Universal Orlando Resort is set to redefine theme park experiences with the grand opening of Universal Epic Universe on May 22, 2025. Among the five immersive worlds that make up the new park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk stands out as a vibrant recreation of the DreamWorks Animation trilogy’s universe. Inspired by films that captivated audiences worldwide, this world promises to transport visitors to the village of Berk, where Vikings and dragons coexist in harmony. With thrilling attractions, intricately designed settings, and interactions with iconic characters, Isle of Berk is one of the most anticipated areas of this ambitious project.
Located just a few miles from Universal’s existing Orlando parks, Epic Universe represents a bold investment in innovation and immersion. Spanning 15.5 acres, Isle of Berk is the largest world in the park, featuring 162,500 square feet of hand-carved rockwork and 30 animatronic and static dragons representing 17 distinct species. This meticulous attention to detail aims to capture the films’ atmosphere, with landscapes of cliffs, colorful villages, and a central lagoon framed by 40-foot Viking statues. Here’s what visitors can expect from this unique experience:
• Key attractions: Include family-friendly roller coasters, interactive water rides, and a live show with life-sized dragons.
• Character encounters: Hiccup and Toothless will be available for photos and interactions at Haddock Paddock.
• Immersive settings: The village of Berk comes to life with Viking architecture, active forges, and dragons soaring overhead.
• Themed dining: Restaurants like Mead Hall serve Viking-inspired dishes, including meats, fish, and ciders.
Promising adventures for all ages, Isle of Berk is poised to become a cornerstone of Orlando’s tourism landscape, drawing both fans of the franchise and newcomers seeking excitement.
Construction details of Isle of Berk
Crafting Isle of Berk required an extraordinary effort from Universal Creative, in collaboration with DreamWorks Animation filmmakers. The area was designed to embody the essence of the films, with every element meticulously planned to reflect their aesthetic and narrative. The village of Berk, set against a rugged landscape with lush hills, features hand-carved wooden structures, nine-foot-tall doors, and woven tapestries reminiscent of the 8th century. The central lagoon, adorned with Viking ships and towering statues, serves as the visual heart of the world, offering a panoramic view that evokes iconic scenes from the movies.
Beyond architecture, the area leverages cutting-edge technology to bring dragons to life. The 30 animatronic dragons, including species like Night Fury and Monstrous Nightmare, are designed to interact with guests, whether soaring above the village or reacting in real time during encounters. Universal also incorporated special effects, such as controlled fire jets and animatronic sheep disguised as Terrible Terror dragons, to add humor and authenticity to the environment. This level of detail ensures that Isle of Berk is not just a collection of attractions but a fully realized narrative experience.
Thrilling attractions for all ages
Isle of Berk is tailored to entertain visitors of all ages, offering four main attractions that blend excitement, interactivity, and fidelity to the franchise. The first, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, is a family-friendly roller coaster that simulates flight on a winged contraption designed by Hiccup. Reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, the ride takes guests through the village and lagoon, providing an aerial view of Berk alongside Hiccup and Toothless. The attraction is ideal for families, with an accessible height requirement and moderate thrills.
Another highlight is Fyre Drill, an interactive water ride led by the Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut. Guests board dragon-headed boats and use water cannons to hit flame-shaped targets and even other boats in a playful, splash-filled competition. Dragon Racer’s Rally ramps up the adrenaline with flight simulators that soar up to 67 feet, allowing guests to practice acrobatic maneuvers and high-speed spins inspired by the films’ dragon races. Finally, Viking Training Camp is an interactive play area for children, featuring climbing towers, agility courses, Viking drums, and a themed sheep launcher.
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: Family roller coaster with speeds up to 45 miles per hour.
• Fyre Drill: Interactive boats with water cannons for splashy competitions.
• Dragon Racer’s Rally: Flight simulators with acrobatic maneuvers at 67 feet.
• Viking Training Camp: Kid-friendly area with climbing and themed activities.
The Untrainable Dragon live show
A centerpiece of Isle of Berk is the live show The Untrainable Dragon, inspired by the performance of the same name at Universal Beijing Resort. Staged in an intricately designed setting, the show presents a new story within the How to Train Your Dragon universe, where Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid, and Gobber unravel the mystery of a dragon that cannot be trained. The production blends musical numbers, life-sized dragons flying over the audience, and stunning visual effects like flames and smoke to create an immersive experience.
Designed to appeal to both fans and newcomers, the show features an accessible storyline and comedic moments that echo the films’ humor. The presence of beloved characters like Toothless and Astrid delights children, while the technical quality captivates adults. Performances are scheduled multiple times daily, with times to be confirmed via the Universal Orlando app, which also provides an interactive map of Epic Universe.
Meet-and-greets with Hiccup and Toothless
At Haddock Paddock, guests can meet Hiccup and Toothless in an interactive encounter that promises to be one of Isle of Berk’s most memorable moments. The Toothless animatronic, powered by advanced technology, reacts in real time to visitors, moving its head, making sounds, and even smiling for photos. Hiccup, portrayed by costumed actors, guides guests through the “Night Fury” interaction protocol, recreating the iconic film scene where he extends his hand to Toothless.
