The news that Universal Studios is coming to the UK is a major game-changer for theme park fans – and a recent visit to the newly-built Epic Universe in Orlando shows just what we can expect
Just after touching down in the UK from an Orlando trip, I was met with the exciting news that many theme park enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting – Universal Studios is officially making its way to the UK.
I had travelled to Florida to get a sneak peek of what we can anticipate from the upcoming Epic Universe park, set to open its doors to the public on May 22. If Epic Universe is anything to go by, we’re in for quite the adventure.
Earlier today, Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a multi-billion pound agreement to construct Europe’s only Universal-branded theme park right here in the UK, near Bedford.
Slated to open in 2031, the theme park is expected to generate around 28,000 jobs, with approximately 80% of the workforce anticipated to be local hires. While no specific rides or themed areas were disclosed, the studio is renowned for blockbuster hits like Wicked, Harry Potter, Super Mario, Despicable Me and Fast and Furious.
Over the weekend, I was among the first to explore Epic Universe ahead of its grand opening next month, thanks to an exclusive media tour. The park, which is the fourth addition to the studios’ resort in Orlando, boasts attractions inspired by Super Nintendo, How To Train Your Dragon, the Universal Monsters and, naturally, the Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter franchises, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Anyone who’s visited Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure will already be familiar with the immersive Harry Potter experiences, but Epic Universe has truly raised the bar. In their The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic world, guests can explore a magical Paris from the 1920s, complete with carnival shows, cafes, Butterbeer-selling shops, costumes, and street performers.
The main attraction, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, is genuinely revolutionary. It boasts one of the most visually stunning and realistic queue areas, while the ride itself is extraordinary, featuring cutting-edge mechanics, animatronics, digital screens and special effects.
Over in Celestial Park, another section of Epic Universe, Stardust Racers is a dual-launch roller coaster that hits speeds of up to 62 mph. Not for the faint-hearted or those concerned about their hair, it’s a thrilling three-minute race around a massive track. The Monsters Unchained dark ride in Dark Universe is another standout, offering ground-breaking quality and cameos from horror icons like Dracula and Frankenstein’s Monster.
The Isle of Berk world, inspired by the How To Train Your Dragon films, is not just about the rides. It’s a stunningly detailed and beautiful landscape that truly immerses you in a Viking water-locked island co-inhabited by dragons.
The stage show, The Untamea
ble Dragon, is also a spectacle to behold, with its high production values, puppetry and dazzling displays within the auditorium bringing me to tears.
It’s hard to imagine that there won’t be at least a small touch of the Harry Potter world in the UK theme park. Universal Studios’ creative team has done an exceptional job with their three worlds so far, which are undoubtedly some of the most popular and highly praised aspects by visitors.
The recent film Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, was also shot in the UK and currently doesn’t have any themed attractions in any of the parks – making it a strong contender for inclusion in the UK park. A roller-coaster, dark ride or even a magical stage show featuring acrobatic monkeys and Ozian residents could be on the cards.
There’s also a great potential for a Shrek-themed attraction or world, especially as a fifth instalment is set to reignite interest in the beloved Ogre and his friends when it premieres at the end of next year.
During my visit to Epic Universe, I was struck by how it’s been built from scratch with modern theme park expectations in mind. It offers real-life interactions with props and setups, such as casting spells with interactive wands and chatting with magical portraits in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or using a Power Up band to score points with POW blocks at Super Nintendo World.
Hidden areas and other discoveries will keep both hardcore and casual fans returning for more. This is something that established parks like Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Disney World and even Universal Studios itself can’t quite match due to their older infrastructure and layout – some are over 50 years old.
The hotel at Epic Universe is also on a grand scale. The Universal Helios Grand Hotel, run by Loews, boasts a rooftop bar with panoramic views and interactions with the park’s onsite shows. Conveniently, it’s just a minute away from Epic and has its own dedicated entrance.
It seems that Universal Studio’s first European park in the UK will continue to set the standard, following in the footsteps of Epic Universe’s journey this year.
Universal Destinations and Experiences (UDE), a branch of media titan Comcast, announced that the ‘world-class’ theme park would comprise ‘several themed lands featuring Universal’s unique brand of immersive storytelling, thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment’.
The project, in collaboration with Bedford Borough Council, will cover 476 acres and feature a 500-room hotel as well as a retail, dining and entertainment complex. As a massive theme park enthusiast, it’s incredibly exciting to have a park of this magnitude in the UK.
It could also potentially reduce the annual cost for families visiting places like Orlando.
Currently, all we can do is guess what the new park will offer when it opens in six years time. However, based on what I’ve seen at Epic Universe this week, I’m confident it’s going to be something that’s ahead of the curve and will continue to evolve to meet visitors’ expectations from a theme park visit.
Personally, I can’t wait. Bring on 2031!