Last Updated on April 1, 2025 by Angel Melanson
Victoria Frankenstein is opening her home to the public, and soon, Universal Monsters fans will have an opportunity to come face to face with their favorite creeps in what looks like a manor straight out of a horror film. Universal Studios has released the first images from inside their new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, including our first sneak peek into Dark Universe, the land themed after some of the most memorable creatures from horror movie history.
The image gives us a clear look at Frankenstein Manor, the centerpiece of the land and home to its signature attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, which features guests going up against some of the most iconic monsters of all time, including Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more.
The land will also feature a thrill ride called Curse of the Werewolf, where riders will attempt to escape being cursed with lycanthropy, and the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, where guests can transform themselves into a creature of their choosing. The full description of the land’s attractions is as follows:
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: Step into Universal Orlando’s most terrifying attraction yet, where you’ll descend into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor. Dr. Victoria Frankenstein invites you to witness her twisted experiments to control monsters. But when Dracula slips his leash, all hell breaks loose. You’ll be running for your life from The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and other bloodthirsty beasts in a frantic ride through darkness.
- Curse of the Werewolf: Inspired by “The Wolf Man,” this spinning family coaster takes you deep into the dark woods on the edge of Darkmoor. Meet Maleva, the seer who warns you of your werewolf curse, then race through the forest in a desperate bid to escape your furry fate.
- Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience: Get your ghoul on at this interactive attraction, where monster makeup artists transform guests of all ages into their favorite creatures with elaborate face paint and temporary tattoos. Step into Dr. Pretorius’ old lab turned makeover parlor and unleash your inner monster.
- Meet the Monsters: You never know who—or what—you might bump into in Dark Universe. Snap a selfie with Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster, swoon over the Bride of Frankenstein, or chat with The Invisible Man. Keep an eye out for Victoria’s creepy servant, Ygor, and other oddball residents lurking around.
Dark Universe will also feature three unique dining locations for parkgoers who find that their their fear makes them peckish. The first is Das Stakehaus, a vampire-themed restaurant where you can chow down on kebabs and burgers surrounded by dark ephemera, along with The Burning Blade Tavern, a traditional pub inside a windmill, and De Lacey’s Cottage, a snack shack providing sweet treats.
We also recently got a sneak peek at some of the merchandise that will be available to guests when the park officially opens, and it seems like Universal is going all in for their monster-loving fanbase, with apparel, headwear, collectible figures, plushies, and more available for purchase. According to Universal, “guests can find these and other eclectic items at Pretorious’ Scientific Oddities as well as The Manor Storehouse and Guild of Mystics retail locations in Dark Universe.”
The theme park will officially open to guests on May 22, and will include three other lands in addition to Dark Universe, including Super Nintendo World, based on several of the gaming company’s most popular creations, a new Harry Potter section highlighting the Ministry of Magic, and the Isle of Berk, themed after the popular How to Train Your Dragon film series. It will be located slightly farther away from the rest of Universal’s parks, but still included in all its ticket bundles for anyone hoping to visit all three, plus its water park, Volcano Bay.
Tickets for Epic Universe and packages with access to Universal’s other Orlando parks are available now.
