July 3, 2024 • 42 mins
Curious about what Universal's Epic Universe has in store for you? Discover the spine-chilling secrets of the newly announced land, Dark Universe. Set to open in 2025, as we bring you an exclusive look at Darkmoor. Join us in episode 25 of Orlando Unplugged as Dustin and Ashley walk you through the foggy cemetery entrance, sinister scientific experiments, and encounters with legendary monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and the Wolfman. We'll give you a firsthand glimpse into thrilling attractions such as Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf, and even introduce you to unique character meet and greets. Don't miss out on the eerie excitement and intricate details that make this new land a must-visit.
You'll hear why Universal Creative’s dedication to honoring their classic monsters has us buzzing with excitement. We break down the meticulous attention to detail, from the intricate architecture of the manor to the awe-inspiring animatronics. This isn't just another Halloween Horror Nights rehash; it's a fully realized, family-friendly (yet thrilling) PG-13 adventure that promises originality and depth. Get ready for an immersive experience that’s perfect for both monster enthusiasts and those new to the tales of Universal's iconic creatures.
Finally, we explore the immersive dining experiences awaiting you at the Burning Blade Tavern and Das Steakhouse. Imagine savoring a meal in a vampire-lorded environment or interacting with themed characters like the hound hunters. We also take you on a tour of the Universal CityWalk Epic Preview Center, where QR codes and augmented reality bring the park's model to life. From merchandise must-haves to launch timeline predictions, we cover all the elements that make Dark Universe an essential addition to Universal's Epic Universe. Listen in and start planning your visit today!
Need a link:
Website:https://orlandounpluggedpodcast.com
Dark Universe Webpage: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/epic-universe/worlds/dark-universe?__source=PS_C2N0MVDOZG_1921:NoOfferDEST&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJTPMiM8FWJzIHErJCh5B0zFTl33YbFBSDTtK8JtDLEG7pXOfDtzPwBoCFvoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Today's episode contains information about
Universal Epic Universe takendirectly from Universal
destinations and experiences.
The opinions of the hosts andguest speakers do not reflect
the opinions, ethics or valuesof NBCUniversal or its
affiliates.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Always be iconic yeah but she's the iconic Shane.
I like it, I like controversy.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Always be iconic, yeah, but she's the iconic sham.
I like it.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
I like controversy.
Contains information.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
I am drinking kombucha.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
You're listening to Orlando, unplugged, celebrating
life in living color with Dustinand Ashley.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Grab a cocktail or a mocktail and let's get unplugged
, orlando Welcome to episode 25of Orlando Unplugged podcast,
(01:25):
where we dive into the mostthrilling and magical places on
Earth.
I'm Dustin.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
And I'm Ashley.
Today we're bringing you anexclusive update at Universal
Epic Universe, the newest parkwhich is set to open in 2025 at
Universal Orlando Resort.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Now we have already discussed Celestial Park, how to
Train your Dragon, isle of Berkand Super Nintendo World.
Now we're really excited toexplore one of the five new
worlds coming to Epic Universein 2025, the newly announced
land Dark Universe.
Now, this is truly a nod to theera and characters that built
Universal Pictures into what itis today.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
From two thrilling attractions to immersive
shopping and dining experiencesand more monsters than you can
shake a steak at.
Dark Universe is where thestories of universal monsters
come together and come to life.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
We'll take you through an eerie entrance, a
foggy cemetery and the hauntingvillage of Darkmoor, where
despicable scientificexperiments scar the land and
the classic creatures lurk inthe shadows.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
You'll hear about the attractions like Monsters
Unchained, the Frankensteinexperiment, where Dr Victoria
Frankenstein's latest experimentgoes spectacularly wrong, and
the Curse of the Werewolf afamily spinning coaster that'll
have you dodging werewolves inthe dark.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
And if you're like me , you'll love the meet and
greets with some of Darkmoor'smost infamous inhabitants,
including Frankenstein's monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and
Igor.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Plus, we'll discuss where to grab a bite, from DOS
Steakhouse, a vampire-themedeatery, to the Burning Blade
Tavern, where monster huntersshare their dark tales.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
And don't forget about Darkmoor's monster makeup
experience, where you cantransform into a monster
yourself.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
So grab your headphones, turn off the lights
and join us as we uncover thesecrets of Dark Universe.
Stay tuned, let's get started.
Guests will enter Dark Universefrom Celestial Park through a
(03:26):
foreboding portal.
Atop the portal, a coilcrackles with electricity,
symbolizing the eternal strugglebetween science and death.
Those brave enough to venturein will find themselves in a
decaying, foggy cemetery on theoutskirts of the village of
Darkmoor.
Upended tube stones and twistedroots greet guests, hinting at
(03:47):
the unsettling truth Thingsdon't stay buried here for long.
Once through the cemetery,guests will enter the village
proper, where sinisterscientific experiments have
scarred the land and unnaturalcreatures lurk in the shadows.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
This is Darkmoor, a place teeming with monsters,
monster makers, monster huntersand resilient villagers who
strive to survive.
Yes, survive, the monsters.
In case that wasn't clear, now,pete Cursillo, senior Creative
Director for Dark Universe, saidin a posting on Universal's
website we created a village anda world beyond it where not
(04:23):
only these stories come together, but new stories can emerge as
well.
And now you're in the sameplace where all of these stories
converge, but in the presentday.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Dark Universe boasts two exciting attractions and
meet and greets with some ofDarkmoor's most infamous
residents Since Darkmoor existsin the present day.
There's a new Dr Frankensteinin town and it's time to
introduce her.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Now Frankenstein's manor looms ominously over the
village of Darkmoor.
Deep below this decrepit estatelies the land's most thrilling
dark ride Monsters Unchained theFrankenstein Experiments.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Dr Victoria Frankenstein, Henry's
great-great-great-granddaughter,resides in the manor and
invites you to witness herlatest experiment.
Victoria has already broughther own creature back from the
dead and now aims torehabilitate all the monsters
plaguing the village and restoreher family's name to glory.
Now don't call her creationFrankenstein's monster.
She doesn't see him as amonster, and well, it's just
(05:20):
impolite.
As Victoria's guest, you'llwitness her attempt to tame the
most dangerous monster of all,Dracula, which backfires
spectacularly.
Chaos erupts as you're chaseddeeper into the catacombs by a
rogue gallery of universalmonsters.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Greg Hall, the Dark Universe creative director, said
we see a manacle side of her,even though she's our hero.
The monsters are released andit's up to her, frankenstein and
Igor to help save the day.
While we're stuck in the middleof the chaos, racing through
darkness, you'll encounter allthe monsters subjected to
Victoria's experiments,including the Brides of Dracula
(05:55):
and Creature from the BlackLagoon, the Wolfman, the Mummy
and Phantom of the Opera.
As you witness the results ofVictoria's unnatural experiments
, you'll have to confront aquestion who's really the
monster?
Here?
Now, deep in the woodsbordering the village of
(06:15):
Darkmoor, lies Dark Universe'sother attraction, curse of the
Werewolf.
This family spinning coaster isset in the colorful encampment
of the Guild of Mystics.
Malva, the Guild's all-knowingseer and leader, will warn
visitors that they bear the markof the werewolf.
While Malva appears in the 1941film the Wolfman, the Dark
(06:37):
Universe version is updated toreflect the fictional culture of
the Guild of Mystics, rich withbeauty, violence and, of course
, werewolves.
With Malva's warning in mind,you'll embark on your adventure
under the full moon.
As you speed through the forest, werewolves will pursue you at
every turn.
Eventually, you'll come face toface with the beasts spinning.
(06:57):
As you dodge gashing teeth andrazor-sharp claws in the
Darkmoor Armory when you make itback to camp.
You'll forever be changed andyou'll have to be aware of full
moons from now on.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Dark Universe offers plenty of close encounters with
iconic universal monsters.
In Darkmoor, you can meetcharacters like Frankenstein's
monster, the Bride ofFrankenstein, igor and the
Invincible man.
Additionally, you might runinto one of the Hounds which and
the Invincible man.
Additionally, you might runinto one of the Hounds which are
monster hunters stationed atthe Burning Blade Tavern.
Don't worry, you'll hear moreabout this shortly.
Striving to defend the villageof Darkmoor, a roaming musician
(07:33):
also wanders the village,serenading guests with eerie,
timeless tunes.
Deep under Darkmoor, swarms ofvampires make their homes in the
Ancient Catacombs Located atopthese catacombs, in Das
Steakhouse, a fast, casualrestaurant lording over the
servants of said vampires.
Classic artwork and relics hintat the dark ambience of the
(07:53):
vampiric culture.
At Das Steakhouse, you canenjoy kebabs, burgers,
sandwiches and ribs, along withother offerings.
As to what the vampires aredining on, well, you might want
to wear a turtleneck to thismeal.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Now many years ago, an angry mob of villagers
torched the old mill during theinfamous Frankenstein incident.
Now the mill has become thefavorite hangout for Darkmoor's
monster hunters.
In addition to grabbing sometavern fare, guests can peruse
the hunters' trophies and heartales from some of the village's
most esteemed and mysteriousresidents.
But why is it called theBurning Blade Tavern?
(08:28):
Well, I am so glad you asked.
The mill that stands atop therestaurant erupts into flames
every 20 minutes, so if youprefer your bratwurst extra
crispy, that won't be an issue.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
For fans of Universal Studios' horror makeup show,
the Darkmoor Monster MakeupExperience is a must-visit in
Dark Universe for guests fiveyears or older.
Here, skilled monster makershave transformed Dr Pretorius'
old lab into a workshop whereguests can unleash their inner
monster.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
If you've ever dreamed of becoming a monster,
now's your chance.
You can get fully transformedinto a creature of the night.
Or, if you're feeling moreadventurous, you can bring the
whole family and try some spookytemporary tattoos In Dark
Universe.
Even our youngest guests canstrut around with tattoos like
they are five.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
When Universal Epic Universe opens its gates in 2025
, the beloved classic monstersfrom your favorite films will
finally find their home in theimmersive world of Dark Universe
.
