Universal Orlando hasn't said a word about what's coming to Dark Universe's empty expansion pad — but Orange County permit records are starting to fill in the blanks. Newly updated filings for a project labeled "Project 680" describe a three-story, roughly 93,000-square-foot building that includes a ride maintenance bay on its first floor. That single detail is the clearest sign yet that the structure is designed to house a ride, rather than a theater or live-entertainment venue as the building's scale had previously left open.
Dark Universe opened alongside Epic Universe with two experiences: the elaborate indoor ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and the outdoor coaster Curse of the Werewolf. Approximately three acres behind the land have long been set aside for a second phase of development, with a logical guest entrance situated between The Burning Blade Tavern and Monsters Unchained. At least one permit associated with Project 680 has reportedly been issued, moving the mystery project a step closer to reality — though no construction has begun and Universal has made no official announcement.
The building number in county review comments adds geographic weight to the speculation. Epic Universe's 15XX building numbers belong to Dark Universe, and the project references a Building 1570 — a number that didn't previously exist and sits sequentially next to Building 1560, which is tied to Curse of the Werewolf. That proximity points directly to the land's unused expansion area.
The most popular fan theory holds that the new ride will center on the Creature from the Black Lagoon, possibly as an indoor boat attraction. Some observers have also connected the Bride of Frankenstein to the project based on official Dark Universe merchandise. Neither the permit filings nor Universal confirm any creature, ride system, or story concept. The issued permit reportedly carries a January 2027 expiration date, meaning any associated ground work would need to begin — or the permit extended — within that window.
Dark Universe isn't the only part of Epic Universe generating expansion paperwork. A separate project near The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic has also surfaced in county records, and Universal Creative's Anisha Vyas has publicly teased that more is coming to Epic Universe's Wizarding World, without offering specifics. Disney Fanatic first reported the permit details for Project 680.
