The project had been in the pipeline for a while, and today it's official. Universal will indeed open its first theme park in Europe. An arrival that threatens to shake up the amusement park sector on the old continent.
Universal Studios takes over Europe with a new theme park
After amusement parks in the United States, China, and Japan, Universal is heading to The conquest of Europe with a new destination that has just been made official. This is the studio's first theme park to open on our continent. Indeed, after beginning negotiations in 2024, Universal Destinations & Experiences has reached an agreement with the British government to establish its park in Bedford, a town north of London. The Universal Resort will be built on the site of the former Kempston Harwick brick factory. The park is already intended to be one of the largest entertainment complexes in Europe. At 193 hectares, Universal Park will be twice the size of Parc Astérix.
The studio has spent several billion pounds to make this project possible. The park is expected to bring in 50 billion pounds before 2055 and hopes to attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year. Work is expected to begin in 2026. During the construction of the complex, 20,000 jobs will be created and 8,000 additional positions will be created upon its opening, and this, within the next ten years.
Universal offers a glimpse of the future British resort
Concept art of the Universal park has been unveiled. The project includes the theme park, a 500-room hotel as well as an area, like Disney Village, offering entertainment and dining.
The visual allows us to discover a park similar to the Universal Beijing Resort with a lake in the center, an avenue in the style of Hollywood Boulevard (which is reminiscent of Walt Disney Studios which will change its name to Disney Adventure World). We can also distinguish at least two coasters and an arena which could well offer the show Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular which is presented in other parks around the world. There is also an area dedicated to the Jurassic World franchise as well as the Minions. However, not the slightest trace of a land dedicated to Nintendo or the Harry Potter license. A choice certainly made to avoid competing with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
Can the arrival of a Universal park in Europe scare Disneyland Paris? That's the question we can ask ourselves. Universal Studio parks experienced a 50% growth in revenue in 2022. During that same year, three of the studio's parks attracted more visitors than the Parisian park of the big-eared company. The opening of the Universal Studios park is scheduled for 2031.
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