Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025, has everything going for it: the queue, story, the characters, the ride vehicle, the pacing, the thrills and the jump scares. Even more surprising for a ride about terrifying creatures intended to cause fear: it's pure fun.

The ride is set in Frankenstein Manor in the back of Dark Universe, one of the park's portals populated with fog, meandering monsters, and stunning structures like the Manor and a windmill atop Burning Blade Tavern that catches fire (a tie to 1931's "Frankenstein" film.) The lore behind the world even directs how the creatures and other park employees, such as attractions attendants, move around and interact in Darkmoor Village, similar to what you see in the Isle of Berk (the "How to Train Your Dragons" world) and 1920s Paris (part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter).

Monsters Unchained's queue is spectacular, in terms of the props and storytelling, as you wind through the mansion and past warnings, sculptures, skeletons, moving coffins and artifacts. It's cool and creepy. What's a tad bit weird in the queue, but adds to the story, is seeing some adults with their faces painted in the fashion of monsters (adults and children can get transformed in the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience). The queue and ride capture the same spooky yet safe feeling of Haunted Mansion in Disney's Magic Kingdom, which will always have the nostalgia factor for me, but the technology advancements used to develop this new ride and the animatronics advance the experience of a haunted attraction.

The pre-show reveals the storyline involves Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, Frankenstein's monster and Dracula, with a dash of humor. You get a peek at the ride vehicle, which is on an arm controlled by Ygor, Victoria Frankenstein's assistant. It seems like you may be whipped around to view screens with monsters fighting, with the potential for motion sickness. But the ride is more immersive and smooth than that, with 14 oversized animatronics — both familiar and unfamiliar monsters — that are perfectly placed along the way. 

How the ride tilts you toward and away from the monsters, as well as moves backward and forward, from Dracula to the Mummy to the Creature from the Black Lagoon, feels intentional and purposeful to put you as close to the electrifying story as possible. You maneuver through the catacombs, on your back at times and leaning toward the action at other times (the ride doesn't go upside down). You feel the heat of the battle plus some other icky effects (beware the Wolf Man). All of this adds to the feel that some being is controlling what you see and experience, with Victoria Frankenstein talking to you along the way.

The pacing of the ride vehicle and audio in your seat allow you to focus on what's happening right in front of, below and above you and to feel the anger of the fast-moving monsters — and see lots of fangs. One tip: Keep your head close to the headrest and let the ride direct you, instead of leaning forward to anticipate what's next as the battle unfolds. You'll have signs of what's to come with the shrieks, squeals and even laughter.

The fact that it's an indoor ride makes it immune to delays for weather; we didn't get to ride Curse of the Werewolf, the other ride in Dark Universe, due to lightning and waits of 60-75 minutes throughout the day. Monsters Unchained's queue moved swiftly during my July 2025 visit, allowing me to ride it three times (waits ranged from 15 minutes to 70 minutes on the day of my visit). Like with other worlds at Epic, visiting during the day versus the evening gives a different experience due to the effects and lighting, and emerging from the ride at dusk and in the evening into the village of Darkmoor just seems to further the experience.

I can't wait to ride it again.

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