Universal’s Dark Universe: A Monster Lover’s Review

Universal’s Epic Universe is the third theme park to join the Universal Orlando Resort family. Located a short drive away from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (and on the doorstep of the new Universal Helios Grand Hotel), Epic Universe consists of four “worlds” branching off from the central Celestial Park and accessible via themed portals. During an early preview last month, my friend and I poked our heads into all corners of the park. But we spent the vast majority of our day at Universal’s Dark Universe so that I could bring you all the tips and tricks you need to make the most of your visit. From rides to character meet-and-greets, dining options, and beyond, here’s everything you need to know about Universal’s Dark Universe.

Before we dig in, a bit of backstory about me: During my first visit to Universal Studios Florida as a child, I attended Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue four times in a single day. The show, which was scrapped in 2016 to make way for the Fast & Furious: Supercharged ride, featured classic Universal Monsters getting a rock-and-roll makeover and performing live (or, in Dracula’s case, undead) on stage. I was obsessed with the Revue, returning relentlessly even after my family refused to join. So I can say with complete confidence that Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe will make every monster kid who visits very happy.

Hell, it left me practically giddy as an adult. 

Step Into Darkmoor: Exploring the Gothic Village of Dark Universe

When you first enter Universal’s Epic Universe, you’ll want to take a left and power-walk past SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ and The Oak & Star Tavern to get to Dark Universe. The portal to enter the world is topped with a twisted spire of metal, wood, and stone, giving you a taste of the architecture inside. Pass under the iconic words “IT’S ALIVE! IT’S ALIVE!” from Universal’s Frankenstein (1931), scurry through the swirling purple storm of the screen-wrapped tunnel, and enter a land of gothic goodness on the other side. 

“Immersion” is a word that gets thrown around by theme park designers like it’s going out of fashion, but entering Dark Universe truly felt like stepping through the screen and into a Universal Monsters movie. Set in the fictional Darkmoor Village, the land is styled as an 18th-century Bavarian settlement built atop a sprawling labyrinth of catacombs. At the heart of the village is the imposing edifice of Frankenstein Manor, home of Dark Universe’s stand-out ride, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (more on that later).

The devil is in the details in Darkmoor. Vampires staked in their tombs line the walls of the stroller parking spot. Footprints turn to paw prints as you walk toward the Curse of the Werewolf coaster (more on that later, too). The blackened windmill over The Burning Blade Tavern periodically bursts into flames. It’s a beautifully eerie place to explore, even on a bright Orlando day. But it’s after the sun begins to set that Universal’s Dark Universe truly shines, the crumbling village bathed in lamplight, the electricity from Victoria Frankenstein’s experiments crackling against the night sky.

Character Interactions in Universal’s Dark Universe: Meet the Monsters

Dark Universe doesn’t just look like a real village. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet some of Darkmoor’s more eccentric inhabitants, so do take the time to roam the streets before running to the next ride. 

Noticing my Universal Monsters shirt, an enthusiastic team member let me know about the meet-and-greet with Frankenstein’s Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein. Character appearance windows weren’t listed in the app during our visit (though this may have changed post-opening), but we spotted the duo together at least three times throughout the day, and the Bride alone once. After waiting in a short line, we were led into a darkened alley where we gawked at the Monster’s impressive makeup while the Bride served as something of an interpreter between us. Another team member snapped photos throughout the interaction before we posed for a group shot. 

Also appearing at intervals during our visit was the Invisible Man, the highlight of our day. Resplendent in his iconic bandages, carriage glasses, and smoking jacket, Griffin stalked around near the Dr. H. Jekyll Apotheker storefront, insulting guests and laughing maniacally. Don’t be afraid to approach, but do be aware that this is a canon-compliant Invisible Man, meaning he’s kind of an asshole. He sarcastically flirted with my friend when she complimented his outfit and roasted me mercilessly when I fumbled with my camera for a selfie. I loved every second of it. 

Another notable character roaming the land is Igor, Victoria Frankenstein’s assistant. We met him only briefly as he lugged his bag of body parts back to the lab, but he certainly made an impression, proclaiming himself the third member we needed to be Charlie’s Angels. Never change, Igor, you beautiful little freak. 

