Universal confirms interest in building a UK theme park

It sounds like this one is at least plausible. Theme Park Stop indicated there's some movie backlot development in the area, and as good as Merlin is, and the indies like Blackpool are, they're not Universal quality.

London Resort was a fraudulent air castle from the beginning.
A real estate development of "some sort" is allways possible, and will always happen all over greater London. But, beware of Kuwaiti, Saudi or Emirate investments, which are NEVER based on feasibility. (Yet supported by frauds)
London allready had it's fair deal of such Arab real estate affairs, going bankrupt, getting into court etc etc.
London Resort (1) never had a feasibility study (I researched it in the period 2012-2015) and (2) never had a building cost funding capital to be seen on any bank account in the UK ... (Both 1 and 2 until the day of today)

Hopefully they build a park that is "Distinctly Universal, Authentically British."

MHDS : We know that Univeral likes cloning parks, or at least large sections of parks. (Pick & Go)
If Harry Potter would be considered, who knows what a juridical IP rights battle would rise with Warner Studios. Watford is just 33 miles away from Bedford... :-)

The hot rumor is this park won't receive any direct clones from the Orlando parks. Obviously, take that with a grain of salt, and keep in kind they could borrow existing IPs and tweak attractions to fit this rubric.

Now I want a list of all the characteristics that would make this park “Distinctly Universal, Authentically British.” (Great callback line, BTW!)

HAHA, Robert, it would be a hopeless attempt :-)
Simple business fact : (3 times)
Cloning = saving development money.
Cloning = not the most intelligent way to keep people traveling over the world, as it actually does NOT provoke such travel. (Almost the same experience everywhere ? Then, travel is absolutely useless, except for the 1% addicts.)
Cloning = de facto business standard of big (anonymous corporate) companies, these days. In other words, it will happen again.

Back on the Happy (^_^) Potter IP topic :
Universal and Warner kept clinically clean out of each other way in... USA, in Singapore, in Japan...
But in the UK they would fatally clash , in court.
That's why my best guess (from the viewpoint of far too expensive Univeral lawyers.. lol) is : Universal would refrain from building a Harry Potter themed zone, in the UK park.
As H.P. was the most attendance raising single investment in all of the Universal parks so far, the question arrises WHAT could they bring in instead, being equally strong ??? :-)

I was waiting when we would see this news pop up on TPI but I’m a tad surprised that there is no mention of Theme Park Stop and Alicia Stella‘s initial reporting that broke this story 2 days ago.

I've been chasing this story for a while now, too - as have others in the business. I decided to hold off on publishing until I could get either a confirmation from Universal, or independent confirmation that Universal had plans to use the land it was acquiring from a UK subsidiary for a park rather than some other use. (I did not want to claim the land would be for a theme park without some evidence other than the simple fact that Universal - a huge company with varied interests - now controls it.) Alicia's story may have pushed Universal to confirm, however.

Either way, we appreciate your intrepid, facts-first reporting here at TPI Robert!

I figured you had your pulse on the goings on. Would be cool to see you and Alicia do a video or collaboration. She is the queen of Universal info and her Epic universe updates with fresh permit filings with the county and @bioreconstruct drone pictures are must watch videos. Can we just appreciate how Universal is absolutely going on the offensive with this move (along with Epic, Kids Resort, Vegas HHN, port Aventura?) partially funded by Disney’s Hulu buyout. The $8 billion cash infusion (with likely several billion more when the final valuation comes through) is helping Universal compete with Disney in ways Iger does not want to imagine.

This all looks very promising and far more likely to happen than the London Resort fiasco. Ideal location, support from local authority/government (investment in area will be very much welcome) and filling a hole for a much needed world class resort in the UK.

I'd love to know what Disney's response to this will be. There is no longer a direct Eurostar train from London to Disney Land Paris, which I know has put UK tourists off from going as often. The location so close to Alton Towers must please Merlin (give international/long distance visitors a reason to attend both parks).

