Everything to Know About Epic Universe's Dark Universe from Rides to Food
This May, the Dark Universe awaits with a whole new Universal Monsters experience.
What if all the classic Universal Monsters movies that you love — Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more all got a detailed, modern, epic sequel? And then what if you could not only watch that sequel unfold, but step into it, be part of it?
That's the goal behind Dark Universe, one of the five new portal worlds within Universal's Epic Universe theme park. Featuring an immersive environment, one-of-kind animated figures and attractions, and restaurants packed with spooky vibes, it's got everything a Universal Monsters fan could want, and it's coming your way with the rest of Epic Universe on May 22, 2025.
RELATED: Epic Universe Reveals the Real-Life Monsters Out to Get You in Dark Universe
"In Dark Universe, it’s awesome because it’s a brand-new land and it’s our opportunity to expand the Universal legacy," Universal Creative senior show writer Patrick Braillard said at New York Comic Con last year. "We have all these amazing movies that people watched throughout the years, and people experienced these monsters in different ways. We’re listening to the guests and we’re giving them exactly what they’ve been asking for and we’re doing it in a way that we could only do in Universal Parks.”
So, to get ready for the grand opening, let's take a closer look at all things Dark Universe, from the rides to the restaurants and beyond.
Rides and Attractions at Dark Universe
Dark Universe will be home to several rides and attractions, all paying tribute to the legacy of Universal's Classic Monsters.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Within Darkmoor Village, the fictional town that serves as the home of Dark Universe, the Frankenstein legacy of dark, dangerous science continues. Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-granddaughter of the infamous Dr. Henry Frankenstein, has continued her family's work deep in the catacombs of Frankenstein manor, and in Monsters Unchained, park guests will get a firsthand peek at her efforts to take control of the park's many monsters. Victoria believes she can master the monsters, but as guests ride through Frankenstein Manor, Dracula himself will lead a revolt of creatures like The Mummy, The Wolf Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, all depicted through some of the most technologically advanced animated figures ever developed by Universal. You'll even get to see the Phantom of the Opera's pipe organ, which shoots dancing flames three feet high!
Curse of the Werewolf
The Frankenstein's family not the only major Universal Monsters force to get their own ride. The werewolves of Universal have a ride of their own with Curse of the Werewolf, a 37-mile-per-hour thrill ride that will send guests through a dark forest full of beasts ready to attack. At the entrance you'll be greeted by Maleva, the leader of the Guild of Mystics, an all-knowing, magical holder of secrets who warns of strange creatures lurking in the woods. Once you're seated and the ride is off, you're in for non-stop thrills as you speed through the forest, trying to avoid death by werewolf at every turn.
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience
You can move through Dark Universe as an ordinary mortal, encountering monsters and mad scientists along the way. Or, if you choose, you can become a monster yourself as the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. This shopping and makeup experience, located in the old lab of The Bride of Frankenstein's own Doctor Pretorious, allows guests to become mummies, werewolves, vampires, and more through designs created by award-winning makeup artists. So have a seat in the makeup chair like the great Boris Karloff before you, and watch yourself transform into something truly monstrous.
Monsters in the Streets!
The rides and attractions of Dark Universe will give guests the most immersive experience possible in the park, but you don't even have to go on a ride to encounter a monster. While visiting Darkmoor, you'll find all kinds of creatures and adventurers roaming the streets, from Frankenstein's monster to monster hunters to musicians offering songs about the town's many legends. Guests will be able to take photos with these creatures, search for them throughout the park, and maybe even spot a cameo appearance or two from across the Universal Monsters canon.
Food options at Dark Universe
Das Stakehaus
Built over some of Darkmoor's ancient catacombs, Das Stakehaus is a vampire-lover's dream. Featuring artwork of vampires in their element, and a staff made up of vampire familiars, it's a dining experience steeped in Darkmoor's history, featuring bloody good vampire-themed food like Bird on a Stake, Black Wings, and of course, a Blood Orange chicken sandwich. The food's to die for, but the catacombs might be better off left unexplored...if you like your neck free of holes, that is.
The Burning Blade Tavern
In Darkmoor, the monsters might rule, but the monster hunters have a hangout of their own. Located in an old windmill that Frankenstein fans might recognize (which bursts into flames just like it did in the movie), the Burning Blade Tavern is where you'll find Dark Universe's finest monster hunters hanging out, having a drink, and sharing tales of their creature encounters. While there, you'll be able to grab a drink of your own (alcohol available to guests 21 and older), while ordering from a tavern-style menu that includes burgers, wings, pretzels, and bratwurst.
De Lacey's Cottage
In The Bride of Frankenstein, the original Frankenstein's monster stopped into a tiny cottage, where he was treated with kindness by a human stranger. Now, Dark Universe guests will be able to visit that same cottage, right next to Frankenstein Manor, and enjoy treats like pretzels and cinnamon bites while learning even more about Darkmoor and the Frankenstein family legacy.
Dark Universe at Universal’s Epic Universe opens May 22, 2025.
