A minor technical malfunction caused a brief disruption at Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe yesterday, when one of the park’s iconic baby dragons went to “sleep” just as it was preparing to enter a scheduled meet-and-greet. The incident, though quickly resolved, left many excited fans disappointed.
The baby dragon, which is one of the star attractions in the park’s Isle of Berk land, is a robotic character designed to bring the beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise to life. With its lifelike movements and captivating features, the dragon has quickly become a fan favorite. However, during yesterday’s event, the dragon encountered a glitch as it approached the designated meet-and-greet area.
Meet and Greet Gone Wrong
According to eyewitness reports, the dragon was entering the space for its usual interaction with guests when it unexpectedly halted and appeared to “fall asleep.” A technical issue likely caused the dragon to freeze in place, and despite efforts to address the problem, the character was swiftly escorted backstage to be repaired.
Park officials acted quickly to ensure the safety of the attraction and minimize further disruption. Staff members apologized to the disappointed crowd, explaining that the situation was a minor glitch and assuring them the dragon would be back soon. Guests were invited to enjoy other nearby attractions while the issue was addressed.
Fans Express Sadness
While the malfunction was relatively brief, it left many fans frustrated, especially those who had been waiting for the chance to meet the adorable, animatronic dragon. Some visitors, who had traveled specifically for the meet-and-greet experience, shared their disappointment on social media, expressing their hope for a quicker resolution and future opportunities to meet the character.
“This would happen when I go to see the baby dragons at Epic Universe!” one visitor posted on TikTok. Others reassured fellow fans, encouraging them to try again later in the day.
@beercutieandfoodie This would happen when I go to see the baby dragons at Epic Universe 🥹 #epicuniverse #pouncer #babydragon #howtotrainyourdragon #isleofberk
Fortunately, Universal’s technical team was able to fix the issue in a timely manner, and the baby dragon was back up and running shortly after the brief delay. The rest of the meet-and-greet sessions were carried out without incident, with fans lining up to interact with the dragon once more.
This incident serves as a reminder of the technological challenges that can sometimes arise when creating highly immersive, robotic characters. While glitches are an unfortunate part of the process, Universal Orlando Resort continues to invest in cutting-edge technology to create memorable experiences for visitors.
Despite the temporary hiccup, the baby dragon’s popularity remains high, and fans are hopeful that the minor malfunction won’t detract from their future interactions with the adorable creature. Universal has not commented on the specific cause of the glitch but assured guests that the attraction is running smoothly once again.
