Universal Orlando reveals new details about 'How To Train Your Dragon - Isle Of Berk' coming to Epic Universe

Mar 28, 2024 in "Universal Orlando Resort"

Universal Epic Universe concept art - How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk
Posted: Thursday March 28, 2024 9:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Universal Orlando Resort has today unveiled the first details on a new land filled with Viking adventures in "How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk" – one of the five worlds featured at the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park opening in 2025.

Universal says guests will experience what it's like to live amongst dragons as they explore a larger-than-life world based on DreamWorks Animation's multi-award-winning and Academy Award-nominated trilogy, "How to Train Your Dragon." The world includes exciting attractions, beloved character meet-and-greets, dining, shopping, and even flying dragons.

Developed in partnership between Universal Creative, DreamWorks Animation, and Universal Pictures, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk recreates the rugged, rocky world where raucous Vikings and rambunctious dragons live together in hilarious harmony.

The company says that guests visiting Berk will encounter "one of the most breathtaking environments Universal has ever created – complete with immense architecture featuring hand-carved details, lush landscaping, and extraordinary heights of rolling hills surrounding vibrant dragon houses and local establishments."

WELCOME TO THE ISLE OF BERK

Guests' first sight of Berk will be reminiscent of the iconic sweeping vista straight from the films – featuring a vast sparkling lagoon that boasts two 40-foot-tall Viking statues set against an energetic village perched above churning seas. Guests will discover four attractions, one live show, and several character and dragon meet-and-greet experiences that offer something for every member of the family, including:

Hiccup's Wing Gliders – On this family thrill coaster, Hiccup invites brave new Vikings to take a ride in his latest glider contraption – a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the sky for a dragon's eye view of Berk. Guests will fly alongside Hiccup and Toothless and reach speeds up to 45 mph as they soar around the perimeter of Berk – and even through the lagoon – while experiencing firsthand what it's like to fly on a dragon.


The Untrainable Dragon – Inspired by Universal Beijing Resort's wildly successful "Untrainable" show, this dragon-filled live spectacular takes guests on an unforgettable journey with beloved characters Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon. This heartwarming story comes to life with captivating musical numbers, breathtaking sets and life-sized dragons soaring overhead.

Fyre Drill – Mischievous Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut invite teams of Vikings to compete to outscore and out-soak each other on this wet-and-wild boat battle. Guests will board a colorful dragon-headed boat and blast water cannons at flame-like targets to practice putting out fires – a crucial skill to master when living with dragons.


Dragon Racer's Rally – Berk's new Vikings racers can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on two Viking-made dragon-riding trainers that reach heights of up to 67 feet in the air. Guests can control how "wild" or "mild" their experience will be as they perform high-flying, gravity-defying, swooping and soaring skills that are necessary to earn the accolades worthy of a true champion dragon racer.


Viking Training Camp – Junior Vikings will learn everything they need to know about dragons as they climb, slide and explore their way through this sprawling interactive adventure play camp – featuring a Viking agility course, a Toothless-themed teeter-totter, baby Gronckle dragon climbers and so much more.

Meet Hiccup and Toothless – Guests can visit the Haddock Paddock for an incredible meet-and-greet experience with heroic Dragon Rider, Hiccup, and pose for a photo with his friendly Night Fury, Toothless. Plus, throughout the day, guests may also encounter other familiar Vikings and dragons while exploring Berk.



Guests can also dine and shop like Vikings in the world's variety of themed eateries and retail locations, including:

Mead Hall — The beating heart of Berk and the village's main gathering hall, Mead Hall is where guests can feast like a Viking and enjoy a savory menu featuring a variety of meats, fish, sandwiches and more along with a collection of meads and ciders.


Spit Fyre Grill — Overlooking the action of the Fyre Drill water attraction, Spit Fyre Grill is a quick-service dining location featuring delicious, hearty meals flame-seared by a helpful (unseen) dragon fry cook.

Hooligan's Grog & Gruel — Guests can grab quick bites at this festive racing-themed food stand located in the Viking Camp.

And after a day of dragon training, guests can commemorate their lessons with an array of merchandise available at highly-themed shops like Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup's Work Shop, and Toothless' Treasures.

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BrianLo1 day ago

I didn't know they were making a live action How to train your Dragon. Certainly fortuitous timing.

UNCgolf1 day ago

Yeah, that's why I added the "if maintained and functioning properly" disclaimer.

JoeCamel1 day ago

And Spidey just got another TEA award at IAAPA, amazing for an "old" ride

drkarcher221 day ago

River Adventure can get moved back up when they finally get around to fixing all the Dino’s and scenes that just don’t work anymore

SplashJacket1 day ago

Yeah, the FJ screen domes have aged really poorly. Also think part of the issue is screens often direct your focus towards some time of specific action or event whereas non-screen scenes have a less focused attention, leading to more diversity of experience and thus increased re-ride ability, because the moments perceived are different each time. Thankfully, I think Universal realizes this, and thus the premiere dark rides here are done right.

UNCgolf1 day ago

I personally think screen heavy attractions suffer from this in general. It's happened to Flight of Passage for me too -- I still like FoP, but I honestly find NRJ more enjoyable now. I'm sure it varies from person to person, but there's something about being in a physical environment that feels different/less replicable than watching something happen on a screen. Attractions like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Spaceship Earth haven't lost any of their appeal to me compared to ones like FoP and Spiderman. FJ and Spiderman are both obviously more than just screens (unlike FoP) but they're still a major part of the experience.

SplashJacket1 day ago

Spider-Man and FJ were both super high on my list when I first experienced them but now they’re no where near the top. It is interesting that both have fallen so much in comparison to other attractions like Indy or RSR. Perhaps because both focused more on technology? I don’t think the Epic premiere attractions will suffer the same fate, but we’ll see

UNCgolf1 day ago

Forbidden Journey wasn't even the best ride at Islands of Adventure when it opened -- both Spiderman (which I'm also nowhere near as high on as other people) and Jurassic Park River Adventure were (and are) better, at least when maintained and functioning properly. FJ has more impressive technology for sure, but it doesn't really use it very well.

sonoma151 day ago

It's still my third favorite dark ride of all time, right behind Spiderman and Tower of Terror!

TalkToEthan2 days ago

Could you elaborate on that below as I’m not understanding what you mean—— I must be missing an obvious point you’re making. Thanks thanks

SplashJacket2 days ago

Look at what opened 15 years after Indy opened and then look at what opened 15 years after FJ opened. Not exactly a similar slate

DarkMetroid5672 days ago

Oh yeah, it’s still very good, especially the physical set dark ride portions. But the “#1 best ride ever” talk didn’t last long.

ToTBellHop2 days ago

He does look at that dragon the same way Nala looks at Simba during “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

drkarcher222 days ago

“and the Time Room – which is overflowing with a variety of Time-Turners and unique timekeeping devices.” This would imply that we would be going into the department of mysteries, the room where the time turners are kept is in the department. They get destroyed in the final battle in Order of the Phoenix. Presumably because the author was tired of people pointing out how pretty much every single plot in the series could be solved with them. Oh, Fudge doesn’t believe Voldemort is back, well just have him send an Auror back to Little Hangleton at the time Harry says Voldemort returned to check the validity of his claims. Even if they can’t interfere in what happened they’d still have clear proof that he returned and knowledge of his plans and the names of the Death Eaters in his inner circle, but that’s enough overthinking a book. The ride looks incredible, I love that we’re getting in queue animatronics in multiple rides with Ministry, DK and Monsters. (Along with potentially more depending on how they do the fortune teller for Curse of the Wolf, although I’d assume that will be done with a screen like Bill in the Gringotts line)