Universal Destinations & Experiences is exploring the possibility of opening a full-scale park and resort experience in the United Kingdom.
https://anchor.fm/s/7618f58/podcast/rssUniversal’s parent company Comcast has purchased a parcel of land near Bedford, England. The company is in the first stages of development and is currently evaluating on whether or not to proceed with three project.
According to Orlando Park Stop, NBCUniversal has registered the domain names “universalstudiosgreatbritain.com” and “universalgreatbritain.com.” These domains, along with their corresponding “.co.uk” versions, have been secured through the same registrar utilized for other Universal website domains.
Registered in September 2023, these URLs coincided with the apparent acquisition of land by the company in the same timeframe. In an SEC report following Comcast’s third quarter in October 2023, the company revealed a expenditure of $271 million, specifically stating it was “associated with the acquisition of land for potential theme park expansion opportunities” While it cannot confirm definitively that this financial disclosure pertains to a park in Great Britain, the timing raises intriguing questions.
The purchased land, also known as the “Kempston Hardwick New Settlement” is former brickworks land spanning approximately 500 acres (200 hectares). While currently designated for agricultural use, this land has seen numerous stalled proposals for future commercial endeavors. Located about 46 miles (74 kilometers) north of London, its strategic proximity to roads and railway stations, both slated for future improvements, likely factored into Comcast’s decision to acquire land for what is believed to be the site of the new Universal Studios Great Britain.
Interestingly, the Bedford area seems to be attracting attention beyond Comcast, with Quartermaster and VERB announcing plans for the “Home of Production Bedfordshire” (HOP Studios). Encompassing 1,587,006 sq.ft (approx. 147437 m2), HOP Studios will feature production studio spaces, sound stages, production houses, and a backlot area. While these proposed movie studio plans are unrelated to Universal Studios, the potential proximity of the two ventures raises interesting possibilities.
Rumors surrounding the new Universal Studios Great Britain suggest a focus on indoor rides and experiences, aligning with the design philosophy of the newly opened Universal Studios Beijing, which features entirely indoor lands like Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness and Minions’ Super Silly Fun Land. Noteworthy indoor experiences, such as the Jurassic World Adventure dark ride and enclosed Camp Jurassic play area, could be replicated in the new park to address local weather concerns.
Speculation also abounds regarding potential intellectual properties for the park, with rumors suggesting interests in acquiring rights to James Bond, Paddington Bear, and The Lord of the Rings for immersive themed experiences.
Are you interested in seeing a Universal Studios type park open in Europe?
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