As the week leading up to the official opening of Epic Universe continues, jam packed with media events and sneak peeks at some of the most astounding rides, foods, shows, and more at Universal’s newest theme park, Theme Park Shark is covering each of the brand-new lands at Orlando’s hottest new theme park. As we venture into these incredible lands that transport us into some of our favorite worlds, Theme Park Shark is kicking off this event with the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk land at Epic Universe. Covering all of the rides, shows, attractions, and details of this land, our very own Dustin Sparage is bringing fans the Epic Experience this week from inside Epic Universe.
Theme Park Shark previously covered the Helios Grand Hotel – everything from booking information to the restaurant menus. But check-in is officially over, and we’re all eager to get into the park itself!
This… is Berk.
Checking out the Isle of Berk – fashioned after the Nordic village that Hiccup and his viking friends live in, a part of the Barbaric Archipelago and home to countless dragons, where it snows nine months of the year and hails the other three – there’s plenty to do within this world. Featuring four rides, three shows, and several retail and dining option, the Isle of Berk is viking-sized fun that immerses the whole family in the Nordic culture of the Hairy Hooligan tribe.
As the day got started for Epic Universe’s Media Preview, Theme Park Shark was lucky enough to be a part of the audience for this special greeting from some of Berk’s most venerated Vikings, with Chief Hiccup himself – and all his friends – coming out of the portal into Celestial Park to greet the press and welcome them personally to Berk.
Attractions in the Isle of Berk
Featuring less-intense rides with a focus on family-friendly entertainment and the mechanical stylings of Hiccup, the Isle of Berk offers four unique ride attractions and three shows, as well as character meet-and-greets throughout the land, so there’s never any shortage of genuine Berk hospitality when you visit this land!
Dragon Racer’s Rally
Starting at Dragon Racer’s Rally, guests are invited to board Berk’s finest training equipment as dragon-racers-in-training. It takes a lot of skill to ride a dragon, after all!
“At Dragon Racer’s Rally, Berk’s new Vikings can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on a towering, Viking-made dragon-riding trainer in hopes of becoming champion dragon-racers.”
This ride, better known as a Sky Fly coaster, manufactured by German coaster company Gerstlauer, has a a capacity of 12 seats per tower and two towers running. This ride requires a minimum height of 48 inches and guests are in control of the intensity of their ride; while Dragon Racer’s Rally has pre-determined movements, the number of aerobatic maneuvers each individual car makes is up to the rider, so guests are able to make this experience as mild or intense as they feel comfortable with!
Test seats are available for this ride to ensure that riders feel comfortable in the vehicles! This attraction does not currently offer single-rider line, nor does this attraction accept Universal Express Pass, but does offer Child Swap.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a family coaster, described as a steel launch coaster manufactured by Intamin. Featuring show elements and a full launch, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is one of the major attractions of the land.
“Climb aboard Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and get ready to fly like a dragon. This winged contraption sends brave Vikings swooping and soaring, offering a dragon’s eye view of the Isle of Berk.”
The minimum height for this ride is 40”, making it accessible to a wider range of guests. Universal Express pass is accepted on this attraction, and Single Rider lines may be open. Child Swap is also available for those needing the accommodation. This ride is a full steel coaster with enclosed cars and zero inversions, making it one of the more mild coasters at Epic Universe despite reaching top speeds of 45 mph and heights of 50 feet.
Fyre Drill
One of the few fully-fledged water-based attractions at Universal Orlando Resort, this water ride manufactured by Mack Rides is an interactive boat ride and the only water ride available at Epic Universe. Guests will board passenger Viking longships equipped with water canons as they weave through the watery channels of Berk, competing against other longships in this wild but kid-friendly competitive shooter attraction.
“In Fyre Drill, Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut have transformed Berk’s Fyre Skööl into a watery, interactive boat battle at sea where teams of Vikings compete to outsoak each other.”
This attraction does not currently offer single-ride lines, but does accept Universal Express Pass, and accommodates for Child Swap. Guests using Electronic Convenience Vehicles will have to transfer to standard wheelchairs to ride this attraction, and guests unable to do so should see a ride attendant for assistance. Guests already in standard wheelchairs will be able to ride this attraction unimpeded.
Viking Training Camp
The Viking Training Camp, much like Camp Jurassic in Islands of Adventure, is a play area that allowed children to explore highly-themed play structures and set pieces designed for discovery and active physical play combined with interactive elements to create a truly immersive experience for children looking to become Viking Pirates.
“At Viking Training Camp, young Vikings will discover all types of dragons as they climb, slide, and explore their way through a sprawling, colorful, interactive adventure play area.”
The Viking Training Camp features multiple levels of play area, allowing kids to climb, trek, swing, and slide through the training camp on a variety of high-end playground equipment like tunnels, rope bridges, slides, and caverns.
