My First Visit to Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe

Universal has gone back to its roots in the most chilling and thrilling way—by creating an entire world dedicated to its iconic monsters from the 1930s. Welcome to Dark Universe, where guests can walk among the legends: Frankenstein’s Monster, The Invisible Man, The Wolfman, and of course, Count Dracula himself.

A Perfectly Gloomy Day in Darkmoor

The day I stepped through the Dark Universe portal into the eerie village of Darkmoor, the skies were cloudy, and rain hung heavy in the air. Honestly? It was perfect. The gloomy weather amplified the spooky vibes tenfold. As you round the corner just past the portal, you’re greeted by a line of tombstones with fog seeping behind them. If you’re a Halloween fan like me, this is your jam.

Exploring the Village

Once you pass the cemetery gates, you're met with the heart of the village. First up is the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience—a fun, family-friendly spot where guests of all ages can transform into monsters themselves.

To the right is Das Steakhaus, one of three Quick Service locations in the world. I didn’t get to go inside, but just looking at the exterior, you could tell the theming was full-on vampire lair. Everything from the decor to the menu screams Dracula-approved.

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

Next, I arrived at the massive manor that houses Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. I’ll be honest: I love Halloween, but I hate jump scares. So, I skipped the ride itself. But I did walk through the queue and filmed up to Ygor’s pre-show presentation (you can find that on my Instagram or TikTok!). The castle theming inside the queue is incredible—dark stone walls, flickering lights, the whole nine yards. If you’re like me and want to skip the ride, you’ll be happy to know there’s a “chicken exit” that leads right into The Manor Storehouse, the ride’s gift shop. Gothic Christmas stockings, creepy-cool home decor, and monster merch galore—it was one of my favorite shops in the park.

Garlic, Fire, and Mocktails at The Burning Blade Tavern

The Burning Blade Tavern was my next stop, and it did not disappoint. This is where you’ll meet some of the locals, including a few monster hunters known as “The Hounds.” Dressed in tattered cloaks, they wander the tavern and are more than happy to share tales of their encounters. I tried the Hunter’s Garlic Stake (a garlicky breadstick shaped like a weapon, complete with garlic dipping sauce), and the Monocane Mocktail served in a beaker-shaped souvenir cup—sweet, fizzy, and totally Instagram-worthy. And yes, the blades outside the tavern actually ignite into flames every 15 minutes, which was such a cool surprise!

The Elusive Curse of the Werewolf

Unfortunately, Curse of the Werewolf wasn’t operational during my visit. This coaster features spinning cars (with no control over when or how much you spin), and from what I’ve heard, it’s a wild ride through a moonlit forest filled with glowing eyes and snarling werewolves.

Hidden Gem: De Lacey’s Cottage

On my way back toward the portal, I realized I had totally missed De Lacey’s Cottage, tucked quietly behind the manor. This Quick Service spot is a cozy little cottage serving up the Frank & Friends Pretzel and Warm-Hearted Cinnamon Bites—both of which have been making the rounds on social media. They also have Coke Freestyle machines and souvenir drinkware like the Frankenstein Sipper.

The Real Magic: The Residents of Darkmoor

One of the absolute highlights for me was meeting The Residents of Darkmoor. I ran into The Invisible Man (yes, really!) while exploring the village. You may also bump into Frankenstein’s Monster, his Bride, Ygor, a bold monster hunter, or even a bard serenading the streets. These roaming characters add so much life (or should I say...afterlife?) to the land, so keep your camera ready!

Final Thoughts

I didn’t get the chance to return at night, but between the rainy skies and foggy atmosphere, the ambiance was spine-tingling in the best way. If you visit, don’t miss the upright coffin photo op near the entrance—it’s an epic spot for a creepy-cool selfie. I won’t be back during Halloween season this year, but I can’t wait to see what they do with this world in the fall.

Until then, stay spooky! #DarkUniverse #EpicUniverse #UniversalOrlando #DarkmoorVillage #MonstersUnchained #UniversalMonsters #HalloweenAllYear #SpookySeasonVibes #DarkUniversePreview #BurningBladeTavern #CurseOfTheWerewolf #FrankensteinExperiment #InvisibleMan #VampireVibes #ThemeParkBlog #ThemeParkLife #EpicUniverse2025 #YouAreTheMagicAdventures #HauntedVibes #MeetTheMonsters