Epic Universe construction update: Dark Universe village emerges
Construction teams removed scaffolding from village façades of Dark Universe, the future home of Universal Classic Monsters at Epic Universe.
Dark Universe will be one of five worlds in the new Universal Epic Universe theme park, opening in 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort. The other realms are Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and Super Nintendo World.
Taking inspiration from the horror films of Universal Pictures’ early decades, Dark Universe will be “a world of myth and mystery” featuring “experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein,” among other stories, as Universal teased in January.
Universal hasn’t officially announced very much about Dark Universe, but thanks to aerial photographer bioreconstruct, we can track the area’s ongoing construction progress.
Dark Universe Portal and Entryway
Guests will enter Dark Universe through a portal from the Celestial Park central plaza. There’s not much particularly new about the Dark Universe portal since our last update, but we’re not about to turn down an opportunity to appreciate it. Look at this thing!
As a reminder, the Dark Universe portal will electrify with special effects. An inscription above the portal reads, “It’s alive! It’s alive!,” referencing Universal’s 1931 “Frankenstein” film and subsequent projects, as seen in the previously released concept art below.
Each world within Epic Universe will have its own portal, and thus its own reveal to the guest of what awaits them on the other side (think Diagon Alley).
Scaffolding Removed from Village Façades
After passing through the portal, guests will venture further into Dark Universe by stepping into a village.
The photo below shows the depth of the buildings on either side of the village pathway. From the outside, each of these two buildings appear to be many individual buildings, a classic theme park trick.
Construction teams recently removed scaffolding from the village’s façades. These exteriors may disguise shops, dining options, or other experiences within that have not yet revealed. Additionally, contractors began constructing what appears to be a fountain, or otherwise a centerpiece structure of some kind, in the middle of the village square.
With scaffolding removed, we get a peek at the detail of the faux cobblestone work. Artisans took extra care to make these brand-new structures look much older than they are, all part of the story of Dark Universe.
Vines Added to Manor Façade
Passed the village is the façade for an unannounced indoor attraction taking place in an elegant but decrepit manor. Construction teams recently installed fake vines on the manor’s entrance columns and other elements throughout the edifice’s imposing front courtyard.
The threshold columns also bare a pair of what may be family crests, perhaps belonging to the genealogy of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. The emblems feature a diamond shape with several circles inside. Upon first glance, one might think these curves are merely the ends of the vines ascending up the column, but the circles are in the same position on both diamonds. Notably, though, one diamond has four circles while another has only three — but the latter may simply be unfinished.
The manor façade continues around the corner, with some scaffolding still in place.
Coaster Testing Continues
Across the way from the manor is an outdoor roller coaster, the trains of which will spin while the coaster is in motion (a la Cobra’s Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay).
The ongoing addition of new trees and growth of existing ones in the coaster’s queue bring to mind an old quote of Walt Disney’s. During a 1956 interview, Walt said, “Not only can I add things [to Disneyland], but even the trees will keep growing; the thing will get more beautiful every year!”
If one were to abridge Mr. Disney in the context of Dark Universe, Universal could say, “Not only can we add things to Dark Universe, but even the forests will keep growing; the thing will get more sinister every year!”
As seen in previous updates, ride testing continues for the outdoor roller coaster in Dark Universe.
Shelter and Cart Installed
Along the thoroughfare near the coaster, construction workers built a modest shelter. Structures as these typically function as locations for merchandise or light snacks. Across from that stands a new cart. Whether this cart is just a prop or a functioning point of sale remains to be seen.
At the dead end (ha) of Dark Universe, guests will encounter one last building, with a windmill on top. We explored this structure and its origins within the Universal Classic Monsters lore in a previous update.
“Las Culturistas” podcast hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers are particularly excited for Dark Universe. The duo thinks Tina Fey would make an excellent Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, and told her so on a recent podcast episode:
Universal Classic Monsters at Halloween Horror Nights
Dark Universe isn’t the first Universal theme park project to utilize the studio’s Classic Monsters catalog. The vintage characters frequently headline their own haunted houses during Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida.
Additionally, the ensemble of creatures previously commanded their own eatery, the quick-service Universal Studios’ Classic Monsters Café. The restaurant closed in 2022, and was replaced by Minions Café last year.
All Things Epic Universe
Continue exploring Epic Universe with our coverage below.
Celestial Park
- Overview
- Details you may have missed
- Construction update (Starfall Racers)
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
- Construction update (artwork, pavement)
Super Nintendo World
- Construction update (Donkey Kong coaster)
- Attractions Magazine’s Super Nintendo World YouTube playlist for California and Japan
If you’re interested in visiting Universal Orlando Resort, we recommend MEI-Travel for a free, no obligation quote and free help throughout your trip.
