Why Universal Studios GB Will Probably Go Ahead (and why it might not)

Within the next few weeks, we might know a lot more about the future of Universal Studios Great Britain. Until then, let's take a look at the reasons why it might (and possibly might not) go ahead.
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[@Raei92]

Just as long as no secret agent from Merlin "accidentally" tips a jumping spiders nest onto the proposed land 👀🕷️

[@bubbles2428]

Lol

[@ABZTRXT]

Full respect to you for making all of these updates, they are so in depth!

[@jonathonpotter1059]

I think alot of due diligence was done when they decided to purchase the land. It may be worth doing a video on Bedford town itself and what it has to offer/ how it could benefit from the park

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

I will definitely be covering Bedford and the surrounding area!

[@HarrySmith-ns8fk]

​@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates Universal Might Bring Transformers The Ride 3d Simulator Dark Ride Meet The Transformers Optimus Prime Bumblebee And Megatron The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man The Ride Simulator Dark Ride And Meet And Greet Spider-Man I Hope Is Going To Be The Same As Universal Studios Florida

[@ryancurtis2593]

@@HarrySmith-ns8fk it wont be same as universal florida because loads of brits fly to orlando for theme parks it will more likely have more unique attractions

[@realgg.offical]

The harry potter argument would of been well thought of. Before even looking at the site

[@SussexIan]

Also the HP Studio Tour would compliment rather than compete with an HP themed land in a Univeral UK theme park, and vice versa. Each could help attract visitors to the other and be mutually beneficial.

[@alisongreen7447]

@@SussexIan I agree and something like hogsmead is different enough from what is at the studio tour that I can't see them overlapping more like encouraging. The two companies could even do combo tickets and work together. If staying at a universal hotel is not too bad a drive or train ride. We are in the North West and to do the studio tour would have to combine it with a hotel stay so doing it one day as part of a few days staying at Universal would be great.

[@TheHesK9]

Also, the HP Tour is completely sold out all year. It's ridiculously hard to book. It's hardly going to be affected if they're currently limiting how many tickets are sold

[@ArcadeOrigins]

Warner Bros. and NBCUniversal have a close working relationship and several successful licensing agreements under their belts. This includes the Harry Potter IP, that has been very lucrative for both parties. I would be very surprised if an agreement hasn’t already been reached. The new park would help increase the popularity of the franchise and drive business to the Warner Bros. Studios Tour.

[@birdflox1337]

The franchise doesn't need any kind of "boost" in popularity from Universal, it's the UK, people already know what Harry Potter is. Honestly, I don't see why they should even bother with Harry Potter anymore. They've gotten all their locations down already, a deal with Warner Brothers is gonna cost a lot of money, keeping the IP to America incentivizes more tourism to Orlando... it would make much more sense to just headline a new IP that will interest Americans as well. Something like Lord of the Rings in Universal Great Britain would generate loads of fresh merchandising money.

[@TheHesK9]

There's absolutely no way they would build a park here without some sort of Harry Potter area. They're by far the most popular area in any Universal around the world ​@@birdflox1337

[@fatles2008]

I'd definitely go. At the moment in the UK we have no Theme Parks with Movie tie ins.

[@ImIncluded166]

I live 30m from here would be amazing if this goes ahead

[@oconnell88]

Saw The Ride at Thorpe Park?

[@ArcadeOrigins]

Excellent recap of the challenges the project faces. This is the second time Universal Studios has looked to open a theme park in the UK. Let’s all hope the project gets approved this time, and the UK finally gets the theme park it needs and deserves.

[@BenMcleanhall]

Second ? Really ? When was the first ?

[@ArcadeOrigins]

@@BenMcleanhallThe first time was Universal Studios London in 1989, to be built in Essex. There is a very good video outlining the history of the project kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJLVlmN8oddqacUsi=0q0fnvWCw2_F8Kdm

[@BenMcleanhall]

@@ArcadeOrigins Oh wait the London resort project ? That was universal ??

[@ArcadeOrigins]

@@BenMcleanhall The first time was Universal Studios London, they submitted planning permission in 1989 to be built in Essex

[@keiichimorisato98]

​@BenMcleanhall yup, they had planned on that. But the people around the planned site petitioned against it and so it was abandoned.

[@jaymax200studios2]

Overall back in April 2007 Universal announced for the Dubai Park in there expensive Dubailand Resort that was going to look like Walt Disney World and started construction in 2008. Unfortunately the 2009 Finical crisis happened and construction was suspended. They changed the date to be open for 2012 then 2014. Then in October 2016 they decided not to built the park no more.

