WarmishSign
Mega Poster
Do you guys think we'll see footer plans of the park, to like, predict coaster layouts and stuff like we did with Epic Universe?
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Universal United Kingdom Resort | Bedford, UK | Theme Park
- Thread starter Matt N
- Start date
Hard to say without downloading the full plans, but on the screen grab that is annotated as a "road low point", which sounds more infrastructure based - perhaps some sort of flood attenuation basin or something.
spicy
Giga Poster
Jaws ride confirmed
If they're making a BTTF ride and area then it only makes sense they have a Jaws ride.
martinparks
Roller Poster
if you look closely its position is between the BTTF land and the ?paddington? land. I think it's more likely that we will have a water ride in paddington land than in BTTF
Wandering Northerner
Roller Poster
A couple of big changes at the site, as prep for demolition of Vine Cottages starts and the Concrete Slab is being broken up
Niles
Giga Poster
Saw that there was a presentation a few days ago where it was announced we will be getting 6 zones across the park.
x.com
I know they said there would be four themed lands a while back, maybe they are counting the entrance and stunt show as the extra two
Also planning is already in place for potential future expansions.
www.looopings.nl
DigitalDan (@DigitalDan7) on X
Universal UK will officially have “6 different zones across the park”, with each one catering to the entire family! 👀🇬🇧
I know they said there would be four themed lands a while back, maybe they are counting the entrance and stunt show as the extra two
Also planning is already in place for potential future expansions.
Universal-pretpark in Engeland moet nog open, maar uitbreidingen worden al gepland
Universal kijkt voor een gloednieuw pretpark in Engeland al verder dan de opening. Het Amerikaanse entertainmentconcern houdt bij het toekomstige...
www.looopings.nl
Also appears that Harry Potter may well be coming to the park after all...
https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/th...ter-possibly-confirmed-for-universal-uk-park/
https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/th...ter-possibly-confirmed-for-universal-uk-park/
Matt N
CF Legend
Cloned or not, the Harry Potter areas are always spectacular, and having Harry Potter in the home country of Harry Potter sounds like a license to print money. That will definitely give the park a hook IP for sure!
I’m intrigued to see whether they theme it to the old films or the new HBO series. Universal have obviously done the films up to this point, but the films will be 20-30 years old by the time of the park opening and the HBO series will have had multiple series filmed, so maybe Universal will want to keep ahead of the curve?
I’m intrigued to see whether they theme it to the old films or the new HBO series. Universal have obviously done the films up to this point, but the films will be 20-30 years old by the time of the park opening and the HBO series will have had multiple series filmed, so maybe Universal will want to keep ahead of the curve?
I would be very surprised if it were themed to anything other than the films. They aren't that old and are still very much in the zeitgeist, I would also argue that many can agree that the films are good, despite the moral awkwardness around the brand since 2019. When most people think Hogwarts, they picture the one from the films and existing parks.
The HBO series, whilst it may start off with high viewing figures, has ultimately been tainted before it's even begun. I very much doubt Universal would want to go near it, at least in such a permanent way as an entire theme park land.
Matt N
CF Legend
I think that’s difficult to say before the HBO series has come out. Like it or not, it will be the contemporary face of the brand and will be more established come 2031, and the films will be another 5 years older.
I also question the extent to which JK Rowling’s online behaviour (I assume that’s what you’re referring to) has “tainted” the HBO series or the wider brand other than for a very vocal internet minority. Ultimately, I think fewer people care about what she has said on Twitter than the internet often implies, whether they agree with her personal views or not, and I’m not sure it has significantly taken away from anticipation for the HBO series other than among a particularly vocal minority of people. I imagine it will still be very successful and could well eclipse the films as the newer face of the brand, for all we know, and if that happens, I imagine Universal would want to be seen as staying ahead of the curve.
