Epic Universe,Universal’s new high-tech theme park scheduled to open in Orlando in 2025 — is one of the most anticipated projects being worked on in the theme park world right now. For years, the company stayed tight-lipped about what was coming to the new park. However, they’ve recently begun divulging new and exciting details about Epic Universe and its lands that have us even more excited!
After years of secrecy and rumors, universal released a full preview of How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk in late March 2024, somewhere in the range of a year before the park’s opening/
Background
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise first entered the public consciousness in 2003, when British author Cressida Cowell published the first of an eventual 12 books. DreamWorks Animation quickly acquired the film rights to the series and released a cinematic adaption entitled How to Train Your Dragon in 2010.
The film was a massive hit, finishing in the global top 10 for the year, and it led to a full multimedia franchise. Over the next decade-plus, there were two theatrical sequels (2014’s How to Train Your Dragon 2 and 2019’s How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World), over 200 episodes of animated television spread across three different series, video games, books, a touring stage show, and even a live-action adaptation scheduled for 2025.
With the remarkable success of the franchise, it seemed like only a matter of time until How to Train Your Dragon was utilized in a theme park. However, it would take a massive business deal. DreamWorks animated films – including the first two HTTYD films – had been distributed by Paramount Pictures and then 20th Century Fox. That arrangement lasted until 2016 when the company and the majority of its library were purchased outright by Universal.
Once Universal’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation was fully approved, the company quickly went to work adding the IP to their parks. In conjunction with the release of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, a virtual reality experience and a meet and greet with the series’ titular dragon Toothless were introduced in select spots.
Building on those temporary experiences, Universal Studios Beijing featured Untrainable, a stage show based on the franchise, as an opening day attraction when that park debuted in 2021. However, all of these were simply a prelude to what is coming to Epic Universe.
Take to the skies and soar with dragons as you explore the colorful Viking village at the heart of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. #EpicUniversepic.twitter.com/ZAFTxYd3an
— Universal Orlando Resort (@UniversalORL) March 28, 2024
Entrance
The entrance to this land will, like the other entrances to the lands at Epic Universe, feature a portal. This one seems to feature various dragon imagery among other details.
In describing the land, Universal notes that Epic Universe guests will be able to “Take to the skies and soar with dragons as you explore the colorful Viking village at the heart of Berk. Take part in wild boat battles, feast like a Viking and more.”
In another description, Universal notes that guests will be able to “soar with dragons in a colorful world filled with Viking adventures based on the wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon film franchise.”
NEW: Universal Orlando Resort has revealed How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, one of the five worlds featured at the all-new Universal Epic Universe theme park set to open in 2025. pic.twitter.com/qKnQBd5FhN
Construction Photos of the Land via Bioreconstruct on X/Twitter
In a video about the land, Universal mentioned the “ultimate wish fulfillment of flying with dragons.”
Finally, in the official announcement of the land’s content, Universal described it as:
“Developed in partnership between Universal Creative and the powerhouse filmmakers from DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk captures the heart, humor and scale of the films within an authentic re-creation of the rugged, rocky world where raucous Vikings and rambunctious dragons live together in hilarious harmony. 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. And everywhere guests look within the bustling village, they’ll find endless activity – from active dragons in their natural habitats and sheep attempting to disguise themselves as Terrible Terror dragons to sporadic bouts of fire – making Isle of Berk an attraction unto itself.”
Confirmed Details
Universal’s March 28th announcement about the land confirmed many details that those following rumors and construction photos already knew. For starters, the anchor attraction of the land is reportedly a massive steel family launch coaster which will traverse the permitter of the land, intertwining with smaller flat rides and a lagoon.
Concept Art, Universal
Universal describes the coaster, named Hiccup’s Wing Glider, as such:
“From Hiccup’s workshop comes his latest contraption: a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the air, swooping and soaring and encountering Hiccup and Toothless along the way. Get ready to board Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a fun coaster that invites Vikings to prove they’re brave enough to speed through the sky with dragons.”
