Stone-carved statues of a Viking and dragon tower above you as the sun makes the water glisten. A wooden bridge connects the two blocks of land while hand-carved details trace the sterns of ships as lush, rolling hills scatter the island. Suddenly, you are transported to the Isle of Berk from Universal’s award winning movie, How To Train Your Dragon.
When it was first released on March 21, 2010, the film was an immediate success. According to IMDb, the movie won a total of 10 awards at the 38th Annie Awards, with nominations in the Academy, Golden Globe, British Academy Film, and Oscar Awards. Following the premier, the second and third movies came out in 2014 and 2019, respectively.
Many have grown up with the familiar “Toothless and Hiccup” duo, along with Astrid and Stormfly. On May 22, 2025, Universal is set to open its all-new theme park, Epic Universe, bringing childhood stories into reality and allowing countless people to relieve their memories. One of the featured lands within this park is “How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk,” an immersive area based on the popular film franchise.
Designed to look and feel exactly like the animated world of Berk, this new land offers guests the chance to walk in the footsteps of their favorite Viking heroes. According to Universal, visitors will soar through the skies on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a family roller coaster that simulates dragon flight, or test their skills in Dragon Racer’s Rally, a thrilling interactive ride where guests can control their own spinning dragon. For those looking to cool off, Fyre Drill is a lively boat ride that brings the mischief and excitement of dragon-training to life with water cannons and Viking chaos.
The land also includes The Untrainable Dragon, a live stage show that retells a heartfelt story featuring familiar faces and soaring music, and the Viking Training Camp, a play zone designed for young dragon riders to burn off their energy. Immersive food experiences round out the island, with dining spots like the Mead Hall and Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, where guests can enjoy Viking-inspired meals and signature drinks like the fan-favorite “Yaknog.”
The stars of the show are the life-sized animatronics stationed at various locations around the theme park. Fans can meet their favorite characters roaming around the parks by foot, and also with their dragons. Toothless and Hiccup can be seen together, along with an interactive baby dragon named Ruffrunner, according to USA Today. CNN reports huge, life-size animatronic dragons soaring through the sky via drone, an unmistakable symbol of the franchise.
With towering architecture, roaring dragons overhead, and the unmistakable sound of wings slicing through the air, Isle of Berk promises not only nostalgia, but an unforgettable adventure for fans both old and new. All is well in the Isle of Berk, as a quote from the movie goes: “Most places have mice or mosquitoes. We have dragons.”
