Universal UK

[nickys]

J.K. Rowling sold the theme park rights for Harry Potter to Warner Bros. Embracer / Middle Earth Enterprises & Friends could sub-license like Warner Bros.

True, but do you think Embracer, a small Swedish video game company is going to build a LotR theme park, our do you think they will take a BAZILLION $$$ from Universal for the rights.

Good points.

But will Universal want to / be able to pay for those rights? They could end up in a bidding war.

 

[nickys]

The oxbridge corridor is a long planned project which universal can piggyback. It’s designed to create growth outside London by connecting the two universities but the Road element has been cut.

I wouldn’t read too much into the UK government announcements - we are currently in a local election cycle so this will play well for votes.The government isn’t that popular so is looking for good news stories like this plays well for them, even if a lot of the work was done elsewhere. I remember when Mrs Thatcher announced the Battersea Power Station park but it was never built and the site was derelict for about 40 years so lets hope after that and ebsfleet its third time lucky for London

Ya know, Scotland is actually still in the UK. For the moment. So I am aware of how much this government are in right now. They won’t scupper a £50bn deal in a hurry.

And since when does anyone refer to her as Mrs Thatcher???

 

[JohnD]

The announcement of the theme park happened just days after confirmation that Luton airport will get an expansion.

It was one of the conditions of the deal. That plus rail improvements in the Oxford - Cambridge “corridor”.

This has been really carefully orchestrated by the UK government and Comcast.

Yeah. I looked at the Luton website. Currently regional airlines only. Interesting.

 

[nickys]

Yeah. I looked at the Luton website. Currently regional airlines only. Interesting.

EasyJet fly to European destinations from there too.

I’d guess the aim is for more European airlines to fly there for easy access to the park, hence the hotel on site.

 

[ParadoxPortals]

Not that anyone asked, but here's my predictions for Universal Studios Great Britain, mixing strong rumours and speculation for lands with my own guesswork for what'll actually be in each of them. I tried to study the concept art as best as I could so I wasn't just making wild guesses into the void, and I kept these sets of predictions grounded in reality, not my own fantasy.

If anyone cares, once I made this I also made a dream park version of this concept art breakdown, that featured the things I thought would actually be the most interesting and cool for the park, instead of what I genuinely expect will be greenlit. I'll post it if there's interest.

If anyone else wants to make their 'Bingo cards' for what we'll see, please go ahead, it'll be fun to see who guesses the closest to the eventually announced attraction line-up!View attachment 852473

I've updated my predictions list to be more in-tune with current rumours and discoveries, including the (almost) confirmation that North of Dreamworks' Minions, is a Shrek area (based on the presence of the Poison Apple restaurant), the swapping of Pokemon for Paddington, and the removal of the Wicked land for more Jurassic World space).

 

[DonniePeverley]

My worldclass precious thoughts :


1) UK planning laws are still crazy. No doubt they will find a pigeons nest, meaning the project will be held up a decade while the pigeons mature and fly off. The UK spent millions to protect a few bats when building a high speed railway line (they can't even find the bats now). The planning laws there are literally bat crazy. I am delighted government took control of this to allow quicker approval.

2) What will be the official name - Universal Bedord sounds ugly. Universal London or Universal Great Britain? Does anyone even use the term Great Britian anymore?

3) Weather ... alot of the park seems outdoor. Weather in winters is horrific in the UK. So what are they going to migate that? In Dubai alot of theme parks have massive sections indoors as a way to cope with the horrific heat.

4) The planning has far too many coasters there.

5) Is Harry Potter under some protectionist copyright to do attractions in the UK (as their are other dedicated Harry Potter lands).

 

[Gusey]

I've updated my predictions list to be more in-tune with current rumours and discoveries, including the (almost) confirmation that North of Dreamworks' Minions, is a Shrek area (based on the presence of the Poison Apple restaurant), the swapping of Pokemon for Paddington, and the removal of the Wicked land for more Jurassic World space).View attachment 852494

Interesting. Are you thinking the showbuilding behind Hollywood is a Jaws attraction? I was thinking it was a special effects show in the Hollywood section like the one in Beijing or themed to James Bond

 

[ParadoxPortals]

My worldclass precious thoughts :


1) UK planning laws are still crazy. No doubt they will find a pigeons nest, meaning the project will be held up a decade while the pigeons mature and fly off. The UK spent millions to protect a few bats when building a high speed railway line (they can't even find the bats now).

2) What will be the official name - Universal Bedord sounds ugly. Universal London or Universal Great Britain? Does anyone even use the term Great Britian anymore?

