Universal Orlando Resort is bringing its iconic monsters to life with Dark Universe, one of five worlds that will make up Epic Universe, a theme park opening next year.
Dark Universe will be home to legendary monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolf Man and the Bride of Frankenstein. Some new characters will make an appearance.
Guests will enter Dark Universe through a portal that sizzles with electricity, gathering dark energy. They will emerge in Darkmoor, a village.
In Darkmoor, Universal said, guests will "encounter the characters and subjects of those experiments within a first-of-its-kind theme park environment that offers family-friendly fun while also pushing the boundaries on intensity in a way that only Universal could achieve."
A rendering of Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
The dark energy that begins at Dark Universe's portal will continue throughout the land, culminating at the top of Frankenstein Manor, the world's focal point.
The manor will be home to a dark ride, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, which Universal called its "most chilling ride ever."
A new character, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, is the focus. Henry Frankenstein's great-great-granddaughter, Victoria, follows in her ancestor's footsteps and conducts experiments in her lab. Riders will be taken into the manor's catacombs and Victoria's laboratory for a demonstration of her control of monsters.
Of course, the demonstration doesn't go to plan. She can't control Dracula, which results in the release of an angry troupe of monsters, including the Wolf Man, the Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and the Brides of Dracula. Riders then need to escape the monsters.
A rendering of Curse of the Werewolf. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Dark Universal will also be home to a spinning family roller coaster, Curse of the Werewolf, located in the woods at the edge of Darkmoor.
Inspired by "The Wolf Man," the character Maleva (the seer and leader of the Guild of Mystics) will introduce the attraction to riders and warn that they "bear the mark of the werewolf," Universal said. The coaster then races guests through the forest to escape the werewolves.
For guests that want an even more immersive experience in Darkmoor, the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience will be the place to go.
Set in the converted lab of Dr. Pretorius from the film "Bride of Frankenstein," guests can get temporary tattoos and elaborate face paint to transform into monsters.
There will be monster meet-and-greets at Dark Universe. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Monster meet-and-greets will also be part of Dark Universe.
Guests can meet Dr. Victoria Frankenstein's monster and the Bride of Frankenstein. Other monsters and characters will be roaming around Darkmoor, as well.
A vampire feast
Darkmoor will be home to several themed eateries.
Das Stakehaus is a "dining hall run by vampire familiars who size up unsuspecting patrons to be part of the vampires' feast," Universal said.
A rendering of the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. Photo Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
The menu will include kebabs, burgers and sandwiches.
At the Burning Blade Tavern, housed inside a windmill whose blades are periodically set on fire, guests can hob-nob with monster hunters called Hounds and enjoy burgers, wings, bratwurst, pretzels and beverages.
De Lacey's Cottage food stand will serve snacks and ice cream.
Das Stakehaus will be a "dining hall run by vampire familiars." Photo Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Dark Universe's main retail location will be Pretorius' Scientific Oddities.
Merchandise themed to Dark Universe is already on sale at the Universal Epic Universe Preview Center in Universal CityWalk.
Dark Universe is being created by Universal Creative in partnership with Universal Pictures.