Universal Destinations & Experiences has officially announced plans to build and operate the company’s
first-ever theme park & resort in the United Kingdom,
located in Bedford. The project, informally unknown as Universal Studios Great Britain among fans, has been revealed via new concept art and details from via the UK government.
For its part, Universal Destinations & Experiences has announced its intent to proceed with the Bedford theme park project following more than a year of feasibility, due diligence, and close engagement with local and national stakeholders, as well as members of the local surrounding communities. Universal Studios Great Britain was first rumored back in December 2023, when internet sleuthing confirmed that Universal had purchased a large parcel in the UK and was exploring plans for a theme park.
Universal reports that during its period of public engagement while exploring the new park concept, the company shared its proposal with local communities. During that public engagement, the company met with almost 1,500 people and engaged with nearly 100 local organisations to hear ideas and feedback. Universal received over 6,000 responses to our engagement survey, with 92% of people surveyed expressing their support for Universal Studios Great Britain.
Fast-forward over a year, and Universal has now announced that the “exploration” is complete and the park is moving forward! The proposed plans for Universal Studios Great Britain include an entertainment resort complex with a world-class theme park with several themed lands featuring Universal’s distinct brand of immersive storytelling, thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment.
In addition to the Universal Studios Great Britain theme park, initial plans for the resort complex also feature a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex. It will be the first Universal-branded theme park in the UK and Europe. Currently, a planning proposal has been submitted to the UK government with a projected construction start date in 2026, subject to the relevant planning approvals. Universal Studios Great Britain is projected to open in 2031.
This development will have a transformative impact on Bedford and the UK economy. Universal Studios Great Britain will be a major contributor to the creative arts and tourism industries, generating nearly £50 billion of economic benefit for the UK and creating thousands of new, high-quality jobs.
Universal Studios Great Britain will be one of the largest employers in the region once it opens, with approximately 80% of employees expected to come from Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes. Many more communities will likewise benefit from apprenticeships, training and educational opportunities.
Here’s the conceptual artists’ rendering and location of land area and proposed park:
In its announcement, Universal acknowledges the tremendous excitement its theme parks bring. However, it is too early in the process to announce any of the attractions or experiences. More details about Universal Studios Great Britain will be revealed over time, and are subject to the necessary planning consent approvals.
This is to be expected with any new theme park. Back when Epic Universe was first announced in 2019, it was via a similar piece of high-level aerial concept art. The actual lands weren’t announced until several years later, with the curtain pulled back on individual attractions and experiences even later than that. Granted, there was the whole “COVID” thing that likely threw a monkey wrench into things and introduced uncertainty.
Nevertheless, the internet did its thing and within hours of the first Epic Universe concept art being released, there were credible reports of the lands and even specific attractions. Those were pretty much on the money with what was built and is about to open over 5 years later.
It’s a similar story with Universal Kids Resort in Texas, although the accuracy rate appears to be a bit lower on that one. Point being: we could have a pretty good idea of what’s planned for Universal Studios Great Britain via the rumor mill much, much sooner than Universal’s next reveal and the government planning process allows.
With that in mind, here’s higher resolution concept art of Universal Studios Great Britain to assist in your investigations:
Speaking of the government, the UK Prime Minister’s office also issued its own announcement, stating that the move “represents a major vote of confidence in the UK economy and the future of partnerships between the UK and the US.” It called the theme park one of the largest and most advanced in Europe, and praised Universal for its support of the government’s “Plan for Change” to create economic growth and opportunities.
This press release also highlighted the economic impact, indicating that Universal Studios Great Britain will bring nearly 20,000 jobs during the construction period, with a further 8,000 new jobs across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens in 2031. This will support the government to deliver its growth mission – creating higher living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.
As well as generating significant opportunities, the new theme park and resort will bring significant local benefits, and support a stream of ongoing work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor through growth, infrastructure revitalisation and further job opportunities.
Universal expects the site to generate nearly £50 billion for the economy by 2055, with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year. In so doing, Universal Studios Great Britain will become the largest visitor attraction in the UK–and could eventually rival Disneyland Paris as the #1 tourist destination in all of Europe.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
Today we closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage.
This is our Plan for Change in action, combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction, AI, and tourism.
It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country. Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
At a time of global change, this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business. Universal’s investment will bring billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs to the UK, putting more money in people’s pockets.
Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast Corporation, said:
We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom, which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe.
We appreciate the leadership and support of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and their teams, as we work together to create and deliver a fantastic new landmark destination.
Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said:
Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe. We appreciate the incredible support for our proposed project and look forward to bringing it to life in the years ahead.
As part of the Plan for Change, the UK government will commit to a major investment in infrastructure around the site to support the delivery of the project and ensure it is well connected and easily accessible. It comes just days after the government signed-off the expansion of Luton Airport, showcasing how the government’s pro-growth agenda is delivering real-life benefits for working people.
The deal supports the UK’s world leading creative industries, a growth-driving sector identified in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will be published this spring. The Strategy will drive investment into high growth sectors, unlocking jobs and growth right across the country.
Universal Destinations & Experiences has a proven track record of building and operating major theme parks and resorts across the globe. A Universal development in the UK will join the company’s existing portfolio of destinations across the United States and Asia-Pacific.