It Takes a Village at Universal’s Dark Universe

Last but certainly not least are the villagers who help bring Darkmoor’s lore to life. Early in the day, we encountered a musician outside the Burgomaster’s office who informed us about the village’s history in between violin breaks. This actor wasn’t mic’d during our visit, which did make her a little hard to hear, though it also encouraged the small crowd that had gathered to draw close, making for an intimate encounter. Later, we encountered another musician wandering the streets near the well who warned us that when the bell in the tower rings, monsters aren’t far away. And when we stopped at The Burning Blade Tavern for some evening refreshments, a monster hunter with big “drunk aunt” energy (complimentary) went from table to table yelling about the vampires hiding out in the catacombs beneath the town and encouraging us to eat more garlic. 

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – Epic Universe’s Must-Ride Attraction

I care as much about atmosphere as I do about rides when I visit theme parks, and Universal’s Dark Universe certainly has the former in spades. But what about the latter? 

I’m pleased to say that Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is the crown jewel of Universal’s Dark Universe (possibly even Epic Universe as a whole), a staggering achievement in dark ride animatronics that should leave Disney quaking in their boots. To enter, you’ll walk through an exquisitely detailed queue line that snakes through the gardens of Frankenstein Manor, up the grand staircase adorned with portraits of Victoria Frankenstein and her great-great-grandfather, Henry, and into Victoria’s lab. There, you’ll meet your first animatronic before boarding the ride as the towering Monster lumbers out during Victoria’s explanatory spiel. She’s perfected the work her ancestor started and is now trying to harness the power of the other Universal Monsters, with a certain Count stubbornly resisting.

After stowing your belongings in a locker (using Universal’s new facial recognition lockers—no digging around for tickets required), you’ll get strapped into a ride vehicle that will look familiar to anyone who has ridden Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios. This made me a little nervous. Riding the Forbidden Journey made me wanna hurl even before you-know-who came out as a you-know-what. 

But fear not, fellow motion-sickness sufferers: Monsters Unchained is a whole other beast, relying far more on animatronics than screens. I rode it three times and felt better for it. In fact, my jaw practically hit the floor the first time I got an up-close look at the animatronics, which are the best I’ve ever seen in a theme park, maybe anywhere. Victoria Frankenstein looks like a real woman, and the care and attention put into capturing her creation’s facial expressions is exceptional.

A Who’s Who of Monsters Await

As for the other Universal Monsters, you’ll see a huge range of them on display, from more obscure faves like the Phantom of the Opera and the Hunchback of Notre-Dame (look up at the bells!) to icons like the Creature from the Black Lagoon and the Wolf Man. Busy causing chaos is an enormous Count Dracula, aided by his hot undead brides (yeah I said it: the animatronics are sexy). Be sure to check out Dracula’s feet. No, I won’t explain. 

I was shrieking with delight the first time I exited the ride, though I was undoubtedly a little delirious after spending hours in an unmoving line. Monsters Unchained experienced multiple extended delays during my visit, and while I suspect many of these kinks will have been ironed out now that the park is officially open (it was only in technical rehearsals at the time), animatronics this advanced may be prone to the occasional hiccup. 

Happily, there’s a second ride in Dark Universe to check out if the monsters are on the fritz, and that’s Curse of the Werewolf. Nestled deep in Darkmoor’s dark forest where The Guild of Mystics’ have set up camp, Curse of the Werewolf is a quick, thrilling coaster featuring spinning four-seater ride “wagons.” I had fun, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Monsters Unchained. What’s more, some guests may struggle to fit in the ride vehicle. As a plus-sized ghoul, I had no issues, but my six-foot-tall bodybuilding friend was unable to ride. Try the test seat if you’re unsure, and if you do get on, remember to look up as you pass through the wooden structure in the middle of the ride, lest you miss the werewolf altogether.

Dining in Universal’s Dark Universe: Das Stakehaus, The Burning Blade Tavern, and Monocane Mocktails

After a long wait to ride Monsters Unchained, my friend and I were famished and decided to visit Dark Universe’s biggest dining location, Das Stakehaus. Staffed by vampires’ familiars (one of whom let us know in no uncertain terms that Dracula is her man and we should back off), this quick-service restaurant feels like a rustic old inn… only one with skull-laden chandeliers hanging overhead and bats carved into the backs of the chairs. The vampires are definitely in charge here, and if you’re not careful, you may be on the menu.