3) Weather ... alot of the park seems outdoor. Weather in winters is horrific in the UK. So what are they going to migate that? In Dubai alot of theme parks have massive sections indoors as a way to cope with the horrific heat.

4) The planning has far too many coasters there.

5) Is Harry Potter under some protectionist copyright to do attractions in the UK (as their are other dedicated Harry Potter lands).

1) The Labour government needs a win and have been pushing hard for this for a long time. It's a completely different opportunity to work with the esteemed Universal Creative than with some brand new first-timer independent company making a brand new no-name theme park. This project is going to go ahead unless an earthquake spontaneously hits.

2) We know as of today that the official full name will be Universal Studios Great Britain.

3) As part of the December 2023 rumours and leak spearheaded by Alicia Stella of Theme Park Stop, it was allegedly always in the plan to have a lot of indoor attractions to counter the weather. See the indoor Minions Land ported over from Beijing, the new Jaws attraction being an exclusively-indoor experience, and the star ride of the park (lest BTTF), Jurassic World Adventure, being an indoor dark ride. Even more indoor attractions in outdoor lands exist too. The UK is home to the world's third-largest theme park operator currently, Merlin Entertainments, who have been successfully operating 4 outdoor theme parks in the UK for the decades now.

4) There are only 2 coasters on show in this park. The 3rd one you see to the centre right is not actually a coaster but just theming on top of the indoor Minions Land ported over from Beijing.

5) The Harry Potter Studios Tour attraction in Watford has exclusive rights to Harry Potter themed entertainment experiences in the UK, so Universal can't put a Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley or Wizarding Paris land in the UK.

I know we've all been burnt before with the London Resort, but that project died *because* Universal was planning to come to the UK. I haven't seen any strong reasons to be sceptical of this project yet, so let's hold off on pessimism until we have good reason to be suspicious.

This is what Beijing's indoor Minions Land looks like with the fake coaster theming atop BTW:

 

[osian]

Weather in winters is horrific in the UK.

Well, we like to moan about it, but this is a bit hyperbolic!

We actually have a relatively mild climate and there are parts of the US that get far worse weather conditions in winter. We don't have year-round sunshine and hot weather like Florida, and no you don't really get theme parks open all year round for that reason (though places like Blackpool PB and Alton Towers only close completely for November-January), but I wouldn't describe it as "horrific", in fact I'd consider hurricane conditions/tropical storms far more serious things than mild drizzle and fog.

 

[celluloid]

Well, we like to moan about it, but this is a bit hyperbolic!

We actually have a relatively mild climate and there are parts of the US that get far worse weather conditions in winter. We don't have year-round sunshine and hot weather like Florida, and no you don't really get theme parks open all year round for that reason (though places like Blackpool PB and Alton Towers only close completely for November-January), but I wouldn't describe it as "horrific", in fact I'd consider hurricane conditions/tropical storms far more serious things than mild drizzle and fog.

This is all true. it depends on the outlook and industry.

the Theme Parks are in Central FL, so the worst of Hurricanes, if they do hit or go across Central FL, are only temporary occurrences for the tourist industry impact. A few days before and after (with the rare exception) have business reeling in.

Hundreds of days of chilly drizzles(just for example) where locals won't want to play as much cause more financial damage to the theme park resort.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I'm curious how this will compare to DLP in terms of attendance. DLP has the advantage of geography being in continental Europe.

I was curious about the impact on DLP attendance when this was first announced more from the perspective of how many UK guests it would discourage from making the journey across the Channel. Looking at the scale of the park as presented in the concept art, I'm less sure the aim is to directly compete with DLRP as a destination resort. This looks more pitched to a day trip market of UK locals and tourists that happen to be visiting London.

My impression is more that in the UK Orlando is pitched to those who want longer 1 week+ international vacations, DLRP is an intermediate type of destination for 2-3 days, and this will be more a day trip.

EasyJet fly to European destinations from there too.

I’d guess the aim is for more European airlines to fly there for easy access to the park, hence the hotel on site.

Is the expectation really that Europeans will be flying in to see this park? I'm sure it will be a great addition to the tourist offerings of the region and for locals, but the scale looks to be similar to Disney Adventure World unless I'm missing something. It makes sense to have a hotel for those who make a long drive, come a long way by train, etc. to stay overnight, but I would be surprised if their expectation is that many people will be flying over from Madrid, Berlin, or Rome specifically to visit the park.

 

[nickys]

I was curious about the impact on DLP attendance when this was first announced more from the perspective of how many UK guests it would discourage from making the journey across the Channel. Looking at the scale of the park as presented in the concept art, I'm less sure the aim is to directly compete with DLRP as a destination resort. This looks more pitched to a day trip market of UK locals and tourists that happen to be visiting London.

