Latest news with #UniversalUK
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Universal's new UK theme park will have four lands as more details emerge
The resort in Bedfordshire is set to open in 2031 following an agreement brokered between the American company, the Government and the local council The hotly anticipated Universal theme park in Bedfordshire will feature four lands and the tallest ride in Europe, it has emerged. More and more details are surfacing about the movie-inspired theme park, which is due to open in 2031 and will be the first Universal park in Europe. When the plans were first confirmed in April this year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer jubilantly proclaimed: "It's going to put Bedford on the map for millions of people – film lovers, people coming here for fun, people building their careers here." Now, planning documents related to the project reveal that the theme park will have four zones: the Core Zone, Lake Zone, West Gateway Zone, and the East Gateway Zone. The Core Zone is tipped to include the main theme park and a 500-room hotel. The Lake Zone will include a new wetland area and a 2,000-room business hotel, while the East Gateway Zone, is expected to adjoin the planned new Wixams Rail Station. The West Gateway Zone is due to feature an entertainment complex, restaurants, petrol station. The plans describe the theme park as providing guests with the opportunity to 'experience blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars." It has been rumoured that inspiration for parts of the park could come from Minions, Jaws, and Jurassic Park. However, this has not yet been officially confirmed. Back in April, a source close to the Universal UK project told the BBC that James Bond, Paddington, and The Lord of the Rings are among the brands that could appear at the park. Rides and attractions related to Harry Potter are not expected to be included. Other Universal theme parks feature a variety of themed lands, including: Hollywood, Minion Land, New York, San Francisco, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, World Expo, Springfield, and DreamWorks Land. Planning documents unveiled this month also show that the UK park could have some of the tallest rides in Europe. The American film production and distribution company is considering building structures reaching up to 377 ft (115 m), including rides. 'The reason for proposing structures up to this maximum height is to allow the proposed theme park to compete with other attractions in Europe,' the proposal said. 'Although the Universal Orlando Resort does not currently have attractions up to this height, taller attractions are more common in Europe, where rides need to be taller to create the experience, as space is more constrained.' Currently, Thorpe Park's Hyperia is the tallest and fastest theme park ride in Britain. It sends thrill-seekers up to 72 m and reaches speeds of 80 mph. Red Force, a 367-foot (112 m) rollercoaster at PortAventura World in Spain, is currently the tallest in Europe. The majority of the park's structures will be between 20 and 30 m tall. 'Building attractions that are higher, rather than over greater areas, also makes the best use of land, which is in line with planning policy,' they added. Sir Keir lauded the landmark Universal deal as a promise of "growth, jobs and of course joy to Britain." By 2055, Universal envisions the 476-acre site near Bedford contributing nearly £50 billion to the economy, with plans for a 500-room hotel and a comprehensive retail and entertainment complex accompanying the theme park.
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Universal's UK theme park plans have dropped – here's what you can expect including nightclubs and film studios
Plus, The Sun's Sophie Swietochowski spent three days at Universal's huge new £7bn theme park PARK UP Universal's UK theme park plans have dropped – here's what you can expect including nightclubs and film studios PLANS have been dropped for the new Universal theme park coming to Bedfordshire. The attraction will be divided into four main land areas known as the Core Zone, Lake Zone, West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone. 5 Plans have been dropped for the new Universal theme park coming to Bedfordshire Within these zones will be the theme park; retail and entertainment destinations; visitor accommodation including hotels, camping and caravanning; sport, recreation, leisure and spa facilities and conference and convention spaces. The plans state: "[Guests will ]experience blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars. "They'll come face-to-face with incredible creatures, heroes, and villains. "They'll discover great food, new laughs, new ways to play, and step into immersive worlds they've only ever dreamed of." The application also expresses that in the first year, 8.5million visitors are expected to the Core Zone. Then, in future years, 12.5million visitors are expected annually. The split between domestic and international visitors is expected to be 70 per cent and 30 per cent respectively in the first year. Then 52 per cent and 48 per cent respectively in future years. The attraction is also due to be open each day between 9am and 9pm, with visitors starting to arrive at 7am and depart up until 10pm. Hotel arrivals would take place later, at 3pm, to coincide with check-in times. Inside Universal Epic Universe with incredible thrill rides and amazing food The Universal UK theme park is expected to open in 2031. Rides, experiences and attractions Many parts of the application reference what will be included in the theme park. This includes indoor and outdoor rides, attractions, games and pools. There is also set to be events spaces for parades, shows and displays. Entertainment venues are set to include theatres and cinemas and sport, recreation, leisure and spa facilities are also planned. Other entertainment venues suggested are music and dance venues, nightclubs and even tattoo parlours. Planned indoor and outdoor cultural spaces include exhibition spaces, art galleries and museums. Under the accessibility section, the proposal also includes ride examples such as a Men in Black experience, One Fish Two Fish fairground ride and a Jurassic Park water-based ride. 5 The attraction will be divided into four main land areas known as the Core Zone, Lake Zone, West Gateway Zone and the East Gateway Zone Credit: Universal Destinations & Experiences Interestingly, the document also reveals that the site could have media and film production facilities, stating: "For instance a building may be used as a sound stage, film studio, event space or hosting a Universal Destinations & Experiences show or even a mixture of these uses." The application goes on to explain how the use of some buildings at the site may vary seasonally, "for instance during events such as Halloween Horror Nights". There will also be a maximum height of anything in the theme park of 115metres. Core Zone The Core Zone will be the central part of the attraction and is set "to contain the theme park, amusement park and/or water park". The plans also show that it could have an entry plaza, car and coach parking, a 500-room hotel, valet parking service and a transport hub. Lake Zone The Lake Zone will be the northernmost part of the attraction. In this zone, the proposed plans include business hotels with 2000 rooms, further hotels and accommodation with 3370 bedrooms and entertainment complex support. This zone is also set to include the Convention Centre, which will span across 55,000square-metres. 