While the target audience of this attraction is children under the age of 12, these magnificent set pieces and interactive elements are able to be enjoyed by guests of all ages, so don’t be afraid to take a trek into the Viking Training Camp to see the impressive attraction elements for yourself – just be mindful of the children playing nearby!
The Untrainable Dragon
This twenty-minute stage show is one of the crown jewels of the Isle of Berk land at Universal’s Epic Universe. An incredible multi-media stage show featuringBbroadway quality sets, effects, actors, and puppets puts you right in the middle of a brand-new Viking adventure as Hiccup, Toothless, and Astrid encounter a challenge they must face together if they want the peace between Dragons and Vikings on Berk to persist.
“A new dragon arrives on Berk and the Vikings think they may have met their match. Hiccup, Toothless, and Astrid help solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon in this spectacular live show.”
This show is an adaptation of an existing attraction featured in Universal Beijing. Untrainable opened in the overseas park in 2021 and was met with widespread approval from guests who were mesmerized by the talented cast and impressive effects. Now opening at Epic Universe, this show promises to live up to its original incarnation in a truly epic way.
Universal Express Pass is accepted for this attraction, allowing guests quicker entry to this musical comedy stage show. With multiple showings per day, show times may vary and can be found on the Universal Orlando Resort app or their official website.
Guests needing accommodations will also be happy to know that this on-stage spectacular offers Closed Captioning, Assistive Listening, and Sign Language Interpretation. Guests in need of these accommodations should see an attraction attendant or stop by guest services for more information.
Gobber’s Forge
In addition to the roaming characters around the park, guests can also catch a showing of Berk’s finest blacksmith, Gobber the Belch, at his forge. Featuring The Belch himself, Gobber’s forge is your one-stop shop for all things mechanical and newfangled on the Isle of Berk! You might find that Gobber is a little short-handed at the moment, as Hiccup is a little busy with his chiefly duties as new Vikings flood into Berk, but he’s holding down the fort – or, forge – just fine!
Retail and Dining on the Isle of Berk
Theme Park Shark has previously debuted the menus for major restaurants, quick-service food counters, and snack carts throughout Epic Universe with out Shark Bites guide to Epic Universe. Check out full menus with details, info, and pictures for all the restaurants of Epic Universe in our official Shark Bites directory.
As for retail, the Isle of Berk offers a wide variety of retail locations for guests looking to get geared up in the latest Viking fashions, as well as plenty of shopping for your reptilian companions as well. Shopping locations within the Isle of Berk also offer options like a confectionery, a place to purchase a unique dragon-hatching experience, and all of the Toothless merchandise your Viking heart can dream of.
Shops like How to Treat Your Dragon offers Berk’s most delectable treats and sweet treasures, from confectionery concoctions only a Viking could love, to familiar favorites and plenty of themed treats.
Or you can head over to Hiccup’s Workshop or the Viking Traders store to gear up for your big Viking adventure on Berk. Featuring Viking toys, helmets and shields, plush dragon toys, and other fun essentials for the professional Viking, these shops have you covered. Just try to steer clear of Trader Johann.
If it’s not Viking gear you’re after, then look no further than Toothless’ Treasures. This is where you’ll find all of the How to Train Your Dragon branded merchandise for those looking to add a little more dragon into your wardrobe.
For an extended look at the Isle of Berk’s retail offerings, Theme Park Shark previously covered the release of some of the hottest items on the Isle of Berk.
Shark Favorites
With Theme Park Shark on the ground at Epic Universe as part of this week’s media event, the favorites are rolling in. From food to entertainment to details you don’t want to miss, Dustin has seen it all and is bringing the best of each land to Theme Park Shark for guests to experience, too.
The best part of the Isle of Berk is bar none the roaming entertainment. From Stormfly and Astrid to the Thorston Twins, the entertainment is witty, welcoming, and fully immersive, with some of the best casting in the park and a humor that perfectly matches the films that inspired it.
A must-try food at the Isle of Berk is the mac and cheese cone. A spiritual successor to the late but maybe not-so-great Handwich of Disney World fame, the Mac and Cheese cone combined light, fluffy pastry cone with perfectly paired flavors of cheddar mac and cheese topped with a variety of offerings, from goldfish crackers for that extra cracker crunch to the PB&J (that’s Pork, Bacon, and Jam) cone that guests have been raving about.
These cones can be found at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel.
Check Back for More from Inside Epic Universe
Check back soon, as Theme Park Shark will continue to bring you exclusive views from inside Epic Universe, as well as food reviews, ride reviews, and everything you need to know about the new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort. In the meantime, check out Theme Park Shark on your favorite social media platform, like Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. As Universal’s Media Preview gets under way, expect to see plenty of exclusive footage from Theme Park Shark as we tackle everything Epic, as well as theme park news from Disney, Universal, and theme parks from all across the world!