My impression is more that in the UK Orlando is pitched to those who want longer 1 week+ international vacations, DLRP is an intermediate type of destination for 2-3 days, and this will be more a day trip.


Is the expectation really that Europeans will be flying in to see this park? I'm sure it will be a great addition to the tourist offerings of the region and for locals, but the scale looks to be similar to Disney Adventure World unless I'm missing something. It makes sense to have a hotel for those who make a long drive, come a long way by train, etc. to stay overnight, but I would be surprised if their expectation is that many people will be flying over from Madrid, Berlin, or Rome specifically to visit the park.

You’re missing something!

The Universal site is 476 acres.

Disneyland Parc is 140 acres, the Studio Park is 41 acres.

Even if some of the site is hotel and City Walk, this will be huge in comparison to DLP.

Efteling is 180 acres, as a comparison.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

You’re missing something!

The Universal site is 476 acres.

Disneyland Parc is 140 acres, the Studio Park is 41 acres.

Even if some of the site is hotel and City Walk, this will be huge in comparison to DLP.

Efteling is 180 acres, as a comparison.

How much of that 476 acres is the park, though?

Regardless of physical size, I would think they are on a similar scale in terms of offerings. Honestly, Disney Adventure World may have the edge depending on what sort of attractions you're into once all the announced expansions are finished.

 

[ParadoxPortals]

Is the expectation really that Europeans will be flying in to see this park? I'm sure it will be a great addition to the tourist offerings of the region and for locals, but the scale looks to be similar to Disney Adventure World unless I'm missing something. It makes sense to have a hotel for those who make a long drive, come a long way by train, etc. to stay overnight, but I would be surprised if their expectation is that many people will be flying over from Madrid, Berlin, or Rome specifically to visit the park.

I get the scepticism but honestly parks like Shanghai Disneyland and Universal Beijing all do get an OK amount of international visitors, especially watch Westerner vloggers who go there often and you'll see a *few* white people amongst the local crowds.

You gotta think though, USGB could do much better than Asian resorts, as it's a small (so quick to travel around to all the POIs) English-speaking country (which makes it more accessible to fellow Westerners) that is famous for its tourism opportunities that interest people from all countries across the world. This new park may convince some Americans who always wanted to come see London and the Windsor Castle and Stonehenge, ETC, to take the plunge and visit the UK, doing 2 days at Uni and the rest of the week touring the country. I could actually see Universal UK doing much better than other resorts like Beijing or even Disneyland Paris (French-speaking so less accessible to Americans).

 

[DonniePeverley]

1) The Labour government needs a win and have been pushing hard for this for a long time. It's a completely different opportunity to work with the esteemed Universal Creative than with some brand new first-timer independent company making a brand new no-name theme park. This project is going to go ahead unless an earthquake spontaneously hits.

2) We know as of today that the official full name will be Universal Studios Great Britain.

3) As part of the December 2023 rumours and leak spearheaded by Alicia Stella of Theme Park Stop, it was allegedly always in the plan to have a lot of indoor attractions to counter the weather. See the indoor Minions Land ported over from Beijing, the new Jaws attraction being an exclusively-indoor experience, and the star ride of the park (lest BTTF), Jurassic World Adventure, being an indoor dark ride. Even more indoor attractions in outdoor lands exist too. The UK is home to the world's third-largest theme park operator currently, Merlin Entertainments, who have been successfully operating 4 outdoor theme parks in the UK for the decades now.

4) There are only 2 coasters on show in this park. The 3rd one you see to the centre right is not actually a coaster but just theming on top of the indoor Minions Land ported over from Beijing.

5) The Harry Potter Studios Tour attraction in Watford has exclusive rights to Harry Potter themed entertainment experiences in the UK, so Universal can't put a Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley or Wizarding Paris land in the UK.

I know we've all been burnt before with the London Resort, but that project died *because* Universal was planning to come to the UK. I haven't seen any strong reasons to be sceptical of this project yet, so let's hold off on pessimism until we have good reason to be suspicious.

This is what Beijing's indoor Minions Land looks like with the fake coaster theming atop BTW:View attachment 852500

Brilliant post. Thanks for the updates.

 

[CoasterFan27]

I was curious about the impact on DLP attendance when this was first announced more from the perspective of how many UK guests it would discourage from making the journey across the Channel. Looking at the scale of the park as presented in the concept art, I'm less sure the aim is to directly compete with DLRP as a destination resort. This looks more pitched to a day trip market of UK locals and tourists that happen to be visiting London.

My impression is more that in the UK Orlando is pitched to those who want longer 1 week+ international vacations, DLRP is an intermediate type of destination for 2-3 days, and this will be more a day trip.