[@Waterfall.2024]

we most wait and see its too early say if its going to happen. Or not it most happened it would be great to have universal park in Europe for the first time after what happened a long time ago 👍👍🙂 cool video

[@CafeFantasia]

Another excellent update. Thank you for explaining everything so clearly. 😊🙌

[@autisticadventuressteam83]

It was going ahead as soon as they bought the land. The ride contracts have already been signed with the suppliers along with landscaping and everything else. I can't tell you how I know, but it is what it is. Comcast and planners have already signed. They did the work before they bought the land. Ex senior engineering manager at a UK attraction. You're welcome. 🤓

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

Even if they were sure it was going ahead from an internal pov there’s no way they’d know for certain they’d get planning permission from the government, so that doesn’t seem likely

[@autisticadventuressteam83]

Sweet summer child you've no idea. 😂

[@gunnyo50]

​@@autisticadventuressteam83 Things changed quickly all the time as you should know by now. When they brought the land there were no land surveys that Universal have conducted for themselves, they just completed that a few weeks ago. I think it'll go ahead but things like planning permissions won't be greenlighted for quite some time until early next year. You kinda have to be patient there old boy and we're into an election campaign so things will be slowed down until mid-late July.

[@bodderz9691]

Great video I love watching all your updates so much detail and thought put into it

[@jaymax200studios2]

Keep up with the updates and fingers cross if they do pass hopefully the Universal Great Britain Park Resort it does pass. Fingers cross 🤞 Greetings from USA

[@jeffreyr3056]

I really hope it goes ahead

[@clareriley]

The best video detailing exactly what's going on that I've seen x

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

Thanks so much!

[@BRKS1999]

I could see them agreeing a deal with the Harry Potter IP. Pay a large fee of money also strike a deal to get combo tickets or half price tickets for each other.

[@elliottking260]

I wouldn’t be so bold as to suggest the planning process will be without hurdles. You never know what may happen with objections etc. also Parliament goes into recess not the Government

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

There won't be zero hurdles, but far fewer than if support was closer to, say, 50%

[@gb9727]

If Comcast buys WB, then that will solve the Potter problem

[@acidalex420]

I mean that might cost more than the entire theme park

[@RichardMorton73]

Yeah, Comcast have been circling around WB for a while now... guarantees lots of IP including Potter as you mentioned

[@alisongreen7447]

@@RichardMorton73 If they buy them out and the GB park goes ahead there will defo be cross promotion with the studios tour and maybe duel tickets? Could be interesting.

[@DanS33Toon]

I feel the only issue could be a labour government when they get in. Can’t see any issue with the universal side at all as it would be extremely economically viable for them.

[@LEWIS1992]

Yeah, Labour would rather throw the money at people who CBA to work.

[@alisongreen7447]

@@LEWIS1992 They aren't stupid tho this would be a massive boost to the UK in terms of tourism and locally would produce an immediate extra number of jobs followed by extra jobs in businesses around the area. Look how Disneyland encouraged other hotels and businesses to spring up in the surrounding areas. It could be a big boost to the overall economy as well and no party whatever their beliefs would turn that down.

[@BenMcleanhall]

I do think it’s much more likely than not that it’ll happen 🙏🏻🙌

[@Kyle-Russell]

Different architects are meant to be working different concepts for different parts of the park such as the entertainment area

[@RankingTheMouse]

I would have no issue with Universal Great Britain opening without HP - OR opening with a very small scale HP addition that doesnt impact the WB Tour. I think the resort can still thrive without it - especially if they can anchor the Park around Lord of the Rings!!

[@barneyrubble1964]

I can see with Fast and the Furious, E.T., Jurassic World, Battlestar Galactica, Jaws there are plenty of themes for a Park without the concern of having Harry Potter down the road.

[@Ishaq-qj3bv]

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Great Britain in 2030 Opening Day 🇬🇧

[@tedioustotoro4885]

I feel like the solution to the railway station problem is just…..don’t close the Stewartby station

[@marcolancini7411]

no one thinks of two big problems for this park: 1. the weather, very cold and rainy (maximum annual temperature 21°C 2. To visit it, every foreigner needs a passport. I think that's why they haven't made a decision yet... let's not forget Portaventura

[@realgg.offical]

Brilliant update as usual 🎉

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

Thanks!

[@stevepage4504]

They are not having a potter land. Universal want to keep at least 1 IP unique need to each country, so that people will visit more than 1. The UK will get lands based on Jurassic park, how to train dragons, Ninento, lord of the rings, stranger things, DreamWorks and with a few alone attractions based on UK classics such as James Bond

[@gb9727]

Hopefully it will have potter

[@liamcollinson5695]

Considering at least half the population love harry Potter as long as that is there in some form i can see it been super popular

[@jeniboyns]

Personally, the lack of HP would be a huge selling point for me.