Some of the big internationally recognised UK based IP has gone... No "Harry Potter" and "Peppa Pig"/"Thomas The Tank Engine" both have established theme park homes. Would normally say "Dr Who", but with Disney financing the new series - can't see that happening. I think we are looking at a "James Bond" licence as a must and in the last couple of years we've had both "Lord of the Rings" new owner Embracer and new "Roald Dahl" rights owner Netflix saying they are exploring theme park entertainment. A few weeks ago, the Mayor of Bedford stated when describing upcoming new road connections as "...puts Bedford in the centre of the universe..." - It feels like bread crumbs have been laid and we should be getting excited. Fingers crossed this happens.

"Thomas The Tank Engine" already showed up in the just as well never realised "Wonderworld", Corby, Northamptonshire (1983-85 °anno desiderabilis). Or "Dan Dare" and other retro space age comic book characters, and let's not forget "War of the Worlds".
Merchandising existed, before the never coming of the park.
Billboards on the site, to announce the great coming, have been there as well.

However, there is one thing we can learn from the not realised "Wonderworld". It was getting a concept with the northern climate in mind, for year round operation, so it went for 100% indoors, with visual connection to the surrounding landscape however. (Derek Walker described it as a contemporary crossover between Cristal Palace and Epcot's edutainment content.)
If Univeral wants to learn from it (being open all year), then it's about thorough weather shelter anywhere in the park. Universal never had any project so far, set in a cold climate.

About the Eurostar comment: (CoasterDroid)
( https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/eurostar-scraps-direct-trains-disneyland-paris-b1021732.html ) A little bit of sensation press, there.
The reality will show up different, as it always is. The article saying that it's a giveway to airline travellers, is fake.
At the airports, the time you loose in loooong and expensive shuttle services to and from, plus loooong check in check out times, does not weigh out to a stepover in a 2nd train. Connections in France are swift. Lille is a most effective 'step-over' train station, unlike any in Britain. Yes, it could add 30-45min total travel time. The complicated airline thing could cost you 2 hours extra, compared to former direct Eurostar. (And Eurostar announced that new sheduling would be studied for 2024 and bejond.)
>> What will do Disney ?
My best guess : nothing specially at all. :-) The parking lots at Disney Paris have never been completely filled up, usually just a 20%-30% (50-60% in the extreme cases)... Reason ? SO MANY visitors come by train. Disney didn't know anything about Europe, made all false calculations based on the USA. The train station on site is the French initiative, not Disney's !
(Check a visual on the DLP parking lot at random day here : https://www.google.be/maps/@48.8759826,2.7882601,1266m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu )

Hmm...I've been hoping to do a UK trip before the end of the decade, and if this park happened to open before then it would certainly sweeten the deal. If it does, though, I think we should expect a very different product from Universal than their existing parks. While I wouldn't rule out any IP other than Harry Potter, my guess is we'd be likely to see clones of some of the Asia versions of anything duplicated (for example, Beijing/Singapore's version of Jurassic World) combined with exclusive IPs with strong British history licensed exclusively for this park (if Universal wants Lord of the Rings, this is the place to do it). As the UK is the largest European market for American tourism, it wouldn't make sense for Universal to directly clone anything operating at their US parks, but presenting popular franchises in different ways could be a successful strategy.

Other, (Ref. CoasterDroid) , quoting : << A few weeks ago, the Mayor of Bedford stated when describing upcoming new road connections as "...puts Bedford in the centre of the universe..." >>
We heared similar worded heroic 'crack'-based tautings from the politicians in Dartford (Swanscombe) before.
:-) :-) :-)

In response (Ref. Herwig Delvaux)... its sad that in the days global warning, encouraging visitors to use their cars or flying seems crazy. When there was a popular direct train route.

For UK visitors, there is a language barrier, which can be daunting if you are trying to get a young family through French stations and connections. Taking away that convenience is strange. But yes... if you want to go to Disney Land Paris, it won't deter visitors. While the drive from UK isn't difficult, driving on the other side of the road does have an impact and will put off some visitors. The direct connection isn't essential, but it was a strange decision and does make the resort less assessable.

