Universal Studios Britain updates

Universal Orlando Resort
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Continuing the discussion from Universal Studios Great Britain:

No word yet on any proposed lands, but Universal has entered the next phase of through a recent submission to the local government

First takeaway – CityWalk will simply be called the Entry Plaza

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Interesting that it will be open year round.

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I actually forgot about this park but with DD27 moving to the UK, I hope to add it in to a visit someday!

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It doesn’t even have planning permission yet, so ‘someday’ is right! Where is DD moving to?

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Yeah, she might not even still be living there then lol. Her partner (EU citizen, also has UK residency from living there for uni and after) is getting a master’s degree and DD will be getting a work visa (she’s a veterinarian.) They will be living in London.

ETA: the visa stuff is a process so nothing is guaranteed for her.

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Visas can be tricky! Hope it’s not too arduous a process.

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Thanks! Me too. They’ve been long distance for 2 years now and really want to be together.

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Im wondering if just the two coasters seen in the concept art will be closed down in winter. Shows and dark rides wont be affected

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That would make sense. Our weather is pretty crap even in the summer.

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.

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I think about this park constantly.
It is probably the only thing that would get me overseas at this point. (As long as LOTR is done well).

I’d also go to DLP while there.

I’m 53. I hope I’m still up for it by the time it’s built!

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England has a bunch of parks on my list. This would just make the country a higher priority

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Thank you. I did post a new topic a couple of weeks ago about the Ministry of etc., etc., etc. giving final approval to begin construction

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They’ve fenced off the site. Finished all the explorative stuff (archaeological/wildlife works etc.) and started ground clearing this week. Looks like it’s slipped 1yr already. Now targeting 2031. They’ve spent $278m already so it looking good so far.

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It's official
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As far as lands go there is no official confirmation at all. I suspect the only 2 nailed on ones are Jurassic Park and Minions. I suspect the show arena will not make the final cut either as @missoverexcited says are weather isn’t good enough. The coasters will be fine. Our theme parks close in the winter to save money as the crowds are too low. Universal is totally different. This isn’t a UK theme park. Merlin Entertainment’s most expensive UK ride is £17m for Hyperia at Thorpe Park. Almost anything Universal build will dwarf that. You can get into Thorpe Park for £35/day. Universal will be in the £100s. Not like for like. It’ll be a shame if they don’t have Potter but they have gone on record at their early meetings and said there will not be a Harry Potter attraction. I don’t think they own the UK attraction rights. It’s a big site. You can fit IOA/US inside it with room to spare - can’t wait!

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So the LOTR is not confirmed?

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‘Fraid not. Nothing confirmed yet and won’t be for a few years. The internet is awash with details but they aren’t true. Best guesses is all they are. Most are way off. While I adore Back to the Future, the big coaster will not be that which is what most YouTubers seem to think. Universal are not basing multi-million dollar rides on a 40yr old franchise. It’ll most likely to be Fast & Furious. LOTR is an interesting idea. No idea who owns theme park rights for that! New Line went bust so not sure where all that ownership ended up.

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Excellent…

Edit: this was a more recent thread

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Correct, Warner Bros has a studio in England, and there are several Potter experiences that are a big draw. I’m not worried about it though. Why pay for a small scale replica of Hogwarts when you can see the real castle in Scotland? Same goes for the real train.

As for your other two suggestions, yes Jurassic World seems like a given. Regardless of the obvious decline in quality, the last three movies made an ass load of money. That’s a pretty impressive coaster in the concept art, but it doesn’t appear to be a clone of VelociCoaster.

Tragically, it looks like the Brits are doomed to suffer more Minions. In the original blog post I referred to, Alicia pointed out that what is visible in the concept art resembles the boardwalk amusement park seen in the original Despicable Me. I’d wish they’d a least make it an Illumination land, get some diversity in there.

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