The legacy of UniversalMonsters is profound and the
creative team has approachedthis project with deep reverence
.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Chris Frisella, assistant director and executive
producer of Universal Creative,said it's really about the
meticulous care that we've takenin crafting these stories and
this environment, honoring therich history of these films.
But our goal isn't to create astatic museum.
We aim to build a dynamic,living world and unforgettable
experience.
(10:00):
Far from merely rehashing oldtales, dark universe breathes
life into the narratives ofthese classic monsters, where
their stories truly unfold.
Guests will soon delve into theshadows and witness firsthand
what this world is like today.
Now, that was kind of short andsimple, but ashley and I truly
(10:22):
wanted you guys to feel thestory and lore that is going to
be Dark Universe.
We know that we left out someof the information that we
typically have in our epicupdates, so we wanted to go
ahead and put those in at theend for you, and one of my
favorite things about the EpicUniverse updates is the epic
fast facts.
So I'm going to cover thisfirst one because it's kind of
my favorite.
(10:42):
I'll cover the second one too,because it has my favorite word
in there.
So the Phantom of the Operascene in Monsters Unchained, the
Frankenstein experiment,features 14 individual flame
points that shoot verticalflames over three feet in the
air and they dance insynchronicity with organ music
and in Curse of the Werewolf asyou tear through the woods at 37
(11:05):
miles an hour for over twominutes of sheer terror.
Well, terror for you, thrillfor others.
Uh, racing through the dark,foreboding shed with mysterious
figures crawling ever so near, Iwonder what that could mean I'm
getting chills as we speak.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
The monsters of darkmar include original
creations from industry leadingand award-winning makeup and
special effects artists.
Now this will help bring yourfavorite monsters to life with
their extraordinary skills.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
You want to do the next one?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
I really do.
Over 6,500 different lightingelements bring to life the rich
stories of Darkmoor's history.
Many fixtures were customdesigned and fabricated to tell
Darkmoor's stories of thevampires and scientists that
reside there now, as someonethat almost went to college for
lighting design, that makes mevery, very happy.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Um, now, the windmill on top of the burning blade
tavern erupts into flamesseveral times an hour, as we
discussed earlier, but aninteresting thing is it uses two
types of fuel in differentratios, allowing easy visibility
for guests during both day andnighttime.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Ooh, can I do this one?
Can I do this one?
Speaker 3 (12:10):
In.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Das Steakhouse.
Many paintings depict the worldof vampires from their point of
view, painting them as heroesin their stories, while
displaying some of Darkmoor'shistory and referencing its
architecture.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
And one of the most interesting things that I found
out about this land so far isthat guests will see electricity
pulsing from the land's mainportal, going all throughout the
land and into FrankensteinManor.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
This land is going to be insane.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
I'm so excited, hey you know what else.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
We missed out on a couple things.
What I was talking to themabout all the ride safety
information.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Ah, yes, that rider requirements.
That is very important now wedon't have every bit of the
rider requirements right now.
We only have the height andheight requirements and ride
types.
So for monsters unchained, thefrankenstein experiment the
minimum height required to rideis going to be 48 inches tall,
(13:01):
and this ride type is a thrillmotion simulation.
Now, I personally haven't seenit confirmed anywhere.
However, in the concept art itdoes look like it is going to be
the.
Is it kabuka arm?
Kuka kuka arm, which is thesame type of ride vehicle that
you see in harry potter and theforbidden journey which is
(13:22):
inside the castle in islands ofadventure.
However, this seat looks a lotmore like you have more vision
to be able to see around to yourleft and your right and up and
down, where in harry potter it'svery capsulated because they
want you to center in on thosemovie screens well that, and
you're also in harry potter.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
You're sitting in a bookcase, so for this one it
looks like it's a flying bench.
My love a flying bench verymuch looks like a bookcase but
the it has a cover over the topof it where the photos that
we're seeing from epic'sannouncement with with dark
universe is that it's a veryopen topping, because I think
you're supposed to to see thingsmore practical?
Speaker 3 (13:59):
yeah, it's, it's open speculation, our speculation
110.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Based on the photos that we're seeing, based on the
video that universal released.
It looks like it is.
It is.
Things are above your head.
They're also in front of you.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
There are down below, so you're you're 360 viewing
here I've also heard that thisride may feature the most
advanced audio animatronics.
We have seen to date in a themepark ever.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Yeah, this is exciting, pretty terrifying, I
mean.
Even based on the photos alone,this looks like it's gonna be
terrifying and even just in thephotos of the, the building
itself before you get to theride, like in the queue and
things that looks eventerrifying, so be prepared for
me to be suction cup to your hipwhile we're walking through
this sure?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
do you want to tell us about curse of the werewolf?
Speaker 2 (14:40):
I really do, because that one is the one I'm most
excited about Now.
Curse of the Werewolf has aminimum height requirement of 40
inches and this one is a ridetype, is a thrill and spinning
coaster.
So this very much.
I'm going to throw it back justa tad bit.
So if you, if you are a rollercoaster enthusiast like such as
myself, if you've ever been toCedar Point up in Ohio, this is
(15:01):
like the mouse ride that is upthere.
So it constantly is spinning,as you are constantly moving
around, as what we're seeing onphotos, another good, I can't
confirm.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
I think it is, but I'm not gonna say for sure
because I can't confirm.
I believe the manufacturer ofthis ride is the same ones who
did um time traveler at silverdollar city in branson, missouri
, which, if it is, that is acontrolled spin, so it's not
going to be like a free spin,but it'll be controlled, which
is great because then universalwill have the opportunity to
(15:31):
really pinpoint us into spotsthey want us to see animatronics
, yes, or scares, or jumps orthings like that, um, and I'm
really super, super excited forit.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
So that's all I saw, you know what this, this did.
I did see, though, with thisone, with the photos of this,
you, you, they show you apicture and I I will be putting
them all over our social media,because the art for this is just
, I think, out of all the landso far, this is probably the
most in detail photos that wehave gotten.
So you, it looks like you'regoing through one of the shed
scenes and you see this werewolfup at the top and you know what
(16:02):
?
The best thing that I got thatthat somebody made a comment
about was oh gosh, I hope thisdoesn't turn into a yeti moment
and I want this to blow yeti outof the water because the way
that that werewolf looks is itkind of is giving me like what
was it 2014?
13 yeti vibes where he wascoming at you.
That's how I'm feeling withthis, but I mean, it's going to
(16:23):
be much more terrifying becauseit's a werewolf.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
So I'm super excited for it.
So opinions.
Now we get into the part of theshow that is my favorite
because we get to just freelytalk about this.
First off, I want to state andsay, before we discuss anything
is I am, I'm so happy and proudof Universal and Universal
Creative for truly giving whatgave Universal Studios its claim
(16:52):
to fame we are finally giving,and it was so.
Many people were like oh, isthis going to be like HHN 24-7?
No, in no way, shape or form,is this hhn 24 7.
This is a true homage to thevillains and the monsters that
truly created universal studios,and I am so here and excited
(17:14):
for it well for me.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
That was my biggest fear.
As somebody who this will be myfirst year going through a
haunted house I mean first year.
This is my first ever hauntedhouse will be happening this
year.
This is my second time going toto Halloween Horror Nights,
going through it with peoplethat are actually going to force
me into two scare zones andhaunted houses.
You all suck.
You know who you are, but it'sthat was my fear, was okay.
(17:39):
Great.
Now I have to avoid an entireland.
That for me.
Obviously I'm a big rideenthusiast so getting credits
and collecting these things andand, and going with my friends
and trying new food items issomething that I I find genuine
joy from, so I'm going.
Oh great, now I can't gothrough this entire land because
I mean I will walk through.
I used to walk through throughthe halloween store that would
(17:59):
pop up every season andliterally poop my pants, because
I would be scared out of mymind that something was going to
come out of the shadows and eatme yeah, so I'm like oh great,
now you're going to force meinto to hhn 36365.
That sounds terrifying, but itwas very reassuring, after
watching the video and doing allthis research and listening to
all of this, that that's notwhat this is.
This is I'm in the movie withthe characters and I get to
(18:24):
experience it as though I'mfighting right along with them.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Yeah, one of the things that I love most about
this is if you go to Universal'swebsite or you go on YouTube
and you look up the officialannouncement that was announced
on the 20th of June.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
One of the ladies I can't remember.
She's a part of UniversalCreative.
She gave the best quote andit's my favorite and it's we
wanted to be able to create aland that is family friendly,
yet we still tiptoed the line ofPG-13.
So I love that they're creatingsomething that is family
friendly, but they're alsostating we're going to be true
(19:03):
to these monsters, we're goingto give them the recognition and
the honor that they deserveafter this legacy that they've
created, and it's going to bepg-13 yeah and I love universal
for doing that.
I love the fact that they'resaying we're taking care of all
of our audiences from everyangle, because I think that if
they would have done this andthey would have done it just G
(19:25):
it still would have been great,but it wouldn't have given these
monsters the honor that theydeserve, and I'm so here for it.
But let's talk about the landspecifically.
This manor we have watched itfor the last year.
Hidden behind scaffolding?
Yes, and that scaffoldingstarted to come down.
Yes.
And Universal has showed uswhat's going to happen to it,
(19:47):
what's going to be.
It is the most detailed and themost beautiful piece of
architecture that I have everseen in a universal theme park.
And that's coming from someonewho loves jurassic world and
thinks that beijing has the mostamazing park ever.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
This manor by itself is just gorgeous do you know
what my favorite part about itis?
It is not a cardboard cutout.
You know, when you're walkingdown new york in studios and
there's that backdrop there.
That's in the back, right backwhen you walk past jimmy fallon
and you walk beside mummy,correct it's that that cardboard
cutout of like a walking upstaircase.
(20:25):
It's nothing, it looks likenothing.
It should not be there.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
University needs to update it, but like to me Well,
the reason it is that is becauseit's a movie set.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Correct.
Great, but I was so afraid thatthis is what this was going to
do.
You're going to put a movie set.
