Seven minutes. Seven minutes is all I can spare… to tell you all about the Resident Evil Takeover coming to Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas this summer! Need to rush back to the bingo hall? Here are the basics:
- The Resident Evil Takeover is a one-of-a-kind experience that will transform Universal Horror Unleashed into a living nightmare, complete with iconic sets and characters from the games, interactive puzzles, and themed food and beverage.
- Access to the Resident Evil Takeover is included in your ticket to Universal Horror Unleashed, which you can purchase in advance here. The event will run fromJuly 9through August 30, 2026.
- All four haunted houses at Universal Horror Unleashed will operate as normal during the Resident Evil Takeover. You should allow at least 3 hours to experience everything!
Dying for more details? I’ve got you covered: As a huge “Resident Evil” fan, I was thrilled to sit down with Del Wynegar, assistant director of entertainment at Universal Horror Unleashed (UHU), and Kevin Katan, producer for entertainment at UHU, to get the full scoop.
Read on for everything you need to know about the Resident Evil Takeover at Universal Horror Unleashed!
The RPD Needs You!
As soon as you enter Universal Horror Unleashed, you’ll see the famous “Welcome to Raccoon City” sign — but don’t waste any time admiring the Umbrella-sponsored scenery. The Raccoon City Police Department needs volunteers to help deal with a T-Virus outbreak, and you’re next in line.
“We’re setting the expectations from the get-go, which is fantastic,” says Del. “We want to provide fans with that experience that puts them within Racoon City, within the RPD, amidst bloodthirsty zombies and throughout combat zones with your favorite hero characters — and some of the antagonists as well.”
Once inside the safe zone of the Raccoon City Police Department, you’ll receive an assignment of RPD Officer, STARS, or BSAA. From there, your interactive mission will begin. And in true “Resident Evil” fashion, it’s going to involve solving some puzzles! That means you’ll be piecing together clues, trying to crack locks and codes, and hunting down vital intel for your mission.
PRO TIP: If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for Easter eggs from the games that you can uncover during your mission. (Then again, I’m pretty sure I could find a Mr. Raccoon statue with my eyes closed.)
As you make your way through the chaos of Racoon City, you’ll encounter some major players from the “Resident Evil” franchise, including Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, and Ada Wong, as they battle the surrounding zombie hordes. Once the dust settles, you’ll get to interact with your favorite characters and even snap some photos with them! Just be sure to be on the lookout for a Chainsaw Man or Nemesis.
This is also where repeatability comes into play. Each time you enter Raccoon City, you can choose to be assigned to a new faction for a different mission experience. You’ll also encounter different heroes in the combat zone each time!
“You might spot someone one time, and as you come back again, you’re seeing action from Claire, Jill, whoever,” Del explains. “It just feels like it is the game. [You’re] able to see these people within the world that they live, but face-to-face.”
Jill Sandwich, Anyone?
The Resident Evil Takeover was designed with a linear story, but once your mission ends, you’re free to explore the experience at your own pace. Regardless of your tactic, you’ll eventually find yourself in the Umbrella Underground Laboratory. Here, beneath cold lights and humming lab equipment, you can unwind with themed food items and cocktails inspired by the T-Virus and its (many) mutations, including:
- Jill Sandwich: Brioche, hickory smoked bacon, bibb lettuce, heirloom tomato chutney, avocado mousse, and black garlic aioli served on a medical-grade surgical tray.
- The Sewer Special: Beer-battered cod, cajun fries, house tartar, and lemon sofrito served on a medical-grade surgical tray.
- Brain Freeze: Ube gelato, mango gelee, chocolate feuilletine, raspberry sauce, coco nibs, and chocolate shard served in a souvenir beaker
- The Umbrella: Tequila, pineapple thai chili syrup, lime juice, grapefruit soda, garnished with a “rotten” pineapple and umbrella
The gamification of the Resident Evil Takeover extends into the exclusive menu and retail offerings, too! Keep your eyes and ears peeled throughout your time in Raccoon City — you just might figure out a secret code to share with a bartender to unlock a secret drink menu.
“We have an amazing team here, and they’re all very excited about getting involved,” shares Kevin. “Maybe there’s a code that gets you a discount in the retail shop — little things like that. We want to really embrace that everyone in the building is part of this experience.”
An International Bioweapons Conspiracy Collaboration
A collaboration between Universal Horror Unleashed and “Resident Evil” isn’t just a thrilling mash-up of two iconic horror brands — it’s also the culmination of years of partnership. “Resident Evil” has previously appeared as part of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida, and it’s a staple of the annual event at Universal Studios Japan.
“It’s been a really nice collaboration with the [USJ] team,” Kevin explains. “We’re getting costumes from them, which is amazing. They’ve been so helpful with getting us the things we need to really support this project.”
“We’re even working with Universal Studios Hollywood to provide some scenic elements from previous [haunted] houses that can work within our space as well,” adds Del. “It’s really great to tap into those resources, because we are one big family.”
Exclusive, limited-time experiences, stateside and intercontinental collaboration, and an opportunity to step into one of the most iconic horror gaming franchises of all time… What more could you ask for? The answer is a ticket, obviously — and you can click here to book your visit to Universal Horror Unleashed this summer.
“The biggest thing is this is an experience that needs to be seen,” says Del. “You’re going to see the best of Universal Horror Unleashed, but you’re also going to see the best of ‘Resident Evil.’ If you’ve been waiting to go to Universal Horror Unleashed, now’s the time.”
Are you a ‘Resident Evil’ superfan? What part of the Takeover excites you the most? Comment and let us know!