Banking on the proven cross-generational appeal of vampire narratives, a new €1 billion theme park project based on the famous fictional character Dracula is planned near Bucharest, Romania. The developers present it as a “multi-sensory experience rooted in authentic Romanian mythology,” featuring a “metaverse element designed to ensure continuous engagement beyond the physical world.”
Dracula Land aims to become “the largest entertainment, retail, and technology destination on the continent, transforming the country into a new global entertainment hub.” It is described as a hybrid ecosystem combining a “physical destination, a digital universe and a scalable intellectual property.”
Often dubbed “Transylvanian Disneyland,” the park is set to feature a water park, thermal spa, shopping district, and entertainment area incorporating a tech hub.
Designed by Chris Lange, the former creative director at Europa-Park, the park is said to be “one of the most significant theme park developments currently underway in Europe,” according to the industry website ThemeParks-EU.
AI-generated images have been released to provide a tangible idea of what the park will ultimately look like. Spanning more than 780,000 square metres, the site features six themed zones with 40 attractions.
The Moonlit District will act as the main entrance and is designed to resemble a main street in Bucharest, complete with signature attractions, extended shopping hours, and dining options. The Family Kingdom is centred on vampires and other supernatural creatures from around the world, combining rides with experiences suitable for families and toddlers.
Transylvania is presented as a forest and village setting centred around major rides, and Dracula’s Castle serves as a landmark attraction with a maze and a flagship rollercoaster. Port of New Orleans draws on Mardi Gras imagery with carnival-style attractions, while London Town adopts Victorian London themes, offering period-inspired rides and entertainment.
In addition to the six themed zones, the plans include a full water park and a thermal spa with at least 30 water attractions.
Guests will be able to stay on site in one of three themed accommodation options: the four-star Dracula Grand Hotel, the three-star Dracula Family Hotel, and the Dracula Inn. Together, they will offer around 1,200 rooms.
Founder Dragoș Dobrescu has described Dracula Land as “a national project,” saying it brings together “discipline, rigour, vision, and the ability to bring together complex teams with very different specialisations,” while adding that the project aims to create landmarks rather than “simple real estate developments.” The site is expected to be located around 20 minutes from Bucharest Airport.
The developers say they are targeting three million visitors per year. No official opening date or ticket prices have yet been announced, though the first phase could launch in 2027. Promoters say the project is expected to create around 5,000 tourism-related jobs, both directly and indirectly, with an estimated economic impact of €5 billion over the next ten years.
On its website, Dracula Land explains that “cultural tourism and experience-based entertainment are growing faster than traditional leisure,” citing 32 per cent year-on-year market growth. The site also positions itself as filling a “regional gap,” stating that Central and Eastern Europe currently lack a branded destination of this kind on a global scale. It notes that the Dracula myth enjoys “82 per cent global fame,” while remaining commercially underdeveloped and banks on bridging the gap.
