Universal Great Britain - Speculation & Rumors

[Evan]

I honestly think the biggest complaint about the park would be the lack of Harry Potter, which just feels meant to be in their first UK park.

It feels like something worth while for Universal to get allowance for in that market, I doubt it would impact the studio tour.

 

[EllieB]

I don't think it has to feel lesser though, just different. You could have an amazing experience in a big show building that feels like a single "place", with some truly game-changing things there, without having a "land" and "rides".

Like, for example, you could be visiting the Great Hall at Hogwarts and having a big banquet meal; sitting at the house tables and enjoying a meal with some sort of "entertainment" happening above you... That would be considered a major draw a think.

 

[xtpower]

I don't think it has to feel lesser though, just different. You could have an amazing experience in a big show building that feels like a single "place", with some truly game-changing things there, without having a "land" and "rides".

Like, for example, you could be visiting the Great Hall at Hogwarts and having a big banquet meal; sitting at the house tables and enjoying a meal with some sort of "entertainment" happening above you... That would be considered a major draw a think.

You're bringing it closer to the Studio Tour. A rideless HP World is basically the Studio Tour and Universal have to differentiate themselves from the Tour.

People won't spend the £80-£100 entrance fee if Universal are just running out the Studio Tour but done slightly different. They'll just plunk down the £60 and go do the Studio Tour.

Frankly I have zero want to do a HP Land that has no rides, that's the draw for me. Being able to walk into a deeply immersive land and then get wowed with World Class rides, without the rides it's a walking tour - which is just down the road.

 

[rob@rar]

Frankly I have zero want to do a HP Land that has no rides, that's the draw for me. Being able to walk into a deeply immersive land and then get wowed with World Class rides, without the rides it's a walking tour - which is just down the road.

Same for me. I want them to do it well or not do it at all. Universal in all their theme park development for the last thirty years has placed major IPs in a fully immersive land with one or more rides, plus lots of shops, dining and general “wandering around soaking in the immersive world” opportunities. Anything less than this for one of their headline IPs and I’ll feel shortchanged.

If they are going to have Potter in Bedford it has to be significantly different from the Studio Tour down the road (which I guess WB will also want it to be clearly differentiated). JK Rowling is famous for agreeing the IP rights only when Universal agreed to make and maintain their HP lands to world class standards. No way will she be happy to see a half baked proposal for a Wizarding World theme park experience in her, and Harry’s, home country.

 

[Alicia]

I honestly think the biggest complaint about the park would be the lack of Harry Potter, which just feels meant to be in their first UK park.

This feels very much like Disney thinking they wouldn't need to build Pirates of the Caribbean at WDW, only for people complaining the park didn't have it so much they had to put a rush to get it into the park ASAP.

If Potter comes here, and it's just the same basic FJ with Hogwarts Castle and Hippogriff kiddie coaster, with Hogsmeade, that they have at every single other Universal Resort, it most certainly won't eat too much into Orlando business, because what makes Orlando's Potter offerings so special is everything we have beyond that.

But like WDW's Pirates, it appeases those who expect Potter to be there, (while offering the core Potter theme park experience that sells merch and Butterbeer).

 

[EllieB]

I think I'm doing a bad job of conveying the grand concept in my head, but it doesn't really matter. I don't work for Universal Creative after all, haha.

I don't disagree that any Potter will be a big draw, and obviously the bigger and more flashy it is the better opportunities it will provide for marketing. I think Alicia is right to say that most of the visiting public will be happy with anything that allows them to snap a picture for socials and get some good merch, and I think Rob is right to say that JKR is likely to want something grand and special.

Honestly, I'd still rather have something completely unique (including a unique IP), but I'll be happy with whatever they build. I will always think it's pretty amazing that we'll be getting a "proper" world class theme park that's a day trip away from my house!

 

[Evan]

This feels very much like Disney thinking they wouldn't need to build Pirates of the Caribbean at WDW, only for people complaining the park didn't have it so much they had to put a rush to get it into the park ASAP.

If Potter comes here, and it's just the same basic FJ with Hogwarts Castle and Hippogriff kiddie coaster, with Hogsmeade, that they have at every single other Universal Resort, it most certainly won't eat too much into Orlando business, because what makes Orlando's Potter offerings so special is everything we have beyond that.

But like WDW's Pirates, it appeases those who expect Potter to be there, (while offering the core Potter theme park experience that sells merch and Butterbeer).

This is exactly my thought. Universal is synonymous with Harry Potter lands now. You build a park in the UK of all places, people expect Harry Potter.

Even if they don’t build it with the park at opening… I do think it would be exactly like a POTC situation.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

This feels very much like Disney thinking they wouldn't need to build Pirates of the Caribbean at WDW, only for people complaining the park didn't have it so much they had to put a rush to get it into the park ASAP.

If Potter comes here, and it's just the same basic FJ with Hogwarts Castle and Hippogriff kiddie coaster, with Hogsmeade, that they have at every single other Universal Resort, it most certainly won't eat too much into Orlando business, because what makes Orlando's Potter offerings so special is everything we have beyond that.

But like WDW's Pirates, it appeases those who expect Potter to be there, (while offering the core Potter theme park experience that sells merch and Butterbeer).

I was saving this for a longer post, but spot on.

A Universal park without Potter can be successful, but it's so ingrained with the brand's identity now that it's hard to see a new Universal park without it's presence. Certainly feels like we'll get some form of Potter at UGB at some point whether it's because they always intended on, or the desire for one was so great.

