{"id":203821,"date":"2026-05-27T19:44:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T19:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/203821\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T19:44:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T19:44:12","slug":"a-free-how-to-train-your-dragon-adventure-just-opened-in-philly-and-we-got-a-first-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/203821\/","title":{"rendered":"A Free \u2018How to Train Your Dragon\u2019 Adventure Just Opened in Philly – And We Got a First Look"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"STAFF PHOTO<\/p>\n

The buzz around Florida\u2019s Universal Epic Universe theme park<\/a> is continuing much closer to home: Comcast<\/a> unveiled a new How to Train Your Dragon<\/a>: Flight Academy in Philadelphia last night, and it\u2019s opening to the public today and it\u2019s a fun free stop to add to a Philly day trip.<\/p>\n

\"\"STAFF PHOTO \/ Universal Sphere\n<\/p>\n

We got a first look at this free exhibit located at Comcast\u2019s Technology Center.<\/a> Taking the escalator to the second floor, you can\u2019t miss the gigantic Universal Sphere:<\/a>\u00a0it\u2019s a 34-foot-high 360-degree dome theater that has the feel of a planetarium.<\/p>\n

\"\"STAFF PHOTO\n<\/p>\n

With shows changing seasonally, the newest experience based off of the DreamWorks Animation\u2019s<\/a> How to Train Your Dragon<\/a> movies is meant to take you into the Isle of Berk so you can get your official dragon rider\u2019s license.<\/p>\n

\"\"STAFF PHOTO\n<\/p>\n

The entire experience takes 15 minutes \u2013 starting with a tour of dragon eggs by your guides and a brief intro that asks you to give your best Viking roar, and then a 7-minute show inside the Sphere.<\/p>\n

\"\"STAFF PHOTO\n<\/p>\n

Inside the \u201cdragon training arena\u201d you\u2019ll gently lift off the ground from auditorium-like seats, then get a dragon\u2019s-eye view through the scenes. Characters from the movies \u2013 like Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly \u2013 lead you on an animated adventure through air, land and sea with scenes and sounds that match the movies.<\/p>\n

\"\"COURTESY OF COMCAST \/ DREAMWORKS ANIMATION LLC \/ A scene from the show\n<\/p>\n

The seats do not move during the show, though you may feel some rumbling underneath your legs. Be advised that motion sickness could apply here. If you\u2019re familiar with the Orlando theme parks, it has an Avatar-meets-Soarin\u2019 type feel.<\/p>\n

The Sphere does feel dark and confined, so anyone with sensory issues or claustrophobia can either book one of the sensory-friendly showtimes (when the music is lower and the lights are brighter) or decide not to ride but still take in the pre- and post-show activities.<\/p>\n

\"\"STAFF PHOTO \/ Create your own dragon rider\u2019s license<\/p>\n

Once the show is over, you\u2019ll get your official dragon rider\u2019s license. Through the use of video screens, you\u2019ll choose your favorite dragon, preferred Viking name and take a photo \u2013 within a minute an actual credit card-sized license comes out for you to keep.<\/p>\n

\"\"STAFF PHOTO \/ Hiccup, left, and Astrid\n<\/p>\n

Details to Know Before You Go<\/p>\n

The experience is free. Timed reservations are preferred but not required; the Comcast Technology Center is a public building, so you can pop in during your trip to Philly. Booking slots are in 15-minute increments. Pro tip: If you choose not to go into the Sphere, you should still book a ticket with your crew so that you have access to the pre- and post-show activations at the same time.
\nThe Comcast building does not have designated parking, but there is metered street parking and parking lots in the area. Pro tip: If you don\u2019t mind walking a few blocks, The Franklin Institute has a public garage that is only $15, which is the most affordable in the area. You can also take the train to Suburban Station, which is just two blocks away.
\nWith all of the FIFA, America 250 and MLB All-Star action<\/a> taking place this summer, Philadelphia is expecting huge crowds. To accommodate, the show is available in English, American Sign Language, French, German, Hindi, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish. Ask for headphones, or bring your own.
\nOther accessibility accommodations include closed captioning and audio descriptions.
\nThe Universal Sphere is open year-round. After How to Train Your Dragon: The Flight Academy ends, Shrek\u2019s Festive Flight<\/a> returns for the holidays, followed by Po\u2019s Awesome Lunar New Year Adventure.<\/a> Steven Spielberg\u2019s The Power of I<\/a> is expected to return in 2027.<\/p>\n

\"\"STAFF PHOTO \/ Vernick Coffee Bar<\/p>\n

The Comcast building offers more to do for families. Directly across from How to Train Your Dragon is Vernick Coffee Bar for some grab-and-go treats. There are 40 public art installations all around the building, so you can create your own scavenger hunt. Downstairs, follow the tunnels to the Concourse where there are quick-serve restaurants. Across the street in the other Comcast building \u2013 accessible via the street or through the underground tunnels \u2013 is a public, sensory-friendly room for some quiet time (a security guard has to open the doors for you). You can also sign up for a tour of the campus grounds.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"COURTESY OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE<\/p>\n

More to Do in Philly<\/a><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll probably spend about a half-hour at the Universal Sphere experience, so be sure to plan other things to do in Philly<\/a> for the day. Head to The Franklin Institute where a two-level Universal Theme Parks exhibit<\/a> opened earlier this year. You get to see series like Jaws, Jurassic Park, Minions and Harry Potter behind the scenes, in a part-museum, part-studio tour.<\/p>\n

The Barnes Foundation partners with a series of free playgrounds in the area, including Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse, Coxe Park and Schuylkill River Park Playground. Toddlerpalooza<\/a> on May 31 is a morning of music, performances, art making and special surprises for littles hosted by The Barnes.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s lots to do near Center City Philadelphia; check out\u00a0Rittenhouse Square<\/a> (with a pretty park), the Pennsylvania Convention Center<\/a> (with events held year-round) and Reading Terminal Market<\/a> (with hundreds of choices for lunch or dinner). Two hotspots in the area include Federal Donuts & Chicken<\/a> and 1-900-Ice-Cream<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"HowUNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE \/ The Isle of Berk\n<\/p>\n

The Comcast Technology Center <\/a>is located at 1800 Arch St. in Philadelphia. How to Train Your Dragon: Flight Academy<\/a> is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, through November 20. The hours will extend during the summer months. Tickets are free but should be reserved in advance.<\/p>\n

The Flight Academy brings the Island of Berk to life with interactive activities, dragon-themed details and plenty of photo-worthy moments for young fans. It\u2019s a fun day trip, especially if your kids love Hiccup, Toothless and the world of dragon training.<\/p>\n

The Flight Academy is a partnership between Comcast, Universal Destinations & Experiences, and DreamWorks Animation.<\/p>\n

Families who are planning a future Florida trip can also find a much larger Berk-inspired land at Universal Epic Universe,<\/a> where attractions include Hiccup\u2019s Wing Gliders, Dragon Racer\u2019s Rally, Fyre Drill, Viking Training Camp and The Untrainable Dragon.<\/p>\n

Get the latest on the\u00a0best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by\u00a0signing up for our newsletter<\/a> and following us on Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Read More:
Universal Theme Parks Exhibit Opens in Philly: Here\u2019s Why the Kids Will Love It<\/a>
Things to Do in Philadelphia<\/a>
Florida Gets Another \u2018Epic\u2019 Theme Park<\/a><\/p>\n