Land clearing for the new attraction behind Dark Universe at Universal’s Epic Universe now reaches the edge of the expanded Monsters Unchained queue. New aerial photos posted today by friend of the site Bioreconstruct show that drilling appears to be the primary focus of construction right now, likely for the attraction building’s foundation. The attraction’s entrance will likely sit near Burning Blade Tavern. Here’s the latest.
Dark Universe Expansion Construction Update at Epic Universe
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Land clearing now reaches the edge of the expanded Monsters Unchained queue
- Drilling appears to be the primary focus of construction, likely for the building’s foundation
- The attraction’s entrance will likely sit near Burning Blade Tavern
The new ride construction site behind Monsters Unchained keeps growing toward guest areas. Photos also show a smooth pad and staged steel and conduit. A crane with a drill rig still continues to work across the site. This work sits behind Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, which recently took first place for Best Dark Ride at the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards. As we reported when permits revealed a three-story building with a ride maintenance bay, Universal has not confirmed the ride type or theming…or even that there is a new ride under construction. It’s still early, though.
Land Clearing Reaches Closer to Guest Areas
A triangular patch of cleared dirt now sits behind black fencing. It borders the expanded outdoor queue for Monsters Unchained. Clearing continues to encroach on guest areas.
The attraction’s entrance will likely sit near Burning Blade Tavern, probably to its right between the tavern and De Lacey’s Cottage.
Drilling Appears to Be the Primary Focus Right Now
The crane with a drill rig still works near a corner of the pad. Drilling appears to be the primary goal of construction right now, likely for the attraction building’s foundation. We expect pile driving to possibly follow later.
Bundles of what appears to be reinforcing steel for poured foundation columns sit staged near the show building. Lengths of what appear to be conduit sit closer to the temporary offices. A telehandler works nearby.
The main pad looks smooth and level, with a roller parked near its edge and tire tracks crisscrossing the portions of the dirt. Excavators work along the roadside fencing, and orange-fenced trenches cut across the dirt closer to the temporary offices.
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