Let the race begin! Universal Studios is coming in strong with the next crucial steps to expand the company worldwide.
It seems that the magic of Universal is not stopping in the Americas and Asia, as our European mates may be having a blast immersing into the Wizarding World shortly, according to Universal Destinations & Experiences' latest confirmation.
Thrilling News have arrived!
Public records indicate that the company has purchased a 240-acre parcel in Bedford, England, which gives Universal the green light for future expansions in Europe.
NBCUniversal also registered some quite intriguing URLs that leave no doubt in our minds that the company is in the early stages of theme park planning, as stated by sources like Bedford Independent and Orlando ParkStop.
Where is this new land?
The land is located around 46 miles north of London (which is a great position for a potential theme park in the area), and it was mainly used for agricultural purposes.
In the Hunt for more clues...
Some fans may have some doubts about this thrilling news, due to the short notice confirmation made by Universal, however, let's break down for you some of the major clues that lead us to confirm that this expansion is a fact.
The land was for sale until mid-2023 and, if we connect the dots, the NBCUniversal new URLs were registered on September 2023, and Bedfordshire County recently celebrated a construction kick-off ceremony for an upgrade of a major road (A428)… Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Of course, our heads are still spinning around a few intriguing questions. How many attractions will there be in the park? When is the construction going to officialy start? Are we going to see a huge presence of the Wizarding World there, since Hogwarts is, in theory, set in England?
Only time will be able to answer these questions, and let's just say that it's going to take a lot of time. Theme parks are extremely expensive and it takes ages to build them - just look at Epic Universe - so let's take one step at a time. Still, it's fun to come up with our very own ideas and theories.
3, 2, 1... Let the fun begin!
Universal is already established in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Beijing, and soon… the United Kingdom. On the other hand, Disney has already a presence established in Europe with the popular Disneyland Paris. With this megaton, however, the race for the first theme park in the UK may start pretty soon!
We would love to have both companies bringing magic and fun to all English pals, what a blast!
What are your thoughts about this exciting news? Do you think we are witnessing the early stages of Universal Great Britain? Let us know, we would love to hear your opinions on this!
As for what I think, I just want them to bring the VelociCoaster and Hagrid's Motorbike Adventures to our English friends. Yes, a single park with only those two attractions would already make millions of guests happy, but of course, we can expect a huge Harry Potter presence in a park set in the United Kingdom. That's where Hogwarts is supposed to be, after all!
Do not hesitate to contact us and let us help you plan your next vacation in the easiest way possible, just send us a message and let the magic begin. Until next time, friends.
Ready to book your next trip to Universal?
Request a Quote
Visit Universal's page on famvia.com or send an email with your preferred travel dates to [email protected] and one of our Travel Specialists will reply with personalized quotes and guides for your trip!
Earn Rewards
Our Annual Rewards Pass program helps you earn rewards on every trip you book with Famvia Travel. The Blue Pass is included for free on each trip and gives you a 1% earnings rate. Redeem your rewards for a gift card, stateroom credit, future trip deposit, and more. Want even more rewards? Earn 2.5% or 5% when moving to a paid Annual Rewards Pass.