The proposals for Universal Studios Great Britain remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Here’s some more economic impact stuff from Universal:
Turning to commentary, the timing of this is once again interesting. This project is becoming official in the lead-up to Epic Universe’s opening and as fresh rumors swirl about the company’s aggressive expansion plans in Orlando. Meanwhile, the news of the week on the Disney side of the ledger is this: Bob Iger Warns of Tariffs’ Impact on Disney’s $60 Billion Expansion Plans. (Spoiler: he’s not “warning” that Disney is doubling down on investments!)
Although I hate to contribute to theme park tribalism, it’s feeling like maybe we’re due for a sequel to: Is Universal “Beating” Disney?That article is now over a year old, and is specifically about Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World, but conceivably could be extended to encompass the broader Universal Destinations & Experiences and Disney Parks & Resorts divisions.
It still feels like Comcast has their foot on the gas, pushing the pedal to the metal. Meanwhile, it feels like Disney has set the cruise control for a leisurely Sunday drive at best, and starting to pump the brakes at worst.
Although Disney has thankfully moved beyond talking and blue sky daydreaming about nebulous future plans and finally has shovels in the soil, it still seems like Comcast is moving much faster. They’re hungrier, and sure seem to be full steam ahead on their theme parks business. Meanwhile, DINOSAUR is still open until 2026 (for reasons unknown), the first of Walt Disney World’s expansion won’t come online until after 2027, and those $60 billion plans sure seem subject to change.
It’s not just Epic Universe in Orlando or this potential Universal Great Britain complex, either. There’s also the Universal Kids Resort theme park and hotel under construction Frisco, Texas. Then there’s the Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, Nevada. These are two smaller-scale projects, but they’re indicative of innovative ways that Universal is attempting to enter the attractions market without tentpole tourist destinations.
Perhaps I’m being unfair, or am “closer” to the Disney side of things, making me more apt to notice the faults and feel the slow pace of these projects. I’m not sure. But from where I sit, it sure seems like Disney and Comcast are moving at different speeds. Whereas there’s a real sense of urgency to double-down on Universal’s theme parks, Disney feels methodical to a fault. Like the difference between a lean startup and a bloated bureaucracy.
With regard to commentary about Universal Studios Great Britain, the park & resort project is certainly intriguing. One previous topic of conversation among readers on this Florida-centric site was whether it’s a potential threat to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando. My assumption would be that it is to some degree, but not a major enough one to warrant worry by either operator.
Any theme park in the backyard of Brits is going to siphon off some guests from the United Kingdom. That’s just the practical reality of this type of development, and no amount of clever menu planning for the ride roster will change that. A certain percentage of guests see “Universal” or “Disney” and view all of the parks as interchangeable, and will visit the one most convenient to them.
But that already would’ve been happening to some extent–Disneyland Paris has existed in France for over 30 years. It’s probably fair to say that Walt Disney World hasn’t been struggling as a result of DLP. There are still plenty of Europeans who view Central Florida as the definitive destination for theme parks, and that’ll be true for Universal, too, as it soon has 3 gates in Orlando to Great Britain’s one. (This park could also serve as a ‘taste’ of Universal that gets more high-spending European ‘whales’ to book trips to Florida!)
To that point, I’d think that Universal Studios Great Britain would be more of a direct competitor to Disneyland Paris, Alton Towers, Europa Park, Efteling, and other theme parks in Europe. This will almost certainly be more of a worry for Disneyland Paris than it will be for Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando.
Another thing that’ll be interesting is what lessons Universal learns from Disneyland Paris in designing for the weather of Europe. Obviously, there will be more indoor attractions and something like World Bazaar at Tokyo Disneyland or the Arcades at Disneyland Paris to provide a covered shopping area. Something like this also exists in Universal Studios Japan over the main entrance area. But the concept art also shows a few exposed roller coasters, so there’s that.
Personally, I think concerns about weather are overstated. Florida is downright miserable for several months of the year, and Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando put up incredible attendance numbers in spite of that. Sure, it’s a different kind of unpleasant–but I’ll take a few weeks of cold and snow over months of heat and humidity any day. You can always put on more layers–only so many you can remove before park security gets involved.
Joking aside, I think theme park operators with the budget and expertise of Universal or Disney can work around inclimate weather in designing their parks to keep guests comfortable. Equally as important, they have enough drawing power to attract guests year-round. Even if it’s snowy or rainy, if word gets out that crowds are low, people will bear with the weather.
Ultimately, it should be fun to watch Universal Studios Great Britain take shape. While I won’t pretend to be an expert on Great Britain, the proposed site in Bedford Borough seems savvy. It offers a convenient and accessible location, favorable guest demographics, and it sure seems like locals are on board with the project–and that’s half the battle. If Universal’s statements about the positive reception are accurate–and not just spin–this park should have a smoother overall path to its 2031 opening, and higher likelihood of local embrace.
At the very least, we wouldn’t expect Brits to dub Universal Great Britain as a “cultural chernobyl,” which is what happened with Euro Disneyland We hope all of these announcements from Universal create a greater sense of urgency within the Walt Disney Company to power forward with its own plans with a greater sense of urgency, fast-tracking projects as opposed to hitting pause due to tariffs, economic uncertainty, or various other concerns (most of which will be a distant memory by 2028–two years after the midterm elections–when this stuff starts opening).
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the Universal Studios Great Britain theme park complex? Excited for this addition? Will you be there for opening day in 2031? Think it’ll be a competitor to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, or mostly Disneyland Paris and other major theme parks in Europe? What potential lands and/or attractions would you like to see Universal build in the United Kingdom? Think this will be a worthy addition to Universal’s theme parks portfolio? Expect Disney to “respond” with a big announcement of its own? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!
