Universal Confirms First Theme Park Coming to UK

Universal has confirmed its first European theme park located just 60 miles north of London. This multi-billion dollar project is expected to start next year and encompasses nearly 476-acres of land.

Let’s get into this newest reveal from Universal including newly released concept art and confirmation from Universal on what we can expect.

READ MORE- 10 Things We’re Looking Forward to at Epic Universe

Universal Opening New Theme Park in UK

Photo via Universal Destinations and Experiences

This new Universal theme park is set to open in 2031 and is being hailed as “one of the largest and most advanced projects in Europe.” The UK government claims the new theme park will “generate £50 billion ($64 billion) for the British economy by 2055 and attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year.”

There’s been rumors about this project since Universal purchased this land back in December 2023 and this is the final confirmation of the plans by Comcast NBC Universal to open an European Universal theme park.

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Universal’s European theme park will be the first of its kind in the UK. Universal is also planning a smaller theme park focused on serving families with younger kids in Texas.

Universal Reveals Concept Art for UK Theme Park

Universal Concept Art
Photo via Universal Destinations and Experiences

Universal hasn’t revealed exactly what will be in the new theme park but has confirmed that it will have “several themed lands featuring Universal’s distinct brand of immersive storytelling.” Universal has confirmed that the new theme park will also include a 500-room hotel with dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

We got a first look at this concept art but even if you zoom in, it’s hard to accurately predict what each land might be. From the concept art, we can at least get a sense of the layout which centers around a body of water that is perfectly set up for nighttime entertainment. We can also see that after guests enter the park, they will be directed towards a typical theme park “street” that will likely be filled with shops and dining. We can also see plans for multiple thrill coasters in the land in at least three lands. You can also spot some brightly colored buildings and features which could mean anything from DreamWorks to Illumination properties to Super Nintendo World which is a consistent hit in each Universal theme park.

However, it would be extremely obvious to bring Harry Potter to a UK theme park. Harry Potter largely takes place in Britain so this would be a no brainer. And of course, anything we see in the new Epic Universe could also be a possibility!

READ MORE- “We Have a Slate of New Attractions” Universal Orlando Teases More New Rides at Epic and Beyond as Disney World Begins Next Development Phase

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay has been recognized as a Disney expert since 2017 and has been featured by outlets including CNBC, SFGate, NerdWallet, and Visit Anaheim. She visits Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Orlando multiple times each year, giving her first hand insight into park operations, seasonal trends, crowd patterns, and touring strategies.

Her experience also extends to Disney Cruise Line, where she has sailed on every class of ship, visited both of Disney’s private islands, and participated in specialty sailings such as Marvel Day at Sea and Very MerryTime cruises. This depth of travel allows her to provide practical, data informed guidance across Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, Universal theme parks, and related destinations.

As Content Director of Mickey Visit, Lindsay oversees editorial strategy and daily content, leading a team of writers who produce timely news coverage and general planning content. She leads the development and analysis of Mickey Visit’s crowd calendars, applying expert insight into crowd behavior, seasonal trends, and park operations. Lindsay writes touring plans, authors in depth reviews, and offers expert analysis on Disney experiences, while also analyzing the best and worst days to visit. She serves as an expert on Disney discounts, tracking and evaluating ticket offers, hotel promotions, and seasonal deals. She comes from a lifelong Disney family, has been visiting Disneyland since the 1990s, and is even in the middle of planning a Disney Cruise Line wedding.

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