Universal UK

CoasterFan27

CoasterFan27

Active Member
Robbiem said:
I agree that there isn’t a centrepiece icon but that’s a common theme for Universal Studios the icons are the gates and globe at the park entrance and the park is generally a series of competing icons around a lake, like world showcase as a standalone without spaceship earth
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I guess that's true, while the HP castle does serve that function it's not like they made a centerpiece at epic universe (I wouldn't count the hotel).

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Ultimately they wouldn't be making the park if they thought they were making a weak version that wouldn't make their money back, and their projected visitor numbers are ambitious so they must believe at some level that what they're planning will fulfill that.

There's currently nothing in the concept to make people hyperventilate over visiting like Dark Universe, HP or Nintendo causes to they're respective fans, even if many would enjoy JP and BTTF, if this is it and they're hoping it being a universal park will be so they need then they might be facing a Euro Disney situation. So I hope they do have something up their sleeve, I feel too hit those visitor numbers they need to make even Orlando regulars have a reason to fly across the pond.
 
Robbiem

Robbiem

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
CoasterFan27 said:
I guess that's true, while the HP castle does serve that function it's not like they made a centerpiece at epic universe (I wouldn't count the hotel).

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Ultimately they wouldn't be making the park if they thought they were making a weak version that wouldn't make their money back, and their projected visitor numbers are ambitious so they must believe at some level that what they're planning will fulfill that.

There's currently nothing in the concept to make people hyperventilate over visiting like Dark Universe, HP or Nintendo causes to they're respective fans, even if many would enjoy JP and BTTF, if this is it and they're hoping it being a universal park will be so they need then they might be facing a Euro Disney situation. So I hope they do have something up their sleeve, I feel too hit those visitor numbers they need to make even Orlando regulars have a reason to fly across the pond.
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I didn’t mean the lack of an in park icon to be bad, I just think Universal have a different design philosophy with their studios parks to Disney which have a big icon structure in each park. I always thought it was intended to be more of a backlot approach.

I agree that the park really needs a unique signature area, especially as a lot of locals would have been to Florida. Lord of the rings would be great, maybe a 1960s area with classic James Bond style spy stuff or something like Wallace and Gromit land would help make the park stand out.
 
Robbiem

Robbiem

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
nickys said:
www.bbc.co.uk

Universal UK: Century-long plans made for Bedford theme park

President of new ventures, Page Thompson, says the theme park is just the start of local investment.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
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Interesting article- the key points I took from it were:
  • Universal aren’t planning any further resorts in Europe, they looked at other locations on the mainland before picking Bedford
  • They have a lot more land after phase one for development
  • They don’t commit to what further development would be - I guess could be something like film production facilities or even housing/retail if the park underperforms rather than a rigid agreement that Disney had in Paris
  • They believe the UK is under served by world class theme parks (something I would agree with)
  • They are expecting around 30% of initial visitors to be from overseas. I’m guessing that they are expecting people to visit for the day from London or maybe add a day or two to their schedule to visit the resort
  • Here will be restaurants accessible from outside the park but no mention of a wider retail area, at least in phase one
 
mkt

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
They're hiring!

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uuk2.jpg
 
Robbiem

Robbiem

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
It is just over an hour from st pancras to Bedford. The resort will have a new station just before that so about an hour but depending on where you stay in London that could double
 
osian

osian

Well-Known Member
Well, I overstated it slightly. Not a personal friend, but we're both members of the RCCGB and have been on the same USA trips a few times (Florida and California). ISTR Germany too but I could be wrong.
 
RoyalFool

RoyalFool

Member
osian said:
Well, I overstated it slightly. Not a personal friend, but we're both members of the RCCGB and have been on the same USA trips a few times (Florida and California). ISTR Germany too but I could be wrong.
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Small world, I have an ancient RCCGB lanyard strap tied around my baggage handles so I can spot it at airports, will have to be careful Chris Sawyer doesn't go taking my bags by accident 🕵️‍♂️

Back to the job advert, I saw someone at universal re-posted it on LinkedIn and said it would be located in Orlando for "several years" then move to Bedford for the construction phase.

I'm not one of those "several means at least seven!" people, but it did make me raise an eyebrow, I mean, it's supposed to open in 6 years isn't it.
 
LieutLaww

LieutLaww

Hello There
Premium Member
In the Parks
No
2031 is the proposed opening date, Universal are hoping to get the planning stuff put in before the governments summer recess, ready to start building early next year or possibly late this year IF planning goes through quickly enough.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
LieutLaww said:
2031 is the proposed opening date, Universal are hoping to get the planning stuff put in before the governments summer recess, ready to start building early next year or possibly late this year IF planning goes through quickly enough.
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Any construction starting that soon would primarily be early site work and infrastructure that can start while design work continues for months and more likely a couple of years.
 
LieutLaww

LieutLaww

Hello There
Premium Member
In the Parks
No
Yes I know how construction works thanks, I was just pointing out what Universal has stated publicly with their plans.
 
DonniePeverley

DonniePeverley

Well-Known Member
This is the UK ... no development is going to get through quick.

If they find a birds nest that's a delay of 6 months.

Anyways the park's plans seem to be lacking ambition for me to get excited - especially the size of the park. Just my opinion.
 

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