Reanimated animatronics
Epic Universe to feature advanced robotics
Tomorrow (Friday, November 1) will be the monthly “What’s the Attraction” discussion thread that is exclusively for paid subscribers. (Kindly consider joining this wonderful group. It’d mean the world to me, and you’ll get fun, exclusive content.) The Disney parks recently rolled out the pricey Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which allows guests to bypass the lines for all of the most popular attractions. Would you spring for one? That’ll be the topic of tomorrow’s thread. Please gather your thoughts, and plan to join the discussion.
Universal Orlando continues to release details about Epic Universe, the new theme park that it will be opening May 22, 2025. The info has park fans, myself included, going gaga in anticipation. Perhaps no attraction is more anticipated than Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, which will be the highlight of the park’s Dark Universe land. Now we have a first peek at the animatronic monsters that will be part of the attraction. And, oh my, they look scary good.
There will be 14 robotic characters in all, which Universal promises will be the fastest-moving animated figures ever created. Leading the pack will be Frankenstein’s Monster, who will tower over the proceedings at nine feet tall. Speaking of unchained, guests will see the 800-pound behemoth walk in Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s lab as part of the preshow.
To the best of my knowledge (and feel free to correct me by leaving a comment below), the only animatronic character that walks as part of an attraction is Benjamin Franklin in The American Adventure at Disney World’s Epcot. The figure can be seen climbing up stairs during the presentation. Yes, Disney has introduced “dynamic robots,” such as Judy Hopps, that can independently move in controlled environments. But they have not been part of attractions, and they have all been diminutive in size. The hulking Frankenstein’s Monster will apparently be, er, unbolted, as he makes his way around the lab. It should be an astonishing sight to behold.
The Dark Universe attraction will also include animatronic representations of Dracula, The Wolf Man, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
“Monsters Unchained has the most technologically advanced animated figures that have ever been built,” says Peter Carrillo, senior creative director at Universal Creative. “They are visceral, they are powerful, they are intense. And from a technical standpoint, they exceed beyond everyone’s wildest expectations for what an animated figure can do.”
Check out the stunning characters in this clip from Universal. Note the fluidity of movement and their startlingly lifelike essence.
Audio-animatronics, as Disney dubbed its robotic characters, have certainly come a long way since the primitive birds and flowers first appeared in 1963 as part of the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland (where they continue to perform to this day). The pioneers of the art form, Disney has steadily improved the technology of its figures. In 2019, it debuted all-electric A-1000 animatronics at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Universal may be more known for its screen-based attractions. But it has created its own impressive animated characters, such as the original (and now defunct) King Kong at Universal Studios Florida. Bob Gurr, the legendary Disney Imagineer who helped create the Abraham Lincoln animatronic for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, had a hand in developing the big ape for Universal. Although it is only shown from the shoulders up, the more recent animatronic figure featured in Skull Island: Reign of Kong at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure is mighty impressive as well. But the monsters that are on the way to Epic Universe truly look groundbreaking.
Long before Universal made any announcements about what would be coming to its new Orlando campus, insiders had been hinting that an attraction featuring the classic Universal monsters was in development and that it would take themed entertainment to the next level. That’s saying a lot from the company that created jaw-dropping attractions such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. (By the way, the Dark Universe headliner will reportedly feature the next generation of the robotic Kuka-arm ride vehicles featured in the Potter attraction.) If these glimpses of the animatronic characters are any indication, it would seem Monsters Unchained could indeed revolutionize the industry.
Do you appreciate animated characters in attractions? Like me, are you drooling in anticipation of Monsters Unchained?
It goes without saying that I'm going nuts anticipating this ride. It's by far the attraction I'm most excited to visit at Epic Universe.
And wow, Universal continues to really throw down the gauntlet to challenge Disney for park dominance. It's really going to be interesting to see how Disney responds to Epic Universe and Universal's continued pushing of the envelope in atraction technology. The figures look amazing and I'm sure they're even more impressive in person.
From an artistic standpoint, I think it's great that the "new" Universal monsters are heavily inspired by the classic designs, but not beholden to them. It's a great compromise between giving them a fresh update without alienating fans of the originals.
Due to some other major trips I have planned in 2025 it's unlikely I'm going to be able to hit Epic Universe in its opening months, but I'm really excited to hear everyone's impressions!
I am so happy they released both photos and videos of the monsters and their movements. I completely agree with Tim's assessments. I wonder if this wolfman will be the one seen in the inside part of the coaster since he lashes out like the yeti used to do and seems to be looking down? I am also looking forward to the "breathing on your neck" part of the ride that has been mentioned multiple times including the most recent Discover Universal Podcast.