Monsters Unchained - Reviews, Photos & Media

[Brian G.]

This is a review thread for the Monsters Unchained attraction.

Please keep general discussion to a minimum.

WARNING: There will be Spoilers!

 

[vgp]

The hype is real and it feels like something truly next-gen; you actually don't notice the motion as much because you're so transfixed by the visuals, but there's definitely a strong sense of verticality. As hinted in the other threads, you really want to experience this fresh because it's one of the rare "how did they do that?" moments in recent theme park history.

Side note: if you're sensitive to flashing or blinking lights, the queue is going to destroy you (which is also amazing, the queue design). Also there were a couple moments of motion that make me think the ride will be recalibrated before the public launch.

 

[saint.piss]

The hype is real and it feels like something truly next-gen; you actually don't notice the motion as much because you're so transfixed by the visuals, but there's definitely a strong sense of verticality. As hinted in the other threads, you really want to experience this fresh because it's one of the rare "how did they do that?" moments in recent theme park history.

Side note: if you're sensitive to flashing or blinking lights, the queue is going to destroy you (which is also amazing, the queue design). Also there were a couple moments of motion that make me think the ride will be recalibrated before the public launch.

Is the queue for the ride as cold as people are saying it is? I keep hearing it's freezing in there lol

 

[Pacific]

The hype is real and it feels like something truly next-gen; you actually don't notice the motion as much because you're so transfixed by the visuals, but there's definitely a strong sense of verticality. As hinted in the other threads, you really want to experience this fresh because it's one of the rare "how did they do that?" moments in recent theme park history.

Side note: if you're sensitive to flashing or blinking lights, the queue is going to destroy you (which is also amazing, the queue design). Also there were a couple moments of motion that make me think the ride will be recalibrated before the public launch.

I won't be riding this anytime soon but man, the flashing lights thing kind of sucks. I can be pretty sensitive to them.

 

[MaxRebo]

So the ride wasn’t actually operational until around 2-2:30, it was actually the first ride I went to. I’ll do a non spoiler review first, then light spoilers, then heavy spoilers. I rode it 3 times.

Non Spoiler Review
It’s my favorite dark Ride I’ve ever been on, big scenes and a fantastic queue. If you like the monsters you’ll love this.

Spoiler: Light Spoilers

2 Preshows which are both really fun, the 2nd having one of the most impressive animatronics I’ve ever seen. It’s the Frankenstein in the animatronics reveal video. The ride is a mixture of large sets with screens mixed in kind of like Spiderman or transformers. It has the warp effect to make it look 3d. I’d agree with a lot of people that this did not feel intense motion wise. Forbidden journey feels more forceful with its movements. It might have to do with the robot arm being on the bottom instead of behind you. No inversions or anything like that. I wonder if they’ll up the intensity as testing goes along.

Spoiler: Heavy Spoilers

Boris Karloff original Frankensteins monsters corpse is in the queue, Victoria says the new one is better than the old one. She’s trying to control all the monsters and has succeeded except for Dracula. The ride is Being controlled by Ygor, and the first pre show room actually has a miniature kuka robot arm with the ride vehicle on it showing you what the ride will be doing. The seats have haptics to vibrate and buzz at different moments. Overall it’s an amazing experience, but currently about half of the animatronics are not working.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions

 

[MaxRebo]

Is the queue for the ride as cold as people are saying it is? I keep hearing it's freezing in there lol

It was freezing lol. Best AC in the park

 

[DarkMetroid567]

The hype is real and it feels like something truly next-gen; you actually don't notice the motion as much because you're so transfixed by the visuals, but there's definitely a strong sense of verticality. As hinted in the other threads, you really want to experience this fresh because it's one of the rare "how did they do that?" moments in recent theme park history.

Side note: if you're sensitive to flashing or blinking lights, the queue is going to destroy you (which is also amazing, the queue design). Also there were a couple moments of motion that make me think the ride will be recalibrated before the public launch.

Is there a particular moment that’s the most show-stopping? My guess would have been the Phantom’s organ.

 

[MaxRebo]

Is there a particular moment that’s the most show-stopping? My guess would have been the Phantom’s organ.

Spoiler: Ride spoilers

That is one of them. You are very close to him and the fire, and he is giant. The other would be the first Dracula to me, he’s right there in front of you.

 

[saint.piss]

Honestly... I wonder if after this becomes a huge success (based off all the reviews that seems to be the case), will they bring this to Hollywood? Especially considering the history there with the UM that would be amazing.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

So the ride wasn’t actually operational until around 2-2:30, it was actually the first ride I went to. I’ll do a non spoiler review first, then light spoilers, then heavy spoilers. I rode it 3 times.

Non Spoiler Review
It’s my favorite dark Ride I’ve ever been on, big scenes and a fantastic queue. If you like the monsters you’ll love this.

Spoiler: Light Spoilers

2 Preshows which are both really fun, the 2nd having one of the most impressive animatronics I’ve ever seen. It’s the Frankenstein in the animatronics reveal video. The ride is a mixture of large sets with screens mixed in kind of like Spiderman or transformers. It has the warp effect to make it look 3d. I’d agree with a lot of people that this did not feel intense motion wise. Forbidden journey feels more forceful with its movements. It might have to do with the robot arm being on the bottom instead of behind you. No inversions or anything like that. I wonder if they’ll up the intensity as testing goes along.

Spoiler: Heavy Spoilers

Boris Karloff original Frankensteins monsters corpse is in the queue, Victoria says the new one is better than the old one. She’s trying to control all the monsters and has succeeded except for Dracula. The ride is Being controlled by Ygor, and the first pre show room actually has a miniature kuka robot arm with the ride vehicle on it showing you what the ride will be doing. The seats have haptics to vibrate and buzz at different moments. Overall it’s an amazing experience, but currently about half of the animatronics are not working.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions

Incredible to hear.

Spoiler

It’s very disappointing but not shocking that some animatronics weren’t working, though I’m cognitive that they’re still two months from grand opening. They’re no doubt going to keep Universal up at night, especially as the park and the ride gradually wear due to the passage of time. I won’t be surprised if the ride goes through the same struggles Tiana does.

That being said — it says a lot how good the ride is even with some stuff not working.

 

[Pacific]

Honestly... I wonder if after this becomes a huge success (based off all the reviews that seems to be the case), will they bring this to Hollywood? Especially considering the history there with the UM that would be amazing.

I guess the issue is that we already have a very similar ride here in Hollywood (with a similar aesthetic). This isn't like how both IOA and UOF have "scoop" rides. This would be two of the same ride system within the same park.

Though, that didn't stop DCA from adding Spiderman

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Another random question — do you think it’ll still hit the same if you have no attachment to the IP? I don’t care about the Universal Monsters at all (gasp) but I’m still excited to see what this ride can do.

 

[MaxRebo]

Incredible to hear.

Spoiler

It’s very disappointing but not shocking that some animatronics weren’t working, though I’m cognitive that they’re still two months from grand opening. They’re no doubt going to keep Universal up at night, especially as the park and the ride gradually wear due to the passage of time. I won’t be surprised if the ride goes through the same struggles Tiana does.

That being said — it says a lot how good the ride is even with some stuff not working.

Spoiler: Spoilers

The ones that were working were incredible though, which definitely adds to the hype around it. They are across the board big and scary. Unfortunately it does seem the reason the ride will be running into issues is because of them. I’m not sure if some were supposed to be static or actually move because of that.

 

[MaxRebo]

Another random question — do you think it’ll still hit the same if you have no attachment to the IP? I don’t care about the Universal Monsters at all (gasp) but I’m still excited to see what this ride can do.

I think it will. Even if you don’t know anything about them you’d know the archetypes of the monsters and it’s a thrilling enough experience. I’d wager at least everyone knows who Frankenstein and Dracula is so it’ll still be a big hit.

 

[MaxRebo]

I’d also just like to make a character list of who is in the ride and who isn’t for people who’d like to know. This will tell you who appears and how many time’s approximately in animatronic form.

Spoiler: Character spoilers

Preshow is Victoria and Frankenstein. Victoria seemingly had a Projection mapped face.

Ride
Ygor
A static Figure of the Hunchback of Norte dame
The Phantom
Victoria x3
Frankenstein x3
Dracula x3
Various Brides of Dracula
The creature from the black lagoon
Wolfman X2
The mummy


Surprisingly no Bride or invisible man at all in the ride. Some of these may be static figures but with so many not working it’s hard to tell.

 

[Ryuniversal]

I’d also just like to make a character list of who is in the ride and who isn’t for people who’d like to know. This will tell you who appears and how many time’s approximately in animatronic form.

Spoiler: Character spoilers

Preshow is Victoria and Frankenstein. Victoria seemingly had a Projection mapped face.

Ride
Ygor
A static Figure of the Hunchback of Norte dame
The Phantom
Victoria x3
Frankenstein x3
Dracula x3
Various Brides of Dracula
The creature from the black lagoon
Wolfman X2
The mummy


Surprisingly no Bride or invisible man at all in the ride. Some of these may be static figures but with so many not working it’s hard to tell.

What do u mean not working

 

[UNIrd]

So literally same exact ride vehicle as FJ. Same restraints. Same loading and everything?

 

[MaxRebo]

What do u mean not working

Spoiler: Spoilers

Over my three rides progressively more animatronics weren’t working. So I’m not sure if some of the figures that were static on my first ride through move or not.

So literally same exact ride vehicle as FJ. Same restraints. Same loading and everything?

Yes pretty much on the actual bench. The middle seats are slightly raised up but don’t know if that’s for aesthetic reasons or other. They don’t have the blinders on them like fj though. The loading station is actually like Popeyes where it’s a large turntable

 

[DFAIN98]

I’d also just like to make a character list of who is in the ride and who isn’t for people who’d like to know. This will tell you who appears and how many time’s approximately in animatronic form.

Spoiler: Character spoilers

Preshow is Victoria and Frankenstein. Victoria seemingly had a Projection mapped face.

Ride
Ygor
A static Figure of the Hunchback of Norte dame
The Phantom
Victoria x3
Frankenstein x3
Dracula x3
Various Brides of Dracula
The creature from the black lagoon
Wolfman X2
The mummy


Surprisingly no Bride or invisible man at all in the ride. Some of these may be static figures but with so many not working it’s hard to tell.

How was the Hunchback of Notre Dame utilized?

 

[MaxRebo]

Spoiler

Hes in a bell that’s ringing above you, you’re made to look up at him. Hes one of the first things in the ride.