Universal moves ahead with theme park plans for England

[Disney4me]

Comcast NBCUniversal plans to build a theme park and resort in England, and the project will have roots in Orlando, the company has confirmed.

The Universal theme park would be the company’s first in the United Kingdom and Europe. It will be “designed and delivered by the company’s Universal Destinations & Experiences segment,” which is based in Orlando, according to a Comcast news release.

The company purchased 476 acres of land in Bedford, about 50 miles north of London, in 2023.

A new theme park would include “several themed lands,” a 500-room hotel and a retail and dining complex. The project is subject to planning approval and a proposal will be submitted to the government for a hoped-for construction start in 2026, the news release says.

“This is a special and historic milestone moment for our company as we continue to accelerate the growth trajectory of our theme-parks business and delight audiences around the world,” Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast, said in the release.

Rides and other attractions within the proposed park were not announced. An artist concept shows at least three roller coasters, several show buildings, a central lagoon, a studios-style entrance and Universal’s trademark globe out front.  A taller building, perhaps a hotel, appears on the edge of the park.

The resort would employ about 8,000 people in the first year of operation, according to a Universal website designed to update locals about the project.

“Expanding into Europe presents us with a significant opportunity to reach new fans and share the incredible experiences our team creates,” Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said in the release.

Universal has several projects in the works including Epic Universe theme park, which is set to open on May 22 as the company’s fourth gate in Orlando.  Also on its to-do list: Horror Unleased, a year-round spooky attraction in Las Vegas set to debut in August, and the under-construction Universal Kids theme park near Dallas, which is scheduled to open in 2026.

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The average high temperature in August in Bedford is in the mid-60s. The high in December, January, and February is in the low 40s, dipping into the high 30s.

Universal also has theme parks in Hollywood, California; Osaka, Japan; Singapore; and Beijing, China. The Bedford location will be within two hours travel time of 80% of England’s population and have “fantastic connectivity” to all of Europe, Universal said.

“The unparalleled storytelling and technological innovation that the incredible team at Universal Destinations & Experiences brings to life is a perfect complement to the British creative arts and tourism industries,” Cavanagh said.

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