You're going to put a scarycardboard cutout of a castle.
And.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
I'm got to be kidding me I think that this land is a
true testament to who universalcreative is, because, don't get
me wrong, I love isle of burke.
I love super nintendo world,but these are ips that already
existed and they built thingsbased off of one specific movie
or one specific thing.
Dark universe is completelyoriginal.
(21:11):
It takes aspects of, of theinvisible man, of creature from
the black lagoon.
I mean even, even but dark more, dark more is something they've
created.
This is a land created,everything itself is is the
manner.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
I'm sorry the manor is created based on a, a
storyline that they have createdfrom an original story and went
hey, she has a grandchild likea great, great granddaughter, oh
yeah, and she's twisted anddark too and we're gonna create
a grandchild right, but we're.
Her mom technically had one ofthose, but we're gonna.
No science here for this moment, okay, but like you created an
(21:50):
entire storyline based onsomething.
Yes, that was already there,there was already preset, done,
but like you twisted it aroundand I love the fact that twice
women are represented here wehave a women doctor who is
terrifying as shit, and then Ialso get scientists scientists,
thank you.
And then I also get another one.
We get, we get another womanwho has decided that like, yeah,
(22:12):
no, she's here, malva.
I get two women are representedtwice, and not just represented,
but we are terrifyinglyrepresented so all those little
girls that were like, hey, Ithink I like something dark and
spooky, but all I see isfrankenstein and the wolfman and
the invisible man, all men.
We now get two moments.
That little girls get to go.
(22:32):
Oh my god, I get to be dark andspooky too, just like dr
victoria, just like malva areyou kidding me?
That is.
That, to me, is the coolestpart of this entire land you
know what I think would be thecoolest thing?
Speaker 3 (22:44):
I don't know if it'll , I don't, I don't know if it's
a thing, but I think it would bethe coolest thing ever let's
give some more speculation.
If kids get to go in here andthey ride curse of the werewolf
and they walk in and they say Iwant to be turned into malva.
Yeah, universal, I'm here.
I'm claiming this right now foryou.
You don't even have to pay meroyalties but just represent our
podcast I mean bride ofFrankenstein, I think would be a
(23:07):
cool character they get to do.
But if children get to go inand say, hey, I want to be Malva
or Dr Victoria that would be socool.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Can you imagine they walk out with like their own
little lab coat?
That's like ripped to shreds oh, that's adorable I'm so here
for it, like I think that wouldbe so what?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
is that where?
What is the name of that man?
Speaker 2 (23:25):
petrarius petrarius dr petrovus, petrovus yes, I,
yeah, that's.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
I think that's an amazing thing and I I love that
we got to see you.
I didn't.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
I didn't get to you, got to see a corner because you
went over to universal studiosand you went and the exit store
of that's the five and dime.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
It's inside five and dime, five and dime, yes and you
got to see the classic monster.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
So I wonder if maybe that was like a test market for
them, if they were trying it outand seeing how it worked.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
They were the the first off before we we start
into any of this.
The, the employees, the teammembers that are part of that,
that were just part duringduring my get to to walk through
and speak to them, were themost friendly people I have ever
interacted with and, to clarify, this was at universal studios,
florida.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
It was in the back of the time 23.
No, it was 2024.
Yeah, it was early 2024.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
So I walked into this knowing that this was kind of
being hinted.
It wasn't really on socialmedia, wasn't everywhere.
I was actually going in to lookat um hhn merch that had
rumoredly dropped so.
So I was like, okay, let me popinto there.
And then I walked in and thisteam member.
She was like hey, do you wantto see something cool?
I was like yeah, and then shetakes me into the back of this
room and it is very muchdecorated in Dr Petrovis' lab so
(24:38):
it looks like it, it feels likeit.
They have like spooky labthings that were all over the
wall like beakers and stuff likethat and I was like, oh, this
is kind of cool.
There was bottles of likeeyeballs on the wall.
It was very eerie.
And then she's like, yeah, ifyou sit down in this chair,
we'll literally paint you anddecorate you like a monster
that's so cool and to me it wasneat because as a as a kid, I
(25:00):
grew up wanting very much to be.
I grew up as a dis Disney family, so I wanted to become a
princess.
That's what I wanted.
So my brain went oh my God,there's going to be kids that
are going to be like yeah, Idon't want to be a princess, do
not make me into a prince.
You know what I want to be?
I want to be disgustingly andterrifyingly scary.
I want turn me into Dracula.
Give me that.
Let me be Frankenstein and I'mjust like.
(25:27):
This is going to be so neat.
You are tapping into anentirely new generation of HHN
kids that are going to learn tolove being scared and seeing how
that works.
And then they get to turn intoit and then they're going to
grow up and they're going to goto Halloween Horror Nights and
they're going to get the crapscared out of them and they're
going to love every inch of it.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
And, piggybacking off of that, I think that Dark
Universe is going to befantastic for those families
that have the 12, 13 year oldthat say hey, mom, I want to go
to HHN Now.
These parents will have anopportunity to take their
children into Dark Universe andtake them to the land of
Darkmoor.
To test the water and see howtheir children respond to this
(26:06):
land, if they find it excitingor if they're scared of it.
Yeah, that's going to giveparents the ability to say, hey,
maybe we're not going to spendthe money on tickets to get
inside like that super, like thetiktok that came out last year.
They made it in front of theborn stunt spectacular theater
and the kid looked at his momand he was like I want to go
home.
Yep, I think that this will bea great opportunity to test
those waters and I think thateven if children are like eh,
(26:30):
they're still gonna have a greattime in dark universe and they
don't have to worry about it,jim um this food.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Let's talk about this .
Speaker 3 (26:37):
God stop, I want to consume all of it I love that
we're getting a full tavern, afull bar I love.
I love those types of settings.
One of the things that I alwayshate about theme parks is you
walk up to a cart or a littlestand and you purchase a beer or
a something and then you walkoff into the heat and the sun
and you have to drink it.
When I have a cocktail, I wantto enjoy my setting.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
I want to relax, I want to chill and this burning
blade tavern seems like theplace to be excuse me, I cannot
wait to have all the bartendersof the pod that are going to
come from this tavern it's goingto be so much fun it's gonna be
great.
I just want to see you know whatwhen, because obviously my
entire life, lives, breeze,consumes the food and beverage
(27:20):
world.
I want to see how they're goingto do this.
Show me what my, my beer isgoing to come into.
Show me how, how my cocktail,what that's going to come into.
Instead of a plastic cup thatsays universal studios on it, I
want to know if it's going togive me that same feel like a
mead cup.
Yes, I want that like what isthat going to look?
Like?
What are?
(27:41):
Are the bartenders going tolook like they're coming out of
like a spooky tavern?
Is that going to be how thisgoes?
Like I'm excited for that kindof adventure and that kind of
vibe to be a thing, because I Iwant to know if I'm being
transported into the same tavernlike feel that is inside these
movies and to go on more of thatto hear about the hound hunters
(28:05):
and these people.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
So this is an aspect that this is what I'm going to
refer to as a spieler, which ismore referred to as rides like
the Jaws ride, where you had theattendant on the front of the
boat.
In the world of theme parksmost notably being the
(28:27):
discontinuation of Poseidon'sFury recently where you have a
spieler with you in that entireattraction.
We're getting a form of that inthese restaurants and taverns.
We're getting the hound huntersand they're going to be actual
characters of Darkmoor, actualvillagers who are there to
spread stories and tell youtells of dark mores and these
(28:47):
monsters, and I think that is anamazing thing because we are,
as a society that is a dying artand universal is here to say
hey we're coming in strong yeahand we're bringing it in with
dark universe and I think it isgoing to be a fantastic addition
to this land.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
and you're not just going to see that over at the
burning Blade, you're going toalso get to see that at the
Steakhouse as well.
To clarify.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
Did we ever clarify?
I just want to ask ourlisteners this is going to be
your call to action this week,people so you can text the show,
go into that description boxand text the show.
So the name of this restaurantis DOS as we're calling it DOS
Steakhouse, but it of thisrestaurant is DOS as we're
calling it DOS Steakhouse, butit is spelled D-A-S.
(29:30):
So obviously that is DOS.
The second word isS-T-E-A-K-H-A-U-S apostrophe.
Is the apostrophe a part of theofficial universal or is that
something we've done in thenotes?
Speaker 2 (29:42):
I think it's just something we've done in the
house.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
That is S, is it?
A k e h a u s do we, do youpronounce that as dos steakhouse
or dos steakhouse?
Speaker 2 (29:54):
I don't know, but my german ancestors would probably
be kicking my butt.
But you know what I really didappreciate, though, with this?
What is the fact that theseservants are Are being lorded
over by vampires.
They're, so they're going to.
What is that phrase?
Speaker 3 (30:09):
They're what Lorded.
There's a specific phrase forthat and I don't remember.
That's your other call toaction.
If you know what that is, textus and tell us what it is.
You're a freak.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
But I just I love that we're getting more of a
storyline in a restaurant Likeyes, this is going to be a fast,
casual restaurant, so this is,in a sense, a semi sit down,
semi quick service.
It's a little combination ofboth.
Speaker 3 (30:32):
Yes, Do you know what I can finally say to Universal?
I forgive you for taking awayMonsters Cafe.
I forgive you and I let it go.
I hold no grudges because I gota whole land out of it and I'll
take it.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Listen, you didn't just get a land, you got an
entire.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
Have we missed anything about Dark Universe?
Speaker 2 (30:56):
I don't think so.
We hit up the restaurants, wehit up the.
Speaker 3 (30:59):
Shopping.
It didn't tell us anythingabout shopping.
I wonder what there's going tobe.
Even just the merch from theEpic epic preview center is just
so good.
Oh, oh, whoa.
Oh, that was weird.
You know, one of the thingsthat I want to get I haven't got
it yet, but I really want toget it is I want to go back to
(31:20):
the preview center and I want toget the dark universe uh
license plate and I want to putit on the front of my car.
I've never wanted a frontlicense plate so bad.
