UniversalParksBlog News for March 31st, 2024
Okay, I know that it’s Easter and even if you don’t celebrate, you’re probably enjoying a three- or four-day holiday.
Still, Universal Studios theme park news waits for no one.
Photo: Universal
Also, I’m a How to Train Your Dragon superfan. So, you’ll have to indulge me with the latest edition of UniversalParksBlog News.
Let’s talk Berk, y’all!
Universal Details the Isle of Berk
Photo: Universal
Those of you who have been reading UniversalParksBlog since the early days are intimately familiar with this story by now.
We’ve covered the How to Train Your Dragon “rumor” at Universal Epic Universe since the beginning.
Photo: Universal
Here’s an article I wrote during the early days of the pandemic, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the first of its kind.
Universal Studios does things a bit differently from its main competitor, The Walt Disney Company.
Photo: Universal
Many Universal Studios plans leak early in the process and remain an open secret throughout their construction.
To wit, we covered DreamWorks Land back when it wasn’t sure to have a DreamWorks theme.
Photo: Universal
So, we’ve been waiting on this week’s news for four years now.
The pandemic delayed the project, and Universal’s cheeky marketing played a factor as well.
Photo: Universal
Universal officials love teasing fans about whether a project actually exists, even when we can literally see the construction.
I quite like that behavior, finding it genial and charming.
Photo: Universal
But we’re ready to talk turkey now, even though that’s a food for a different holiday.
Last month, Universal finally confirmed the franchises and names for the themed lands coming to Epic Universe.
Photo: Universal
You’d known them since Despacito was a thing, but it was speculative until February 2024.
Now that we’re at the end of March, Universal has filled in the blanks about How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk.
Photo: NBCUniversal
It’s finally go-time, my friends!
About Isle of Berk
Photo: Universal
Here, watch this video and smile for six straight minutes.
Isn’t it exciting to witness the joy and sense of satisfaction that the workers feel about their efforts.
The people working on Epic Universe cannot wait for the rest of us to experience it!
Photo: Universal
Meanwhile, the thought of a themed land based on How to Train Your Dragon makes me so happy that I’m watching The Hidden World while I type.
Anyway, the specifics of Isle of Berk won’t surprise anyone who read the 2020 article then or when I linked it a moment ago.
Photo: Universal
The broad strokes were eerily accurate because that’s how Universal Studios handles its “secret” projects.
We are getting the spinner ride as promised. Universal has named it Dragon Racer’s Rally.
Photo: Universal
This contraption will allow guests to determine how much their ride cart rotates.
While the statement may not be technically accurate (I honestly can’t decide), I think of this ride design as providing a kind of yaw control.
Photo: Universal
Your ride cart will loop by rocking back and forth, but you’ll control how much the spinner actually spins.
Madison Owens has detailed the specifics, but the biggest surprise here is the height requirement.
Photo: Universal
You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride, which is on the high side for a theme park ride these days but fairly typical at Universal.
We’re also getting the promised water ride, which is a soaker.
Photo: Universal
Guests will aim at targets in a competition to hit targets and thereby put out fires, a necessity in a land filled with dragons.
The twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, will lead this training exercise adorably named Fyre Drill.
Photo: Universal
As the Universal officials in the video state, you WILL get drenched on this ride. So, I presume friendly fire (fyre?) is a thing.
More about Berk
Photo: Universal
Finally, we have the E-ticket attraction in this area.
Epic Universe will host plenty of roller coasters, with one at Berk.
Photo: Universal
Named Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, it’ll perform the same function as the 3D did in the first How to Train Your Dragon film.
What I mean by that is you’ll enjoy the view of Berk from unprecedented perspectives.
Photo: Universal
Remember how the camera panned around the outskirts of Berk in the movie, revealing its beauty and isolation?
On Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, the inventor and Village Chief of Berk has invented another contraption.
Photo: Universal
This one simulates dragon flight, which makes Toothless hate it since he does it better.
So, you’ll ostensibly gain a dragon’s aerial view of Berk. However, the disgruntled Toothless will start your ride too quickly.
Photo: Universal
You’ll zoom out of control as you explore the village boundaries and waters surrounding Berk.
Visually, this attraction will highlight the entire themed land, making it a true show-stopper as well as a modest thrill ride topping out at 45 MPH.
Photo: Universal
Just as importantly, this ride is family-friendly, which is essential for a place aligned with How to Train Your Dragon.
Universal has also promised a new show, The Untrainable Dragon, a variant of the popular touring concert and the one at Universal Studios Shanghai.
Photo: Universal
Berk will include Mead Hall, the dining area shown in the film franchise, and it’ll obviously include seafood…but hopefully not sheep.
Finally, Berk WILL include a character meeting with Toothless and Hiccup, so you know where I’ll be on opening day!
Photo: Universal
Okay, it’s a holiday, so I’ll skip the rest of the Universal updates for the week, but Berk is coming, y’all!
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Feature Photo: Universal Orlando
