Photo:Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando has shared a glimpse of the second offive lands plannedfor its highly anticipated new park, Epic Universe, opening in 2025.
How to Train Your Dragon— Isle of Berk is based on the beloved Dreamworks trilogy and will feature three new rides, a live show, an interactive play area, meet-and-greets and plenty of Viking approved food, drinks and merchandise.
The Isle of Berk will be accessed via a portal from Epic Universe’s central Celestial Park that will transport guests to a magical setting instantly recognizable from the movies.
A Map of Isle of Berk.Universal Orlando
The land’s main attractions come in the form of three new family-friendly rides with varying levels of thrills: Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Dragon Racer’s Rally and Fyre Drill.
Wing Gliders is seemingly the most daring. It allows aspiring dragon riders to test drive animated protagonist Hiccup’s latest “winged flying machine,” a family thrill coaster that loops the whole land and even dips into the lagoon at its center, reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders.Universal Orlando
The second most daring is likely Dragon Racer’s Rally, which allows guests to practice their dragon riding 67 feet above the park. The ride’s description promises “high speed barrel rolls” but notes riders can choose how “wild or mild” their experience will be. A rendering (below) shows a cluster of ride vehicles that appear to tip up into the air and rotate on large mechanical arms.
For the park’s youngest visitors, Viking Training Camp provides an interactive play area for little kids that includes playground staples and a “Viking agility course.”
The land’s live, musical show,The Untrainable Dragon,is an actually an adaptation of a favorite already being performed at Universal’s Beijing theme park. It will be adapted for Orlando and feature all the films' fan-favorite characters.
A release from Universal also promises there will also be an opportunity to meet and take photos with Hiccup and Toothless, as well as other vikings and dragons throughout the land.
After all that excitement, guests will have three eateries to rest up in.
The Mead Hall.Universal Orlando
The Mead Hall offers a Viking feast including “meats, fish, sandwiches and more,” plus meads and ciders. Spit Fyre Grill is a quick service spot next to the Fyre Drill boat ride. And Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel is a stand offering “racing-themed” quick bites in the Viking Camp.
Shops in the Isle of Berk.Universal Orlando
And of course, there are plenty of gift shops. Visitors can pick up a memento at Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup’s Work Shop, or Toothless’ Treasures.
Isle of Berk is the second portion of Epic Universe that has been revealed so far.
A rendering of Celestial Park at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe.Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort
The land isn’t just a pass-through area, however. It will offer a number of activities to enjoy, including dining, retail and a shooting comet-themed rollercoaster.
It will also hold the massive portal-like gates to the three remaining lands: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and Dark Universe.
The gate to Nintendo World at Epic Universe.Universal Orlando Resort
While not many details about the remaining worlds have been shared to date, Universal has confirmed that theHarry Potter-themed land will include both the British Ministry of Magic from the original films and the French Ministry seen in theFantastic Beastsfilms.
A map of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando.Universal Orlando Resort
The resort already boastsa number of fan-favorite attractionsfrom wizarding world, including Forbidden Journey and Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure in the Hogsmeade portion and Escape from Gringotts in Diagon Alley.
Meanwhile, Dark Universe will draw inspiration from classic monster stories, including everything from “the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery,” according to a press release. Universal has long attracted horror lovers with its popular annual eventHalloween Horror Nights.
The gate to Dark Universe at Epic Universe in Orlando.Universal Orlando Resort
In total, the park will offer over 50 attractions, entertainment and dining options and shopping experiences to choose from.
Epic Universe will be the fourth theme park to join the Florida resort’s Universal Studios (the original park), Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay Water Park.
source: people.com