I would advise you to look more into what Joanne has actually been saying online, and what she has been physically pumping money into. I agree that not everyone cares, and many can look past it, but there is a good reason a lot of the original cast have separated themselves from the franchise. This is why we got horrible AI-esque characters in that awful Ministry ride (and yes, it's terrible). So I would avoid just simplifying it to"online behaviour" when her actions are directly harming the lives of thousands of people in the UK.
Warner Brothers knows this. All these recent Potter brand collabs with biscuits, coffee creamers etc. It's a clever way for the studio to make you think, "well, I just got this butterbeer cookie and it didn't feel like I hurt anyone, maybe spending money on Potter isn't so bad after all?"
Thing is, the films are all out. We know they were successful and we know they had a full run. What's to say they don't cancel the show after 5 seasons? That would look rather silly on Universal if they had a land and castle based on the TV show that didn't even finish. And looking at other examples of fantasy television series, it wouldn't be all too surprising if this happens .I also do not agree that it'll be the "contemporary face of the brand"... it's a cash grab. Always has been. As I said, the films are still very much relevant today. If you can't see that for what it is, I'm not sure what to tell you!
Either way, it was inevitable that Potter would end up in this UK park. The existing lands were such a success because they are faithful to the films, which let's be honest, is how a large amount of people know the franchise. I'll happily eat my words if it turns out that the land is based on the HBO series, but I very much doubt it.
As for Universal wanting t one "ahead of the curve", nostalgia sells my friend. People are not nostalgic for this show I'm afraid.
Edit - Just to add to that last point, see Galaxy's Edge. The fans wanted nostalgia, they wanted the characters they know and loved and have done for years. What did Disney give them? A themed shopping centre, with nowhere to sit (whole area designed to keep you moving), based on the new films that many didn't like. I doubt Universal would want to repeat Disney's mistake here.
Final comment - At the end of the day, I'm not judging anyone for liking Potter. Heck, my partner loves Potter, and we love going to Universal Orlando, however we all have a line that we chose not to cross, and it's different for everyone. We don't buy any Potter merchandise or food, but do I think everyone who does wants to hurt trans people? Of course not! But please don't reduce JK's actions for just "online behaviour" when it's far past this now.
Anyway, don't want to drag the thread off topic, apologies.
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Nick13
Mega Poster
Having just returned from Orlando, I do now find the amount of ‘wizarding worlds’ rather overdone and boring. It’s no surprise that they are bringing it to the UK park, but I don’t think the original Hogsmeade land and Forbidden Journey ride will bring much excitement to those already familiar with the Florida parks.
Universal are ready to ramp up construction in Bedford though, and they have all the designs for Hogsmeade ready to copy and paste into the park. Seeing as the new HBO series is still in production, there’s no way they would have time to design a whole new land around the new series even if they did want to. And it would be a huge risk if the series does turn out to be a complete flop too…
Universal are ready to ramp up construction in Bedford though, and they have all the designs for Hogsmeade ready to copy and paste into the park. Seeing as the new HBO series is still in production, there’s no way they would have time to design a whole new land around the new series even if they did want to. And it would be a huge risk if the series does turn out to be a complete flop too…
I do think Rowling has said some stuff that’s way too harsh and combative. But people also seem to forget she’s 61, and a lot of her actual views on sex and women’s spaces really aren’t that unusual for someone her age. She’s also said plenty of times that trans people should be able to live how they want and be protected from discrimination. My last comment on the matter
I just did Forbidden Journey for the first time, and it could really use a screen and small animatronics update. But given that, I think the GP will gobble it up
This might be the worst take yet, thank god it's your last comment on the matter!I do think Rowling has said some stuff that’s way too harsh and combative. But people also seem to forget she’s 61, and a lot of her actual views on sex and women’s spaces really aren’t that unusual for someone her age. She’s also said plenty of times that trans people should be able to live how they want and be protected from discrimination. My last comment on the matter
I just did Forbidden Journey for the first time, and it could really use a screen and small animatronics update. But given that, I think the GP will gobble it up
Fans will enjoy the ride however I do think they might have missed the opportunity too build something one of a kind here...