What is Dracula Land? Inside the World’s First Vampire Theme Park

Sunny Chanel
A nighttime scene featuring a towering statue of a character with a black cape and pointed hair, surrounded by a large crowd at a theme park. Colorful fireworks illuminate the sky in the background.

Steeped in lore, history, and gothic sensibility, Romania offers a new reason to plan a far-flung future adventure. Located about twenty minutes outside of Bucharest, the ambitious Dracula Land is quickly taking form.

You may have already heard of this, “the world’s first and largest Dracula-themed park,” that was announced late last year with a billion-dollar investment. “A world in the making – where myth, technology, and imagination united.” But seeing that this is spooky season, it seemed like a good time to review what Dracula Land is all about. While it focuses on the legend of vampires, Dracula Land will offer far more than gothy fun.

They’re currently in the “Foundation stage,” with construction set to begin in late 2016 and the various elements opening in stages,  perhaps starting in late 2017.

Spanning almost 200 acres, the park will include six immersive lands with about 40 attractions, luxury hotels, a water park, a pro racing track, a 22,500-seat arena, plus a tech hub with gaming and space for AI startups. Ambitious indeed. So what is in store for Dracula Land?

A lively outdoor scene at night with a large crowd gathered, colorful fireworks lighting up the sky above an amusement park. In the background, a tall structure with a figure and illuminated rides can be seen, while decorative lights adorn the area.

Moonlit District:

This is kind of like their Main Street, U.S.A., with the architecture inspired by Bucharest’s colorful buildings.  The area will feature the Transylvanian Railway, a Double Carousel that doubles as a music machine, the Flying Theater Romanian Odyssey, a Hollywood Vampires Immersive exhibition, the Legend of Vlad Walk-Through experience, a drone show, and restaurants and cafes.

A vibrant amusement park scene featuring a large illuminated Ferris wheel, crowds of people enjoying various attractions, and themed buildings with colorful lights. In the foreground, there are interactive structures and a giant character figure.

Family Kingdom:

Family Kingdom will focus on vampire lore and other supernatural creatures from around the globe. They plan to blend these myths with entertainment, and it seems to be the park’s main land. This area will feature their Going Batty Interactive Dark Ride, a Magic Bats ride, an entertainment area, and a toddler zone

A bustling medieval-style marketplace featuring ornate buildings with wooden facades, colorful flags, and a central stone fountain. Crowds of people are gathered around food stalls and enjoying the festive atmosphere during sunset.

Transylvania:

Immersed in Dracula’s legend and origin story, the Transylvania area, infused with the region’s cultural heritage, will feature a homage to the Carpathian Mountains, a traditional village, and an eerie forest. There will also be rollercoasters, a playground, characters, and themed dining. Very old-school Transylvania.

A vibrant scene depicting a large crowd gathered around a beautifully illuminated castle beside a river, with colorful buildings and a ship in the foreground, surrounded by lush greenery.
A grand, dimly lit interior of Dracula's Castle featuring high arched ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and a crowd of elegantly dressed people amidst a gothic atmosphere with red lighting.
A couple in a historic museum exhibit, wearing augmented reality headsets, interact with a holographic knight in armor while a cloaked figure stands in the background next to a stained glass window.
A grand, illuminated interior of a cathedral with blue lighting and elaborate stained glass windows, featuring a gathering of people on a polished floor.

Dracula’s Castle:

Like a Disney park, Dracula Castle serves as the park’s centerpiece. Inside, guests can take an interactive walk-through of Dracula and the castle’s history, ride a bat-themed coaster, and race to escape Dracula in the catacombs. Outside, guests can explore a hedge maze, take boat rides, and visit ruins. Dining will take place in the Great Hall, where Dracula holds court.

A vibrant square filled with people enjoying the evening, featuring a fountain in the foreground and colorful buildings with balconies adorned with flowers. Street vendors and various stalls are set up along the pathways, with a warm sunset sky in the background.

Port of New Orleans:

Perhaps taking a page from Interview with the Vampire, Dracula Land will host a Port of New Orleans. Inspired by the energy of Mardi Gras, the area will boast classic New Orleans architecture by a manmade bayou. It will feature shopping, dining, games, and attractions such as the Werewolf Run, a coaster race.

A bustling street scene in a historic urban area, featuring red-brick buildings, shops, and cafes with glowing signs, as pedestrians walk along a rain-slicked pathway.

London Town:

Modeled after Victorian London, you can shop, feast on British specialties, and train with a vampire hunter by completing an obstacle course and a bit of parkour. You can also take horse-and-carriage rides and go on boat adventures.

Aerial view of a large, illuminated building surrounded by a crowd of people, with a fountain in the foreground and trees lining the area.
A luxurious bathroom featuring a freestanding marble bathtub, elegant chandelier, and soft drapes. The space includes a glass shower, a small table with candles, and tasteful wall decor.
Elegant hotel room showcasing a plush bed with decorative bedding, a cozy seating area, and warm lighting from a lamp, set against large windows with sheer curtains.

Grand Hotel:

There will be three hotels: the Grand Hotel, a luxury property; the Family Hotel, also aiming to be deluxe but more family-friendly; and the Dracula Inn, a more budget-friendly option.

Aerial view of a lazy river at a water park featuring colorful inner tubes, lush greenery, and water slides in the background. People are enjoying the water attractions.

While not themed to vampires, the Dracula Land Aqua Park will be a year-round destination with water slides, a lazy river, and one of Europe’s largest wave pools

Beyond the themed lands, Dracula Land will also feature a 22,500-seat arena for concerts and events, a huge racetrack, a tech hub with gaming, and space for AI startups. Additionally, the park will launch a Dracula Land Metaverse, where you can explore the park virtually in augmented reality.

All images via Dracula Land

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