Universal Destinations & Experiences has today confirmed that it will proceed with its plans to build a world-class Universal Studios theme park and resort in the United Kingdom, seeing Bedford become the first European location for the company.
Today has seen the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, finalise a deal to deliver this exciting multi-billion-pound investment. As part of the announcement, Kimberley Sixth Form College in Stewartby hosted Michael J. Cavanagh – President, Comcast Corporation, Rachel Reeves – Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Keir Starmer, where they came together to announce the exciting project to the nation. This milestone follows on from the purchase of the land just south of Bedford in December 2023 by Universal, resulting in the company conducting a year of feasibility, due diligence, and close engagement with stakeholders and the local community to explore the potential of delivering this investment. The company engaged in a period of public consultations throughout 2024, which saw them receive overwhelming support from locals – 92% of people surveyed expressed support.
Bedford has been cited as an ideal location for this development due to its accessibility to many people within the UK. Its proximity to London and London Luton Airport via fast rail links is a significant factor, alongside the site and Bedford being well-connected for travel to all parts of the UK and Europe. Improvements to both the rail and road infrastructure nearby will be a key part of making this project work, with the East West Rail project also being proposed to improve transport within the region. This will specifically improve the existing railway between Bletchley and Bedford, to ensure it can accommodate larger amounts of traffic in the area – 40% of visitors are expected to travel to the resort by train. Transportation upgrades will also see the expanded construction of the new Wixams railway station close to the resort, direct slip roads from the A421 to accommodate road traffic, and an upgraded Manor Road. Transportation aside, the site had also been identified by Bedford Borough Council for development for a while due to its size and flat topography, which are both naturally important for a 476-acre theme park resort.
With such a large-scale investment comes the prospect of a transformative impact on the local and national economy, specifically boosting the creative arts and tourism industries. The resort is expected to begin construction in 2026, subject to receiving the relevant planning permission approval, which will mark the start of a six-year-long construction journey before opening in 2031. In this process, 20,000 jobs will be created, and Universal is, as a result, expected to become one of the largest employers in the region. Once operational, the resort will create an extra 8,000 jobs, rising to 10,000 by its twentieth year, all spanning across sectors such as construction, AI, and tourism. With all this in consideration, it is anticipated that the UK will see £50 billion of economic benefit at the hands of the new Universal theme park, with an anticipated 8.5 million visitors expected to be seen within the first year of operation alone.
As part of this announcement, concept imagery has also been released to give us our first glimpse at what to expect from the park, with it possible to glean some core details from this. This includes a huge lake to create a picturesque centrepiece, with several themed lands sprawling off from this on the outskirts.
Attraction-wise, two large outdoor roller coasters can be spotted, which will likely bring thrills to the crowds of the new Universal park. Accompanying this are show buildings to house dark rides, children’s rides, and two outdoor theatres to make the whole family feel included, all continuing Universal’s streak of bringing the industry’s most thrilling and technologically advanced attractions to its destinations. Guest experience-wise, you will also be able to find accommodation within one of Universal’s classic, exceptional hotels, as the construction of the resort will also bring with it a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining, and entertainment complex to reflect the high-quality of a Universal resort. This hotel will be located alongside the street that forms the main entrance to the theme park itself, with the entrance looking to feature the iconic Universal globe and arches, which guests will enter underneath.
Universal is also notorious for putting immersive storytelling and world-class innovation at the heart of its design to bring exhilarating and unique entertainment to its guests, as well as transporting them into the stories of its blockbuster classics of recent years, ranging from Wicked to Minions. Whilst Universal has claimed it’s too early in the process to know the details of possible featured attractions and experiences at the resort, further clues are hidden within the details of this art. When looking in-depth at the individual attractions and the areas surrounding them, pieced together with other recent Universal developments such as Universal Beijing Resort and Universal Epic Universe, their thematic directions are more obvious.
