What does Bart say? – A Theme Park blog!

For years there were rumours that Universal is thinking about opening a new park in Europe, and to be more specific.. in the UK. On April 9th 2025, these rumours became reality. Universal has officially announced its intention to open a new park in Bedford, England. If the permits are in place, the first shovel will go into the ground in early 2026 to open in 2031 Universal Great Britain. According BBC news Universal will represent: Back to the Future, Jurassic World, The Minions, Paddington, Lord of the Rings and James Bond when the park opens. Which IPs and attractions would I still like to see appear in the park, and how do I feel about the possible IPs that have now been “announced”? Find out in.. What does Bart say about.. Universal coming to the UK 🇬🇧

Universal Studios Florida has been on my bucket list to visit for several years, the chances of it becoming a reality are very slim for now. It’s welcoming news that one of my bucket list parks is coming to Europe. When I heard the news, my thoughts immediately went to what IPs we will see in the park? Fortunately, I didn’t have to think about that for long, the BBC shared the park’s expected IPs. Something that stood out right away is Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World missing from the suspected IPs. Both IPs are very strong in the existing Universal parks and attract a lot of visitors towards the park. Harry Potter missing from the suspected IPs is nothing new. Warner Bros has the rights to Harry Potter in the UK and with a Warner Bros Studios tour fairly close to the Universal site, I can’t see Harry Potter moving towards Universal park anytime soon. Super Nintendo World on the other hand, one IP I suspected to be part of the UK park, and to be fair I prefer to see Super Nintendo World over the Minions. Super Mario is an IP familiar to young and old, and the Minions is something of recent years. I must admit, I know who the Minions are. But I haven’t seen any of the films yet, while the first Minions film was released in 2015..

The previously released concept art shows some interesting buildings, infrastructure and greenery. The Minions are no strangers to Universal parks, by looking at the released concept art, it seems we can expect to see the Minions in this part of the park. The bright use of colour suits the cheerful yellow creatures. Some rides I’m expecting in this part of the park is a family roller coaster, a Vekoma Junior perhaps? And don’t forget to add some more rides they could easily clone one of their most popular rides. And to make this area unique I would like to see a Vekoma Madhouse appearing in this area. The Minions can literally turn the world upside down, and it is an attraction accessible to young and old guests.

What do you think about a Vekoma Madhouse in this part of the park? Let me know in the comments!

Jurassic World seems to me, especially given the UK climate, a fine indoor area like the Kingdom of the Minimoys in Europa-Park. Universal and MACK have shown that they are great business partners, and a MACK inverted powered coaster in Jurassic World style is something I can see appearing in the Jurassic World area. A combination of indoor and outdoor sections, and an added advantage is the interaction it creates with your family and friends who don’t dare to enter the attraction.

And what’s a park without a good water ride? Staying with manufacturer MACK Rides, a water roller coaster as announced at the French Futuroscope, the “Rocking boat” type – you can come out soaked, but this is well regulated depending on the temperature outside – seems a perfect addition for the Jurassic World area. Truly an attraction for thrillseekers who aren’t afraid of getting wet.

With James Bond, Universal can go either way, personally I hope they use James Bond for a good show, as we have seen before in the other parks, like “Waterworld” and “the Bourne Stuntacular”. This stunt show lends itself perfectly to our 007. James Bond is action, and you want to see and experience that action. In my point of view, this is best done in a show than in an attraction. No matter how immersive or fast (for example a roller coaster) you make the attraction. And please Universal, don’t choose to represent James Bond in a shooter-darkride, he doesn’t deserve that.

Intamin are you there? Bring us back to the future! An Intamin multi-launch coaster lends itself perfectly to a roller coaster themed to “back to the future”. And what if they could invent a dueling multi-launch coaster. If they could make that happen I’d rather see “Back to the Future” swapped for “Fast and the Furious”. Fast cars with a quick launch. The queue could be themed as a citycentre where you are hyped up to join a street race. Once hyped up to join the street race, you are faced with a choice; stay on the right path and choose “Team Police” – or move to the more evil side “Team Street Race”. 

