The Fraidy Cat’s Guide to Epic Universe’s Dark Universe (You Can Totally Handle It)
Avoiding the jump scares at Epic Universe's Dark Universe doesn’t mean missing out.
It’s hard to beat the exhilaration of a good haunt — and Dark Universe at Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park offers scares that are a class unto themselves. Whether you’re swept up in a monster revolt led by Dracula at Frankenstein’s ancestral estate or speeding through a wilderness of werewolves on a roller coaster, each attraction has its own distinct personality.
We know Universal goes all out when it comes to jump scares at Halloween Horror Nights, the seasonal scare fest in Orlando and Hollywood. But not everyone wants a ghoulish character popping out of nowhere to startle the living daylights out of them. So what's in store for travelers who visit Dark Universe?
SPOILER ALERT: The rest of this article will have spoilers for Epic Universe's Dark Universe.
For those who love horror but not the sudden shocks, we’ve got the details on how to enjoy Dark Universe at its frightful best. While the world's main ride, Monsters Unchained, has next-level thrills and even some jump scares, there are plenty of areas to explore without anyone (or “thing”) making you scream.
The scaredy cat guide to Epic Universe's Dark Universe
Dark Universe is one of five immersive worlds at Epic Universe, opening on May 22 in Orlando, and it joins How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. It’s centered around the studio’s beloved classic monsters: Dracula, Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dr. Frankenstein, and more. You’ll meet many of these electrifying characters throughout the World's shadowy landscape, Darkmoor Village, the fictional town at the center of Dark Universe.
You might encounter, say, The Invisible Man (or actors in other costumes) mulling about, striking up conversations, and ready (or reluctant) for a photo with your family. There will also be violin-playing village folk regaling you with spooky lore. Jump scares at this point would distract from the experience of feeling like you’ve stepped back in time into one of the classic movies. So, it's pretty safe to enter the portal to Dark Universe and enjoy yourself without worrying that something is going to jump out at you as it would a Scare Zone at Halloween Horror Nights. It's more about immersing yourself in this dark, gothic universe.
Avoiding the spookiest parts of Dark Universe doesn’t mean missing out. You can roam all throughout Darkmoor Village and take in its frightful grandeur, including a deserted cemetery and 6,500 lighting elements that illuminate the area at night.
Aside from the cool gothic details, there are tons of Easter eggs and iconography from the movies to discover. Be sure to look for the grave of Maria, the little girl Frankenstein’s monster accidentally drowns in the original 1931 film. The scene was deemed too controversial when the movie was released and remained partially censored until the mid-1980s.
Don’t miss the burning windmill, a reference to the iconic finale of the original film, when a mob of villagers trapped Frankenstein’s monster in the flames. It stands above the Burning Blade Tavern, one of the dining options at Dark Universe, and will catch fire on a regular schedule as it spins around. It's a great example of the way Dark Universe immerses its visitors in the world of these horror movies without making their hearts pound at a jump scare.
Universal extends the theme to every aspect of the world, right down to the food (think roasted meat on a stake, handy for vampire encounters). At Das Stakehaus, the décor and vibe are just as intertwined with the narrative as the rides. You’ll be served by “familiars” (human servants bound to their vampire masters) in a fictional inn from the olden days. No meal here is finished until you check out the vampire artwork and fiendish artifacts strewn throughout the restaurant. The paintings depict life through the eyes of vampires, showing them as heroes and revealing some of Darkmoor's secret history.
Where can I get jump-scared at Dark Universe?
Monsters Unchained, the area’s main ride, will provide thrills galore, including jump scares. Visitors enter the catacombs under Dr. Frankenstein’s sprawling estate to get a first-hand look at his laboratory, now overseen by his great-great-granddaughter, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. She is grappling with her ancestor’s twisted legacy and trying to control the park’s many crazed monsters. But things go haywire when Dracula leads the monsters in a frenzied revolt.
Dark Universe at Universal’s Epic Universe opens May 22, 2025.