And let me tell you, if I workfor Universal at Epic Universe,
I want to be a villager so bad.
I think it would be so much funjust to wear whatever.
I don't even know what thecostumes are, but I want to wear
(31:40):
it.
I don't care, I'm going to bethere First chance I get.
Speaker 2 (31:51):
I'm going gonna be like make me some kind of
monster, make me it.
I'm gonna.
I don't even want to be amonster.
Make me a villager, just makeme a villager and let me walk
around and pretend that I workhere.
I'm dead, you know what I ownfrom the epic merchandise.
What the dark universe buckethat oh, did you get it?
Speaker 3 (31:58):
I did.
I think I'm gonna go I didfriday or saturday this week I'm
gonna go back to the epicpreview center because I finally
got my taxes back um for yourandom life update.
I know we didn't do lifeupdates this episode but, random
life update.
I got my taxes back so I've gotsome big car stuff that I gotta
do, but I'm gonna get thelicense plate to go.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
I think I want to go back.
I really want the epic backpackoh, that is something.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
We'll throw that in here and the end of to the to
end our episode this week, we'llthrow this in here.
So the Universal CityWalk EpicPreview Center is officially
open now.
Speaker 2 (32:31):
Yes, this replaced that store.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
if you are a that store that we can never say it's
not the tribute store, it's thelegacy store.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
It was the legacy store, the Universal Legacy.
Speaker 3 (32:40):
Store in the first, on what I like to call ground
level of the Rising Star KaraokeCafe, down on the main level.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
Do you remember that episode that we talked about
that?
No, you don't remember thatepisode?
Oh yeah, that was a long timeago.
Yeah, and you remember what Ikept.
Speaker 3 (32:55):
I said what that it was going to reopen, and it did.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
They just no, no, but they were going to close it and
then turn it into a legacystore and it was going to be
reopening with just moremerchandise.
And then, because we didn'thave a clue of what it was, what
it was going to be that was awhole tyrant, if you hey.
Okay, I don't need to know howyou pronounce das state house,
but if you remember that episode, I need you to comment and text
me on that one edward, we'reholding out for you, buddy, that
(33:17):
was chaotic um, but yeah.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
So in the epic universe preview store there is
a full model yeah epic universeashley, tell them what the what
the coolest part about it is theare you talking about the scan?
Speaker 2 (33:30):
oh, I love this thing .
So there's a qr code that isnext to every single land, all
throughout this entire model,and you can scan that qr code
using your phone.
Um, I'm gonna apologize forjust a moment.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
I'm a boomer, so go ahead when you walk into the
store you'll be greeted by I'mgonna call them a hostess, a
team member, and they have a qrcode on a piece of paper that
you can scan to download theepic universe mobile app.
That only works inside the epicpreview center.
Then, when you walk over, youwill see a little sign in
different areas of the displaythat show vr yes so now you can
(34:06):
continue.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
It's nice and simple and easy to do, especially for
people like me who obviously aretechnology inefficient.
So you can just scan that QRcode and it brings up.
Speaker 3 (34:14):
You don't scan the QR code, you just open the app and
you point your camera at thelittle sign.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Yes, but the QR code brings you to the app.
So if you don't have the app,it brings you to that.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
I just went over that .
You do that when you first walkin the store.
Now you're at the model.
Tell them about the little signon the model.
No you tell them I don't want toOkay, okay, so when you go over
, you scan the QR code and youenter the building.
You download the app, then youwalk over to the model.
At the model, there are variousVR signs located throughout the
model.
You open the mobile app whichis going to open a camera on
(34:44):
your phone a camera on yourphone and you point your phone
at the VR sign and the model ofthe theme park comes to life in
virtual or augmented reality.
So you get to see Rainbow Road.
You get to see dragons flyingover the Isle of Burke, you see
creatures flying over HarryPotter and the Ministry of Magic
(35:05):
which we will touch base verybriefly on before we end today's
episode, because it's the lastland to still be announced and
then you get to see the HeliosGrand Resort, located at the
back of the park, come to life,with cars pulling in and
families getting ready toexplore and Dark Universe.
You get to see the vampires andcreatures walking around, as
(35:26):
well as guests all throughoutthe park.
It is super, super cool and itis honestly the focal point of
the Epic Preview Center.
But, ashley, what is it thatthey have all around the
building on the big walls?
Speaker 2 (35:39):
Oh, they have each of the portals that you walk into
for each land.
So they have my favorite land,that's going to be my favorite
land the ministry of magic forharry potter.
They have a nintendo world.
They also have um dark universe.
They have um isle of burke.
Why do I want to say islands ofburke?
(36:00):
Islands of burke, um, and am Imissing a land?
Celestial, celestial park.
I always forget.
So you know why I forgetcelestial park because it's
right in the middle I think tome it's not a land it is epic
universe.
Speaker 3 (36:13):
Like epic universe is celestial park, as each land is
to itself correct, but it'sgreat.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
And then you get little bits of merch from each
land, um.
So you get a little bit ofharry potter merch, which I did
buy.
I got a cute little keychainthat says ministry of magic on
it.
Um, there's also a whole bunchof super nintendo merch.
That was really super cool tosee because I mean, I I am very
familiar with hollywood studioor hollywood studios, with
hollywood's um nintendo, supernintendo world.
(36:41):
So you got to see the samet-shirts that say super nintendo
world, hollywood, california,and instead they say Orlando,
florida, which I think is prettycool.
That was pretty neat to see.
That was like.
I think at that point that'swhen it started to feel real
that this is actually coming tous.
Yes, I drive past Epic every dayto go to the office, but like
it was to see that it felt veryreal at that moment Like, yes,
(37:04):
we are getting another park,this is happening, this is
coming to us.
Yep, in a year and a half Iwill get to beat your butt at
mario kart I don't think it's ayear and a half, I think it's
just next year, like a year.
Speaker 3 (37:18):
Well, they said 2025, but I think my personal opinion
is going to be maybe summer, Idon't.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
I don't see it going into fall or winter next year I
feel like they can't go intofall of next year, because then
you're going to compete with hhnoh yeah, that's very true,
that's gonna be crazy well, guys, that is what we have for you
today.
Speaker 3 (37:37):
We are super, super excited.
I think we still have two moreepic universe updates, if not
even more.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
We've got harry potter and the ministry of magic
.
That episode will be solelydone by Ashley, and Ashley alone
, because I will be too excitedto have you.
Let you speak.
Which clearly they're savingthe best for last, well, dark.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
Universe and Harry Potter have been the last two
because, from what I've seenwith Dark Universe, this is one
of the craziest and most amazinglands at Epic Universe, so I
can only imagine what that meansfor Harry Potter and the
Ministry of Magic, since it'sgoing to be the last official
land.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
I know, so we have that.
It makes me so sad, but I'm soexcited to see what creative is
going to do with this.
Speaker 3 (38:18):
And they have this one on lockdown.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
I've not heard.
I've not even heard rumors as towhat the attraction could be in
this land.
Now, after that, we will bringyou a full and official update
on the Helios Grand and we'lltouch base again on the other
two resorts, terra Luna andStella Nova.
I always struggle saying thoseand the Helios Grand.
Once Helios Grand informationofficially comes out, which I'm
(38:43):
hoping, I'm like, hey, we'regetting close.
I hate to say it.
Well, no, summer just startedlike two weeks ago, so we're not
close to the end of summer.
It feels like we are Back in myhometown.
Summer is June and July, sowe're almost to the end of
summer in my brain, but Iimagine that we may have those
remaining updates in the nextcouple of months before maybe
(39:05):
even HHN.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Who knows, fingers crossed.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
This is total speculation here, but I am super
, super excited to talk aboutthose things and go over those
things.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
Hey, speaking of HHN, did you see what got announced
today?
Speaker 3 (39:18):
I did.
Tell me about it.
Pretend like I didn't and tellme about it.
Was it today?
Oh it was today.
Speaker 2 (39:23):
It was today, so if you're listening to this, this
is we're recording on Thursday.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
We're recording on Thursday, June 28th, and.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
Ghostbusters.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
Friday, June 28th.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
Ghostbusters got announced.
What is the formal?
Speaker 3 (39:39):
It's the ice one.
Speaker 2 (39:42):
Frozen Empire, ghostbusters and Frozen Empire.
Speaker 3 (39:44):
And I did see it was a simultaneous announcement for
not only orlando, but alsohollywood as well.
So, as of right now, this isthe only house that we have that
is going to be at both parks, Ibelieve, um oh wait, I'm
getting, I'm getting, I'm holdon quiet places at both oh quiet
places about okay so there's,two yes um, so this means that
(40:07):
for orlando, I don't care abouthollywood because I'm not going,
so I haven't paid any attention.
Speaker 2 (40:11):
We still have two more houses to be announced do
you know what I am freaking outabout the most?
Do you know what thispotentially could mean for this
year's hhn, what that we couldpotentially see a stranger
things reunion at our hhn?
Do you know why?
Because in ghostbusters, thisfrozen empire.
Do you know the character thatis in this?
(40:32):
who is finn wolfhard, and he isthe same kid that plays in
stranger things.
And he is.
I'm drawing a blank on his name, oh, don't kill me, he's mike,
mike from stranger things likeare you saying like the cast
might show up to HHN?
Speaker 3 (40:48):
I am, that's exactly what I'm saying.
Okay, I was like I don't thinkwe're going to get a Stranger
Things house Because they tendto do that.
Speaker 2 (40:52):
I mean, I know, when HHN was happening with Stranger
Things, millie Bobby Brown wasthere.
Speaker 3 (40:56):
Millie Bobby Brown is here all the time Correct.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
But most of the time Millie comes, Finn comes, Noah
comes, they they're all likebffs in real life that they're
gonna be coming well, I will sayI'm gonna sit in the
ghostbusters house and wait forfinn random, random that'll be
the house I do random birdwalk,though, I did see on twitter
today that uh, season five ofstranger things has started
filming again see that so milliebobby brown got married.
Speaker 3 (41:21):
She had her honeymoon um I think I think she was here
universal recently celebratingher honeymoon, um, so maybe
she's back on set and they'refilming and who knows, maybe.
