Universal's Epic Universe Takes on Disney with Cutting-Edge Animatronics in Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

23 days ago in "Universal Orlando Resort"

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Animatronics - Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment At Universal Epic Universe

Posted: Tuesday October 29, 2024 1:00pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Universal Orlando Resort is stepping up its game in theme park technology, providing an intense look at its cutting-edge animatronics for the highly anticipated "Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment" attraction in Epic Universe's Dark Universe.

Based on the sneak peek, Universal is poised to challenge Walt Disney Imagineering's renowned animatronic achievements, setting up a rivalry that promises to redefine guest expectations for immersive attractions.

Universal's latest creation taps into advanced animatronic technology, aiming to rival Disney's hallmark characters like the Na'vi Shaman in Avatar Flight of Passage and the Tiana figures in the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom. Universal's animatronics—14 in total—will feature lifelike movement and spine-tingling proximity, putting guests face-to-face with legendary monsters in a way that Universal says feels uniquely visceral.

The storyline, centered on Dr. Victoria Frankenstein—a newly introduced descendant of the infamous scientist—plays on classic horror elements with a twist. This mad scientist's mission to control an army of monsters goes terribly wrong, and guests are plunged into chaos as Dracula, The Wolf Man, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon are set free. The realistic movements of these animatronics reproduce the innovations Disney Imagineering has popularized, particularly through their use of advanced robotics and expressive character faces.

Frankenstein's Monster

Created by science and feared by most, Frankenstein's Monster walks tall at nine feet and weighs over 800 pounds. Guests will first encounter this figure within the queue of the attraction – where he will actually walk within Dr. Victoria Frankenstein's lab during the preshow.

Frankenstein’s Monster

Dracula

Guests will encounter Dracula at various moments throughout the attraction, as he's behind the horde of enraged monsters terrorizing the Manor.

Dracula

The Wolf Man

Among the monsters unleashed within the attraction is the fearsome Wolf Man. As guests try to escape the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, they'll come within inches of his razor-sharp teeth and jagged claws.

The Wolf Man

The Creature from the Black Lagoon

Guests will also witness the amphibious "Gill-man" emerge from the inky depths of the Black Lagoon, ready to terrorize guests alongside his fellow monsters.

The Creature from the Black Lagoon

Outside the ride, Dark Universe will bring fans closer to the monster world with meet-and-greet options and roaming characters—enhancing the area's immersive atmosphere in a way that Universal hopes will compete directly with Disney's highly themed experiences. Ygor, Dr. Frankenstein's assistant, along with The Invisible Man and an eccentric monster hunter, roam the area, creating a fully realized universe for guests to explore.

With "Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment" at the center of this rivalry, Universal's Epic Universe is making a bold statement: Disney is no longer alone in pushing the boundaries of theme park technology. The showdown between Universal's Dark Universe and Disney's highly respected Imagineering team will surely draw attention from fans eager to see which park can deliver the most immersive, chilling experiences as animatronics technology reaches new heights.

"Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment" attraction at Dark Universe is one of the five worlds coming to Universal Epic Universe in 2025.

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BrianLo15 hours ago

I didn't know they were making a live action How to train your Dragon. Certainly fortuitous timing.

UNCgolf20 hours ago

Yeah, that's why I added the "if maintained and functioning properly" disclaimer.

JoeCamel20 hours ago

And Spidey just got another TEA award at IAAPA, amazing for an "old" ride

drkarcher2221 hours ago

River Adventure can get moved back up when they finally get around to fixing all the Dino’s and scenes that just don’t work anymore

SplashJacket22 hours ago

Yeah, the FJ screen domes have aged really poorly. Also think part of the issue is screens often direct your focus towards some time of specific action or event whereas non-screen scenes have a less focused attention, leading to more diversity of experience and thus increased re-ride ability, because the moments perceived are different each time. Thankfully, I think Universal realizes this, and thus the premiere dark rides here are done right.

UNCgolf23 hours ago

I personally think screen heavy attractions suffer from this in general. It's happened to Flight of Passage for me too -- I still like FoP, but I honestly find NRJ more enjoyable now. I'm sure it varies from person to person, but there's something about being in a physical environment that feels different/less replicable than watching something happen on a screen. Attractions like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Spaceship Earth haven't lost any of their appeal to me compared to ones like FoP and Spiderman. FJ and Spiderman are both obviously more than just screens (unlike FoP) but they're still a major part of the experience.

SplashJacket23 hours ago

Spider-Man and FJ were both super high on my list when I first experienced them but now they’re no where near the top. It is interesting that both have fallen so much in comparison to other attractions like Indy or RSR. Perhaps because both focused more on technology? I don’t think the Epic premiere attractions will suffer the same fate, but we’ll see

UNCgolf23 hours ago

Forbidden Journey wasn't even the best ride at Islands of Adventure when it opened -- both Spiderman (which I'm also nowhere near as high on as other people) and Jurassic Park River Adventure were (and are) better, at least when maintained and functioning properly. FJ has more impressive technology for sure, but it doesn't really use it very well.

sonoma151 day ago

It's still my third favorite dark ride of all time, right behind Spiderman and Tower of Terror!

TalkToEthan1 day ago

Could you elaborate on that below as I’m not understanding what you mean—— I must be missing an obvious point you’re making. Thanks thanks

SplashJacket1 day ago

Look at what opened 15 years after Indy opened and then look at what opened 15 years after FJ opened. Not exactly a similar slate

DarkMetroid5671 day ago

Oh yeah, it’s still very good, especially the physical set dark ride portions. But the “#1 best ride ever” talk didn’t last long.

ToTBellHop1 day ago

He does look at that dragon the same way Nala looks at Simba during “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

drkarcher221 day ago

“and the Time Room – which is overflowing with a variety of Time-Turners and unique timekeeping devices.” This would imply that we would be going into the department of mysteries, the room where the time turners are kept is in the department. They get destroyed in the final battle in Order of the Phoenix. Presumably because the author was tired of people pointing out how pretty much every single plot in the series could be solved with them. Oh, Fudge doesn’t believe Voldemort is back, well just have him send an Auror back to Little Hangleton at the time Harry says Voldemort returned to check the validity of his claims. Even if they can’t interfere in what happened they’d still have clear proof that he returned and knowledge of his plans and the names of the Death Eaters in his inner circle, but that’s enough overthinking a book. The ride looks incredible, I love that we’re getting in queue animatronics in multiple rides with Ministry, DK and Monsters. (Along with potentially more depending on how they do the fortune teller for Curse of the Wolf, although I’d assume that will be done with a screen like Bill in the Gringotts line)