As much as I adored the theming in Das Stakehaus, the food left a little to be desired. I ordered the “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich, which was a little chewy for my taste, and the food coloring in the black bun was hard to get off my teeth. (I won’t go into detail about the other inevitable side effect of ingesting dye, but I’m sure you can guess.) My friend, meanwhile, had a Carved Staked Steak, purportedly a strip steak but cooked more like filet mignon. Bonus points for the server’s dramatic pouring of the bloody jus and the Latin-inscribed wooden “stakes”  skewering the meat, but overall, the food was nothing to write home about, at least during this early preview.

Dark Universe’s New Signature Mocktail: Monocane

More interesting was Dark Universe’s signature mocktail, Monocane, named after the drug that turned Jack Griffin invisible. Available at both Das Stakehaus and The Burning Blade Tavern, Monocane is a sweet, fruity, Sprite-based drink that’s bright green and faintly sparkly. I found it refreshing, though I couldn’t drink more than one in a day (I don’t even want to know what the sugar content is like in that thing). I chose to get it in the souvenir cup, a plastic Erlenmeyer flask with a stopper and straw, that has since become my go-to water receptacle at home. 

Vampire Hunters Will Love The Burning Blade Tavern

After dark, we also visited The Burning Blade Tavern, which is where we met the garlic-obsessed vampire hunter. Located beneath the fire-prone windmill, the tavern is a small, cozy, wood-paneled space with a bar proudly displaying the heads of various monsters the proprietors have slain. While we had plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy light bites (a slightly sour cream-heavy Charred Loaded Potato and doughy Garlic Stake pretzel), other guests we met on our ride home told us the place was rammed during their earlier visit. Nighttime seems like the right time at The Burning Blade Tavern. 

With our bellies full, we skimmed the various gift shops before we left that night, trying to resist temptation. The big five Universal Monsters—Dracula, Wolf Man, Gill-man, Monster, and Bride—are all well represented, with plenty of fun (and some truly unhinged) merch options for kids of all ages. I especially loved the focus on letting you dress up as your favorite monster, whether you want a Wolf Man hoodie complete with furry hood, a Monster-coded bolt choker, or a full-on neon green helmet to cosplay the Creature from the Black Lagoon. There’s also merch repping Frankenstein’s Manor and The Burning Blade Tavern, as well as Dark Universe-specific action figures.

The last thing I want to tell you about Universal’s Dark Universe is something I didn’t actually experience—well, sort of. You see, dressing up as a monster isn’t the only way to live your monster fantasy at the park. There’s also the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, a prototype I tried over at Universal Studios in 2024. 

I remember being hugely impressed by the skill and passion of my make-up artist, a Halloween Horror Nights veteran, and from what I could spy from peering into Dr. Pretorius’s old lab, the mad scientists at this new experience are just as talented. My makeup held up well all day and I had an absolute blast cosplaying the Bride of Frankenstein around the park, including getting into beef with the Scooby-Doo gang. Good times. 

However, they’ve definitely switched some things up since my makeover, so take my recommendation with a grain of salt. Guests will still be able to pick from a variety of monstrous options, but while my makeover primarily involved an airbrush machine, the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience appears to rely on more traditional sponge and brush techniques. For an additional fee, you can now add matching accessories to complete your look. And while I got drunk at CityWalk after my transformation, Universal’s website notes that you won’t be able to buy alcohol anywhere on property while in monster drag, so bear that in mind if you’re planning to drink around Epic Universe during your visit. 

Final Verdict: Live Your Monster Dreams (And Nightmares) at Dark Universe

From the moment I stepped through the portal, I fell in love with Dark Universe at Universal’s Epic Universe. It’s not perfect, but the incredible ambiance, breathtaking animatronics, and hugely entertaining character interactions make it easy for me to ignore a few maggots. It also feels like there’s room for the land to grow and evolve over time, from unleashing new characters into the streets to expanding on the lore. Monsters Unchained is worth coming back for alone. 

If Dark Universe had been around when I was a kid, my parents would have never heard the end of my nagging. I hope it is to this generation what Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue was to me: a gateway into classic horror and a reminder that it’s okay to be a weird monster kid. Maybe even cool.