Speaker 2 (41:31):
I would love that.
I'm ready, I'm still.
Speaker 3 (41:33):
We have two more houses.
I don't think it's going tohappen, but I'm still going to
cross my fingers for five nightsat Freddy.
I want it.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
And that right there I'm going to say this on the
28th of June, that that will bethe house I will not be doing.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
My fear of animatronics is real.
Thank you good night.
Thanks for listening.
Speaker 2 (41:52):
Until next time, our friends, stay safe, stay
educated and, of course, share apodcast with your friends, your
family and your favoritebartenders I want to suck your
blood.
Speaker 3 (42:02):
Creature of the night oh boy k bye.
Today's episode contains information about
Universal Epic Universe takendirectly from Universal
destinations and experiences.
The opinions of the hosts andguest speakers do not reflect
the opinions, ethics or valuesof NBCUniversal or its
affiliates.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Always be iconic yeah but she's the iconic Shane.
I like it, I like controversy.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Always be iconic, yeah, but she's the iconic sham.
I like it.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
I like controversy.
Contains information.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
I am drinking kombucha.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
You're listening to Orlando, unplugged, celebrating
life in living color with Dustinand Ashley.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Grab a cocktail or a mocktail and let's get unplugged
, orlando Welcome to episode 25of Orlando Unplugged podcast,
(01:25):
where we dive into the mostthrilling and magical places on
Earth.
I'm Dustin.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
And I'm Ashley.
Today we're bringing you anexclusive update at Universal
Epic Universe, the newest parkwhich is set to open in 2025 at
Universal Orlando Resort.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Now we have already discussed Celestial Park, how to
Train your Dragon, isle of Berkand Super Nintendo World.
Now we're really excited toexplore one of the five new
worlds coming to Epic Universein 2025, the newly announced
land Dark Universe.
Now, this is truly a nod to theera and characters that built
Universal Pictures into what itis today.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
From two thrilling attractions to immersive
shopping and dining experiencesand more monsters than you can
shake a steak at.
Dark Universe is where thestories of universal monsters
come together and come to life.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
We'll take you through an eerie entrance, a
foggy cemetery and the hauntingvillage of Darkmoor, where
despicable scientificexperiments scar the land and
the classic creatures lurk inthe shadows.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
You'll hear about the attractions like Monsters
Unchained, the Frankensteinexperiment, where Dr Victoria
Frankenstein's latest experimentgoes spectacularly wrong, and
the Curse of the Werewolf afamily spinning coaster that'll
have you dodging werewolves inthe dark.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
And if you're like me , you'll love the meet and
greets with some of Darkmoor'smost infamous inhabitants,
including Frankenstein's monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and
Igor.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Plus, we'll discuss where to grab a bite, from DOS
Steakhouse, a vampire-themedeatery, to the Burning Blade
Tavern, where monster huntersshare their dark tales.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
And don't forget about Darkmoor's monster makeup
experience, where you cantransform into a monster
yourself.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
So grab your headphones, turn off the lights
and join us as we uncover thesecrets of Dark Universe.
Stay tuned, let's get started.
Guests will enter Dark Universefrom Celestial Park through a
(03:26):
foreboding portal.
Atop the portal, a coilcrackles with electricity,
symbolizing the eternal strugglebetween science and death.
Those brave enough to venturein will find themselves in a
decaying, foggy cemetery on theoutskirts of the village of
Darkmoor.
Upended tube stones and twistedroots greet guests, hinting at
(03:47):
the unsettling truth Thingsdon't stay buried here for long.
Once through the cemetery,guests will enter the village
proper, where sinisterscientific experiments have
scarred the land and unnaturalcreatures lurk in the shadows.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
This is Darkmoor, a place teeming with monsters,
monster makers, monster huntersand resilient villagers who
strive to survive.
Yes, survive, the monsters.
In case that wasn't clear, now,pete Cursillo, senior Creative
Director for Dark Universe, saidin a posting on Universal's
website we created a village anda world beyond it where not
(04:23):
only these stories come together, but new stories can emerge as
well.
And now you're in the sameplace where all of these stories
converge, but in the presentday.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Dark Universe boasts two exciting attractions and
meet and greets with some ofDarkmoor's most infamous
residents Since Darkmoor existsin the present day.
There's a new Dr Frankensteinin town and it's time to
introduce her.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
Now Frankenstein's manor looms ominously over the
village of Darkmoor.
Deep below this decrepit estatelies the land's most thrilling
dark ride Monsters Unchained theFrankenstein Experiments.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Dr Victoria Frankenstein, Henry's
great-great-great-granddaughter,resides in the manor and
invites you to witness herlatest experiment.
Victoria has already broughther own creature back from the
dead and now aims torehabilitate all the monsters
plaguing the village and restoreher family's name to glory.
Now don't call her creationFrankenstein's monster.
She doesn't see him as amonster, and well, it's just
(05:20):
impolite.
As Victoria's guest, you'llwitness her attempt to tame the
most dangerous monster of all,Dracula, which backfires
spectacularly.
Chaos erupts as you're chaseddeeper into the catacombs by a
rogue gallery of universalmonsters.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Greg Hall, the Dark Universe creative director, said
we see a manacle side of her,even though she's our hero.
The monsters are released andit's up to her, frankenstein and
Igor to help save the day.
While we're stuck in the middleof the chaos, racing through
darkness, you'll encounter allthe monsters subjected to
Victoria's experiments,including the Brides of Dracula
(05:55):
and Creature from the BlackLagoon, the Wolfman, the Mummy
and Phantom of the Opera.
As you witness the results ofVictoria's unnatural experiments
, you'll have to confront aquestion who's really the
monster?
Here?
Now, deep in the woodsbordering the village of
(06:15):
Darkmoor, lies Dark Universe'sother attraction, curse of the
Werewolf.
This family spinning coaster isset in the colorful encampment
of the Guild of Mystics.
Malva, the Guild's all-knowingseer and leader, will warn
visitors that they bear the markof the werewolf.
While Malva appears in the 1941film the Wolfman, the Dark
(06:37):
Universe version is updated toreflect the fictional culture of
the Guild of Mystics, rich withbeauty, violence and, of course
, werewolves.
With Malva's warning in mind,you'll embark on your adventure
under the full moon.
As you speed through the forest, werewolves will pursue you at
every turn.
Eventually, you'll come face toface with the beasts spinning.
(06:57):
As you dodge gashing teeth andrazor-sharp claws in the
Darkmoor Armory when you make itback to camp.
You'll forever be changed andyou'll have to be aware of full
moons from now on.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Dark Universe offers plenty of close encounters with
iconic universal monsters.
In Darkmoor, you can meetcharacters like Frankenstein's
monster, the Bride ofFrankenstein, igor and the
Invincible man.
Additionally, you might runinto one of the Hounds which and
the Invincible man.
Additionally, you might runinto one of the Hounds which are
monster hunters stationed atthe Burning Blade Tavern.
Don't worry, you'll hear moreabout this shortly.
Striving to defend the villageof Darkmoor, a roaming musician
(07:33):
also wanders the village,serenading guests with eerie,
timeless tunes.
Deep under Darkmoor, swarms ofvampires make their homes in the
Ancient Catacombs Located atopthese catacombs, in Das
Steakhouse, a fast, casualrestaurant lording over the
servants of said vampires.
Classic artwork and relics hintat the dark ambience of the
(07:53):
vampiric culture.
At Das Steakhouse, you canenjoy kebabs, burgers,
sandwiches and ribs, along withother offerings.
As to what the vampires aredining on, well, you might want
to wear a turtleneck to thismeal.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Now many years ago, an angry mob of villagers
torched the old mill during theinfamous Frankenstein incident.
Now the mill has become thefavorite hangout for Darkmoor's
monster hunters.
In addition to grabbing sometavern fare, guests can peruse
the hunters' trophies and heartales from some of the village's
most esteemed and mysteriousresidents.
But why is it called theBurning Blade Tavern?
(08:28):
Well, I am so glad you asked.
The mill that stands atop therestaurant erupts into flames
every 20 minutes, so if youprefer your bratwurst extra
crispy, that won't be an issue.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
For fans of Universal Studios' horror makeup show,
the Darkmoor Monster MakeupExperience is a must-visit in
Dark Universe for guests fiveyears or older.
Here, skilled monster makershave transformed Dr Pretorius'
old lab into a workshop whereguests can unleash their inner
monster.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
If you've ever dreamed of becoming a monster,
now's your chance.
You can get fully transformedinto a creature of the night.
Or, if you're feeling moreadventurous, you can bring the
whole family and try some spookytemporary tattoos In Dark
Universe.
Even our youngest guests canstrut around with tattoos like
they are five.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
When Universal Epic Universe opens its gates in 2025
, the beloved classic monstersfrom your favorite films will
finally find their home in theimmersive world of Dark Universe
.
The legacy of UniversalMonsters is profound and the
creative team has approachedthis project with deep reverence
.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Chris Frisella, assistant director and executive
producer of Universal Creative,said it's really about the
meticulous care that we've takenin crafting these stories and
this environment, honoring therich history of these films.
But our goal isn't to create astatic museum.
We aim to build a dynamic,living world and unforgettable
experience.
(10:00):
Far from merely rehashing oldtales, dark universe breathes
life into the narratives ofthese classic monsters, where
their stories truly unfold.
Guests will soon delve into theshadows and witness firsthand
what this world is like today.
Now, that was kind of short andsimple, but ashley and I truly
(10:22):
wanted you guys to feel thestory and lore that is going to
be Dark Universe.
We know that we left out someof the information that we
typically have in our epicupdates, so we wanted to go
ahead and put those in at theend for you, and one of my
favorite things about the EpicUniverse updates is the epic
fast facts.
So I'm going to cover thisfirst one because it's kind of
my favorite.
(10:42):
I'll cover the second one too,because it has my favorite word
in there.
