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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    BringMeTheHorizLess than a minute ago

    The critique of Celestial needing time for trees to grow against the praise for SNW doesn’t make any sense when you remember SNW is devoid of trees except for some palms in Kong Country. I understand the critique of Dark Universe. Unless curse of the werewolf has nighttime projections it’s probably the least themed ride in the park (including Stardust). But while the land on initial pass though seems small, one must remember the land also constitutes the impressively themed queue for Unchained, the visually hidden taproom of Burning Blade, and the classic monsters and monster hunters that roam through it all. When they say “MoM is uninspired” they lose all credibility with me. Walking through the Floos and into the cavernous atrium of the MoM is the greatest reveal of a themed world since Diagon Alley. You are literally walking into the movie, and the full scale of everything is all there. The only negative thing I can say about the queue is that if you have to wait in all of it you’re going to have a bad time. That said, at least you’ll be standing in the most intricately detailed queue of all time. None of us common folk has ridden the ride so you have to take reviews of the whole package of Paris with a grain of salt. However, if you’re into wands the interactions they’ve put together throughout the land are beyond impressive. I’m not going to respond to the dismissive perspectives of Isle of Berk from people who haven’t been there, but they have made for some entertaining reads. The entirely of the land’s offerings and attractions will speak for themselves when the public gets to experience them. In summary you’re all looking at Epic’s ride count and IPs and saying “there’s not enough to do there.” If your only goal is to rope drop a theme park and blast through every e-ticket attraction once so you can make your dinner reservation then yeah, you can burn through all these rides pretty quick provided there’s no lines. That thought process isn’t your fault: it’s how we’ve all been conditioned to behave thanks in large part to corporate boardroom decision making where the bean counters take away details and fancy complicated apps make you schedule your day. We feel forced to justify the cost of our park tickets by riding every ride we can. Celestial Park itself, an area with barely any rides, exists as a physical manifestation that Epic is trying to be something different than what we’ve grown accustomed to over the past 10-15 years. The theming of the lands of Epic and everything in them, the rides, the queues, the restaurants, the food, the characters that freely roam, the shops, the facades, the sounds, the visuals, the shows, the meet and greets, the merchandise, and yes even the bathrooms are the sum of all parts and not that of the individual. If you only rope drop and blow through this place you’ll have lost the plot. A journey through Epic is to be savored and enjoyed. Do it any other way and I’d argue you haven’t experienced Epic at all.

    ToTBellHop58 minutes ago

    Pretty in line with what I’ve heard. FWIW, I’m sure Ministry will be spectacular once it works. But I see why they are almost immediately starting on expansion at EU.

    sedati7 hours ago

    That's basically all my preconceived notions confirmed. Didn't mention the hotel's looming presence, but perhaps didn't consider it part of the park (not should anyone).

    JT300011 hours ago

    Instead you get to hear "Epic Universe is currently destroying Disney!" Enjoy. 😄

    sonoma1512 hours ago

    I'm curious what they are referring to here with werewolf, based on aerial's there doesn't seem to be a scene before the first launch.

    Disney Analyst12 hours ago

    Interesting review found on ThemeParx:

    Disstevefan114 hours ago

    I sincerely believe TWDC and its theme parks are too big to be allowed to fail. The company is mostly owned by institutional investors and there are a lot of pension plans that rely on the stock to be stable forever.

    Agent H14 hours ago

    Of course. But a lot of people didn’t get the memo and it really annoys me.

    Disstevefan114 hours ago

    Of course EPIC will not destroy Disney, just like Disney did not destroy SeaWorld, Bush Gardens or Gatorland. Universal was also able to arrive in central Florida and grow, Disney did not destroy them. EPIC is good for the tourists! It provides the tourists more choices. Whether you go to EPIC or not, EPIC FORCES Disney to respond resulting in better things at WDW eventually.

    Disstevefan114 hours ago

    Don't Worry, EPIC is only the beginning! Click here

    Agent H15 hours ago

    I’m looking forward to not having to listen to “epic universe is gonna destroy Disney!” Over and over after this all shakes out.

    lazyboy97o15 hours ago

    Unless the UK government is willing to pony up more than half the cost, USUK isn’t going to be anything close to as ambitious as Epic Universe. There is no interest in building a third world’s most expensive theme park.

    Streetway Again15 hours ago

    That’s gonna be good! Also on the villains hype train, personally.

    DisneyDean9715 hours ago

    Another hype-train will just be getting started soon though... Universal Great Britain should be announced by years end.