Last weekend’s Saturday Night Live had fans cracking up, thanks to host Walton Goggins and a sketch that hilariously spoofed Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, Epic Universe.
The standout sketch was set in the “Deathly Diner,” a playful nod to Das Stakehaus, the vampire-themed restaurant in the park’s Dark Universe section. Packed with sharp humor and over-the-top acting, the segment poked fun at the quirks of immersive dining experiences.
Dark Universe Gets the SNL Treatment
Das Stakehaus is one of the highlights of the Dark Universe, a part of Epic Universe that celebrates Universal’s classic monster movies.
The restaurant, designed as an “old inn built over ancient catacombs,” serves gothic-inspired dishes like the “Blood Orange Chicken Sandwich” and “Bird on a Stake.” The ambiance is completed by servers dressed as vampire familiars, making it a natural target for some good-natured ribbing.
In SNL’s version, the restaurant became the “Deathly Diner,” where Walton Goggins and Ashley Padilla played a couple taking their kids out for dinner.
From the start, they were met with an in-character vampire hostess who set the mood by dramatically saying, “It might be your last.” The absurdity only ramped up from there.
When Immersion Meets Comedy
Throughout the sketch, the family found themselves puzzled by the overly dramatic names of otherwise ordinary menu items. Their questions about the backstory of the restaurant led to awkward moments as the staff tried—and failed—to improvise a cohesive story, something which might sound familiar to Universal team members and Disney cast members alike.
Walton Goggins nailed the role of the increasingly frustrated dad, while Ashley Padilla’s mom tried to keep the family experience on track. Meanwhile, Ego Nwodim and Bowen Yang stole scenes as struggling team members trying to stay in character despite the chaos.
A Funny Take on Epic Universe
Universal’s Epic Universe immerses guests in magical worlds. SNL, however, showed how these ambitious experiences can lead to hilarious situations. Das Stakehaus has earned praise for its detailed theming. The sketch, though, reminded us that even the best immersive concepts come with quirks.
Goggins and the cast delivered laugh-out-loud moments relatable to theme park fans. Whether you’ve been to Epic Universe or just love a good parody, the sketch celebrated the fun and awkwardness of immersive dining.
Have you ever had a funny experience at a theme park restaurant? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your stories!
