Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk Has Dragons You Can Actually Interact With — Here’s How

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It’s a good year to be a How to Train Your Dragon fan, wouldn’t you agree?

Apart from the live-action remake hitting cinemas this summer by original co-director Dean DeBlois, fans can also fulfill their own dragon-riding fantasies next month at the Isle of Berk‘s grand opening at Universal Orlando, which is part of the eagerly awaited new Epic Universe park. The world of How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk will join Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and Dark Universe as five fresh realms that will fully immerse visitors at Epic Universe.

Recently, an NBC insider participated in a press event offering insights into a DreamWorks-inspired experience. This immersive world merges the fantastical realms of dragons and Vikings with reality, allowing visitors to encounter these magnificent creatures up close. The entrance to the Isle of Berk indicates that the world is inhabited by dragons, and you and your companions have the unique opportunity not only to observe but also engage with them.

Head below to learn what we discovered before you plan your trip to Universal Epic Universe. 

How to Interact with the Dragons at Isle of Berk in Epic Universe 

As a gamer, I step into the reimagined world of Berk, where animatronic dragons and dragon statues abound. Here, Viking warriors coexist peacefully with the once-terrifying sky beasts, thanks to Hiccup’s groundbreaking discovery that these creatures can be tamed. Excitedly, I look forward to intermingling with countless dragons eager to make my acquaintance in this Isle of Berk adventure.

The primary attraction is an interactive encounter with the legendary Night Fury, Toothless, whose lifelike robot counterpart reacts spontaneously to visitors and even poses for pictures. Don’t worry, Hiccup, Toothless’ rider, will be there to guide you through proper dragon etiquette. It’s a magical experience to come face-to-face with a life-sized Toothless who not only acknowledges your presence but responds to your touch and appears to like you.

After mastering the Night Fury, don’t forget to catch The Untrainable Dragon live show where characters such as Astrid and Stormfly will mingle among the audience after the performance, offering additional dragon encounters beyond Toothless. However, remember to steer clear of scratching under a dragon’s chin, as Hiccup warned us that it may cause them to doze off, making it your task to carry their substantial weight back home instead. This is one of many fascinating facts about dragons you’ll discover during your visit to the Isle of Berk and getting a close-up view.

Steve Tatum, Universal’s Epic Universe executive creative director, stated in late 2024 that the task for them isn’t merely about bringing the tales of Hiccup, Astrid, and their companions to reality, but also about expressing the emotion involved. To achieve this, they focused on the art direction. Essentially, instead of delving into the technicalities of our design process, remember that we chose a specific juncture in the story to join, and for us, it’s significant because, during this period of harmony between dragons and Vikings, as depicted in ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2.5’, we enter the narrative. This sequel represents the pinnacle of coexistence in the saga.

Beyond interacting with Dragons, you’ll also have opportunities for thrilling rides and attractions inspired by the films. These include the Hiccup’s Wing Gliders ride, where you can join your companions in flying alongside beloved characters, and the Dragon Racer’s Rally, an exciting attraction that lets you experience the speed and agility of these magnificent creatures. Moreover, you can deepen your connection with dragons by participating in Fyre Drill, a water ride competition where participants, acting as Vikings, try to extinguish dragon fires for the sake of safety.

If you’ve ever dreamed about living in the realm of How to Train Your Dragon, there’s no place quite as ideal as Epic Universe.

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2025-04-07 23:16