Latest news with #MonstersUnchained
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Epic Universe's Monsters Unchained ride dares guests to face Frankenstein's legacy
Epic Universe's Monsters Unchained ride dares guests to face Frankenstein's legacy Show Caption Hide Caption See Universal's Dark Universe 'creepy' sneak peek at Epic Universe The Dark Universe at Universal Orlando's Epic Universe brings classic horror staples to life, such as the Bride of Frankenstein and the Invisible Man. ORLANDO, Fla. — Not everything is shiny and new in Universal Orlando Resort's new Epic Universe theme park. Some things are dark and twisty and rooted in Universal's legacy of classic horror films. Monsters like mummies and werewolves live on in Dark Universe, one of five worlds at Universal Epic Universe. Unlike Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, this world is more foreboding than scary, but as guests quickly learn from its can't-miss attraction Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, monsters still shouldn't be crossed. There are a few startling moments, but more than anything, this thrill ride is stunning. The queue alone, set in Frankenstein manor, is worth seeing with richly detailed rooms and next-level animatronics. The technology has been a talker since Monsters Unchained was first announced. Between the animatronics, massive practical sets and ultra high-definition graphics, it's hard to tell what's physically there versus on screen. However, the heart of the attraction is a thought-provoking original story: Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, a descendant of the same doctor who brought the first Frankenstein to life, is trying to clear her family's name. She's not only created a new version of the monster, named Henry, but trying to bring all monsters under her control, and Dracula is not going down easily. As their battle wages, guests grapple with a question posed in the ride's queue: Who's the true monster? Monsters Unchained has a 48-inch height requirement. Guests who are tall enough but unsure if they will fit the ride vehicles can test seats in two different locations: outside and a semi-private room mid-queue. The ride is also accessible to guests who use wheelchairs. Meet the monsters Guests who either can't or don't want to ride Monsters Unchained can still make memories by meeting monsters in person, like the Bride of Frankenstein and Dr. Victoria Frankenstein's new creature Henry. Those two have scheduled meet and greets, but other characters like The Invisible Man and Ygor roam throughout Dark Universe. Take the time to talk to them. The Invisible Man is a bit snarky and Ygor may hurry off to continue collecting body parts for Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, but it's all in good fun. The reporter on this story received access from Universal. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
Gizmodo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Epic Universe's Best Ride Might Just Come From the Dark Universe
The portal into a whole world of gods and monsters has been opened at Epic Universe, Orlando, Florida's newest theme park. The Universal Monsters reign supreme at the Dark Universe, where you explore the world of Darkmoor that just so happens to be the place where so many of Universal Studios' classic horror films intersect. io9 was thrilled to be among the first to ride its main attraction: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. At the center of the action is the Frankenstein Manor, where Victoria Frankenstein resides and continues the mad work of her ancestor Victor. She's built a new monster prototype and aims to capture the horrors of the icons of fright. Under her watch she's got the Phantom of the Opera, the Creature From the Black Lagoon, and more with the help of her Frankenstein she aims to dominate Dracula. What transpires is an awesome and action-packed thrill ride into the monster mash of your dreams if you're a horror fan. You see Victoria, a badass leather-donning scientist, and her monster attempt to harness Drac's power—but it might be more than they can keep their grip on because: BAT! Dracula can burst into smaller creatures of the night and aims to escape domestication for some sort of Monsters Avengers team-up. Yes, really. The ride itself uses a similar mechanism to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, where you are moved around practical and video scenes to witness the story. Along the way you bear witness to exciting monster squad squabble up moments with state of the art animatronics. To me, it's my favorite ride and I love how passionate the lore crafted around it seemed to be. If the ride were to breakdown, I'd say 'Well, I guess I live here now'—that's how amazing the showrooms are. For thrill ride fans, Epic Universe also features Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning coaster inspired by the Wolf-Man that also features incredible animatronic work. While you might not be able to live there, Darkmoor feels the most lived-in, in the best way. The wandering interactions with Igor, the Invisible Man, the Monster, and the Bride of Frankenstein weave a new classic story you're a part of. The Bride even calls this new Frank her friend as the body of her Frankenstein rests in the queue of Frankenstein Manor. They're existing in a timeline where monsters are celebrated and feared by the villagers. They even have a Burning Blade Tavern, which homages the studio's original horror film universe and incorporates the lore into the ambiance and even the menu items. I love myself a character-shaped pretzel and you'll find a Frankenstein one here to suit your snacking needs. And one of the most killer facts? The score of the land is composed by none other than 'Dead Man's Party' legend Danny Elfman (Beetlejuice). There's even a part-exclusive vinyl you can buy of his work, pressed for a limited special release only in the theme park land. The Dark Universe also offers the chance to not only walk among the creatures of the night but be one too, thanks to the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. It's the most important spooky, scary appointment you need to make if you go. Mad scientists, er, makeup artists transform you and help you look like you walk among the shadows beneath the scorching Florida sun. It's worth it and there's even cosplay lite fashion gear to feel like you belong. For the first time in my life, I finally found a theme park land where I felt the most at home and in my true form. Epic Universe opens this Friday at Universal Studios Orlando. Travel and accommodations as well as the monster make-up demo were provided for the purposes of this review.
