Next year will see the much-anticipated debut of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort and guests will be able to enter into Super Mario World, the new Wizarding World, Isle of Berk, Celestial Park, and of course, the Dark Universe.
However, the Dark Universe is not the only land that will have a foreboding ambiance. Walt Disney World has revealed its dark land with the announcement that Villians’ Land will FINALLY come to Magic Kingdom. Fans have been calling for this theme for a long time. In the spirit of friendly competition, we ponder: Will guests want to visit Dark Universe or Villains Land?
Universal Orlando Resort’s Monstrous New Land
Dark Universe will feature Universal Monsters including Frankenstein, Mummy, Wolf-Man, Dracula, and more. We have been following the construction of this land from the start, and the time to enter the land is approaching quickly. The land will tread the line between family-friendly and more suitable for older kids. Based on announcements and concept art, it appears that only the bravest of children will want to visit this land. This could pose an issue for families with younger ones.
Image: Universal
The land is set in the village of Darkmoor. The centerpiece is the manor with a large spire that surges with electricity. It also features a burning windmill that houses a tavern where guests can hear stories of monsters. Guests can also dine at the Das Steakhouse, but beware! Vampires are lurking about. Storefronts feature monstrous goodies and spooky souvenirs. Finally, guests can not only meet their favorite monsters but also become a monster themselves. The land will feature the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience where guests can become their own monster.
Image: Universal
Dark Universe includes two rides: Curse of the Werewolf and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Curse of the Werewolf is a spinning coaster and while the land may not be the most family-friendly, the coaster is. However, the crowning jewel of this land will be Monsters Unchained. This dark ride may be one of the most technologically advanced dark rides ever made. It will include state-of-the-art effects. The announcement from Universal Orlando Resort called the ride, the scariest ride they have ever created.
Something Wicked is Coming to Disney World
At the 2024 D23 Expo, it was confirmed that the Disney villains would take over the land beyond Big Thunder Mountain. This new land looks to be everything that villains fans have been dreaming of. The icon of the land is Maleficent’s Castle casting a foreboding shadow over the rocky surroundings. Based on the concept art, we see that there is the recognizable thorny bramble from Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent the Dragon, a couple of other ominous castles, and truly eerie luminescent décor.
Image: Disney
The land will feature two major attractions. While those attractions have not been announced, based on the concept art, at least one will likely be a roller coaster. However, we do not know the theme of this coaster or the other attractions within the land. Given the heavy presence of Maleficent, it could be an escape from her lair. Could it be a race through the elephant graveyard in an attempt to escape Scar and his heinous hyenas? Unfortunately, we will have to wait for those announcements.
We cannot know for sure, but Villains Land may be more family-friendly than its Epic counterpart. While Dark Universe will feature scary monsters, Villains Land will include recognizable characters from Disney’s animated classics. While these characters are scary, it may be more likely that children will feel a bit or at ease with characters they recognize. It is also probable, that given the land’s home at Magic Kingdom, Disney will prefer to keep things “not-so-scary.”
While it is typical to compare the projects of both Universal and Disney, fans of the eerie will likely enjoy both lands. While Disney will also lean more toward family-friendly fun and Universe pushes the boundaries a little more, both lands are sure to be incredibly immersive and technologically impressive. We cannot wait to see what both lands hold.
