Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrDisney’s Josh D’Amaro may have said the Mouse House isn’t worried about Universal’s latest addition, but this new information might make them rethink.
The big news this year was obviously the debut of Universal Orlando Resort’s official third theme park gate, Universal Epic Universe. And while there have been issues and complaints with the new Florida destination, it’s still one of the most talked about–and award-winning–places on the East Coast. So much so, in fact, that Universal has officially taken over Disney’s e-ticket Star Wars ride at the Hollywood Studios theme park.
Universal Epic Universe opened on May 22 after weeks of passholder and team member previews. Lauded for its variety of lands–which include the Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, and the latest Wizarding World expansion, The Ministry of Magic–Epic Universe has been an industry-changing addition to the theme park landscape of the Sunshine State.
Despite some operational setbacks, Epic Universe continues to entice guests and is seemingly already planning to grow with new lands and experiences–even if the park’s creator says guests should be happy with what is already there.
It was only normal for theme park fans to debate over how the arrival of Epic Universe would affect the Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney responded by opening all of its parks (the first time since 2019) the day before Epic Universe welcomed the public. Disney Experiences’ Josh D’Amaro was also confident that if people were heading out to Epic Universe, they would have to visit the Magic Kingdom.
But while Disney may have a dedicated fanbase, the shiny, new Epic Universe is dominating the industry, leading Disney to relinquish some of its accolades.
Universal Takes Over Number One Spot Held by Disney’s Star Wars Ride
At Walt Disney World, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has become a benchmark for cinematic attractions. Guests are recruited by the Resistance, captured by the First Order, and launched into a daring escape aboard a Star Destroyer. The ride blends four systems—trackless vehicles, simulators, a drop shaft, and walk-through sequences—into a nearly 20-minute experience packed with 65 animatronics, projection effects, and appearances from Rey, Kylo Ren, and General Hux.
It’s part show, part thrill ride, and part interactive film. The ambition has made it a fan favorite, though its complexity also means frequent downtime. When it’s running smoothly, many consider it Disney’s most impressive achievement to date. It has won numerous awards and, for the last two years, has been crowned Amusement Today’s Best Dark Ride at the Golden Ticket Awards–but it wouldn’t make a hat-trick in 2025.
Over at Universal, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment trades epic space battles for gothic horror. Inside Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s lab, her experiments spiral out of control, unleashing Dracula, The Wolf Man, and other iconic monsters.
The attraction relies on KUKA robotic arms—the same tech behind Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey—to whip riders through close calls with 14 lifelike animatronics, including a towering Frankenstein’s Monster. The focus is on intensity over narrative, with dark sets, sudden movements, and in-your-face encounters that lean heavily on practical effects rather than screens. Guests describe it as immersive and atmospheric without being overwhelming, with some calling the animatronics among the best ever created.
It is this immersiveness that has seen Universal’s Monsters Unchained take over Disney’s Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance as the number one dark ride experience.
“2025 saw a big winner during the evening — Universal Orlando Resort. Its new Universal Epic Universe park walked away with four wins: Best New Roller Coaster (Stardust Racers), Best New Attraction Installation (Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry), Best New Theme Concept, and Best Dark Ride,” the Golden Ticket Awards announcement read. “Those latter two categories centered around the park’s Dark Universe area and its anchor attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.”
The tone between the two attractions couldn’t be more different. Rise builds to a cinematic victory, while Monsters Unchained keeps the tension high from start to finish. Operationally, Disney’s ride is notorious for its downtime, while Universal’s has proven remarkably efficient, already serving over a million guests just weeks after opening.
In the end, for guests, it comes down to preference. Rise of the Resistance delivers on sweeping, story-first spectacle, perfect for Star Wars fans. Monsters Unchained offers a darker, more visceral experience, pulling riders into a monster movie come to life.
How do you feel about Monsters Unchained taking over Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for the number one spot? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!