the Bitty Monsters collection throughout the land, as well as collections inspired by the restaurants and rides of Dark Universe, including at The Manor Storehouse and Guild of Mystics.