Movies

Universal’s Epic Universe is guaranteed to make this beloved franchise even bigger

BBG News

This week, Universal’s Epic Universe, a fresh theme park by the company after a gap of 25 years in Orlando, officially commenced operations (and welcomed visitors through its entrance).

Epic Universe encompasses five separate realms: Dark Universe, Ministry of Magic within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo Land, and Celestial Park. Notably, Celestial Park lies at the heart of these four, functioning as a central station where guests can travel via grand ‘portal’ entrances into each immersive zone.

Initially, one of these worlds may seem unusual, particularly if you haven’t noticed the meteoric growth of the “How To Train Your Dragon” franchise. The initial film debuted in cinemas back in 2010 with modest box-office earnings and positive reviews, which grew significantly during the release of the complete trilogy.

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The television show draws heavily from the book series written by Cressida Cowell, but it has been significantly expanded upon and reimagined by directors Dean DuBlois and Chris Sanders, known for their work in “Lilo & Stitch” and “The Wild Robot” respectively.

After achieving great success with its trilogy, How to Train Your Dragon moved on to television, much like many successful children’s media franchises do. Now, a significant part of the franchise known as Dragons boasts three series, spanning over 22 seasons and encompassing a total of 223 episodes.

Apart from being part of the Epic Universe, the series will also have a live-action makeover this year, with early screenings generating enthusiastic responses. Set to release in June, the movie features Mason Thames and Nico Parker (from “The Last of Us”) as its leading stars.

The blending of these elements seems poised to propel “How To Train Your Dragon” from cherished series to an entirely different level of acclaim – a fitting progression, considering the exceptional caliber of the movies themselves.

The initial film possesses a captivating, fairy tale essence typical of excellent children’s literature. It skillfully creates an enticing and distinctive universe, all the while weaving a heartwarming family-oriented narrative centered around friendship. This aspect is crucial, as the relationship between Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless, the dragon, forms the emotional backbone of the subsequent films.

The Hidden World” (2019), being sequels in a fantasy series, excelled by exploring the storyline in unanticipated ways. The second movie notably added fresh characters and puzzles, significantly broadening the narrative without deviating from our main duo’s journey.

Beyond the captivating appeal of its characters and setting, the original trilogy of “How To Train Your Dragon” stands out due to some of DreamWorks’ finest traditional 3D animation in years, accompanied by an almost flawless soundtrack composed by John Powell.

At Epic Universe, the Isle of Berk has been introduced, allowing fans of the movies – be they those who grew up with the original trilogy or the newer generation drawn in by the remake of “How To Train Your Dragon” – to immerse themselves directly in Toothless’s realm.

As a hardcore gamer, I’ve got to say, the creators at Universal Orlando have nailed it! They’ve magically transformed the stunning 3D art style from HTTYD into a real-life environment. And let me tell you, the lifelike animatronics scattered around really make the unique dragon designs leap off the screen and into your hands.

At this unique theme park, there’s an abundance of peculiar dishes to savor, and the Mac & Cheese Cone has become quite a viral sensation due to its delicious taste. Of course, no experience would be complete without the exhilarating rides themselves. The star attraction at ‘The Isle of Berk’ is ‘Hiccup’s Wing Glider’, an enjoyable rollercoaster suitable for all ages that offers just enough thrills, launches, and storytelling to captivate everyone in your family. It’s wonderfully complemented by a live performance, ‘The Untrainable Dragon’, which showcases an astonishing practical effect that is sure to linger in the memories of any child (or young-at-heart individual) who witnesses it.

John Powell’s impressive music permeates throughout, and astute listeners can discern distinct and reworked renditions of iconic motifs from the series, such as ‘Test Drive’ and ‘This is Berk’, scattered throughout.

1. Option A: In the realm of Epic, The Isle of Berk is merely one among four distinct worlds. There are numerous other fascinating attractions as well. Epic’s Super Nintendo World echoes the vibrant, fluid 3D animation style seen in contemporary Super Mario games. Fans will be amazed when they venture through a warp pipe and find themselves in the Mushroom Kingdom. While Epic’s Super Nintendo World shares similarities with its counterpart at Universal Studios Los Angeles, which debuted in 2023, it is expanded significantly due to the inclusion of Donkey Kong Country – an area dedicated to the iconic ape mascot of the brand.

