Confirmed! Universal UK to open 2031.
The current predicted date for Villains is 2029/30 . But given the almost inevitable pause on Cars / Villains , there’s every chance Universal UK could open first!
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What did I miss! I thought this was projected 2025-2026?
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Given Universal built EPIC in just a couple of hundred days more than Disney took to build Tron, I vote Universal. Disney can build quicker but its just the Bean Counters and Suits wanting to account for the CapEx over multiple fiscal years apparently.
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Hmmm. Not sure it ever was announced to be fair. The AK updates are first and then MK then DHS. If I was to bet, I’d guess they will reverse this and prioritise Monsters Inc. It’s known tech and cheaper bang for their buck. We should see Cars before the decade ends but Villains is 2030+. Universal would have added the 2 expansion pads at EPIC and replaced a ton of stuff in Islands by then!
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So pure speculation vs almost inevitable
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Just checked. Villains is 2029-2030. I didn’t realize it was going to be so far out.
Disney does seem to drag out projects but I think for the most part they stay on schedule. Projects around the height of COVID obviously went off the rails.
While I don’t think it will get pushed back- Disney certainly could get it done much quicker, lol.
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With the tariffs on steel and timber, plus even concrete, costs are going to increase by 25% or more. Add to that fears of a global recession ……
There is a lot of speculation that any projects not yet started could be in danger of being paused or cancelled.
Lakeshore and the AK Tropical Americas land are underway. Everything else - Cars, Villains, Monsters - is potentially at risk.
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That’s for work to start. We’re already into 2025. I doubt they’ll have RoA drained and TSI levelled by the end of the year, let alone any construction done.
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More speculation that contracts are signed for Bond and LotR. Both of which would presumably have cost them ££££££, so I’m not convinced yet.
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LotR?? I was under the impression the heirs were firmly against licensing the IP to a theme park.
I’d love an entire park devoted to LotR. Top of my wish list.
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Does the Bond theme seem rather … mature for a theme park? Will there be martinis and Pussy Galore?
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I am shuddering to think how much they could botch this.
Oh my gosh PLEASE let them get this right.
I would totally go to the UK for such an experience.
As far as the original question, “Which will open first…?” - that was rhetorical, right?
DD20 just pointed out that nothing new has opened at HS or Epcot since our visit in 2022, and nothing new is coming this year that we know of, anywhere (we did Tron and Tiana last year at a one-night MNSSHP trip.) But plenty will be closed. 
(oh - the moana flower thing is new - but nothing else?)
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The theme park rights worldwide were bought by a Swedish company Embracer 2 years ago.
I don’t know if Universal would want to spend the huge amounts to the rights for a brand new park…. but maybe they would in order to really draw the crowds.
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Pretty much!
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Huge pinch of salt on this one. Click bait. The original article this came from also claimed a new version of Back to the Future the ride and a recreation of Hill Valley. LOTR doesn’t do theme parks and UR have already said no Potter in their meetings with residents. Warner Bros let Universal have rights to all except Europe. I suspect they will sort it with WB as peeps will be well pi55ed off if its not there and Leavesden is now booked for the next 10yrs solid with film production so they have no need to fall back on the Potter theme park which was an option at one point. Bond may happen now its out of the Broccoli’s control but nobody probably thought of theme park licences in that deal as it was done so quickly.
Yes. 1,000,000 %
The article makes it clear there won’t be Harry Potter. It was never on the table whilst the Studios Tour continues to sell out.
The theme park rights for LotR were bought by Embracer, so they can sell to whoever they want.
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HS has one new attraction and one totally revamped attraction opening May 27 - Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure. It is true that both are replacements for previous things, not additions.
Correct. Though in fairness the Little Mermaid thing has been closed for yonks so it will feel new and eat a few people to ease the queues
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OO, interesting. I didn’t know that LOTR theme park rights were wrapped with the gaming licences. I’d a Jurassic World like China has. That dark ride looks great. I’m a big Bond fan (could you guess?) so that would be great. Stunt show outdoors won’t fly here though. Weather is too changeable and the Bourne one in Orlando is laughable despite its good tech.