So the Phantom of the Operascene in Monsters Unchained, the
Frankenstein experiment,features 14 individual flame
points that shoot verticalflames over three feet in the
air and they dance insynchronicity with organ music
and in Curse of the Werewolf asyou tear through the woods at 37
(11:05):
miles an hour for over twominutes of sheer terror.
Well, terror for you, thrillfor others.
Uh, racing through the dark,foreboding shed with mysterious
figures crawling ever so near, Iwonder what that could mean I'm
getting chills as we speak.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
The monsters of darkmar include original
creations from industry leadingand award-winning makeup and
special effects artists.
Now this will help bring yourfavorite monsters to life with
their extraordinary skills.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
You want to do the next one?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
I really do.
Over 6,500 different lightingelements bring to life the rich
stories of Darkmoor's history.
Many fixtures were customdesigned and fabricated to tell
Darkmoor's stories of thevampires and scientists that
reside there now, as someonethat almost went to college for
lighting design, that makes mevery, very happy.
Speaker 3 (11:51):
Um, now, the windmill on top of the burning blade
tavern erupts into flamesseveral times an hour, as we
discussed earlier, but aninteresting thing is it uses two
types of fuel in differentratios, allowing easy visibility
for guests during both day andnighttime.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Ooh, can I do this one?
Can I do this one?
Speaker 3 (12:10):
In.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Das Steakhouse.
Many paintings depict the worldof vampires from their point of
view, painting them as heroesin their stories, while
displaying some of Darkmoor'shistory and referencing its
architecture.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
And one of the most interesting things that I found
out about this land so far isthat guests will see electricity
pulsing from the land's mainportal, going all throughout the
land and into FrankensteinManor.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
This land is going to be insane.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
I'm so excited, hey you know what else.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
We missed out on a couple things.
What I was talking to themabout all the ride safety
information.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Ah, yes, that rider requirements.
That is very important now wedon't have every bit of the
rider requirements right now.
We only have the height andheight requirements and ride
types.
So for monsters unchained, thefrankenstein experiment the
minimum height required to rideis going to be 48 inches tall,
(13:01):
and this ride type is a thrillmotion simulation.
Now, I personally haven't seenit confirmed anywhere.
However, in the concept art itdoes look like it is going to be
the.
Is it kabuka arm?
Kuka kuka arm, which is thesame type of ride vehicle that
you see in harry potter and theforbidden journey which is
(13:22):
inside the castle in islands ofadventure.
However, this seat looks a lotmore like you have more vision
to be able to see around to yourleft and your right and up and
down, where in harry potter it'svery capsulated because they
want you to center in on thosemovie screens well that, and
you're also in harry potter.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
You're sitting in a bookcase, so for this one it
looks like it's a flying bench.
My love a flying bench verymuch looks like a bookcase but
the it has a cover over the topof it where the photos that
we're seeing from epic'sannouncement with with dark
universe is that it's a veryopen topping, because I think
you're supposed to to see thingsmore practical?
Speaker 3 (13:59):
yeah, it's, it's open speculation, our speculation
110.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Based on the photos that we're seeing, based on the
video that universal released.
It looks like it is.
It is.
Things are above your head.
They're also in front of you.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
There are down below, so you're you're 360 viewing
here I've also heard that thisride may feature the most
advanced audio animatronics.
We have seen to date in a themepark ever.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
Yeah, this is exciting, pretty terrifying, I
mean.
Even based on the photos alone,this looks like it's gonna be
terrifying and even just in thephotos of the, the building
itself before you get to theride, like in the queue and
things that looks eventerrifying, so be prepared for
me to be suction cup to your hipwhile we're walking through
this sure?
Speaker 3 (14:39):
do you want to tell us about curse of the werewolf?
Speaker 2 (14:40):
I really do, because that one is the one I'm most
excited about Now.
Curse of the Werewolf has aminimum height requirement of 40
inches and this one is a ridetype, is a thrill and spinning
coaster.
So this very much.
I'm going to throw it back justa tad bit.
So if you, if you are a rollercoaster enthusiast like such as
myself, if you've ever been toCedar Point up in Ohio, this is
(15:01):
like the mouse ride that is upthere.
So it constantly is spinning,as you are constantly moving
around, as what we're seeing onphotos, another good, I can't
confirm.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
I think it is, but I'm not gonna say for sure
because I can't confirm.
I believe the manufacturer ofthis ride is the same ones who
did um time traveler at silverdollar city in branson, missouri
, which, if it is, that is acontrolled spin, so it's not
going to be like a free spin,but it'll be controlled, which
is great because then universalwill have the opportunity to
(15:31):
really pinpoint us into spotsthey want us to see animatronics
, yes, or scares, or jumps orthings like that, um, and I'm
really super, super excited forit.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
So that's all I saw, you know what this, this did.
I did see, though, with thisone, with the photos of this,
you, you, they show you apicture and I I will be putting
them all over our social media,because the art for this is just
, I think, out of all the landso far, this is probably the
most in detail photos that wehave gotten.
So you, it looks like you'regoing through one of the shed
scenes and you see this werewolfup at the top and you know what
(16:02):
?
The best thing that I got thatthat somebody made a comment
about was oh gosh, I hope thisdoesn't turn into a yeti moment
and I want this to blow yeti outof the water because the way
that that werewolf looks is itkind of is giving me like what
was it 2014?
13 yeti vibes where he wascoming at you.
That's how I'm feeling withthis, but I mean, it's going to
(16:23):
be much more terrifying becauseit's a werewolf.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
So I'm super excited for it.
So opinions.
Now we get into the part of theshow that is my favorite
because we get to just freelytalk about this.
First off, I want to state andsay, before we discuss anything
is I am, I'm so happy and proudof Universal and Universal
Creative for truly giving whatgave Universal Studios its claim
(16:52):
to fame we are finally giving,and it was so.
Many people were like oh, isthis going to be like HHN 24-7?
No, in no way, shape or form,is this hhn 24 7.
This is a true homage to thevillains and the monsters that
truly created universal studios,and I am so here and excited
(17:14):
for it well for me.
Speaker 2 (17:15):
That was my biggest fear.
As somebody who this will be myfirst year going through a
haunted house I mean first year.
This is my first ever hauntedhouse will be happening this
year.
This is my second time going toto Halloween Horror Nights,
going through it with peoplethat are actually going to force
me into two scare zones andhaunted houses.
You all suck.
You know who you are, but it'sthat was my fear, was okay.
(17:39):
Great.
Now I have to avoid an entireland.
That for me.
Obviously I'm a big rideenthusiast so getting credits
and collecting these things andand, and going with my friends
and trying new food items issomething that I I find genuine
joy from, so I'm going.
Oh great, now I can't gothrough this entire land because
I mean I will walk through.
I used to walk through throughthe halloween store that would
(17:59):
pop up every season andliterally poop my pants, because
I would be scared out of mymind that something was going to
come out of the shadows and eatme yeah, so I'm like oh great,
now you're going to force meinto to hhn 36365.
That sounds terrifying, but itwas very reassuring, after
watching the video and doing allthis research and listening to
all of this, that that's notwhat this is.
This is I'm in the movie withthe characters and I get to
(18:24):
experience it as though I'mfighting right along with them.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
Yeah, one of the things that I love most about
this is if you go to Universal'swebsite or you go on YouTube
and you look up the officialannouncement that was announced
on the 20th of June.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
One of the ladies I can't remember.
She's a part of UniversalCreative.
She gave the best quote andit's my favorite and it's we
wanted to be able to create aland that is family friendly,
yet we still tiptoed the line ofPG-13.
So I love that they're creatingsomething that is family
friendly, but they're alsostating we're going to be true
(19:03):
to these monsters, we're goingto give them the recognition and
the honor that they deserveafter this legacy that they've
created, and it's going to bepg-13 yeah and I love universal
for doing that.
I love the fact that they'resaying we're taking care of all
of our audiences from everyangle, because I think that if
they would have done this andthey would have done it just G
(19:25):
it still would have been great,but it wouldn't have given these
monsters the honor that theydeserve, and I'm so here for it.
But let's talk about the landspecifically.
This manor we have watched itfor the last year.
Hidden behind scaffolding?
Yes, and that scaffoldingstarted to come down.
Yes.
And Universal has showed uswhat's going to happen to it,
(19:47):
what's going to be.
It is the most detailed and themost beautiful piece of
architecture that I have everseen in a universal theme park.
And that's coming from someonewho loves jurassic world and
thinks that beijing has the mostamazing park ever.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
This manor by itself is just gorgeous do you know
what my favorite part about itis?
It is not a cardboard cutout.
You know, when you're walkingdown new york in studios and
there's that backdrop there.
That's in the back, right backwhen you walk past jimmy fallon
and you walk beside mummy,correct it's that that cardboard
cutout of like a walking upstaircase.
(20:25):
It's nothing, it looks likenothing.
It should not be there.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
University needs to update it, but like to me Well,
the reason it is that is becauseit's a movie set.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
Correct.
Great, but I was so afraid thatthis is what this was going to
do.
You're going to put a movie set.
You're going to put a scarycardboard cutout of a castle.
And.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
I'm got to be kidding me I think that this land is a
true testament to who universalcreative is, because, don't get
me wrong, I love isle of burke.
I love super nintendo world,but these are ips that already
existed and they built thingsbased off of one specific movie
or one specific thing.
Dark universe is completelyoriginal.
(21:11):
It takes aspects of, of theinvisible man, of creature from
the black lagoon.
I mean even, even but dark more, dark more is something they've
created.
This is a land created,everything itself is is the
manner.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
I'm sorry the manor is created based on a, a
storyline that they have createdfrom an original story and went
hey, she has a grandchild likea great, great granddaughter, oh
yeah, and she's twisted anddark too and we're gonna create
a grandchild right, but we're.
Her mom technically had one ofthose, but we're gonna.
No science here for this moment, okay, but like you created an
(21:50):
entire storyline based onsomething.
Yes, that was already there,there was already preset, done,
but like you twisted it aroundand I love the fact that twice
women are represented here wehave a women doctor who is
terrifying as shit, and then Ialso get scientists scientists,
thank you.
