Ride review | Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster at Epic Universe, unexpected spinning fun
What’s worse: being turned into a werewolf, or riding a roller coaster that’s almost 75 percent safety net? Here’s our review of the spinning Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster found within Dark Universe inside of Universal Epic Universe, opening May 22, 2025.
Curse of the Werewolf attraction overview
Deep in the woods of Darkmoor sits a wagon camp inhabited by The Guild of the Mystics, and their leader, Maleva. As you walk through the queue, you’re warned about the creatures who lurk: those who prowl when there’s a full moon. The creatures in question? Werewolves! This outdoor spinning coaster takes you through the forest, attempting to escape these bloodthirsty creatures.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
‘Am I going to get nauseous?’
Spinning coasters always give us a sense of dread. If you get easily motion sick, dizzy, or nauseous, they can be a nightmare. What would you think about two minutes of launching back and forth, spinning in every direction, and being completely disoriented?
Photo by bioreconstruct
We’re happy to report it’s so much fun! Curse of the Werewolf is scarily enjoyable. Spinning uncontrollably and avoiding werewolves is an experience that will never offer the same ride twice. How much you spin depends on the weight distribution of your ride vehicle, as some vehicles were spinning a whole lot more than others during our ride. It wasn’t nauseating for us, although you know your limits. While there’s not much to say about the coaster itself other than it launches and spins, there are some minor details that need to be discussed.
Daytime rides
We rode Curse of the Werewolf in the mid-afternoon while the Florida sun was at its peak. Unless your eyes can adjust in a matter of 0.002 seconds, you’ll have a hard time making out the werewolf lunging toward you in the structure the coaster passes through multiple times. This figure is horrifying to look at, from what we remember. It’s worth noting, though, if you’re spun a certain direction, you might not even see it, so be sure to look up when going through the building!
Ride vehicle seating issues
Curse of the Werewolf is not without its downsides. Curse of the Werewolf features a difficult-to-sit-in ride vehicle. Obviously, we are not ride engineers and don’t know the first thing about the topic. If you think you may not fit, try one of the two test seats.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
The nets …
You might approach Curse of the Werewolf and think, “Is that a roller coaster or a deep-sea fishing net?” The latter is a fair observation, as the coaster is almost fully encapsulated in netting along the track, as well as giant nets surrounding the attraction’s footprint.
Before riding, we were sure this would take us out of the experience. While it does look a little ridiculous on the outside, it was the last thing on our minds while riding. We could not stop thinking about how surprised we were from the sheer thrill and fun we were having! Safety is Universal, and the nets are there to protect any possible projectiles that might be flung from one’s person while spinning (especially since riders hang onto their bags while riding; there are no lockers). We suggest you hold onto your bags at your feet while riding.
Photo by bioreconstruct
Final thoughts (+ a minor spoiler)
At the end of the ride, you come face to face with Maleva, portrayed by a static figure. We were a little underwhelmed when we saw her lack of movement, as we thought it was an animatronic inside a show scene when we first saw the concept art (below). She still looks great and any characters with backstory are a welcomed addition into Dark Universe’s lore.
Will you join The Guild of the Mystics and experience Curse of the Werewolf when Epic Universe opens on May 22? Let us know your thoughts below once you have ridden.
Artwork courtesy of Universal
Disclaimer: Our Epic Universe reviews are based on a preview of the park, so some of what we have talked about may change by the time the park officially opens.
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Looks fun. However, I wish Universal added more theming to their coasters.
They could have followed Disney’s lead and disguise/hide the rails, posts and wheels. A theme park should not have open framed coasters.
Just make it look more like a wagon plunging into a dark forest. Currently, it looks like an out of place coaster in the otherwise highly themed Dark Universe.
The coasters look like they belong in an amusement park, not a theme park.