The coaster’s ride system is rumored to be quite similar to Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure, with several launches, show scenes, and an inversion-less, family-friendly layout.
via Bioreconstruct on X/Twitter
The coaster isn’t scheduled to be the only ride within the rumored How to Train Your Dragon area. The land will reportedly contain an interactive boat ride which will allow guests in competing boats to fire water cannons at each other, while those not on the ride can fire at both.
Concept Art, Universal
Universal has confirmed that this boat ride will be called Fyre Drill, and will be themed around the idea of training villagers to put out the “inevitable” fires that occur around dragons.
“With fire-breathing dragons everywhere, villagers have to be prepared. Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut have transformed Berk’s Fyre Skööl into a watery, interactive boat battle at sea. Board your ship in Fyre Drill and blast your water cannons at flame-like targets – and the occupants of every other boat – to out-soak other Vikings.”
Furthermore, the land will feature a ride themed to dragon racing.. We have seen some testing of a spinning ride taking place and eagerly wanted to learn more.
Test dummies strapped in on a spinning ride in ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ land via bioreconstruct on X/Twitter
Universal granted that wish in their March announcement, confirming that the attraction will be known as the Dragon Racer’s Rally and have a height requirement of 48 inches.
Concept Art, Universal
“The sport of dragon racing is a celebrated pastime on the Isle of Berk. At Dragon Racer’s Rally, Berk’s new Vikings can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on a Viking-made dragonriding trainer. You’ll need these high-flying, gravity-defying, swooping and soaring skills if you hope to become a champion dragon racer.”
The land is also rumored to feature a large interactive play area, as well as a stage show entitled The Untrainable Dragon.
Concept Art, Universal
Universal describes the show as such:
“When a new dragon shows up on the Isle of Berk, the Vikings think they may have finally met their match. Hiccup and Toothless, with help from Gobber and Astrid, work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon. Experience the wonder of dragons onstage and soaring overhead in this spectacular, music-filled, heart-warming live show.”
Aerial photo of steel frame in progress for the marquee of the How To Train Your Dragon theater. In lower left is a service channel for the boat ride. pic.twitter.com/A34dZpEB4t
The land will also feature a Viking Training Camp play area, where “Junior Vikings can learn 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 more.”
Concept Art, Universal
Beyond the attractions, the heavily themed land will allegedly replicate the film series’ mythical setting, the Isle of Berk, in fully scaled detail, including a massive restaurant named the Mead Hall that replicates the Great Hall of the films. According to Universal:
“Here’s the place to eat and drink like a Viking! The massive Mead Hall is Berk’s main gathering place, a grand chamber hewn from mountain rock where Vikings feast on a hearty menu including meat, fish, sandwiches and desserts. Beverages include assorted meads, ciders and ales.”
Concept Art, Universal
In addition to the Mead Hall, Universal further confirmed two more food locations for the land: Spit Fyre Grill, described as “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” and Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, where guests can “grab quick bites at this festive racing-themed food stand located in the Viking Camp.”
The land will also feature several opportunities for guests to meet characters from the films, including coming face to face will full scale dragons. These meet and greet opportunities include the Haddock Paddock area, where guests can meet “heroic Dragon Rider, Hiccup, and pose for a photo with his friendly Night Fury, Toothless.” In addition, the company says that guests may “encounter other familiar Vikings and dragons while exploring Berk.”
Like the wands of the Wizarding World or the Mario-themed Power Bands of Super Nintendo World, the land based on How to Train Your Dragon is also rumored to feature an interactive souvenir. It’s rumored that guests will be able to “adopt” their own dragon — possibly the one they’re “training” to ride — which will interact with the land.
According to Universal, other shops in the land will include Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup’s Work Shop, and Toothless’ Treasures.
Popcorn Bucket
That’s what we know about this land so far but we cannot wait to find out more. Epic Universe is set to open in 2025, which isn’t that far away, so get ready for all kinds of updates!
Are you excited for Epic Universe’s How to Train Your Dragon Land? Which part sounds most appealing? The coaster? The theming? The interactive dragon? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to AllEars for more breaking Epic Universe news.
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