The entrance plaza to an attraction on the left of the concept imagery gives us our first idea of what we might be seeing thematically at the resort. A unique ‘Back to the Future’ themed land could be making its way to the UK, with similarities being present between this concept and the ‘Hill Valley Courthouse Square’ from the famous movie franchise. The roller coaster within this land appears to be a first in the UK. When zoomed in, it can be deduced that this will likely be a multi-launch roller coaster. Certain elements suggest this could be manufactured by Intamin, incorporating high-speed switch tracks to traverse you over airtime-hill swing launches, leading into two large spikes, inversions, and then completing the layout. With a large spike, this roller coaster could take the record of the UK’s tallest and fastest roller coaster from ‘Hyperia’ at Thorpe Park. A train can also be seen on the layout when zoomed in, which could indicate a unique seating arrangement for this coaster similar to that of ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ at Universal Studios Hollywood, which would be fitting given the possible theme.
A Jurassic World area is something we are also likely to see. With some of the buildings appearing to be more overgrown, this could see the theme tie in line with the upcoming ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ movie which is set to be based on the island that was the site of the original research facility for Jurassic Park. The concept imagery has distinct features from the existing area with the same theme over at Universal Beijing. Examples of this range from having the same waterfall as Beijing, and seemingly a clone of the ‘Jurassic World Adventure’ show building.
What appear to be two S&S Worldwide shot tower attractions are also visible in the area, which would indicate the inclusion of a similar attraction to ‘Doctor Doom’s Fearfall’ at Universal Islands of Adventure. Nearby is also a building of similar design to ‘Hammond’s’ a restaurant located in Universal Beijing’s Jurassic World area, suggesting we could be seeing themed dining experiences at this location.
A green roller coaster also sits adjacent to the main Jurassic World show building, looking to be the second thrill coaster at the park. Whilst the details of this are less obvious, there are similar elements to the existing ‘Velocicoaster’ attraction at Universal Islands of Adventure, such as the roll over the water. With the theme here not as apparent, it is unclear whether the coaster will also form part of the Jurassic World area or be the flagship attraction in another themed land. The green appearance has already generated some speculation that that this could be a way of incorporating Wicked into the park, following the success of the movie in late 2024.
The Universal Beijing inspiration continues throughout, with it looking like Minions will make their UK debut in the theme park. The concept art draws from the existing area in Beijing, which features Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, an indoor family roller coaster as a result (the roller coaster on the roof of the central building is for theming only in Beijing), as well as plenty of other appropriately Minion-themed retail and dining offerings throughout.
A final large themed area can be spotted on the right-hand side of the concept art. Its medieval appearance could suggest that something more rustic will be taking shape in this location. Two indoor buildings will seemingly accompany this area, likely to contain some highly-themed dark ride attractions and appropriate entertainment, food offerings, and more. The exterior appearance of one building appears to match that of The Poison Apple from the Shrek film franchise, suggesting that the popular Dreamworks character and friends will feature in the park. The second building does not have any distinguishing features – could it house attractions based around another Dreamworks IP or even inspired by the Lord of the Rings franchise, which has been rumoured to materialise in some form at this park.
The UK theme park will certainly not be lacking the dramatic effects and world-class shows that Universal is known for, with a live-action show venue similar to that of ‘Waterworld’ at Universal Studios Hollywood and Beijing making an appearance within the concept art. Initial rumours did suggest that the park could feature a James Bond stunt show, so perhaps this is what the venue would be used for at the UK park, although equally such a show could be housed in one of the buildings around the park (perhaps off from the main entrance walkway) and take on a similar format to The Bourne Stuntacular at Universal Studios Florida.
Some more abstract areas and attractions are shown around the park within the concept art. This includes an area which looks to feature attractions which can be enjoyed by all members of the family. It has been speculated that this area could be themed to Paddington, another quintessential British IP, with what could be a giant jar of marmalade (famously a favourite spread of Paddington Bear) located at the centre of a play area.
It is undeniably surreal to see the UK theme park industry receiving a world-class addition in the form of a new Universal park. The prospect of some very intriguing themes becoming a reality is sure to draw attention from all over the world – it will definitely be exciting to see speculation turn into reality over time. We look forward to covering the journey to opening here at Attraction Source, and following all of the progress over the next six years!
What do you make of the promising investment? Are you excited to finally see it confirmed that Universal are set to break ground in the UK? Let us know via the Attraction Source social media channels.