Thrill Geek
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
REVIEW – Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry at Universal Epic Universe
Let me start by saying that this review is about Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry at Universal's Epic Universe. While it's truly one of the best attractions I've ever experienced, it's worth mentioning that Epic Universe also features another standout ride: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment . Both are dark rides, but they offer completely different experiences, using distinct ride systems and delivering unique thrills that set a new standard for their genres. With that said, let's dive into Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry . Battle at the Ministry isn't just a ride — it's a full attraction experience, and a major part of that experience is the queue itself. This queue might be the most incredible, breathtaking, massive, beautifully detailed, and longest queue ever created for any ride. Battle at the Ministry isn't just a ride — it's a full attraction experience, and a major part of that experience is the queue itself. This queue might be the most incredible, breathtaking, massive, beautifully detailed, and longest queue ever created for any ride. As you step into the entrance of the attraction, you leave behind 1920s Paris and board the Metrofloo. The initial setting is beautifully detailed, capturing the look and feel of a Parisian Metro station. With a little magic, a team member guides you through one of the many Floos — and in an instant, you're not just transported to London, but also sent through time to the 1990s, after the events of Deathly Hallows. Emerging from the Floo, you find yourself standing in the enormous, awe-inspiring atrium of the Ministry of Magic. The only comparison I can make to the reveal when you step out of the Floo Network is the moment you exit the Resistance transport in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and find yourself inside the Star Destroyer hangar — but imagine it on an even larger scale. Walking out of the Floo for the first time was one of the most jaw-dropping experiences I've ever had in a theme park. Pictures and videos simply can't capture the true scale and detail of the Ministry of Magic. As you walk toward the massive fountain, you'll spot the giant floating screen, setting the stage for the trial of Dolores Umbridge. Surrounding you are countless office windows, many alive with movement and activity. It's a truly magical moment — and it's only the beginning of what might be one of the largest and most immersive queues ever built for an attraction. As you whine your way through different areas and offices and back hallways at the Ministry of Magic, the level of detail is still astounding, even as you move through smaller spaces, including a room that has the living portraits of all the former ministers of magic and they're all talking to each other And what I've heard is almost an hour long loop that was created of story. You eventually make your way to Dolores Umbridge's office, where you find an elf, Higgledy, the house elf who formerly served Umbridge. Higgledy is, of course, an animatronic, and she's explaining what's going on all the while all kinds of different magical effects are going on around you as you're in her office. She explains to you that Dolores Umbridge is on trial today. And you'll be boarding an elevator to attend the trial. After you exit your office, you head straight to the loading area. There is no pre-show, which makes sense because the queue and everything going on in it is pretty much the preshow for the attraction. Your ride vehicle or lift is really unlike anything I've ever experienced before. It's almost like a combination of the Spider-Man ride vehicle and the Tower of Terror ride vehicle. Once you get on the ride vehicle, you buckle your seatbelt, the team member checks you, and then you're on your way. This ride features the best use of screens I've ever experienced on any attraction. The screens are easily among the highest resolution I've ever seen, with an incredible level of detail, and the CGI is easily the best and most realistic I have ever seen in a ride. But it's not just a screen-based ride — it's an impressive blend of screens, physical sets, animatronics, and moving set pieces, unlike anything I've ever encountered and on a truly breathtaking scale. Some of the sets are massive, and the animatronics are some of the most lifelike I've ever seen. Honestly, if someone had told me there were live actors on the ride, I might have believed them for a moment — that's how fluid and realistic the movements are. We often talk about attractions making you feel like you've stepped into a movie; this one pulls it off