Both sides could foresee a dark ride scene, where both dark ride scenes are different. Where “Team Police” is told about the street race, and tasked with stopping it, “Team Street Race“ knows about the police announcement, and must try to stay out of their hands. Obviously, only one of the teams can win. With a slight lead “Team street race” leaves. I think it would be nice to see you come back to the other team’s station, unknowingly switching teams after all. One long track, but still 2 different experiences. Similar idea like “Grand National” in Pleasure Beach. You start on the right, and finish on the left, and vice versa.

Paddington Bear is indispensable in a park revolving around typically English IPs. When I’m thinking of an area around Paddington Bear, I immediately think of Piccadilly Circus, London as a base where, besides flatrides such as a merry-go-round, a teacup attraction and perhaps a small ferris wheel (as a nod to the London Eye) the “Paddington Bear – Dark Ride” is based. A trackless dark ride that takes you on the adventures of Paddington Bear, based on the released books. 

I’m a huge fan of parades in a theme park, Universal is going all out during their Mardi Gras parade and I would love to see this coming to the UK park. With the Mardi Gras event usually happening earlier in the year it could be a great start of the new theme park season. And to be fair, I can already see myself with a beer in hand, watching the parade go by, trying to catch as many beaded necklaces as possible without the beer sloshing out of my glass. Can you? Competitive parks have shown that the event works in the UK. So Universal, should you read this, bring Mardi Gras to the UK!

I’m not a massive Halloween fan myself, but the Halloween Horror Nights are well known in the theme park community, and this is an event that you have to visit. This event is becoming increasingly more popular in the existing parks every year, so why not bring the Halloween Horror Nights to the UK? The event surely cannot be missed here! Don’t forget the sun sets a lot earlier this time of year, extending the opening hours till late in the night are not necessarily necessary to enjoy the Halloween experience at dusk or in the dark.Am I willing to fly to England to find myself being chased by a man with a chainsaw? Rather not, but I’m going to do it anyway. Give me a pint (or 2) and I will be fine, bring on the haunted mazes! 

Shortly after Halloween it’s time for one of my favorite times of the year, the festive/winter season. Universal has the rights to the Grinch. Give the Grinch a prominent role during the event, and guests will have an experience they won’t soon forget. I can already see myself bringing an onion to the park to give to the Grinch, IYKYK. Not only can the Grinch play a big role during the winter period, the Minions can swap their blue costume for a cheerful winter outfit. And who knows, we might see James Bond wearing a Santa hat?

With the IPs announced and the park’s ability to bring them to life, I keep faith that Universal chooses Wicked in a park expansion. In the current development of the park Universal couldn’t know what success Wicked movie was going to bring. But to be honest, who doesn’t want to board the “Emerald Express” towards Oz? ALL ABOARD THE EMERALD EXPRESS! Where the other Universal parks have the “Hogwarts Express” towards “Hogsmeade”, we will have the “Emerald Express” towards Oz. 

Gardaland in Italy lost the rights for Kung Fu Panda (2025). Kung Fu Panda is one of the  DreamWorks IPs, this is a notable change for a park which has carried this IP for several years. Can we see a DreamWorks area in the near future, or does Universal have some tricks up their sleeve and will we see a DreamWorks area in the current park boundaries?

It will be a while before 2031, but some interesting times are coming. Not just for us as theme park enthusiasts. But also for theme parks within the UK and beyond. How will the UK’s best-visited theme parks, including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland Windsor, react to Universal’s arrival? These parks fall under the Merlin Entertainments Group. Substantial investment will be needed to keep up with Universal, especially now that it is known that Universal’s idea is to welcome 8.5 million guests a year. 

Not only the concurring parks in the UK have to worry, the top three in European parks should worry too; how will Disneyland Paris (including Disney studios), Europa-Park and Efteling react? These parkshave to invest in new rides and maybe even accommodation to keep up with Universal. Universal has already shown in their existing parks that theming is one thing they’re good at, Epic Universe is set to open in May 2025. If this is the standard we could expect in Europe, goodluck to the rest.

I am curious to see how European parks will react to Universal’s arrival, it is still 6 years before the park expects to open. But preparing a good attraction, or new themed area takes time (and money). And with that in mind 2031 will come sooner than expected. 

I’m curious to know what you think about Universal coming to Europe, be sure to let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and until the next one!
Bart