Dark Universe - Reviews, Photos & Media

[HHN Maddux]

I was fortunate to see it in person and it's amazing. But without it, the ride just ends without a punch. Hoping they can figure out an alternative B-mode for it.

Was it fully working, like at full speed and everything? All the times I rode he came out but pretty slowly and it looked pretty awkward, not really coming that close to the vehicle either.

 

[Ryuniversal]

Was it fully working, like at full speed and everything? All the times I rode he came out but pretty slowly and it looked pretty awkward, not really coming that close to the vehicle either.

Ya I saw in the leaked povs vids only once was he working and his timing was off as well he was a little bit late

 

[HHN Maddux]

Ya I saw in the leaked povs vids only once was he working and his timing was off as well he was a little bit late

Both him and the flying Drac before the final sequence begins have had timing issues. The second Drac always began floating up towards us a bit too late (though I've seen videos where the timing for him was perfect, and it's beautiful).

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Was it fully working, like at full speed and everything? All the times I rode he came out but pretty slowly and it looked pretty awkward, not really coming that close to the vehicle either.

I thought it was fine, I don't think it was that off.

I do like that when they have to stop the loading platform, the ride doesn't suffer story-wise afterwards. No significant pause or out of sync effects.

 

[Clive]

After hearing about the final "scene" of Curse of the Werewolf I had to watch the POVs to see it. Oof. That is awful. It looks like something you'd see at a traveling fair or a pier amusement park.

They should start by removing the figure, get rid of the tacky graphics (just put up some weathered wood) and ideally make the area much darker by putting a canvas tent panel on the front of the area to block all the sunlight is coming in, with a hole just big enough for the ride vehicle and walking space on either side. The darker they can make that space the better as it looks terrible.

Even better, set-dress the space like the inside of a Mystics trailer and have a "window" with the translucent shade pulled down and put a flatscreen behind it showing the silhouette of a werewolf prowling around. Have all the furnishings thrashed, with broken chairs and table, lanterns knocked on their sides, and claw marks on the wall...as if a werewolf came through.

Not to speak for you, but this idea's free, Universal. It's a great low-cost idea that would be significantly better than what's going on now.

 

[MistaDee]

After hearing about the final "scene" of Curse of the Werewolf I had to watch the POVs to see it. Oof. That is awful. It looks like something you'd see at a traveling fair or a pier amusement park.

They should start by removing the figure, get rid of the tacky graphics (just put up some weathered wood) and ideally make the area much darker by putting a canvas tent panel on the front of the area to block all the sunlight is coming in, with a hole just big enough for the ride vehicle and walking space on either side. The darker they can make that space the better as it looks terrible.

Even better, set-dress the space like the inside of a Mystics trailer and have a "window" with the translucent shade pulled down and put a flatscreen behind it showing the silhouette of a werewolf prowling around. Have all the furnishings thrashed, with broken chairs and table, lanterns knocked on their sides, and claw marks on the wall...as if a werewolf came through.

Very creative solution that would be far more effective than what they have.

 

[Evan]

Completely agree. Starting to see alot more people finally point out that Unchained isn't this perfect dark ride and has various issues. I thought I was going crazy because everyone was praising it as the best dark ride of all time when imo at least, it definitely isn't. Not yet at least. While still a really cool ride and a must do at Epic; with some of the best animatronics you will ever see, so much holds it back. Issues such as lighting, pacing, and a lackluster ending (yes even when finale dracula is working) just to name a few. Also the story can get confusing if you can’t exactly hear the audio in the RV halfway through the ride. Hopefully at least some of this will be fixed before opening because the potential is obviously there. Haven’t had the chance to do ministry yet but I think I will like it more. Even with it being more screen heavy.

Right - I keep seeing this in video, and keep wondering when they’ll fix it?

For some reason they light it up for a few seconds and point you right at it? Is a figure supposed to be there?

 

[MistaDee]

I personally thought that Monsters: Unchained was overrated. They need to do something to make it darker in there because currently its very easy to see everything (including things you arent supposed to see). The story makes some sense and the ride starts out so strong, but IMO it falls apart midway through. I think the creature part is so random and unneeded. The phantom part is by far the best part but unfortunately its at the beginning. I would give this attraction a solid 8/10 but I think its because my personal expectations were way higher due to fan praise. I also think Dark Universe needs that expansion pad BADLY.

As much as I love the ride, I do very much agree that it's getting a bit overhyped. I came off my first ride very happy, but at the same time a small sense of "wait, that was it?".