5 Within these zones will be the theme park; retail and entertainment destinations; visitor accommodation including hotels, camping and caravanning; sport, recreation, leisure and spa facilities and conference and convention spaces Credit: Universal Any shops in this zone will have a maximum size of 1,100square-metres. In addition, this zone would have a new wetland habitat. East Gateway Zone The East Gateway Zone will be located in the eastern area of the Bedfordshire site, located near the village of Wixams. The East Gateway Zone would also adjoin the planned site of the new Wixams Rail Station. West Gateway Zone The westernmost area of the site will feature the West Gateway Zone. This zone is set to include a petrol station with 16 pumps, restaurants up to 5,866square-metres, a 200-bedroom hotel and entertainment resort complex support. Any shops in this zone will have a maximum size of 1,100square-metres. Accessibility and inclusion Universal is also committed to "creating a theme park experience that's inclusive and accessible to everyone, ensuring that all our guests can embark on unforgettable journeys regardless of their abilities". 5 The plans state: "[Guests will ]experience blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars" Credit: Universal Destinations & Experiences For the UK park this means that there will be wide and smooth pathways for wheelchairs, ramps and lifts, accessible toilets in each toilet block and accessible hotel accommodation. Rides would each have one row or seat that can accommodate wheelchair users or visitors with walking impairments. Assistive technology would also be available throughout the park such as captioning, audio description, tactile maps and a phone app. Transport The overall site also plans to include a new junction on the A421, an expanded railway station on the Thameslink/Midland Main Line at Wixams, improvements to roads and potential land for a new railway station on the proposed EWR Bletchley to Bedford line (if this were to happen in the future). The vision includes a four-platform, four-track station at Wixams with a new station building. The application also reveals that the Core Zone could have a transport hub, where a "rail-related development may be provided". Pedestrian and cycle routes are set to be added to the park too. In the mean time The Sun's Sophie Swietochowski spent three days at Universal's huge new £7bn theme park and has shared all the things worth doing… and the bits to skip.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
James Bond, Paddington and Lord of the Rings set for Universal UK
A source close to the Universal UK project has told the BBC what fans can expect from the new park being built in Bond, Paddington and Lord of the Rings are among the brands set to appear at the park, the BBC had and attractions related to Harry Potter are not expected to be its website, Universal Destinations has claimed "it is too early" to know what attractions will be at the park. Construction on the site at Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire, is expected to start next year if planning permission is the source is confident that these concepts are happening, the theme park is not expected to open until 2031, which means some plans could change. The attractions Universal aims to provide distinct attractions at each of its parks, with the Bedfordshire one set to feature unique attractions not found BBC has been told that other themed zones and rides at the park will be inspired by Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and source insisted "contracts have been signed" and it would be unlikely things would change."At this point it will be little details they tweak, like 'Let's use a different shade of paint on that Lord of the Rings castle'," they locations can be seen on the map of what the site could look like, although specific details, such as the Hill Valley clock tower from Back to the Future, have been have already been designed, with the majority planned as indoor based on Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and Minions are among the few rides that will not be under will be a stunt show based on 007, similar to the The Bourne Stuntacular in Florida."If you look at Epic Universe, the newest park they're opening in Florida, a lot of those rides are indoors, too," the source said. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast the theme park would be an opportunity to show off "great British creations to the world"."These are things like James Bond, Paddington Bear, these are things like Harry Potter. We've got so much to be proud of," she a Harry Potter-themed area will not be part of the park, as it is situated just a 40-minute drive from the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Leavesden, source told the BBC that "watertight exclusivity contracts" made it difficult to include Hogwarts in the plans, although it could be reconsidered alongside other brands such as Nintendo or Wicked if the park were to expand in the future."Warner Bros has the UK rights to Harry Potter attractions. They tried to find a way round it but couldn't. That could change in years to come, though," the source Bros Studio Tour has been invited to comment. How will people get there? Universal Destinations and Experiences is expecting 8.5 million visitors a year at the links close to the site will require significant improvements to accommodate the new arrivals, which the government says it is committed previously described the site as "an ideal location with convenient, fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport".The borough's mayor, Tom Wootton, a Conservative, said: "Bedford is the perfect place for this investment – well-connected, full of talent and ready to grow. "We're proud to be chosen as the home of Universal in the UK. I'm delighted that our residents and communities will benefit in the years and decades ahead." Luton Airport is hoping to double annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043, after Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently approved its expansion to the park who land at the airport could catch a train at Luton Airport Parkway on the Midland Main Line line to Wixams, which will be Universal's nearest is currently expected to open next year with two platforms, but Universal said it would upgrade the station, potentially with extra platforms, to meet visitor East West Rail line is currently being built to link Oxford and Cambridge. Although it is not expected to be fully operational until the 2030s, Universal has said there would be a new railway station near the park.A car park is in the conceptual art of the park. Drivers would access it via the A421, which was closed last year after it was flooded during heavy plans to install new slip roads on the A421 to meet increased demand. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
