Epic Universe construction update: Toothless, Hiccup in Isle of Berk
The main characters from “How to Train Your Dragon” have arrived in Isle of Berk as Epic Universe construction continues.
Aerial photographer bioreconstruct captured photos of Universal Epic Universe construction progress on June 20, 2024, including that of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. Inside the world based on DreamWorks Animation’s hit movie series “How to Train Your Dragon,” workers have added some familiar faces and important prop elements to several future Epic Universe rides.
Epic Universe will open in 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort.
If you need a refresher about Isle of Berk (or just want to get excited all over again), here’s a video with behind-the-scenes comments from the artists of Universal Creative:
Toothless and Hiccup at Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
The pictures below show physical sculpts of Toothless the dragon and Hiccup the dragon trainer — the two main characters from the film series — installed in a show scene for the Hiccup’s Wing Gliders outdoor roller coaster. Although bioreconstruct noticed and photographed Toothless and Hiccup several weeks ago, this batch of photos is his clearest view yet, despite Toothless being slightly covered.
Within the story of Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Hiccup has developed a contraption so that we, Berk’s newest Vikings, can experience what it’s like to mount a dragon and fly across the island. Hiccup envisions our flight as a tranquil, peaceful journey, but Toothless launches us before our wings are attached!
Dragon eggs at Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Along the ride path of Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, construction teams have added blue dragon eggs, some of which have hatched open.
Concept art for Hiccup’s Wing Gliders depicts baby dragons as part of the ride experience, assumedly having just hatched from the cracked eggs.
The track of Hiccup’s Wing Gliders zips throughout the entirety of Isle of Berk, including right through the “bleachers” for Dragon Racer’s Rally, a spinning flat ride in which riders will be in control of their own intensity level
Targets at Fyre Drill
Along the ride path of Fyre Drill — an outdoor water battle ride — contractors are in the midst of installing targets that riders will shoot with water-blasters.
Bursts of color as Berk comes to life
All across Isle of Berk, construction workers continue on all manner of theme park experiences. There will be no shortage of visual details for guests to gaze upon as they make their way into Berk, that’s for sure.
Viking Training Camp rises
Construction workers have gone vertical with the foundations of Viking Training Camp, a play area. The quick progress brings to mind the recent speedy construction of Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres over in DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida.
Berk’s dining locations
Workers removed scaffolding from the Viking statues on either side of the entryway into Meade Hall, a quick-service restaurant.
Across from the Vikings is a newly added pair of wood shelters (or at least, wood-appearing, if not made from the material itself).
Meanwhile at Spit Fyre Grill, another quick-service restaurant, construction teams are busy on themed overhead structures and pavement.
Isle of Berk fly-through video
Soar over Isle of Berk just like its dragons in this animated fly-through of what the area will look like when it opens:
Along with Isle of Berk, the other four worlds of Epic Universe are: Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
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