Really hoping that by the time of opening, it's much darker inside, animatronics and RV movements are coordinated perfectly for in-your-face intensity, and the audio is turned up a bit (I wanna hear Drac's laugh, not the air blast dang it!).

I'm curious, what moments worked best for you and which were the most disappointing?

Just from the POV it seemed like

Spoiler

Wolfman was pretty spectacular, the Mummy coming down looked great but it's tough to tell how the Frank's Monster scenes came across in person

 

[HHN Maddux]

I'm curious, what moments worked best for you and which were the most disappointing?

Just from the POV it seemed like

Spoiler

Wolfman was pretty spectacular, the Mummy coming down looked great but it's tough to tell how the Frank's Monster scenes came across in person

I think everything up until the final sequence is perfect (albeit some poor lighting, but I've been told that is being actively fixed).

The final sequence, it kinda feels like they started running out of budget here. I was expecting Brides absolutely everywhere ala the dementor sequence in Forbidden Journey, not just two of them that admittedly don't look great with a bunch of screens. Combine that with the finale Drac often not working properly and a rather abrupt finale, it leaves a sour taste on what is otherwise a near-perfect ride.

Also just wish the monsters got a lot closer like the dementors, who really get in your face. Here they get close-ish but nowhere near as intense as that final dementor on FJ.

 

[MistaDee]

I think everything up until the final sequence is perfect (albeit some poor lighting, but I've been told that is being actively fixed).

The final sequence, it kinda feels like they started running out of budget here. I was expecting Brides absolutely everywhere ala the dementor sequence in Forbidden Journey, not just two of them that admittedly don't look great with a bunch of screens. Combine that with the finale Drac often not working properly and a rather abrupt finale, it leaves a sour taste on what is otherwise a near-perfect ride.

Also just wish the monsters got a lot closer like the dementors, who really get in your face. Here they get close-ish but nowhere near as intense as that final dementor on FJ.

Spoiler

Final sequence meaning the lead up to the last Dracula? Or the Victoria frankenstein plus screen of Igor?

I really hope they're able to dial in the proximity and get crazy close. I wonder if having the Kuka arm on the bottom vs. FJ style means there might have to be a larger tolerance since there's more failure points that could bring guests into contact with show elements but that's pure speculation

 

[HHN Maddux]

Spoiler

Final sequence meaning the lead up to the last Dracula? Or the Victoria frankenstein plus screen of Igor?

I really hope they're able to dial in the proximity and get crazy close. I wonder if having the Kuka arm on the bottom vs. FJ style means there might have to be a larger tolerance since there's more failure points that could bring guests into contact with show elements but that's pure speculation

Yeah, after the 2nd Drac (which when working and the timing is correct, is a very cinematic moment), everything after that I think is a bit disappointing.

They're actively messing with the proximity, as we got MUCH closer to Gillboy and one of the Brides than the first preview day (and some friends have confirmed that some days the attraction has been much more intense). I do have faith that after AP previews are over, they'll use everything they know and have the movement perfected for opening day.

 

[Lightningbolt]

I'm curious, what moments worked best for you and which were the most disappointing?

Just from the POV it seemed like

Spoiler

Wolfman was pretty spectacular, the Mummy coming down looked great but it's tough to tell how the Frank's Monster scenes came across in person

For me Mummy and the first beginning scenes are by far the best parts. Most disappointing is kinda just a mix of everything else.

Creature is kinda just thrown in there and is very clearly on the floor which looks weird. Seeing the back of some figures which looks just not good at all. Even finale Dracula when working, its very obvious you can see the arm behind it. Story just completely falls apart halfway through its not very cohesive. Seeing various curtains/unthemed areas was probably my initial disappointment after my first ride.

Other than that I would say just the overall movements of the RV I wish was a bit more intense and closer to the animatronics. To me it still feels a bit far away, specifically wolfman.

 

[HHN Maddux]

For everyone who was concerned about and/or disliked Dracula's outfit in the original promos, have no fear as it's not at all what he's wearing in the actual ride. It's something much more akin to classic Drac/vampirism in general.

 

[Clive]

For everyone who was concerned about and/or disliked Dracula's outfit in the original promos, have no fear as it's not at all what he's wearing in the actual ride. It's something much more akin to classic Drac/vampirism in general.

I was going to say, I'm very on board with Dracula's characterization on the ride. It's a bit more sinister/less campy than the Van Helsing film's Dracula but still living in that style of grand performance.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I love this place!

DArk Universe Portal by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Invisible Man by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Burning Blade by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Monsters Unchained by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr