Monsters Unchained - Reviews, Photos & Media

[Imperius]

We rode today. 20/10. Holy crap is it good.

 

[Clive]

Really good point about pacing. Hadn't thought about it much since I haven't physically ridden, but it makes a big difference (and it's an issue I have with quite a few recent Universal attractions).

 

[boomerthom]

Really good point about pacing. Hadn't thought about it much since I haven't physically ridden, but it makes a big difference (and it's an issue I have with quite a few recent Universal attractions).

The fact that they still slow roll the action despite having multiple preshows shows a ton of restraint imo. Vibes are king.

 

[haloPrism]

I noticed the projected faces move their chins when talking and it makes the effect much more believable to me. I don't think any of the Frozen or Mine Train AAs have that feature. It's a great improvement on an effect I never used to be sold on

 

[OLSinFLA]

I noticed the projected faces move their chins when talking and it makes the effect much more believable to me. I don't think any of the Frozen or Mine Train AAs have that feature. It's a great improvement on an effect I never used to be sold on

Its because Universal's are projection mapped, while Disney is simply an inside projector (hence the weird glow on Disneys)

 

[Allison]

Also fair warning, if you don't like how much Forbidden Journey puts you on your ba

Also fair warning, if you don't like how much Forbidden Journey puts you on your ba

My biggest issue with FJ was that it seems to go *almost* upside down. I didn’t like being tilted on my back (for reference the most thrilling rides I’ve ever done would probably be Guardians, Tron, The Mummy, those types) and the only time I rode it I really, really didn’t like feeling like I was sliding slightly backwards into the shoulder restraints (iirc it was the whomping willow scene).

I’m probably still gonna try this cause monsters but I also would probably need to decide whether I should take an anxiety pill beforehand or not lol.

 

[LP159]

I’ve been visiting Epic since early March and ridden monsters a bunch of times. Today was the first time I have ridden and EVERY single animatronic was functioning. Wolfman, all the Dracula’s including the final one, a new branch above Creature, the bride of drac tackling Frankenstein animatronic. It was great. They’ve done an amazing job fine-tuning it and getting it ready for opening.

I did ride a few more times today, and later in the day the second Wolfman animatronic that swipes at you was not moving, but oh well. Great to see it getting to this point.

 

[HHN Maddux]

I’ve been visiting Epic since early March and ridden monsters a bunch of times. Today was the first time I have ridden and EVERY single animatronic was functioning. Wolfman, all the Dracula’s including the final one, a new branch above Creature, the bride of drac tackling Frankenstein animatronic. It was great. They’ve done an amazing job fine-tuning it and getting it ready for opening.

I did ride a few more times today, and later in the day the second Wolfman animatronic that swipes at you was not moving, but oh well. Great to see it getting to this point.

So really funny story, I actually got to see that 2nd Wolfy freeze mid-animation, whoops! And can confirm that today was the first time I saw almost every animatronic working (although finale Drac is still not at full speed, but hey at least he's working again!). Some general notes from my 10+ rides today (yes, I like this ride a lot lol):

• They really still need to darken the ride more, the first scene with Ygor especially. First time where the more backstage elements were very visible. Ygor's lip sync has been fixed though!
  
  
• It was louder than beginning of April, but still needs to be louder. Not enough chaos!
  
  
• New wind blast for when the Monster activates the machine! Although the timing was off most of the day lol, but still, cool new effect!
  
  
• Dracula's restraints are projection mapped onto him now! Not only that, but really nice detail with the bolsters for the restraints pulling back with him as he escapes.
  
  
• Please. Literally do anything with the black curtain after Drac escapes, it's still completely inexcusable.
  
  
• Never noticed how many of the bride coffins in that large screen backdrop are actually physical!
  
  
• The Dracula projection after the brides escape is already looking a bit faded.
  
  
• FIRST TIME SEEING THE BRIDE-TACKLING MONSTER WORKING!
  
  
• The robotic arm for crossbow Victoria that was very obvious before has been covered up with some fallen wood and debris.
  
  
• Not sure if I just forgot about this or if it's a new maneuver, but after crossbow Victoria, your RV does a fast swooping motion to the left with wind blowing against you, and it effectively felt like us getting moved away from a bride without actually seeing anything.
  
  
• I don't know if I'm going crazy, but I swear on one of my rides there was a subtle fishy smell at Gillboy. You also get very close to him now (about same distance as the first dementor on FJ), very happy with that.
  
  
• New rumble effects in seat for Wolfman sequence, one of which almost feels like clawing at your legs and is effective.
  
  
• Finally got to see 2nd Drac with the correct timing, and it's beautiful. Almost got me teary-eyed finally getting to see it (helps that it's my favorite animatronic).
  
  
• Falling Bride didn't work at all today unfortunately, but second Bride was and the timing for her jumpscare has been made MUCH more effective now.
  
  
• Like I said above, finale Drac is finally working again, albeit still not at full speed/functionality. Last few rides though he did seem a bit faster, so we're getting there!
  
  
• Some screens still reset too early, these ones in particular: Wolfman shadow, Ygor turning on the daylight rings and the two screens next to Monster when he starts killing the brides.
  
  
• Unfortunately Phantom's fire wasn't working for the last hour, and very last ride Quasi's bell wasn't moving.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Hearing the 2nd preshow now has a curtain that opens for the Monster to make the reveal more dramatic.

Forgot to mention this, but either the curtain needs to open a bit later or the Monster's starting position needs to be made much darker, as the curtain opens and he's still just standing there awkwardly for a solid 5 seconds before starting to move.

 

[Skold]

Forgot to mention this, but either the curtain needs to open a bit later or the Monster's starting position needs to be made much darker, as the curtain opens and he's still just standing there awkwardly for a solid 5 seconds before starting to move.

