Universal Studios UK: is it actually happening, or is it just a wonderful rumour?
Universal Studios is a well-established player in the theme park industry.
With theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, Singapore and Beijing, the company is well-versed in creating theme parks (not just amusement parks).
Britain – whilst it has its fair share of parks with rides – does not have park themed as heavily as somewhere like Universal Studios Florida or Disneyland Paris (a common holiday destination for UK guests).
After all, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park Resort may have some good rides – but they’re hardly located in immersive lands with intricate details – that cost millions – or even billions – of dollars to create.
Which leads us to Universal Studios UK. You’ve heard about it. But is it actually happening? It feels like ages since we’ve had an update.
So, let’s investigate and find out if this potentially incredible theme park is actually going to exist.
This post is all about Universal Studios UK and discussing its potential.
Universal Studios UK
Has Universal confirmed that Universal Studios UK will be built?
On the Universal UK Project website, the following have been confirmed:
- They have purchased about 476 acres of land slightly south of Bedford.
- They are “exploring the potential new theme park and resort” on said land.
- They have not made the final decision on whether or not to build Universal Studios UK.
- If the park is built, they cannot confirm which attractions would be present at Universal Studios UK.
Will Universal Studios UK actually get built, then?
None of us know for sure at this time.
However, let’s discuss the main reasons why it may or may not get built.
The Main Reasons Why Universal Studios UK Should Open ASAP
1) Universal could easily dominate the market
Universal Studios has a large presence in Orlando.
Who else has a major resort in Orlando? Oh yeah, Disney!
Universal Studios has a presence in Hollywood.
Know of any other popular theme park in California? Disneyland!
As we know, Universal has a history of trying to compete with Disney World.
Thanks to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, among other additions, Universal has managed to compete fairly well – though they haven’t defeated Disney Parks (at least not yet).
However, do you know who doesn’t have a presence in the UK? Disney!
It would be a lot easier for Universal to be the UK theme park market leader – without Disney being present.
As I mentioned, it wouldn’t be hard for Universal to create a superior theme park to the current UK amusement parks (think Chessington, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, etc.). After all, look at Universal’s track record of building impressive lands and rides.
2) It would be accessible to much of the UK population
It may be somewhat surprising that Universal Studios London is not the goal of this project.
Bedford is quite an unexpected location – but it makes perfect sense.
As explained in this informative video, Universal Studios UK would be within a two-hour driving distance of half the UK population.
If it’s easy to drive to and a better park than the current UK alternatives, it makes sense that a lot of UK guests would want to visit Universal Studios UK.
3) Some concepts are already proven to work in the UK
When you think about Universal theme parks (particularly those in the US), one main thing comes to mind: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Whether it’s Hogsmede or Diagon Alley, these lands have been immensely popular with US and international guests in Orlando and Hollywood (which is only home to Hogsmede).
The British book and film series continues to be immensely popular in the UK (I mean, the popularity of the Warner Bros. Studios Tour is a huge indication of that).
Although Universal did not create the Harry Potter movies, they do have the theme park rights – which have been extremely profitable for the company since 2010.
If they opened a Harry Potter land at Universal Studios UK (even if it’s a replica of Hogsmede or Diagon Alley), it is very likely to draw major crowds – especially with people who have not visited the US parks.
The Main Reasons Why Universal Studios UK May Not Open
1) A market with less of a track record
Whilst many UK guests visit Orlando to visit some of the best theme parks in the world, the UK itself has never had a proven track record of being a theme park destination.
Although this means less competition for Universal, it may also mean less demand for these sorts of theme parks.
Universal has historically opened theme parks in similar places to Disney – where they know there’s a demand for highly themed parks and resorts.
Although Disneyland Paris is not far away from the UK, it is still a different market.
Can Universal Studios attract enough UK and potentially international guests to visit in the long term?
At this point, we can’t be 100% sure.
2) Epic Universe is opening soon
If you keep up with Orlando theme park news, you will know that Universal Studios Orlando’s third theme park – Epic Universe – is opening on May 22nd, 2025.
This looks awesome – but could it affect the existence of Universal Studios UK?
After spending billions on Epic Universe, will Universal want to invest lots of money on a new theme park in a continent where they don’t have a theme park presence already?
And if Epic Universe does not turn out to be the success we assume it will be, could they really afford to build an entire theme park and resort in the UK?
Ta Ta For Now
Do you think Universal Studios UK will be built? If so, what attractions and lands do you think will be present?
And most importantly, when do you think Universal Studios UK will actually open?!
Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments!
This post was all about Universal Studios UK and discussing its potential.
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