UNIVERSAL STUDIOS UK CONFIRMED | 5 PREDICTIONS
- Kirsten Sancho
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Comcast/Universal Studios made headlines around the globe this week as they announced alongside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that a massive new Universal Studios Resort would be built in Bedford, England.
Construction could start as early as next year, with 2031 earmarked as the year to open. Time for theme park enthusiasts to celebrate? Well maybe a little yeah, but there’s still a few planning hurdles (and a whole load of global economic politics) to manoeuvre through over the next few years. Let’s leave that to one side for now and jump into some speculation.
Along with the hugely exciting announcement was some basic concept art, but little in the way of details as to what to expect inside. It’s quite possible it hasn’t even been confirmed within Universal yet, although we suspect they have a pretty firm idea given their reputation for fastidious planning.
We can make some assumptions and educated guesses based on what has been revealed to date. Below we’re making five early predictions about what could be coming our way in 'just' six years.
Back to the Future
If you’re over 40, this is potentially mouthwatering. It looks like the classic 1985 movie will be represented in the new Universal UK, likely with a major coaster and a recreation of the iconic town square. Could the rollercoaster use similar technology to Velocicoaster and the 2026 Fast & Furious ride in California? It’s not clear, but you’re unlikely to hear many complaints from us if it does.
The most obvious route to go with this one? Ride inside a DeLorean recreation (of sorts), that hits speeds of up to 88 miles per hour. You could even take the ‘back’ in the name literally and speed both forwards and backwards.
A Back to the Future land/attraction would almost certainly be unique to the UK, especially after the original rides based on the Michael J Fox films were removed to make way for other attractions (such as The Simpsons in the US). Just the type of exclusive attraction the park would need to convince enthusiasts from far and wide to visit the UK, especially if they already have a Universal theme park closer to them with familiar favourites. Speaking of which…
Minions (of course)
Love them or hate them, Minions have served Universal well. As well as featuring in 7 (seven) movies, they have also been popping up at Universal theme parks around the globe.
Concept art seems to show either an Illumination or specific Minion land on the plans for the UK too. Not a huge shock, and for all the creativity obviously going into planning this new park, this is the one area where they might dust off some recent plans and re-use them. Minions are fast becoming the Universal Studios version of Mickey Mouse.
Welcome to Jurassic Park/World
Your designers were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. Regardless of if people like the new Jurassic World films or not, kids will ALWAYS love dinosaurs. So, placing a land loosely based on the 30 year old dino-based IP is a safe bet.
Whether a water ride that soaks you at the end is a sensible investment for a UK theme park open year round is probably more of a debate. We’d rather see a Velocicoaster style coaster than another River Ride experience (however good it is) for that very reason. The concept art says we are likely getting a water ride, but there’s still time for Universal Creative to check the average temperature stats for January in the UK.
he land is likely to be Jurassic World rather than Park, although we have the best part of a decade until this opens, so they could well have a new suffix by then. Jurassic Universe anyone?
Harry Potter – Something a bit different…
Since rumours about a UK Universal Studios began, doubts have been raised about whether a Harry Potter land would or even could be built as part of it. There are two main reasons for this:
The Harry Potter Studio Tour already exists in the same part of the country and continues to do storming business
Universal would be reluctant to cannibalise their audience, as they still want a huge number of Brits to visit their Orlando parks.
I can already hear that UK media outcry. How could our very own Harry not appear in his own back yard?! The likely solution to keep everyone happy? A Harry Potter hotel. Offering a devoted domestic and International audience the chance to stay at Hogwarts (or generic Harry Potter could be a unique and highly in demand experience. If this goes ahead expect some kind of shop/restaurant to also be available to the public too, ensuring those lucrative Butterbeer sales roll in for decades to come.
The arguments against? Well that Star Wars hotel didn’t last very long for Disney, although this would likely be less of an ‘all-in’ immersive experience. Universal would also want to ensure they have accommodation for the slice of audience who are not Harry Potter obsessed, and announcements to date have suggested just the one hotel.
We’ve got a feeling this could happen, but there’s nothing concrete from the plans shared so far.
Bond, James Bond
Yes the concept art shows the Waterworld stunt show, a classic that has served Universal well for years in multiple locations, but we believe that might be a placeholder. We’re confident that Ian Fleming’s most famous creation (sorry Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) will be one of the star attractions of the new resort.
Following Amazon’s MGM/Bond acquisition plenty of new opportunities have opened up around the James Bond franchise. Many believe 007 has been earmarked for Bedford since planning began, giving the tourists what they want, classic Bond on their trip to London/England.
We believe a James Bond stunt show is likely. A ride alongside it would be amazing but maybe too much to expect. Creatives could have a lot of fun with a Men in Black style shooter, or Test Track style car chase though. Insert your own Q/queue pun if you can make it work.
& Relax
What’s your predictions for the Universal UK park? We only have about 2,200 days to wait until we can step foot inside.
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