Universal Reveals Indoor Monsters Coaster for Epic Universe

Universal Orlando Resort announced on Nov. 5, 2026 that an indoor roller coaster will be built in Dark Universe, the Epic Universe land themed to Universal Classic Monsters. According to the travel site Mickey Visit, it will be the first ride added to the park since Epic Universe opened in May 2025.

Universal gave no opening date beyond saying the coaster will arrive “in the years ahead.” The company has not named characters for the ride or released concept art.

What Universal has said about the ride

Universal described the coaster as a new story inspired by its Universal Monsters films. Mickey Visit reports that construction is already underway: the company has been preparing the site for several months, and the work has not yet risen above ground level.

Where it fits among Epic Universe’s coasters

The Dark Universe ride will be the fifth roller coaster at Epic Universe. The four already open are Stardust Racers, Mine-Cart Madness (themed to Donkey Kong Country), Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (set in the How to Train Your Dragon land) and Curse of the Werewolf, an outdoor spinning coaster in Dark Universe. Mickey Visit calls Stardust Racers the most thrilling of the group and describes the others as more family-friendly.

Dark Universe currently has two rides. Besides Curse of the Werewolf, its headliner is Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride inside Frankenstein Manor that reuses the flying-bench ride system from Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The land is set in the modern day in a village called Darkmoor, and its story follows Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, a character created for Epic Universe. Two restaurants stand out, according to Mickey Visit: The Burning Blade Tavern, beside a windmill that catches fire every quarter-hour, and Das Stakehaus, a quick service spot that serves steaks on stakes.

Dark Universe is one of five major lands at Epic Universe. The others are Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon, Isle of Berk. Mickey Visit reads Universal’s decision to expand Dark Universe first as a sign of confidence in that land.

Other Universal Orlando projects in progress

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a coaster at Universal Studios Florida, is due to open in summer 2027, ahead of the Epic Universe addition. Its track is finished and Universal is working on the rest of the experience. A version of that coaster opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in California earlier this year.

Two attractions have been closed for months. The Horror Make-Up Show at Universal Studios Florida is getting a large revamp that now features Blumhouse. Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal Islands of Adventure is being refreshed. Large-scale construction is also underway at Islands of Adventure for a project Universal has not announced, which will replace the Lost Continent area.

What this means for families planning Epic Universe visits

The new coaster is years from opening, so the Epic Universe ride lineup stays the same for now. Dark Universe has two rides today, and Universal has not said how intense the new coaster will be. Mickey Visit notes that only one of the four existing Epic Universe coasters, Stardust Racers, is described as the most thrilling, while the rest are gentler.

Closer to home, the Fast & Furious coaster is the next Universal Orlando opening on the calendar, in summer 2027. Universal has not said when the Horror Make-Up Show or Jurassic Park River Adventure will reopen.

Source: travel