Only a small number of individuals have ever experienced the sensation of soaring on a dragon, but Mason Thames, who stars in the upcoming live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon,” is one of them. When he tells The Hollywood Reporter that the new coaster “Hiccup’s Wing Gliders” at Universal Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk felt “more real” than filming, it’s a powerful endorsement of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest park and its technologically advanced partnership with DreamWorks Animation.
As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but notice how Mason seemed captivated by our dragon coaster experience like no one else. When we disembarked, he remarkably compared it to being on the Gimbal unit – the very dragon we’ve come to know from the movie! Nico Parker, who brings Astrid to life, echoed this sentiment, adding that it was even more authentic because there were no green screens or wind machines to distract us.
Katy Pacitti, senior director and executive producer of Universal Creative, explained that ‘Hiccup’s’ concept is centered around you being new Vikings without a dragon, but Hiccup has created something that will give you the sensation of riding one. We were fortunate to collaborate with composer John Powell on Berk’s background music, and he not only contributed to it but also scored the ride for us. His work elevated the roller coaster experience significantly, making it all the more impactful right here in your heart.
For Margie Cohn, president of DreamWorks, the Isle of Berk’s capacity to offer fans an almost real dragon-riding experience, combined with Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders’ universally appealing and inspiring four-quadrant story about an underestimated hero, were key factors that made adapting the How to Train Your Dragon franchise ideal for Epic Universe among all of the studio’s intellectual properties. “I believe that technology has finally caught up with what they do,” she said. “The dragons feel incredibly lifelike in our animated film, and we endeavored to bring that fantasy to life through cinema. Now, with the advancement of technology, the live-action film delivers it authentically, just as the world does.” She shared this insight with THR.
Built to resemble an 8th-century Viking village, this world is filled with attractions inspired by the franchise’s main child characters. It offers immersive dining experiences in a pub-like setting reminiscent of Mead Hall, and retail spaces such as Tootheless’ Treasures, where you can participate in an egg-hatching adoption ceremony, and “How to Treat Your Dragon,” modeled after a shop from the movies. Additionally, there are interactive experiences with characters like Astrid and Stormfly, as well as the twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut. These characters are not only ready for interactions with guests, but they also engage in conversations among themselves. As Pacitti explained, “We always wanted Berk to feel alive and bustling, so from the start, it was crucial to have characters who could move around and chat with visitors.
Cressida Cowell, the author of “How to Train Your Dragon,” was deeply captivated by the authentic atmosphere of the Isle, a term coined by Pacitti as the “Berkmosphere.” She expressed her admiration for the upcoming live-action movie, stating that it intensifies the sensation of flying on a dragon’s back even more than the animated version. In an interview with THR, she said, “The animated film gave me the closest feeling I thought possible to soaring on a dragon’s back, but the live-action makes you believe it even more. It feels as though you could truly be Hiccup.” She continued, “It’s breathtaking to see the Isle of Berk brought to life, and it’s heartwarming to think that I might have contributed to something that will bring so much joy. An entire generation of children is about to discover Toothless and genuinely believe in dragons, just as I did on that small Scottish island.
Similar to the live-action movie praised for its affectionate homage to the original, Isle of Berk stays true to the franchise’s pledge of featuring dragons by employing animatronics, puppetry, and both static and hand-drawn representations. As Pacitti explained to THR, when discussing market research, one comment made was that if they were building a dragon-themed land, it had better include dragons. However, it’s worth noting that dragons can be costly, so choices needed to be made about essential elements that would create a stunning impact. Additionally, the team wanted a balanced distribution, ensuring that you could spot a dragon from any vantage point.
The dragons, even Berk’s largest animatronic, inevitably star in the live spectacle named “The Untrainable Dragon“, a tribute to human ingenuity and technology that blends media and soars through the skies. As Robinson explains, “We have a fundamental principle that guides our artistry and technology: what was once only dreamed of, we bring to life, thus sparking the excitement of existing.” This can be seen in the animated figures around the park or when you first encounter Toothless’ offspring, the Nightlights, who move independently with 30 distinct emotional expressions. The same applies when you enter the show where you experience immersive storytelling and animation that transitions from sketches to fully computer-generated images, honoring DreamWorks’ artistic legacy and the tradition of animation.
As I step into the Universal Helios Grand Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, it feels like I’ve been transported to the Viking village from DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon”. The kid suites are a marvel, with designs that mirror the island of Berk. Toothless and Light Fury adorn the walls in stunning artwork, making me feel as if they could leap off the canvas at any moment. Russ Dagon, senior VP of resort development at Universal Creative, shared that having the hotel project aligned with the construction of Isle of Berk allowed them to leverage a dedicated team. This meant that the same creative minds who were building the entire land came to work on our project, sharing their insights and interpretations, which made the experience even more immersive for us gamers.
Despite numerous chances to soar through the skies of Universal Epic Universe atop dragons, the Isle of Berk’s most cherished encounter remains a terrestrial one – the interactive meet-and-greet featuring Hiccup and Toothless. As Robinson explained, “The instant when Hiccup touches Toothless’ nose is the most emotionally charged moment in the entire trilogy of that movie, and we went to great lengths to make this moment tangible.” They consistently remind their engineers, “Share with us what you want to feel, and we will create and find the technology to bring it to life.
Each aspect contributes to making the Universal Creative team elicit a comparable array of feelings found in DreamWorks movies. “The spectrum — fear, love, and belonging — is why this brand thrives, and it manifests through film, television,” Robinson explains. “Therefore, when you visit our theme parks, it isn’t limited to one emotion. Instead, you should encounter a variety of feelings within a single experience or throughout the entire park trip, guiding you on a journey.
For Justin Rupple, the voice actor behind Tuffnut in the third film of the How to Train Your Dragon animated series, that journey held deep emotional significance. On the blue carpet of Epic Universe, he shared with THR his feelings about being a part of and celebrating the 15th anniversary of the franchise. However, what truly made it the “coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of” for him was having his voice forever embedded within the Fyre Drill water attraction.
The instant I touched and came face-to-face with Toothless, it was priceless. Just feeling his texture made me tremble,” he went on to say. “When you visit a theme park, you hope the atmosphere resembles what you see, but you don’t expect to step into a miniature world.
For Robinson and Cohn, their respective companies are capable of providing such an extraordinary experience due to their shared values. DreamWorks Animation, like theirs, champions a concept they call the ‘audacity of creativity’. This idea resonates deeply with any creative soul, as it’s limitless and encourages participation from many, being as it is fearless, unrestrained, and generating ideas that you can see in the parks worldwide and in their films. They further strengthen this with emotionally immersive designs or narratives that tap into our fundamental human emotions. Hiccup, a character who feels different, represents this idea well; when the world tells him to change, he has the courage to stay true to himself. This theme resonates, and it’s palpable in their land, according to Robinson speaking to THR.
As a dragon enthusiast, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the release of Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk. It’s perfect timing for the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, especially with the 15th anniversary of the original animated movie just around the corner and the live-action adaptation hitting theaters on June 13!
Cohn considers this merging to be “extremely significant” for enhancing the overall prosperity of the franchise. She stated that if the live-action movie performs well, it could lead to a series of movies, and they have also generated a vast amount of content in animation for episodic television. This allows us to expand on the worlds we’ve already established. There are potential opportunities for more work in the future, she added. She expressed that it seems like the start of something new rather than the end, as reported by THR.
The president of DreamWorks Animation shares the same enthusiasm about the prospects for the studio’s other franchises such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Puss in Boots, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Trolls, and two Jurassic World shows – Camp Cretaceous and Chaos Theory. Many of these properties are currently showcased in DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida, with more set to be featured in UDX’s Frisco, Texas children’s park in 2026. Cohn expressed her affection for this location, describing it as a place where “parents can still find enjoyment because our movies are enjoyable for them, and younger kids can delve deeper into the properties that resonate with them.
As a gamer, I’d say it like this: “Working alongside Universal Destinations & Experiences and our IP partners, such as DreamWorks Animation (part of Comcast NBCUniversal), we get to compose a magnificent symphony. This isn’t just about brainstorming and designing together, but also about amplifying those ideas. Whether it’s the premiere of a new movie or the opening of a park like the one happening this month, we turn these individual notes into the grand melody of a larger concept. It’s this collaboration that makes our work truly special – it ignites the spark of life within us, whether we’re immersed in a film or stepping through a portal.
In essence, “How to Train Your Dragon” is propelling DreamWorks Animation into a fresh era and simultaneously ushering in a new phase for Universal Destinations & Experiences. This new phase leverages the promotional and experiential energy surrounding Universal Pictures films such as “Jurassic World: Rebirth”, “Wicked: For Good”, and the upcoming final installment of the “Fast and the Furious” series. These movies will be present in three parks within Universal Orlando Resort, as well as Universal Studios Hollywood, where a “Mega Movie Summer” event invites guests to watch new and future releases at CityWalk’s Universal Cinema AMC before or after immersive in-park experiences. One of these attractions is a realistic, six-foot, 730-pound sculpted representation of Toothless.
Patrick Braillard, senior show producer at Universal Creative, stated that the enhancements made to Universal Epic Universal and UDX’s parks serve as a tribute to our past, embodying the spirit of our old slogan, “Experience the Movies!
Woodbury explained, “Our journey began back in 1964 with the studio tour as a stepping stone. Over time, we expanded on this concept, eventually moving east to Orlando and constructing parks featuring iconic attractions such as Jaws, Back to the Future, T2, and King Kong. We’ve since delved further into immersion. Now, our focus is on creating intricate, immersive worlds filled with state-of-the-art technology that breathe life into stories and characters.
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2025-05-30 22:25