better than anything I've experienced. It's a true cinematic journey from start to finish. As incredible as it is, no attraction is perfect. There are a few moments where some animatronics dip slightly into the uncanny valley, creating a brief sense of unease. However, for the vast majority of the experience, from the very start to the final moments, you are completely immersed in the story in a way that few, if any, other attractions have ever achieved. After the ride ends, you exit through the atrium, giving you one last chance to take in its awe-inspiring beauty. I think this was a brilliant design choice — instead of immediately funneling you into a gift shop, you're brought back into one of the most stunning parts of the queue, allowing the experience to end on a truly memorable note. Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry is truly one of the most incredible attractions I've ever experienced — a major leap forward in the evolution of dark rides at theme parks worldwide. Between this and Monsters Unchained, Universal's Epic Universe is home to two of the best attractions on the planet. Both rides represent a true technological breakthrough, setting a new standard for what theme park experiences can be. Battle of the Ministry is an absolute must-do every time you visit Epic Universe. As someone who has loved theme parks since childhood, studied the art of attraction design, and now has the privilege of covering them professionally, I can honestly say I can't wait to ride this again and again. It may sound cheesy, but it's genuinely a magical experience. Make sure you're following ThrillGeek across all of our social media channels for the latest updates from Universal Epic Universe
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First Universal Studios theme park with 500-room hotel set to open in UK
The first Universal theme park in Europe will open in the UK. Set to be one of the largest and most advanced theme parks in Europe, 8.5 million visitors are expected in its first year. The deal has reportedly been closed by the Government in the hope it will generate tens of billions of pounds for the economy. The resort is set to open in 2031 in Bedfordshire following an agreement between Universal, the Government and the local council. As many of you know, we travel the world looking for dark rides. One of the BEST rides we've ever been on is the INSANE Jurassic World ride at Universal Studios Beijing. 🤯 Will Monsters Unchained or Battle at the Ministry take the number one spot??? @UniversalORL #EpicUniverse — Attractions 360° (@SoCal360) April 3, 2025 By 2055, Universal expects the 476-acre site near Bedford to generate nearly £50 billion for the economy, with a 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex planned along with the theme park. The announcement is a boost for Sir Keir Starmer's Government after US President Donald Trump's tariffs have sent stock markets on a rollercoaster ride. The Prime Minister said the attraction will create around 28,000 jobs – 20,000 in the construction period and 8,000 working on the site when it opens to visitors in 2031. 'It is not just about numbers; it's about securing real opportunities for people in our country,' he said. 'Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.' The Government has promised a major investment in infrastructure and transport around the site to support the delivery of the project and make sure it is easily accessible for visitors. The project ties in with other work around the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, including support for the expansion of Luton Airport. The proposals to transform the site, a former brickworks, remain subject to a formal planning decision process from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the investment is 'a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business'. The Prime Minister welcomed Mike Cavanagh, the president of Universal's parent company Comcast Corporation to Downing Street to mark the announcement. Recommended reading: Millions of motorists issued MOT warning after drivers 'caught out' Amazon Prime confirm they will release four new The Grand Tour specials Fury as jockey banned for horse dying at Grand National in 'disturbing display' Mr Cavanagh said: 'We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom, which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe.' Universal has five entertainment and resort complexes around the world – Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the USA, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Universal Beijing Resort in China and Universal Studios Singapore. Mark Woodbury, chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said: 'Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe.'
