The second reveal for Epic Universe is here! Today we are looking at the full reveal of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. Here, guests discover the world of dragons inspired by the hit How to Train Your Dragon books, movies, and TV series. Grab a turkey leg and a large flagon of mead, because it’s time to dive into the Isle of Berk.

As you page through, you’ll see that we have both concept art released by Universal, and on-the-ground images showing the current state of construction. Tap into any individual photo or gallery to view it at a larger size.

What Is How to Train Your Dragon?

How to Train Your Dragon is a series of books by Cressida Cowell. The first, released in 2003, stars Hiccup, the ostracized son of the Viking village chief who captures his courage to befriend, not battle, the dragons.

The Dragon series sold more than seven million copies over 12 different books. This caught the eye of DreamWorks Animation who adapted the book series into a trilogy of films and several TV series. The Isle of Berk in Epic Universe takes place between the two sequel films in a world where dragons and Vikings live together-ish.

Overview of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk in Epic Universe

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk is located in the Orion Gardens section of Celestial Park, across from the lagoon in front of The Atlantic restaurant. The entrance portal is tucked into a large rock outcropping with a tower for spotting dragons above the portal. Atop the tower is a dragon medallion, letting you know that there be dragons here.

Walk through the portal and into a world of dragons and Vikings, where natural beauty sets the stage for an epic adventure in the skies. Upon entering the land is the grand reveal of the iconic Viking and dragon statues from the films in a large body of water.

Berk surrounds a Y-shaped lagoon with Dragon Racer’s Rally and Viking Training Camp off the left path from the entrance while the Fyre Drill and The Untrainable Dragon are down the right path. At the back of the land is the Meade Hall and Hiccup’s Winged Gliders. Wondering what all these names refer to? Keep reading!

Isle of Berk Rides

Berk features three rides designed for the whole family: a rollercoaster, a thrilling flat ride, and an interactive boat ride. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a family-friendly rollercoaster similar in intensity to Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure and sends guests flying around Berk. At Dragon Racer’s Rally, guests board seats on one of two large arms that send guests high into the air. And at Fyre Drill, guests can take water-gun target practice.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

Restrictions: 40 inch/102 cm height limit, under 48 inches accompanied by a supervising companion
Ride Time (estimate): 4 minutes

Want to fly high above Berk but don’t have your very own dragon? Hiccup has invented a solution for you – launched flying machines, also known as rollercoasters, that go up to 45 mph. Toothless is nonplussed about the whole idea and decides to make some modifications to the ride vehicle and remove the wings.

Instead of soaring high above Berk guests careen through the land, skim over the water, and dive under bridges. Along the way, guests will see dragons and other animals native to Berk. Tap into the gallery below to see even more images. In the train station concept art, you can see how Toothless wasn’t a fan of the dragon facsimile and knocked the wings off the ride vehicle. Ooops.

Similar to Hagrid at Islands of Adventure, this ride features multiple launches, tunnels, show scenes, and robotic figures. You can see some of the theming already in place in the construction photos above, with a sheep and a dragon in one of the images and rockwork in the other one.

Dragon Racer’s Rally

Restrictions: 48 inches/122 cm height limit
Ride Time (estimate): 1-2 minutes

This attraction is themed to the sport of dragon racing. Two large training towers send guests flying over 60 feet in the air as they train to become dragon racers. Guest seats feature controllable wings that allow each seat to determine how intense of a ride they want – from soaring in the sky to performing dozens of barrel rolls. In the construction snapshot below, note the rollercoaster track in the background for Hiccup’s Winged Gliders.

Fyre Drill

Restrictions: under 48 inches must be accompanied by a supervising companion
Ride Time (estimate): check back later!

This slow-moving outdoor boat ride seats guests on eight passenger boats as they learn how to triage fires caused by fire-breathing dragons. Each boat is equipped with eight water cannons that are used to spray water streams at over 130 moving targets and other boats. Guests looking to participate on land also have half a dozen water cannons off the ride, but careful warning, guests on board the boats will spray back.

Aerial photos show that the ride has already been filled with water at least once, and offer a glimpse of the first boat, staged in a service canal. Once operational, you’ll be able to shoot targets, other riders, or those on land to score points.

Shows, Play Areas, and Meet & Greets

⭐Viking Training Ground: Little Vikings can brush up on their skills at this playground or wander the land meeting dragons in buildings, on the ground, or in the air. This is a multi-story play area with rope nets, slides, and other themed elements.

⭐ Hiccup and Toothless: Guests can Meet & Greet these beloved characters in a special area that celebrates the bond between man and dragon.

⭐ The Untrainable Dragon: This headliner show retells the story of Hiccup and Toothless using actors, large puppets, acrobatics, drumming, special effects, and a massive digital screen background. The show is based on the Untrainable show in Universal Studios Beijing. We believe this show is not-to-be-missed.

Food and Beverage

Did someone say MEAD? The Mead Hall is a fast-casual restaurant located in the back of the land, serving as the main dining location for all Vikings. Inside the Nordic-inspired meeting spot are large carved wood reliefs, murals, and a massive chandelier. Food is hearty enough for a Viking and even includes special ales and meads for those who are 21 and over.

Smaller snack stands and counter service restaurants are located around the land, including Spit Fyre Grill across from the Fyre Drill boat ride. More information on dining, including menus, will be announced at a later date.

Merchandise

Berk’s fashion culture might leave some wanting (more horned helmets, really?) but the shops around Berk offer dozens of items for traveling Vikings. Candy stores, plush shops, and more sell How To Train Your Dragon merchandise made custom for the parks.

Guests can experience their own Dragon training adventure when they adopt (read: purchase) an interactive Dragon from one of the stores in Berk. Dragons are electronic figures that sit on a shoulder and interact with the land and other dragons. More information on shops and interactive elements is coming at a later date.

Epic Universe will open in 2025 and is expected to open in the summer. Stay tuned to TouringPlans for all the latest updates on the Isle of Berk and Epic Universe.

Are you excited to train your dragon in Berk? Leave your thoughts and comments below!