Dude! Chill out! They're working on it!

lol I only responding because I know you've been on this ride like 30 times. Which I am so jealous of.

But also, I think they are still working on it.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Dude! Chill out! They're working on it!

lol I only responding because I know you've been on this ride like 30 times. Which I am so jealous of.

But also, I think they are still working on it.

I know, just wanna get it out there!

From everything I've seen and heard I have full faith and hope all the kinks will be ironed out by opening, but I think it's good to still point out issues that need attention, just in case.

 

[Wesker69]

but I think it's good to still point out issues that need attention, just in case.

You forgot one major issue

The ride doesn't exist at USH

 

[HHN Maddux]

You forgot one major issue

The ride doesn't exist at USH

Hand over that there Waterworld ye got and we'll consider it

 

[UNIrd]

I think I had a perfect run-through of this ride yesterday because it's SO different from what I experienced on my first visit a few weeks back.

I thought on my first ride it was the most incredible ride and Universal had outdone themselves... but a lot of figures that I thought were static actually aren't static? In fact, they actually move a lot and fly around even?

I had no idea I had such a bad run the first go! I still thought the ride was incredible... but it's so much better than I even thought. So funny.

 

[simon]

I was able to ride last Wednesday, and what I found is that right after dracula escaped, there was a giant blank LED screen. It wasn't on yet, but maybe that screen may ready by opening day. I think it was covered by a curtain since it wasn't ready yet.

 

[HHN Maddux]

I was able to ride last Wednesday, and what I found is that right after dracula escaped, there was a giant blank LED screen. It wasn't on yet, but maybe that screen may ready by opening day. I think it was covered by a curtain since it wasn't ready yet.

This is excellent news to hear!

 

[simon]

This is excellent news to hear!

Yes. Not a 100% guarantee but from what I've seen multiple times in person, it was a giant LED wall(size of dracula floating scene).

 

[HHN Maddux]

Sorry for how much I'm talking about this ride, but I really cannot get enough of it and how much love was put into this. Here's some of the really nice touches/details I noticed the other day:

• When the Monster activates the coils, you can actually see the machine behind him slowly filling with power from the electricity, before it all launches upwards into the tubes.
  
  
• Like I said in my rundown, Dracula's restraint bolters are functioning now, and start 'malfunctioning' when he laughs, before fully pulling back as he breaks free. Also, the energy behind him is going outward away from him, but when it turns red as he escapes, it starts being pulled toward him, now (presumably) giving him the electricity powers he has at the end of the ride.
  
  
• Also like I said in the rundown, most of the bride's coffins once they begin escaping are actually physically there and opening up, with the screen providing the backdrop and the brides themselves.
  
  
• During the Mummy sequence, watch Victoria's torch on the screens, there's an actual physical light on the walls that follows along with it!
  
  
• The daylight rings is the ancient Egyptian mirror system that was used to illuminate buildings.
  
  
• Unfortunately never got to see (or rather, smell this work), but according to Alicia, there's meant to be a burning smell when Dracula gets hit with the daylight beam! Also wouldn't be surprised if there's eventually a blood splatter.

 

[etherealyear]

I was able to ride last Wednesday, and what I found is that right after dracula escaped, there was a giant blank LED screen. It wasn't on yet, but maybe that screen may ready by opening day. I think it was covered by a curtain since it wasn't ready yet.

This is good to hear, I was worried it was just a dead spot with a curtain. After my rides Sunday and Monday, this is the only part that felt like something was really missing. I also noticed between the two days of my visit that they had added more haptics/seat vibration to different scenes on Monday vs my rides on Sunday. On Sunday it was just in the wolfman scene, on Monday it was several other scenes as well.

All that said, this is my new favorite ride at Universal! There's not much to say that hasn't already been said. The detail, storytelling, and pure ambition by creative on display here is truly something special. I got on it 6 times over the 2 days I was at epic, and was still noticing new details every ride. Most of my rides on Sunday, every AA appeared to be working. Can't wait to go back and ride some more...this is also likely my new favorite dark ride in general.

I also really appreciate how the pre shows flow together, once Victoria calls you in from the first preshow and the second one begins immediately, it really amps up the suspense and drama.

Something I haven't seen discussed anywhere...unloading. That metal plate is quite awkward as you pull into the station haha. I understand there's likely not much else they could have done here though given how the bench is attached to the top of the kuka arm on this so you can't have a nice soft landing like on Forbidden Journey.

 

[HHN Maddux]

This is good to hear, I was worried it was just a dead spot with a curtain. After my rides Sunday and Monday, this is the only part that felt like something was really missing. I also noticed between the two days of my visit that they had added more haptics/seat vibration to different scenes on Monday vs my rides on Sunday. On Sunday it was just in the wolfman scene, on Monday it was several other scenes as well.

All that said, this is my new favorite ride at Universal! There's not much to say that hasn't already been said. The detail, storytelling, and pure ambition by creative on display here is truly something special. I got on it 6 times over the 2 days I was at epic, and was still noticing new details every ride. Most of my rides on Sunday, every AA appeared to be working. Can't wait to go back and ride some more...this is also likely my new favorite dark ride in general.

I also really appreciate how the pre shows flow together, once Victoria calls you in from the first preshow and the second one begins immediately, it really amps up the suspense and drama.

Something I haven't seen discussed anywhere...unloading. That metal plate is quite awkward as you pull into the station haha. I understand there's likely not much else they could have done here though given how the bench is attached to the top of the kuka arm on this so you can't have a nice soft landing like on Forbidden Journey.

Good to hear they're adding more sensory effects, but hopefully not just seat rumbling? Maybe more before opening, pretty please?