And then I also get another one.
We get, we get another womanwho has decided that like, yeah,
(22:12):
no, she's here, malva.
I get two women are representedtwice, and not just represented,
but we are terrifyinglyrepresented so all those little
girls that were like, hey, Ithink I like something dark and
spooky, but all I see isfrankenstein and the wolfman and
the invisible man, all men.
We now get two moments.
That little girls get to go.
(22:32):
Oh my god, I get to be dark andspooky too, just like dr
victoria, just like malva areyou kidding me?
That is.
That, to me, is the coolestpart of this entire land you
know what I think would be thecoolest thing?
Speaker 3 (22:44):
I don't know if it'll , I don't, I don't know if it's
a thing, but I think it would bethe coolest thing ever let's
give some more speculation.
If kids get to go in here andthey ride curse of the werewolf
and they walk in and they say Iwant to be turned into malva.
Yeah, universal, I'm here.
I'm claiming this right now foryou.
You don't even have to pay meroyalties but just represent our
podcast I mean bride ofFrankenstein, I think would be a
(23:07):
cool character they get to do.
But if children get to go inand say, hey, I want to be Malva
or Dr Victoria that would be socool.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Can you imagine they walk out with like their own
little lab coat?
That's like ripped to shreds oh, that's adorable I'm so here
for it, like I think that wouldbe so what?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
is that where?
What is the name of that man?
Speaker 2 (23:25):
petrarius petrarius dr petrovus, petrovus yes, I,
yeah, that's.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
I think that's an amazing thing and I I love that
we got to see you.
I didn't.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
I didn't get to you, got to see a corner because you
went over to universal studiosand you went and the exit store
of that's the five and dime.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
It's inside five and dime, five and dime, yes and you
got to see the classic monster.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
So I wonder if maybe that was like a test market for
them, if they were trying it outand seeing how it worked.
Speaker 2 (23:50):
They were the the first off before we we start
into any of this.
The, the employees, the teammembers that are part of that,
that were just part duringduring my get to to walk through
and speak to them, were themost friendly people I have ever
interacted with and, to clarify, this was at universal studios,
florida.
Speaker 3 (24:09):
It was in the back of the time 23.
No, it was 2024.
Yeah, it was early 2024.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
So I walked into this knowing that this was kind of
being hinted.
It wasn't really on socialmedia, wasn't everywhere.
I was actually going in to lookat um hhn merch that had
rumoredly dropped so.
So I was like, okay, let me popinto there.
And then I walked in and thisteam member.
She was like hey, do you wantto see something cool?
I was like yeah, and then shetakes me into the back of this
room and it is very muchdecorated in Dr Petrovis' lab so
(24:38):
it looks like it, it feels likeit.
They have like spooky labthings that were all over the
wall like beakers and stuff likethat and I was like, oh, this
is kind of cool.
There was bottles of likeeyeballs on the wall.
It was very eerie.
And then she's like, yeah, ifyou sit down in this chair,
we'll literally paint you anddecorate you like a monster
that's so cool and to me it wasneat because as a as a kid, I
(25:00):
grew up wanting very much to be.
I grew up as a dis Disney family, so I wanted to become a
princess.
That's what I wanted.
So my brain went oh my God,there's going to be kids that
are going to be like yeah, Idon't want to be a princess, do
not make me into a prince.
You know what I want to be?
I want to be disgustingly andterrifyingly scary.
I want turn me into Dracula.
Give me that.
Let me be Frankenstein and I'mjust like.
(25:27):
This is going to be so neat.
You are tapping into anentirely new generation of HHN
kids that are going to learn tolove being scared and seeing how
that works.
And then they get to turn intoit and then they're going to
grow up and they're going to goto Halloween Horror Nights and
they're going to get the crapscared out of them and they're
going to love every inch of it.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
And, piggybacking off of that, I think that Dark
Universe is going to befantastic for those families
that have the 12, 13 year oldthat say hey, mom, I want to go
to HHN Now.
These parents will have anopportunity to take their
children into Dark Universe andtake them to the land of
Darkmoor.
To test the water and see howtheir children respond to this
(26:06):
land, if they find it excitingor if they're scared of it.
Yeah, that's going to giveparents the ability to say, hey,
maybe we're not going to spendthe money on tickets to get
inside like that super, like thetiktok that came out last year.
They made it in front of theborn stunt spectacular theater
and the kid looked at his momand he was like I want to go
home.
Yep, I think that this will bea great opportunity to test
those waters and I think thateven if children are like eh,
(26:30):
they're still gonna have a greattime in dark universe and they
don't have to worry about it,jim um this food.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Let's talk about this .
Speaker 3 (26:37):
God stop, I want to consume all of it I love that
we're getting a full tavern, afull bar I love.
I love those types of settings.
One of the things that I alwayshate about theme parks is you
walk up to a cart or a littlestand and you purchase a beer or
a something and then you walkoff into the heat and the sun
and you have to drink it.
When I have a cocktail, I wantto enjoy my setting.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
I want to relax, I want to chill and this burning
blade tavern seems like theplace to be excuse me, I cannot
wait to have all the bartendersof the pod that are going to
come from this tavern it's goingto be so much fun it's gonna be
great.
I just want to see you know whatwhen, because obviously my
entire life, lives, breeze,consumes the food and beverage
(27:20):
world.
I want to see how they're goingto do this.
Show me what my, my beer isgoing to come into.
Show me how, how my cocktail,what that's going to come into.
Instead of a plastic cup thatsays universal studios on it, I
want to know if it's going togive me that same feel like a
mead cup.
Yes, I want that like what isthat going to look?
Like?
What are?
(27:41):
Are the bartenders going tolook like they're coming out of
like a spooky tavern?
Is that going to be how thisgoes?
Like I'm excited for that kindof adventure and that kind of
vibe to be a thing, because I Iwant to know if I'm being
transported into the same tavernlike feel that is inside these
movies and to go on more of thatto hear about the hound hunters
(28:05):
and these people.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
So this is an aspect that this is what I'm going to
refer to as a spieler, which ismore referred to as rides like
the Jaws ride, where you had theattendant on the front of the
boat.
In the world of theme parksmost notably being the
(28:27):
discontinuation of Poseidon'sFury recently where you have a
spieler with you in that entireattraction.
We're getting a form of that inthese restaurants and taverns.
We're getting the hound huntersand they're going to be actual
characters of Darkmoor, actualvillagers who are there to
spread stories and tell youtells of dark mores and these
(28:47):
monsters, and I think that is anamazing thing because we are,
as a society that is a dying artand universal is here to say
hey we're coming in strong yeahand we're bringing it in with
dark universe and I think it isgoing to be a fantastic addition
to this land.
Speaker 2 (29:02):
and you're not just going to see that over at the
burning Blade, you're going toalso get to see that at the
Steakhouse as well.
To clarify.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
Did we ever clarify?
I just want to ask ourlisteners this is going to be
your call to action this week,people so you can text the show,
go into that description boxand text the show.
So the name of this restaurantis DOS as we're calling it DOS
Steakhouse, but it of thisrestaurant is DOS as we're
calling it DOS Steakhouse, butit is spelled D-A-S.
(29:30):
So obviously that is DOS.
The second word isS-T-E-A-K-H-A-U-S apostrophe.
Is the apostrophe a part of theofficial universal or is that
something we've done in thenotes?
Speaker 2 (29:42):
I think it's just something we've done in the
house.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
That is S, is it?
A k e h a u s do we, do youpronounce that as dos steakhouse
or dos steakhouse?
Speaker 2 (29:54):
I don't know, but my german ancestors would probably
be kicking my butt.
But you know what I really didappreciate, though, with this?
What is the fact that theseservants are Are being lorded
over by vampires.
They're, so they're going to.
What is that phrase?
Speaker 3 (30:09):
They're what Lorded.
There's a specific phrase forthat and I don't remember.
That's your other call toaction.
If you know what that is, textus and tell us what it is.
You're a freak.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
But I just I love that we're getting more of a
storyline in a restaurant Likeyes, this is going to be a fast,
casual restaurant, so this is,in a sense, a semi sit down,
semi quick service.
It's a little combination ofboth.
Speaker 3 (30:32):
Yes, Do you know what I can finally say to Universal?
I forgive you for taking awayMonsters Cafe.
I forgive you and I let it go.
I hold no grudges because I gota whole land out of it and I'll
take it.
Speaker 2 (30:50):
Listen, you didn't just get a land, you got an
entire.
Speaker 3 (30:54):
Have we missed anything about Dark Universe?
Speaker 2 (30:56):
I don't think so.
We hit up the restaurants, wehit up the.
Speaker 3 (30:59):
Shopping.
It didn't tell us anythingabout shopping.
I wonder what there's going tobe.
Even just the merch from theEpic epic preview center is just
so good.
Oh, oh, whoa.
Oh, that was weird.
You know, one of the thingsthat I want to get I haven't got
it yet, but I really want toget it is I want to go back to
(31:20):
the preview center and I want toget the dark universe uh
license plate and I want to putit on the front of my car.
I've never wanted a frontlicense plate so bad.
And let me tell you, if I workfor Universal at Epic Universe,
I want to be a villager so bad.
I think it would be so much funjust to wear whatever.
I don't even know what thecostumes are, but I want to wear
(31:40):
it.
I don't care, I'm going to bethere First chance I get.
Speaker 2 (31:51):
I'm going gonna be like make me some kind of
monster, make me it.
I'm gonna.
I don't even want to be amonster.
Make me a villager, just makeme a villager and let me walk
around and pretend that I workhere.
I'm dead, you know what I ownfrom the epic merchandise.
What the dark universe buckethat oh, did you get it?
Speaker 3 (31:58):
I did.
I think I'm gonna go I didfriday or saturday this week I'm
gonna go back to the epicpreview center because I finally
got my taxes back um for yourandom life update.
I know we didn't do lifeupdates this episode but, random
life update.
I got my taxes back so I've gotsome big car stuff that I gotta
do, but I'm gonna get thelicense plate to go.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
I think I want to go back.
