Could Universal’s next expansion go international, again?
We’ve just gotten an updated look at what’s to come for Universal Orlando’s latest expansion with Epic Universe while Universal’s been busy on the backend filing patents that could watch you in the parks more closely to level up your experience in their parks, but this latest news has blown our minds. That’s right! Universal Parks & Destinations has just confirmed they’re adding ANOTHER international theme park.
Universal Destinations & Experiences has its sights set on a new theme park in the UK. According to an article in the Bedford Independent, evidence of the potential new theme park has been brought about in published financial records and details of land purchases, to support claims that by 2030, the first Universal Studios theme park in Europe could be located in Kempston Hardwick. These claims of evidence were obtained from a company called Orlando Park Stop initially however, it appears Universal is now ready to confirm at least some of the speculation.
Since the published pieces of evidence have surfaced, Universal Studios has now confirmed it has purchased land near Bedford in the UK.
A spokesperson from Universal Destinations & Experiences said, “We recently acquired land in Bedford [Borough] and are at the early stages of exploring its feasibility for a potential park and resort at this site.” They went on to point out, “It will be many months before we are ready to make a decision to proceed and we look forward to engaging with all relevant stakeholders and the local community.”
While the spokesperson went on to share that Universal is still in the very early planning stages of a park in the UK, it’s still just a potential for now. Universal has noted in the past that they’re constantly looking for new locations around the world that would help bring them reach a wider audience with a particular interest in locations with large populations, strong creative teams, tourism-centric, and accessible or easily expandable transportation options. Should this new land purchased by Universal Studios turn into a park, it would join Universal’s 5 other locations around the world in Hollywood, Orlando, Beijing, Osaka, and Singapore with 2 more spin-off theme park destinations in the U.S.A. coming soon in Texas for Universal Kids Resort and Las Vegas for Universal Horror Unleashed.
Universal’s spokesperson noted that Bedford and its proximity to London and the rest of Europe made for an attractive location to explore a potential project. Universal has stated it intends to work with the local community and stakeholders as the conversation continues to potentially expand their destinations.
Interestingly, Comcast (Universal’s parent company) just confirmed the purchase of 204 acres of land between thriving transportation options connecting to Bedford further supporting the suspicion that the ongoing conversation could turn into a reality someday. Aside from the geographic structure of the park, theme park fans have also noted a need for more indoor attractions if a park were to be built in the UK where it would be harder to run mostly outdoor attractions in the rain like in Orlando.
It sounds like there’s still a lot to be worked out and eventually announced down the line if a new expansion to Universal Destinations & Experiences is to happen, but be sure to stay tuned with us at All Ears as we continue to keep you updated as we learn more!
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Would you visit another international expansion of Universal Parks & Destinations? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.
As someone who lives very close to Bedford, this is exciting news! However, the transport links would need to be vastly improved – and not just building new roads, which is happening, but train connections. Currently, the area is only served by a small rail link that isn’t even direct from London (need to change in Bletchley) and runs infrequently and slowly. Warner Bros Studios, for example, is served by the West Coast Mainline from London with very frequent and fast services so it is easy for tourists to reach from London. Kempston Hardwick is nothing like that and even driving here from London would not be something I’d recommend to anyone, much less tourists not used to driving on the left!