Universal has officially announced details and shared all-new concept art for How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, one of the lands coming to the new Epic Universe theme park. The reveal of the land includes new looks at attractions, restaurants, and shops. Take a closer look at the latest Epic Universe announcement.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Guests will enter How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk through a portal in Celestial Park. The portals are designed to transport you to the different worlds of Epic Universe. This dragon-topped portal will lead you into the Isle of Berk. The land offers 4 attractions, along with shopping and dining.
This land will be set between the second and third “How to Train Your Dragon” films, in what Universal Creative calls “Berk 2.5.” This will be the largest land in Epic Universe, aside from Celestial Park, and modeled after an eighth-century Viking village.
Upon entering the land, guests will be immersed in a “rugged, massive, and wildly colorful Viking village perched above the sea.”
As is seen in the films, our first view of the Isle of Berk is through the Viking and dragon sentry statues with a view of rocky cliffs, dragon houses and mountains in the background.
You will be struck by the scale of the world and the vibrancy. We consider the world an attraction itself; the goal was always to make Berk alive and create a very vibrant and lively land where Vikings and dragons live in harmony.
Katy Pacitti, Executive Producer of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
This land will feature a number of detailed and handmade visuals, like nine-foot-tall doors, benches carved by chainsaw, woven tapestries, and six real-timber buildings. There will also be numerous fire-breathing dragons throughout the land.
Locations from the films will also be present, including Gobber’s Forge, Hiccup’s House, and the Dragon racing bleachers.
Attractions
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
On this family coaster, guests will take a ride in Hiccup’s new glider contraption: a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the sky for a dragon’s eye view of Berk.
However, Toothless is not so happy about Hiccup’s new invention, and launches the gliders before the wings are attached. So instead of a relaxing flight, guests will careen wildly over the lagoon.
Dragon Racer’s Rally
At Dragon Racer’s Rally, guests can fly together as they practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on a Viking-made dragon-riding trainer, all in the hopes of becoming champion dragon-racers.
This high-thrill flying attraction features a ride system new to Universal Destinations & Experiences and is themed after the worst dragon racer from the series, Snotlout, and the best dragon racer, Astrid. Guests will be able to “spin upside-down, as many times as [they] want,” with the option to create a “wild” or “mild” experience.
We’ve previously seen this ride testing at the Epic Universe construction site.
Fyre Drill
When living amongst dragons, it’s crucial to know how to put out fires. On Fyre Drill, this boat ride-turned-game sees Ruffnut & Tuffnut (the films’ often hysterical twin duo) transform Berk’s Fyre Skööl into a boat battle.
Two sides of the boats will compete to outscore and outsoak each other while trying to hit over 130 moving mechanical targets found throughout the attraction. Located in the middle of the world within the lagoon, guests will be able to see the attraction from multiple different angles.
Viking Training Camp
Viking Training Camp is for the younger Vikings in your party. Here, they can discover all classes of dragons as they climb, slide, and explore an interactive adventure camp and kids’ play area — all hosted by Fishlegs, Isle of Berk’s resident dragon expert.
The Untrainable Dragon
“The Untrainable Dragon” is a live, “Broadway-level production,” featuring costuming, sets, and advanced technology that helps bring these dragons to life.
The show will feature beloved characters (including Hiccup, Gobber, and Astrid) as a new dragon shows up on the Isle of Berk. The Vikings think they may have finally met their match with the mystery of the untrainable dragon. One show highlight will be Toothless flying directly above the audience.
“I’m really excited to watch Toothless fly because he’s pretty impressive and exciting,” says Pacitti. “In addition, the untrainable dragon is just beautiful.”
“The Untrainable Dragon” stage show will be similar to “Untrainable,” a show at Universal Studios Beijing, this show will be set in a different time period and feature varied characters.
Meet and Greets
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk will see dragons come to life in character meet and greets throughout the land.
Likely the most anticipated encounter will be with Toothless and Hiccup, who will meet guests in a “tranquil clearing created to honor the bond between dragon and Viking” at the Haddock Paddock.
“I do think that the Toothless meet and greet is what’s going to knock everybody’s socks off,” Pacitti says. “It’s going to be a guest experience that sets a new standard.”
Other meet and greets will include:
- Astrid and her Deadly Nadder, Stormfly as well as Ruffnut and Tuffnut can be seen roaming throughout the world interacting with guests.
- Gobber and his beloved Hotburple dragon Grump take center stage in the Forge.
Universal Orlando notes on their website that the “appearance of characters listed is subject to change without notice, and not all characters listed are guaranteed to appear at the same time, or on the same day.”
Restaurants
Mead Hall
When visiting Isle of Berk, dining like a Viking will be easy thanks to Mead Hall, what Universal calls “the beating heart of Berk.”
This giant dining hall serves as the village’s main gathering place, with a grand chamber constructed from mountain rock and a giant chandelier hanging overhead.
Vikings and guests alike can enjoy hearty meals, as well as unique beers and mead created just for this fast-casual restaurant.
Spit Fyre Grill
This quick-service restaurant overlooks the Fyre Drill attraction, and will serve “hearty meals flame-seared by a helpful (unseen) dragon fry cook.”
Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel
Guests will be able to find quick eats at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, a racing-themed food stand located in the Viking Camp.
Shopping
Guests will be able to find and purchase merchandise from shops including Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup’s Work Shop, and Toothless’ Treasures.
Check out our most recent How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk construction update to see the current progress of the land.
Universal Destinations and Experiences has now given us full details on 2 of the 5 themed lands for Epic Universe. Prior to this How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk announcement, Universal released the details about Celestial Park. There are still three more lands left to be announced, so stay tuned!
Epic Universe is scheduled to open in 2025. Check out the animated fly-over video of the land below:
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