I really want the epic backpackoh, that is something.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
We'll throw that in here and the end of to the to
end our episode this week, we'llthrow this in here.
So the Universal CityWalk EpicPreview Center is officially
open now.
Speaker 2 (32:31):
Yes, this replaced that store.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
if you are a that store that we can never say it's
not the tribute store, it's thelegacy store.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
It was the legacy store, the Universal Legacy.
Speaker 3 (32:40):
Store in the first, on what I like to call ground
level of the Rising Star KaraokeCafe, down on the main level.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
Do you remember that episode that we talked about
that?
No, you don't remember thatepisode?
Oh yeah, that was a long timeago.
Yeah, and you remember what Ikept.
Speaker 3 (32:55):
I said what that it was going to reopen, and it did.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
They just no, no, but they were going to close it and
then turn it into a legacystore and it was going to be
reopening with just moremerchandise.
And then, because we didn'thave a clue of what it was, what
it was going to be that was awhole tyrant, if you hey.
Okay, I don't need to know howyou pronounce das state house,
but if you remember that episode, I need you to comment and text
me on that one edward, we'reholding out for you, buddy, that
(33:17):
was chaotic um, but yeah.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
So in the epic universe preview store there is
a full model yeah epic universeashley, tell them what the what
the coolest part about it is theare you talking about the scan?
Speaker 2 (33:30):
oh, I love this thing .
So there's a qr code that isnext to every single land, all
throughout this entire model,and you can scan that qr code
using your phone.
Um, I'm gonna apologize forjust a moment.
Speaker 3 (33:40):
I'm a boomer, so go ahead when you walk into the
store you'll be greeted by I'mgonna call them a hostess, a
team member, and they have a qrcode on a piece of paper that
you can scan to download theepic universe mobile app.
That only works inside the epicpreview center.
Then, when you walk over, youwill see a little sign in
different areas of the displaythat show vr yes so now you can
(34:06):
continue.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
It's nice and simple and easy to do, especially for
people like me who obviously aretechnology inefficient.
So you can just scan that QRcode and it brings up.
Speaker 3 (34:14):
You don't scan the QR code, you just open the app and
you point your camera at thelittle sign.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Yes, but the QR code brings you to the app.
So if you don't have the app,it brings you to that.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
I just went over that .
You do that when you first walkin the store.
Now you're at the model.
Tell them about the little signon the model.
No you tell them I don't want toOkay, okay, so when you go over
, you scan the QR code and youenter the building.
You download the app, then youwalk over to the model.
At the model, there are variousVR signs located throughout the
model.
You open the mobile app whichis going to open a camera on
(34:44):
your phone a camera on yourphone and you point your phone
at the VR sign and the model ofthe theme park comes to life in
virtual or augmented reality.
So you get to see Rainbow Road.
You get to see dragons flyingover the Isle of Burke, you see
creatures flying over HarryPotter and the Ministry of Magic
(35:05):
which we will touch base verybriefly on before we end today's
episode, because it's the lastland to still be announced and
then you get to see the HeliosGrand Resort, located at the
back of the park, come to life,with cars pulling in and
families getting ready toexplore and Dark Universe.
You get to see the vampires andcreatures walking around, as
(35:26):
well as guests all throughoutthe park.
It is super, super cool and itis honestly the focal point of
the Epic Preview Center.
But, ashley, what is it thatthey have all around the
building on the big walls?
Speaker 2 (35:39):
Oh, they have each of the portals that you walk into
for each land.
So they have my favorite land,that's going to be my favorite
land the ministry of magic forharry potter.
They have a nintendo world.
They also have um dark universe.
They have um isle of burke.
Why do I want to say islands ofburke?
(36:00):
Islands of burke, um, and am Imissing a land?
Celestial, celestial park.
I always forget.
So you know why I forgetcelestial park because it's
right in the middle I think tome it's not a land it is epic
universe.
Speaker 3 (36:13):
Like epic universe is celestial park, as each land is
to itself correct, but it'sgreat.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
And then you get little bits of merch from each
land, um.
So you get a little bit ofharry potter merch, which I did
buy.
I got a cute little keychainthat says ministry of magic on
it.
Um, there's also a whole bunchof super nintendo merch.
That was really super cool tosee because I mean, I I am very
familiar with hollywood studioor hollywood studios, with
hollywood's um nintendo, supernintendo world.
(36:41):
So you got to see the samet-shirts that say super nintendo
world, hollywood, california,and instead they say Orlando,
florida, which I think is prettycool.
That was pretty neat to see.
That was like.
I think at that point that'swhen it started to feel real
that this is actually coming tous.
Yes, I drive past Epic every dayto go to the office, but like
it was to see that it felt veryreal at that moment Like, yes,
(37:04):
we are getting another park,this is happening, this is
coming to us.
Yep, in a year and a half Iwill get to beat your butt at
mario kart I don't think it's ayear and a half, I think it's
just next year, like a year.
Speaker 3 (37:18):
Well, they said 2025, but I think my personal opinion
is going to be maybe summer, Idon't.
Speaker 2 (37:25):
I don't see it going into fall or winter next year I
feel like they can't go intofall of next year, because then
you're going to compete with hhnoh yeah, that's very true,
that's gonna be crazy well, guys, that is what we have for you
today.
Speaker 3 (37:37):
We are super, super excited.
I think we still have two moreepic universe updates, if not
even more.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
We've got harry potter and the ministry of magic
.
That episode will be solelydone by Ashley, and Ashley alone
, because I will be too excitedto have you.
Let you speak.
Which clearly they're savingthe best for last, well, dark.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
Universe and Harry Potter have been the last two
because, from what I've seenwith Dark Universe, this is one
of the craziest and most amazinglands at Epic Universe, so I
can only imagine what that meansfor Harry Potter and the
Ministry of Magic, since it'sgoing to be the last official
land.
Speaker 2 (38:13):
I know, so we have that.
It makes me so sad, but I'm soexcited to see what creative is
going to do with this.
Speaker 3 (38:18):
And they have this one on lockdown.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
I've not heard.
I've not even heard rumors as towhat the attraction could be in
this land.
Now, after that, we will bringyou a full and official update
on the Helios Grand and we'lltouch base again on the other
two resorts, terra Luna andStella Nova.
I always struggle saying thoseand the Helios Grand.
Once Helios Grand informationofficially comes out, which I'm
(38:43):
hoping, I'm like, hey, we'regetting close.
I hate to say it.
Well, no, summer just startedlike two weeks ago, so we're not
close to the end of summer.
It feels like we are Back in myhometown.
Summer is June and July, sowe're almost to the end of
summer in my brain, but Iimagine that we may have those
remaining updates in the nextcouple of months before maybe
(39:05):
even HHN.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Who knows, fingers crossed.
Speaker 3 (39:06):
This is total speculation here, but I am super
, super excited to talk aboutthose things and go over those
things.
Speaker 2 (39:14):
Hey, speaking of HHN, did you see what got announced
today?
Speaker 3 (39:18):
I did.
Tell me about it.
Pretend like I didn't and tellme about it.
Was it today?
Oh it was today.
Speaker 2 (39:23):
It was today, so if you're listening to this, this
is we're recording on Thursday.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
We're recording on Thursday, June 28th, and.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
Ghostbusters.
Speaker 3 (39:33):
Friday, June 28th.
Speaker 2 (39:35):
Ghostbusters got announced.
What is the formal?
Speaker 3 (39:39):
It's the ice one.
Speaker 2 (39:42):
Frozen Empire, ghostbusters and Frozen Empire.
Speaker 3 (39:44):
And I did see it was a simultaneous announcement for
not only orlando, but alsohollywood as well.
So, as of right now, this isthe only house that we have that
is going to be at both parks, Ibelieve, um oh wait, I'm
getting, I'm getting, I'm holdon quiet places at both oh quiet
places about okay so there's,two yes um, so this means that
(40:07):
for orlando, I don't care abouthollywood because I'm not going,
so I haven't paid any attention.
Speaker 2 (40:11):
We still have two more houses to be announced do
you know what I am freaking outabout the most?
Do you know what thispotentially could mean for this
year's hhn, what that we couldpotentially see a stranger
things reunion at our hhn?
Do you know why?
Because in ghostbusters, thisfrozen empire.
Do you know the character thatis in this?
(40:32):
who is finn wolfhard, and he isthe same kid that plays in
stranger things.
And he is.
I'm drawing a blank on his name, oh, don't kill me, he's mike,
mike from stranger things likeare you saying like the cast
might show up to HHN?
Speaker 3 (40:48):
I am, that's exactly what I'm saying.
Okay, I was like I don't thinkwe're going to get a Stranger
Things house Because they tendto do that.
Speaker 2 (40:52):
I mean, I know, when HHN was happening with Stranger
Things, millie Bobby Brown wasthere.
Speaker 3 (40:56):
Millie Bobby Brown is here all the time Correct.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
But most of the time Millie comes, Finn comes, Noah
comes, they they're all likebffs in real life that they're
gonna be coming well, I will sayI'm gonna sit in the
ghostbusters house and wait forfinn random, random that'll be
the house I do random birdwalk,though, I did see on twitter
today that uh, season five ofstranger things has started
filming again see that so milliebobby brown got married.
Speaker 3 (41:21):
She had her honeymoon um I think I think she was here
universal recently celebratingher honeymoon, um, so maybe
she's back on set and they'refilming and who knows, maybe.
Speaker 2 (41:31):
I would love that.
I'm ready, I'm still.
Speaker 3 (41:33):
We have two more houses.
I don't think it's going tohappen, but I'm still going to
cross my fingers for five nightsat Freddy.
I want it.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
And that right there I'm going to say this on the
28th of June, that that will bethe house I will not be doing.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
My fear of animatronics is real.
Thank you good night.
Thanks for listening.
Speaker 2 (41:52):
Until next time, our friends, stay safe, stay
educated and, of course, share apodcast with your friends, your
family and your favoritebartenders I want to suck your
blood.
Speaker 3 (42:02):
Creature of the night oh boy k bye.
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