[@SteveDavies80]

The problem with Universal, is that its an international brand, and will be priced as such. It will be £100+ per person per day. Its purpose is to bring people from (mostly europe) around the world.

[@Benb49]

If they can do harry potter just imagine changing the trains that go through the line to look like potter trains I'm sure they would try and do something like that

[@Cartoonman154]

Alternatively, Universal could build a studio lot on it. There's an increasing trend of films being filmed in the UK.

[@BenMcleanhall]

I think they seem to be moving more towards a theme park from what I’ve gathered.

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

Comcast already has plans for a new studio in Elstree so that’s unlikely to happen

[@BenMcleanhall]

@@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates oh I didn’t hear about this . What will that entail ?

[@Cartoonman154]

@@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates Fair enough. Ah, those must be the premium studios that are on their website. I was wondering where they were.

[@another_day4783]

@@BenMcleanhall sky film studios, already built 12 sound stages there

[@ProjectUniversalUK]

As usual a great update. 😊

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

thanks bud

[@AziaXtremeNFinity]

UH-UNH! if they know what's good for them THEY BETTER let Universal build a Universal Studios park there in the UK

[@clcjcom]

right now there’s no parliament and it will be up to the next government after the 5th July to decide the future of the project

[@gb9727]

Universal Singapore doesn't Have Potter

[@isunlloaoll]

Why is harry potter an issue? Japan has both the Warner bro HP studio tour and wizard world at Universal studios Japan. Why can't UK, the home of HP have both and more?

[@gb9727]

Rumour has it USGB will not feature Harry Potter

[@gb9727]

The decision has been delayed until December

[@Occupant]

The public footpath issue is strange from the perspective of an American. But that's because the US doesn't have right of way laws and protected footpaths like the UK, and a lot of the country is very unfriendly to pedestrians as a result.

[@BillyHayes79Music]

Love the video but That music is horrendous and too loud.

[@oziancreator4335]

I think Lord of the Rings is a big part of the plans for this park and would fit perfectly in the English countryside. It would be unique and attract people from across the world. Whether or not HP happens, LOTR has potential to be equally epic. I think that will be the star unique draw.

[@SussexIan]

Here's hoping. 😀

[@thatsawrap818]

Lord of the Rings 🙌🏼

[@mev202]

Can guarantee if this project is greenlit, Disney will announce a new 3rd gate at DLP. Alton Towers will be bought by paramount, Chessington will be bought by Tesco's and Thorpe park will bravely soldier on, desperately trying to survive by doing fake versions called Barry Trotter and The Mighty Bulk.

[@Adzcantsing]

You never know disney may build in uk. If they got to be in Lancashire.

[@UniversalDorks]

Paramount sold all of their parks to Cedar Fair decades ago. I guarantee they have absolutely no desire to reenter the business when they make enough money licensing IP to operators.

[@mev202]

​@@UniversalDorksI'm going to guess you're American

[@clarkey1015]

Problem with Alton towers is the ride height is restricted to the height of the trees around it, limiting the sort of rides available

[@zoeyc5851]

I'd rather they'd have no HP

[@Coaster_Crazy]

First 👌🏻

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

Oh, you

[@AdLockhorst-bf8pz]

Post Brexit opening a new theme park in Britain does not seem like a sensible idea; would there be sufficient earning potential there? There are reasons to visit Britain, of course, but a theme park resort ... really?!? I have never felt the urge to spend more than a single day at a theme park and am not alone in that. Fine dining is hardly what one expects at a theme park. And the prices for pretty much everything at a theme park are rather inflated. There not being significant competition in easy reach means that Universal's resort won't get a sort of hub function for theme park enthusiasts 🤔

[@TerryJackson-cd1be]

I'd hardly call Disneyland Paris a hub either, but it hasn't stopped it becoming the most visited theme park in Europe, by a mile.

[@MaximilianZ96]

Calling the uk an area without competition made me laugh coming from Austria without any major themepark. I just don’t understand why we don’t have one. We are central in Europe with major tourism and many big cities without themeparks in close proximity like Vienna Bratislava Prague and Budapest. And there is just nothing here and nobody even considers building a park here for some reason.

[@UniversalStudiosGBUpdates]

Yeah that's a shame, especially as neighbouring Germany has a few world class theme parks

[@MaximilianZ96]

@@UniversalStudiosGBUpdatesyeah. You could even add Munich to the bunch of big cities near the Austrian area withthout a major themepark. Yes they have legoand an hour away but the next major park is Europa park which is about 3 and a half hours away.

[@clarkey1015]

Id say the public transport and connections helped a lot, accessable by train from Europe's busiest airport Heathrow but also within 2 hours from the major city's of Birmingham and London

[@douglas3286]

Please don't get Harry Potter. I hate it.