One thing I didn't get a chance to note in the review of Race to the Edge was the animation difference from when Dragons was on Cartoon Network to now on Netflix. Figured you guys could see for yourself.
I don't know if it's the same as the TV show, but I did see the "special" that was on the HTTYD 2 Blu-ray. Not only did the animation kind of stink, but the writing wasn't that great either. I've already forgotten what happened in it.
I think Dawn of the Dragon Racers used the animation staff that worked on the first two seasons of the show, which is why it doesn't look as good as the previous shorts. And when you think about it, it kinda essentially plays as an episode from those two seasons of the show.