Groundbreaking has taken place, and construction is underway on a new ride for the Dark Universe expansion at Universal’s Epic Universe. New aerial photos show the plot has been graded, and a crane and other heavy equipment are already staged across the site. Permits filed with Orange County give the first real look at what guests can expect from the building rising at the back of the monsters-themed land.
New Ride Under Construction for Dark Universe Expansion at Epic Universe
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- New aerial photos show groundbreaking and construction underway behind Dark Universe
- Permits detail a three-story, 93,000+ square foot building
- The ride type and theming remain unconfirmed
Groundbreaking Underway Behind Dark Universe
New aerial photos from friend of the site Bioreconstruct, show that a construction site behind the current Dark Universe footprint has been graded. A crane, excavators, and other heavy equipment sit staged across the site. What appear to be steel beams and piping are stacked near the existing show building. A large, oval-shaped cleared patch seems to be the area of focus at the moment.
The cleared area spans roughly 2.33 acres, or about 101,500 square feet, based on the footprint visible in the photos. Fencing and safety barriers line the perimeter, and the site sits right up against the existing Dark Universe show building housing the award-winning Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
What the Permits Reveal
Permits filed with Orange County list the new building at 93,308 square feet total, with 71,500 square feet listed as tenant space. The building is planned to be three stories, and permits list a ride maintenance bay on the first floor. It’s the maintenance bay that confirms that this construction is for a new ride and not a show or other experience.
The permitted building’s footprint accounts for most of the currently cleared site. That suggests the bulk of the space is planned as show building. Universal hasn’t confirmed the ride type or theming for the new attraction, but rumors are swirling that the ride could be themed to Creature from the Black Lagoon, among other ideas. The permits also don’t indicate a timeline for the project. We’ll continue following this story as more permits and details emerge.
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