If you love retro monster movies, Halloween Horror Nights, or immersive experiences that make you part of the story, the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience at Epic Universe is one to add to your list.
Located inside the Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities shop, this themed makeup and costume experience takes place inside Dark Universe, the creepiest of the five new worlds at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe.
It’s a fully customizable experience that lets park guests get as immersed as they want in the lore of Darkmoor, the town where Dark Universe is set.
Here’s what to expect at Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience
Cathy Fischer, senior vice president of global merchandise at Universal Parks and Resorts, told us all about the experience and its origins during the Epic Universe grand opening.
“We spent several years collaborating with Universal Creative and our brand partners to understand what’s important to a guest or fan of [Universal] Monsters,” Fischer explained. “It really is all about the immersion in that full monster character, so here in Dark Universe we thought it’d be a great idea to provide families or individuals, no matter what age, to come in and have that experience and offer something that we don’t offer in any of our other parks.”
“So we have the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience,” Fischer continued, “There are 16 designs you can choose from and it’s either a full face or a partial face. You can decide how much you want to transform, and then in Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities, you buy the full cosplay. If you’re like, ‘I want to be totally in my inner monster self,’ we’ve got all the cosplay attire to go with it. You can pick and choose and go minimalistic or all in.”
- Choose from 16 iconic Universal Monsters designs, like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Wolf Man, and Creature from the Black Lagoon.
- For those who don’t want a full face of monster make-up, there are half-face designs available.
- Quick but immersive: makeup applications take about 20 minutes.
Two ticket options:
- Makeup-only starts at $45 plus tax
- Full transformation with accessories is $169 for adults and $109 for kids
- Each time slot can accommodate up to 2 appointments
- Separate Theme Park Admission Is Required
If you prefer only the $45 make-up experience, accessories can be purchased separately within the Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities shop or at other retail locations around Dark Universe.
Character Options, Full transformation with accessories:
- Dracula
- Classic vampire look with pale skin, dark eyes, and a blood-red accent
- Transformation includes a cape and medallion
- Frankenstein’s Monster
- Stitches, bolts, and green-hued skin for a bold reimagining
- Accessories include a printed shirt, jacket, and silicone bolt necklace
- Bride of Frankenstein
- Striking white streaks in sculpted hair and dramatic eye detail
- Comes with a white dress, sleeveless gloves, and a light-up wig
- Wolf Man
- Hairy, wild look with sharp facial detailing
- Includes a furry hoodie, gloves, and boots
- Creature from the Black Lagoon
- Scaled and aquatic design with green and blue tones
- Transformation comes with an athletic shirt, shorts, gloves, and boots
Guests must be at least 5 years old, and guests in full makeup cannot purchase alcohol in the park due to facial recognition policies.
Why it’s worth it for adults, teens, or a spooky date:
Fischer calls the experience “a great bonding experience,” which sounds like a perfect Universal Epic Universe date night to us. What’s more, the experience just may work for both couples who like to plan out their date night or those who prefer to move on the fly.
“You can either reserve ahead of time, or we do walk-ins,” Fischer said. “For reservations, we do it online, and there are days and times listed for availability. And if you’re going to do a walk-in, I’d suggest coming first thing in the morning, but we have four chairs and it takes about 20 minutes, depending on which design you pick.”
- The makeup artistry is high-end, fast, and fully themed—great for content and photos.
- Perfect for couples who love Halloween, horror films, or just want a unique experience together.
- Teens and adults will appreciate the classic monster vibes and the chance to be part of the story.
Important note: This experience is great pairing with themed cocktails or dinner before your transformation, since alcohol sales are restricted once you're in full character. Once you’re in character, visit Dark Universe’s The Burning Blade Tavern and try the Monocane: an eerie green mocktail that’s a nod to 1933 Universal Monsters film “The Invisible Man” and the obscure drug Dr. Jack Griffin sips before becoming invisible.
The Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience is now officially open with Epic Universe and it's already turning heads…literally!
