Citizens and visitors of Orlando Florida were left wondering whether they were suddenly transported to the land of Westeros this week when a flying dragon was spotted hovering over the city. But this was not the launch of a Targaryen invasion or a tie in with the recent season finale of House of The Dragon. Rather, it was Universal Studios testing a feature that’s going to make Epic Universe even more Epic.
Universal Studios will present Epic Universe, the fourth theme park composing the Universal Orlando Resort, in 2025. That park will be made up of various lands or worlds, including Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World’s Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
Concept art for Super Nintendo World at Universal’s Epic Universe
The Comcast-owned company is reportedly pulling out all the stops for this new park, with intricate new ride systems including a side rail that allows the Donkey Kong roller coaster to literally jump the tracks, and some of the most advanced audio animatronic characters ever created. But one of the features reportedly being tested is realistic flying dragons that will circle the park.
This was seen on August 1 when astonished onlookers all over Orlando got a glimpse of what appeared to be a winged dragon flying over the Epic Universe construction site.
You have the heart of a chief… and the soul of a dragon.
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*#epicuniversal #howtotrainyourdragon #universalepicuniverse #isleofberk #drones #dragons pic.twitter.com/wszwvISf4o— ThrillsTasteTravels (@TTasteTravels) August 2, 2024
In the videos above you can see three videos of the dragon in question. This drone flaps its wings and also seems to include realistic head and tail movements.
While Universal has yet to release an official statement on this test, many believe (understandably) that it will be prominently featured in the Isle of Berk. The How to Train Your Dragon franchise is built around the idea of humans living among dragons, so this would be a huge win for the immersive technological experience Universal seems determined to create with this park.
It’s also entirely possible (albeit more unlikely) that a flying dragon could figure into the Wizarding World section of the park. Universal Orlando’s third Harry Potter themed land will center around 1920s Paris, and will feature a number of “fantastic beasts” from the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film. A flying dragon could fit nicely in such an environment.
The presence of realistic flying dragons is yet another major indicator that Epic Universe will change the entire Orlando theme park industry. Many have already dubbed this park the “Disney Killer” and it seems as though there’s a lot going on behind the curtain that the House of Mouse should be worried about.
America Ferrera as Astrid in How to Train Your Dragon (2010), DreamWorks
As recently as May 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger brushed off questions about Epic Universe making Universal a major competitor in the theme park space, noting that the upcoming park is not “distracting or anxiety-inducing” for the Disney Parks division. However, some have noted over the last few days that flying animatronic characters is something many expected from Disney for several years.
When Pandora: The World of Avatar opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there were rumors of flying Banshee animatronics soaring over the park, but, of course, that never came to be. Then when Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there were many who wondered if we’d see flying drone space ships overhead while exploring the world of Batuu. But, again, that never happened.
Disney’s recent offerings like Communicore Hall, Journey of Water Featuring Moana, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure have received underwhelming responses from guests to say the very least. Despite opening these new experiences, the parks are seeing unprecedented low crowd levels this summer, even during Fourth of July weekend.
A Disney spokesperson this year reiterated Iger’s earlier comments, saying, “Universal is playing catch-up on a decade of nonstop development at Walt Disney World.”
Concept art of Stardust Racers in Celestial Park at Universal’s Epic Universe
Well, one thing you can say about Disney is that it sure was nice of them to slow down and let Universal catch up.
Are you excited for flying dragons at Epic Universe? What can Disney do to fend off this epic new park? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
Marvin The Movie Monster Montanaro is a YouTube commentator and personality specializing in movies, TV, video games, and professional wrestling. He can be found on his channels Tooney Town TV and Tooney Town Wrestling with daily content and weekly livestreams. He can also be found on That Game Place, the That Park Place video game channel.