2. Option B: The Isle of Berk is only one of four unique worlds within Epic, and there are many more captivating aspects to explore. Epic’s Super Nintendo World mirrors the lively, sleek 3D animation found in modern-era Super Mario games. When fans traverse a warp pipe, they’ll be astounded to find themselves in the Mushroom Kingdom. While Epic’s Super Nintendo World resembles its counterpart at Universal Studios Los Angeles, which launched in 2023, it has been expanded substantially by incorporating Donkey Kong Country – a thematic area centered around the popular ape mascot of the brand.

3. Option C: In Epic, The Isle of Berk is just one of the four worlds, and there are numerous other captivating elements to discover. Epic’s Super Nintendo World reflects the dynamic, smooth 3D animation characteristic of recent Super Mario games. As fans journey through a warp pipe, they’ll be left in awe when they arrive at the Mushroom Kingdom. Epic’s Super Nintendo World shares similarities with its counterpart at Universal Studios Los Angeles, which debuted in 2023, but it is expanded considerably due to the addition of Donkey Kong Country – an area designed around the renowned ape mascot of the brand.

Each option maintains the original meaning while attempting to make the text more natural and easy to read.

Donkey Kong Country introduces an exciting new attraction, Mine Cart Madness, a roller coaster that simulates a wild ride in a runaway mine cart, offering a fun and generally safe experience for families.

The intricate details are consistent across all the realms created by Epic, including the Dark Universe. In this fresh, shared fictional setting called Darkmoor (located in Bavaria), the classic monsters such as Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Dracula, and others have their moment to make a comeback. The atmosphere is distinctly gothic, even amidst the heat of Florida.

Darkmoor’s pride and glory is Monsters: Unchained, an enchanting ‘dark ride’ hidden within the walls of a colossal castle. This exceptional experience blends cutting-edge animatronics and simulator technology found throughout Universal Orlando’s other theme parks to offer an unparalleled journey. You traverse the castle of Victoria Frankenstein, Victor’s great-granddaughter, who aims to restore family honor by subduing the most terrifying, grotesque creatures. However, as often happens in containment facility tales, things take an unexpected turn.

Instead of revealing every detail about the experience, let me tell you that there will be instances when colossal robotic creatures appear to leap at your seat, only to be swiftly replaced by massive screens. These thrilling encounters are truly awe-inspiring and guarantee an unforgettable good time.

In Epic’s wheel-and-spoke design, the central point is referred to as Celestial Park, a vibrant open space boasting a colorful carousel, fountains, dining venues, and the latest luxury accommodation from Universal Orlando Resort, the solar-themed Helios hotel. It’s also where you’ll find Stardust Racers, a roller coaster that has secured its place in any serious ‘best rides at Universal Orlando’ conversation.

The trick behind Stardust Racers lies in its design: It features two side-by-side tracks where a pair of rollercoaster vehicles run concurrently, ensuring that during the ride, you’ll have the thrill of watching fellow riders zooming past you on the other track.

The thrill of the journey lies in dividing your thrill-seekers into two teams. One team navigates the green path, while the other tackles the yellow one. The excitement reaches new heights as they soar side by side, reaching speeds of 62mph, 130 feet above the ground.

Experiencing Stardust Racers isn’t my first thrilling coaster ride, but I can hardly find a more exhilarating rollercoaster adventure than this one! As our cars swirl and dive around each other at Epic, it’s challenging to think of a more fundamentally enjoyable rollercoaster escapade. We detach and reconnect numerous times, and the moment my eyes meet fellow riders on the opposite track remains enchanting.

As a gamer, I can tell you that Stardust Racers is crafted to amplify the sensation of racing rollercoasters as a communal adventure. When you leap aboard with 20 strangers, the shared cries of excitement and grins exchanged are an unspoken bond – even if it lasts just 90 seconds. It’s unlikely we’ll cross paths again after that ride, but in those electrifying moments of physical adrenaline, there’s a connection forged. Stardust Racers emphasizes this shared experience right at its core.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel like Stardust Racers was crafted just for me, an amusement park enthusiast. It’s not about scaring or overwhelming; instead, it’s a heartfelt ode to the thrill and excitement that theme parks embody – and trust me, it’s nothing short of epic!

Normally priced: A seven-night stay in Orlando with British Airways Holidays, featuring scheduled flights and room-only lodging at the 3.5-star Universal Stella Nova Resort, begins at £829 per person. The price encompasses a Universal Orlando Resorts All Parks Ticket as well.

A typical package deal for a 7-night trip to Orlando with British Airways Holidays, which includes flights and accommodation at the Universal Stella Nova Resort (3.5 stars), costs £829 per person. This price includes an entry pass to all Universal Orlando Resorts parks as well.

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2025-05-27 16:20

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