Dark Universe
The classic Monsters of classic Universal Pictures, including Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Invisible Man, have been given their own stomping grounds here at Epic Universe. This land takes the form of Darkmoor, an ancient village that, as you walk through, feels a little like Hogsmeade gone to seed: the town well is smoldering, strange characters appear on stoops to peer at you, and just outside of town, the spires of the Frankenstein family castle-like mansion loom.
That mansion is where you'll find Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, the hauntedest mansion in Orlando, and one of the parks most elaborate rides, plus three gift shops stocked with cool monster-themed merch like Bride of Frankenstein mugs and Werewolf plushies. The entrance to land's second ride, the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster, is not well marked from Darkmoor, but it can be found by walking around the pathways that go left from near the castle's entrance.
Where to eat in Dark Universe
In the same side loop as Curse of the Werewolf, you'll find The Burning Blade Tavern, which every 10–15 minutes bursts into flame in one of the land's most popular photo moments.
That tavern, plus the vampire-themed full restaurant Das Stakehaus, are the primary places to eat in Dark Universe.
The theming Dark Universe is as over-the-top as in the other lands—even the toilets are black. Monsters will not leap out of dark corners to jump scare you; the humor here is family-friendly and tongue-in-cheek, with an ironic distance. At the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience creature salon (pictured below), you can even buy yourself a monster makeover: “The Experiment,” which paints half your face with the movie monster of your choice, is $45, but if you want the full treatment with a costume, it's $169 adults/$109 kids.
Every now and then, the whole town crackles with electricity coming from the Frankenstein tower, an effect that really sizzles after sunset when Darkmoor's theatrical lighting is in full effect. In the bushes on the edge of town after dark, you might even see the torches of the townsfolk as they march on the Burning Blade Tavern to persecute Frankenstein's poor creation.
