Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk Benches Are Works of Art

Last week, after years of anticipation, we finally stepped through the Chronos Tower portal and into Epic Universe. That moment set the tone for two incredible days, far too short a time to capture everything Epic has to offer. Highlights included Stardust Racers’ two-stage launch, the Battle at the Ministry queue, and everything about Monsters Unchained. Yet somehow, none of those attractions is getting the coveted first article treatment. Instead, we’re giving that honor to Isle of Berk’s beautiful benches.

It might seem odd to lead off our Epic Universe coverage by talking about theme park seating. But these aren’t ordinary benches. They’re works of art, small details that capture why Isle of Berk is the park’s best land. And it’s not close. That’s not to say the other lands fall short. Berk is simply on another level. Universal Creative and DreamWorks created a remarkable portal.

Before our trip, Jaime asked me to photograph the benches. Her theme park drawings may be tiny, but they’re packed with detail. And Berk’s benches have details in spades. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Katy Pacitti, Universal Creative’s executive producer for the land, shared how her team came up with the concept:

“We have these benches [based on] blue sky drawings for the third film. There was this tiny, tiny, low-res [image] of Astrid sitting on a bench that was carved to look like a Natter [Dragon]. We took that and said, ‘let’s just make them,’ so we have not only the Natter, we have a Gronkle, a sheep.”

Universal Creative farming ideas from the movie’s blue sky concepts make the land all the more authentic. Even better, the benches were carved from single logs using a chainsaw. No, Vikings didn’t have chainsaws, but they sure didn’t have 3D printers either. They look and feel very “Berk.”

It wasn’t easy getting photos of the Natter, sheep, and the rest. I’m sure more than a few guests wondered why I was lingering as they ate their Mac & Cheese Cones. But eventually, they’d finish and I’d swoop in for a few pics.

Epic Universe is packed with headliners, but sometimes it’s the smallest touches that leave the biggest mark. Isle of Berk’s benches are storytelling, craftsmanship, and authenticity carved into wood. Be sure to try them out on your next visit.