Universal Is Planning to Build a Theme Park in the UK! Here Are the Latest Updates

There’s A LOT going on in the theme park world. So much so that we can barely keep up!

Disney has just announced plans for new lands and 8 new attractions for their Disney World parks, an Avatar experience along with an expansion to Avengers Campus is in the works over at Disneyland, and that’s still only HALF of what Disney has announced for their parks (and that’s not even covering the international ones!) But don’t be fooled thinking Disney is the only one making moves, because Universal Studios has entered the chat.

Universal is hard at work with their new theme park, Epic Universe, which is set to debut sometime in 2025. However, their theme park expansion does not end there.

©Universal

Universal had confirmed plans to open a UK theme park back in December 2023 and we’ve been waiting for any updates on construction and progress. This week, Universal has been in talks with British politicians about tax breaks and infrastructure perks to lock in a multi-billion-pound resort deal in Bedford.

Inside sources state that Comcast, who have ownership over Universal Parks & Resorts, will make their decision based on talks with government officials. This decision is expected by the end of this year. If the deal falls through, however, Comcast might start scouring other potential spots in Europe, or even beyond if need be, as reported by the Financial Times.

Hogsmeade

Plans for a UK theme park began when Universal purchased a 476-acre parcel of land south of Bedford back in December 2023. The new proposed park could pump close to £50 billion into the UK economy over its construction phase and the first 20 years of operation. Building it would also bring about 20,000 new jobs, along with the resort creating 8,000 more once it’s up and running.

This could change EVERYTHING!

The project has gotten the thumbs-up from leaders of six local authorities. In a letter addressed to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, regional leaders highlighted the huge potential of Universal’s project. Universal also reached out to the public about the park, which could be open year-round, and 92 percent of the 6,000 people surveyed were on board with the plans.

Revenge of the Mummy

Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, confirmed in a letter to Bedford MP Mohammad Yasin that the government plans to meet with NBCUniversal reps. She mentioned that Universal’s investment would be a big win for tourism and the creative industries, and choosing the UK for its first European park shows just how strong these sectors are—and that the UK is open for business.

Nandy also said, “A world-class, large-scale theme park has the potential to transform the area, drive growth, and create thousands of jobs.”