In addition to the main meet-and-greet, other characters like Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and dragons like Stormfly roam the village of Berk. These spontaneous interactions add authenticity, making guests feel part of the films’ universe. Universal also plans occasional flyovers by dragons like Monstrous Nightmares and Gronckles, surprising visitors at specific times of the day.
• Interactive Toothless: Responds with real-time movements and sounds.
• Hiccup’s guidance: Leads guests through a friendly dragon encounter.
• Roaming characters: Astrid and other Vikings appear throughout the village.
• Flying dragons: Special effects feature dragons soaring over Berk.
Viking dining at Mead Hall and Spit Fyre Grill
The Isle of Berk experience is complete with dining options that reflect Viking culture. Mead Hall, the area’s primary restaurant, invites guests to “dine like Vikings” with a varied menu of meats, fish, sandwiches, and a selection of meads and ciders. The setting recreates a Viking hall with wooden beams, tapestries, and carved details, offering full immersion as guests enjoy hearty meals.
For quicker dining, Spit Fyre Grill provides fast-casual meals with views of the Fyre Drill attraction. The menu features “scorched” dishes—think burgers and vegetarian options—prepared by an invisible dragon chef, all with thematic names tied to the dragon universe. Both restaurants cater to diverse audiences, with kid-friendly options and accommodations for dietary needs, ensuring everyone can savor Berk’s cuisine.
Themed shops and exclusive merchandise
Fans of How to Train Your Dragon will find a range of exclusive products in Isle of Berk’s shops. Universal has launched a limited-edition collection, including apparel, mugs, flags, and dragon replicas, available on shop.universalorlando.com ahead of the park’s opening. Within Berk, stores will offer merchandise celebrating Viking culture and dragons, such as Toothless figurines, dragon-themed clothing, and accessories inspired by dragon racing.
The shops are integrated into the village’s narrative, with facades mimicking Viking buildings and displays decorated with shields and maps of Berk. The shopping experience is enhanced by small details like animatronic sheep on shelves and dragon carvings on doors, reinforcing immersion as guests browse.
Integration with Epic Universe
Isle of Berk is one of five worlds in Universal Epic Universe, alongside Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, and Dark Universe. Each world is connected by themed portals accessed from the central hub of Celestial Park, which bridges the distinct narratives. The transition to Isle of Berk is marked by a portal inscribed with “Here be dragons,” priming guests for the shift from the park’s core to the Viking village.
The integration of the worlds was carefully planned for a cohesive experience, with the Universal Orlando app providing interactive maps, show schedules, and real-time queue updates. Isle of Berk, with its family-friendly attractions and immersive settings, complements the thrill-focused Dark Universe and interactive Super Nintendo World, creating a diverse park that appeals to all visitors.
• Themed portals: Link Isle of Berk to the Celestial Park hub.
• Universal app: Offers maps, schedules, and live updates.
• Varied worlds: Five areas with complementary experiences.
Fan and industry expectations
The reveal of Isle of Berk sparked excitement among How to Train Your Dragon fans, particularly after Universal shared images of Toothless, Hiccup, and Astrid on social media. Online communities, such as r/UniversalOrlando, praised the area’s immersion, with users highlighting the number of animatronic dragons and fidelity to the films. Many fans expressed surprise at the project’s scale, initially seen as less ambitious than Harry Potter areas but now considered a contender for the park’s standout world.
The theme park industry is also watching Epic Universe closely, with analysts predicting it will set a new standard for immersion and technology. The collaboration between Universal Creative and DreamWorks Animation underscores a commitment to authenticity, while the May 2025 opening positions the park to draw crowds during the U.S. summer vacation season. Ticket sales, which began on June 1, reflect high demand, with multi-day packages available to explore all of Epic Universe’s worlds.
Fascinating facts about Isle of Berk
The creation of Isle of Berk involved unique details that make it stand out among theme park areas. Universal incorporated elements from the films creatively, ensuring even minor aspects felt authentic. Here are some intriguing facts about the area’s construction:
• Diverse dragons: 17 species, including Night Fury, Gronckle, and Monstrous Nightmare, appear as animatronics or static figures.
• Animatronic sheep: Inspired by the films, sheep disguised as Terrible Terror dragons dot the village.
• Viking architecture: Nine-foot doors and hand-carved wooden structures reflect 8th-century style.
• Fire effects: Controlled jets simulate dragons breathing fire at specific moments.
Planning your visit
Guests planning to explore Isle of Berk can prepare using the Universal Orlando app, which provides details on queues, showtimes, and ticket options. Epic Universe is located at 4700 West Sand Lake Road, a short distance from Universal’s other parks, with easy access via resort transportation. Multi-day ticket packages allow exploration of all five worlds, with discounts available through partners like Undercover Tourist.
The May 22, 2025, opening aligns with the start of the U.S. summer season, likely drawing large crowds. Universal advises arriving early to enjoy Isle of Berk’s attractions, particularly Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and The Untrainable Dragon, which are expected to see high demand. Themed merchandise, including apparel and dragon replicas, is already available online, letting fans gear up for their visit.
