Epic Universe construction update: Frankenstein Manor aglow with electricity in Dark Universe
Dark Universe construction continues at Epic Universe as pops of color stand out in the otherwise dreary village of Darkmoor.
bioreconstruct soared over Epic Universe and captured aerial photography of construction on Dec. 5, 2024, including progress of Dark Universe — the land dedicated to Universal Classic Monsters.
(New to Epic Universe? The new theme park will open May 22, 2025 at Universal Orlando in Florida. Check out our beginners guide for all the details.)
Construction teams removed scaffolding from Frankenstein Manor back in October, revealing the “lightning-struck” rooftop of the building that will house Dark Universe’s signature attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Since then, workers added themed ornamentation that supports the storyline of the ride and of Dark Universe at large.
Dark Universe takes place in present day in the village of Darkmoor, home to Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. The portal leading from Celestial Park into Dark Universe is abuzz special effects mimicking electricity, “representing the eternal struggle of science against death,” according to Nicole Wills, senior editor of Discover Universal (an official Universal blog).
“As our guests approach the portal, there’s a spire that’s crackling with electricity,” said Chris Frisella, assistant director and executive producer at Universal Creative, when Dark Universe was revealed last June. “This is how the dark energy is gathered.”
“We’re gonna see the electricity pulsating through the land,” continued Frances Franceschi, production designer at Universal Creative, “and connecting at the top of [Frankenstein] Manor.”
This “pulsating” fixture is what artisans recently installed upon the exterior of Frankenstein Manor. The bright blues stand out among the grey aesthetic of the rest of Dark Universe.
Elsewhere throughout Dark Universe, construction workers continue to add what seem to be finishing touches to the village of Darkmoor, such as signage (for the Das Stakehas restaurant and Dr. Pretorius’ lab, home of Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience) and themed lamp posts. Also note the infrastructural lighting atop the buildings, which we assume won’t be visible from guests’ viewpoint at ground level.
What’s inside Frankenstein Manor? Take a look at this sneak peek Universal shared in November of the advanced robotic figures that await riders onboard Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in Dark Universe.
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