One EASY stepover (international station Lille-Flandres), is not a barrier.
By the way, EVERYTHING in Lille-Flandres is bi (tri) lingual, French-English (+ Dutch) The language barrier also is a fake argument.
It's the UK press blowing up a fly to the size of an elephant.
Someone booking its train ticket to DLP will just find the change train info on his reservation. That's all...
:-)
(Driving ? .. just like before Covid, I see lots of UK cars on the motorways in France and Belgium, with the only minor detail that the majority did not yet glue the obligatory blue "UK" sticker on the left side of the licence plate.. lol... but driving they are, just like before. I see no difference. ...including buying too many cigarettes.)
Eurostar had a massive loss due to Covid on this Disney destination (Brexit has nothing to do with it), and it's clear they FIRST want to restructure and study well to make all operations profitable again. The destination itself is still there and does not need all the fake media turmoil.

Greetings AJ Hummel ! Quote : < As the UK is the largest European market for American tourism, it wouldn't make sense for Universal to directly clone anything operating at their US parks, but presenting popular franchises in different ways could be a successful strategy. >
Due to the fact that the far majority of the American tourism to Europe is focussed on cultural/art exloration, visits to theme parks will always represent a futile fraction of the totals, there. Lets be very generous, and assume 5% of those tourists would plan to spend time in a theme park in Europe during their stay !? (I'm optimistic)
From factual knowlegde about the typical culture-travel influx, speculation to catch US audience for a made in USA brand, would be a futile gain towards operations. (Not a succesfull strategy at all.)

Herwig, after re-reading my comment I realize it could have been misinterpreted as my wording was a bit ambiguous. I was intending to refer to European tourists visiting America, not American tourists visiting Europe. I agree that beyond enthusiasts, only a tiny fraction of Americans traveling to Europe will include a theme park visit in their itinerary as there are so many domestic options it would seem a waste to most to spend limited time on such. By comparison, from what I understand Orlando is a pretty popular American destination for Europeans (especially Brits), and there'd be little other reason to pick there if not for theme parks. Therefore, if Universal England were to be populated largely by clones of attractions found in Florida (and by extension California, since 90% of USH is duplicated at UOR), it would likely decrease UOR's European share significantly as it would be a much easier park for the British (and other Europeans) to visit should they feel a Universal itch they need to scratch.

THAT sounds more logic ! :-)

Herwig, I wasn't responding or commenting on any media reports and sorry if I have confused you.

I was using my own experience and feedback from families who I know have recently come back from DLP. All stated they wish they went by plane. Taking toddlers and push chairs wasn't easy... and not as nice experience as the direct train.... just aggravation... etc, etc. But everyone has different experiences.

And the environment impact is an issue and sad.

But this article is about a new Universal park, which we should all be excited about. I never intended to cause a debate over a Eurostar/Disney service cut back. Have good Christmas Herwig

HAHA,
I just linked the article, to show how simple and not so very important newsfacts always get blown up, out of proportions, by the (sensation) press !
:-)

Just a general note: young families (with kids/babies/toddlers) in the far majority of cases give the priority to car travel. Neither train or plane, certainly not bus, come in as options (Statistical surveys from the past showed that clearly).
Train/plane/bus are preferred by adult parties of different composition.

...

If everybody "should" be happy about Universal 'coming' to the UK is an opinion :-)
From the announcement, I can only conclude that this Bedford location, is quite well choosen for the potential British market, being inbetween London and most of Midlands and North England main cities. Travel time is critical for day visits.
Seen from mainland Europe, it's completely out of range. (Except "Luton") There does not exist such a strong connection with Universal, in the way as it does with Disney. Probably YES, in the USA, absolutely NO in Europe, however.
If the feasibility experts at Universal do their job well, I believe they will focus on the UK for 95%. The supporting market is big enough for a somehow bigger type of theme park >> Universal UK, to my opinion, will never-ever get over a 6-7 million yearly attendance, when putting in battle the strongest investments. A 5 million attendance would already be a top-class result ! (Similar as Efteling)
(( Merlin has always been accounting on a minimum of 3 million active inhabitants for a major park, measured in a circle of 1 hour driving distance (without overlaps with other parks), before a larger park can be imagined for planning... << IAAPA conference seminar some 7-8 years ago.))