Is the expectation really that Europeans will be flying in to see this park? I'm sure it will be a great addition to the tourist offerings of the region and for locals, but the scale looks to be similar to Disney Adventure World unless I'm missing something. It makes sense to have a hotel for those who make a long drive, come a long way by train, etc. to stay overnight, but I would be surprised if their expectation is that many people will be flying over from Madrid, Berlin, or Rome specifically to visit the park.

It's clearly larger than Disney Adventure World, even with the Frozen addition it's comparable/bigger. Obviously yes there is an expectation European mainlanders (UK is in Europe...) will come to visit, most probably not as a primary purpose but with London <1hr on train they'll add it in - just like I'm not going to Japan for Universal but I'm sure putting a day aside to visit while in Osaka. That obviously benefits the park, and extends some UK holidays which benefits hotels and other hospitality.

 

[CoasterFan27]

The oxbridge corridor is a long planned project which universal can piggyback. It’s designed to create growth outside London by connecting the two universities but the Road element has been cut.

I wouldn’t read too much into the UK government announcements - we are currently in a local election cycle so this will play well for votes.The government isn’t that popular so is looking for good news stories like this plays well for them, even if a lot of the work was done elsewhere. I remember when Mrs Thatcher announced the Battersea Power Station park but it was never built and the site was derelict for about 40 years so lets hope after that and ebsfleet its third time lucky for London

Why not read into it? It's a huge boon for the economy, and they've been clear they'll do whatever it takes to get big projects going including using powers to override local planning by considering it a strategic concern which goes to central government. Plus this government, regardless of political opinions we shouldn't open up in this thread, have followed through with most of things they've announced - and if you don't trust that then trust the simple fact politicians don't want a photo-op with something they think will paint them poorly in the future, they've put their stamp on this so they at least believe it's happening.

 

[lazyboy97o]

4) There are only 2 coasters on show in this park. The 3rd one you see to the centre right is not actually a coaster but just theming on top of the indoor Minions Land ported over from Beijing.

There’s a coaster inside in Minions Land.

You’re missing something!

The Universal site is 476 acres.

Disneyland Parc is 140 acres, the Studio Park is 41 acres.

Even if some of the site is hotel and City Walk, this will be huge in comparison to DLP.

Efteling is 180 acres, as a comparison.

The park is nowhere near that big. This isn’t Epic Universe. Universal has no interest at this time in building the world’s most expensive theme park for a third time.

 

[Robbiem]

Why not read into it? It's a huge boon for the economy, and they've been clear they'll do whatever it takes to get big projects going including using powers to override local planning by considering it a strategic concern which goes to central government. Plus this government, regardless of political opinions we shouldn't open up in this thread, have followed through with most of things they've announced - and if you don't trust that then trust the simple fact politicians don't want a photo-op with something they think will paint them poorly in the future, they've put their stamp on this so they at least believe it's happening.

I’m all in favour, sorry if I come across as negative. I really want to see the UK have a great resort which is successful. Leaving politics aside I still think there are a lot of hoops to jump through, the announcement was ‘subject to planning concent’not ‘we have approved’. As an ex civil servant I know you need to read the words carefully to see what the government is really saying

 

[ParadoxPortals]

I've updated my predictions list to be more in-tune with current rumours and discoveries, including the (almost) confirmation that North of Dreamworks' Minions, is a Shrek area (based on the presence of the Poison Apple restaurant), the swapping of Pokemon for Paddington, and the removal of the Wicked land for more Jurassic World space).View attachment 852494

Ever a perfectionist, I've created a third and (hopefully) final version of my concept art dissection, this time not being my predictions but exclusively insight into what the concept art suggests will be in the resort as a whole, in-line with existing rumours and leaks about this project.

I've swapped-out the concept art I used for a higher-quality render, moved James Bond into the Jaws ride spot as it seems the show building connects to the Hollywood hub and unfortunately not Amity, I've added in a note signalling a possible Camp Cretaceous and guessed a Jurassic World restaurant may be a new version of Beijing's Hammond's restaurant, and also I've changed-up alot of my Dreamworks Land predictions to exclude Trolls but include Sing and move Secret Life of Pets (there's a chance it will end up being Minion Mayhem, I do recognise that). I'm also aware I'm guessing that the hotel will be Hard Rock brand, I have no reason to assume that other than the fact Hard Rock restaurants are pretty popular here in the UK, I just wanted a logo to attach to the hotel to bring attention to it.

Maybe I'm being a bit prideful here but I'm hoping to have drawn up the most qualitative and accurate version of the rumoured site plans based on all the info we've been accruing these past couple of years. Any notes or criticisms, send them my way!