Heck, Disney knew that they still needed to have a few classic (albeit modernized/improved) when building Shanghai, and I'd imagine Abu Dhabi eventually.

 

[rob@rar]

This feels very much like Disney thinking they wouldn't need to build Pirates of the Caribbean at WDW, only for people complaining the park didn't have it so much they had to put a rush to get it into the park ASAP.

If Potter comes here, and it's just the same basic FJ with Hogwarts Castle and Hippogriff kiddie coaster, with Hogsmeade, that they have at every single other Universal Resort, it most certainly won't eat too much into Orlando business, because what makes Orlando's Potter offerings so special is everything we have beyond that.

But like WDW's Pirates, it appeases those who expect Potter to be there, (while offering the core Potter theme park experience that sells merch and Butterbeer).

If we re-read the original agreement between Universal and WB/JKR for the first Potter land at IOA, I think it’s clear that Rowling is extremely unlikely to accept anything less than the standard set by Orlando’s Hogsmead and Diagon Alley, with their associated attractions, for a Wizarding World in Harry Potter’s home country. We know how fiercely she guards the Potter IP: she walked away from Disney and it took Universal doing such things as flying to Edinburgh with Butterbeer samples to get her on board, just one example of the exacting standards she set Universal.

If this news is correct (which seems like a big if right now), I’m encouraged as there’s no way that JK Rowling is going to accept anything second fiddle for a Harry Potter land less than 50 miles from the real King’s Cross Station. So I think there is a parallel we can draw to Disney and an expectation of Pirates of the Caribbean being an anchor attraction, but I’m hoping we’re more in to Shanghai territory rather than Orlando’s version, which is the poorest of the four versions I’ve ridden.

 

[Clouday]

The tricky bit would be selecting what portion to build. Whilst being a very different experience, The Studios Tour covers much of what is familiar to Universal Parks (Diagon Alley, Gringotts, 9&3/4). I am not sure there would be much appetite for something too far removed e.g Ministry of Magic, as it likely won’t satisfy the demand for something that feels really classic and top drawer.

A smaller scale Hogsmeade (merchandise/food/beverage), Quidditch coaster (dual tracked racing, motorbike style), Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures (Flight of Passage style but with different ride experiences, plus bonus of being indoors). Round that off with the to scale Hogwarts Castle in the distance. Sufficiently familiar, but different from other park experiences.

I hope having HP at the park wouldn’t mean excluding another IP like LOTR. Although to reach the kind of attendance statistics projected, I don’t see how it could.

 

[marsguo]

Firstly, JKR's impact on both the film industry in the UK, and on Universal's approach to theme parks cannot be overstated. The game was changed. It's been great for both art forms. For that, we can be thankful.

USGB deserves a fully themed, immersive land that's up to the same standards, and, by the concept art, we're missing that for now. Ordinarily, having a UK property in a UK park makes the most sense. JKR would probably even push for something on a bigger scale, or a more complete scale then we've seen before. And as others have said, I think a lack of HP would be felt, and possibly met with confusion. The Sun in particular, who reports on theme parks here more than any other newspaper seems to, would certainly run stories about it by disgruntled fans.

But I'll say it. JKR has become a very controversial figure. She's positioned herself as the figurehead of an entire movement against trans people, and whether you agree with her or not, it's not going away, and will end up being part of the conversation surrounding this park. Unfortunately, visiting a Universal Theme Park with a Harry Potter land now actively funds her political campaigns, as she's proudly stated. Maybe you're happy with that. But like the racist themes and ideas that Splash Mountain were built upon, this is a facet of theme park production and discussion that will only amplify in the next six years, whether you want it to or not. Whether you agree with it or not.

I'll be frank. I don't want it here. I don't want that conversation. Theme Parks can be the great leveller - a place we're all brought together. If you agree with her, or if you don't, maybe it's better that conversation is kept out of this park entirely.

Universal Studios has the solution and the opportunity to bring a unique land, written and "set" in the UK, to their theme parks, to the standard set back in 2010 - and that's a Lord of the Rings area. People literally fly to New Zealand for the Warner Bros Studio Tour equivalent. That's not to say that the existing HP areas should go away, because they're beautiful pieces of art created before she became so actively vocal. Leave them as they are, and add to them if you want to. But there's a chance here to do something different and more benevolent and I say - let's do that instead.

 

[GAcoaster]

Looks like we may have an official name:

 

[rob@rar]

Thank goodness it’s not USUK.

Worth noting that trademarks are cheap as chips to register, and companies tend to spray them around quite liberally to protect variations of actual titles as well as the precise titles.

 

[GAcoaster]

There are still six years of floating other names ahead— I expect several more trademarks and possible name combinations. UUKR is an unwieldy mouthful, but like with Universal Orlando Resort, most of the time it will only be used on marketing materials, with most people just calling it “Universal”

 

[xtpower]

Universal Great Britain is still better imo, so I'll keep calling it UGB cos I'm stubborn .

 

[Alicia]

Thank goodness it’s not USUK.

Worth noting that trademarks are cheap as chips to register, and companies tend to spray them around quite liberally to protect variations of actual titles as well as the precise titles.

Don’t make this our next Fantastic Worlds

 

[Altonsky]

The tricky bit would be selecting what portion to build. Whilst being a very different experience, The Studios Tour covers much of what is familiar to Universal Parks (Diagon Alley, Gringotts, 9&3/4). I am not sure there would be much appetite for something too far removed e.g Ministry of Magic, as it likely won’t satisfy the demand for something that feels really classic and top drawer.

A smaller scale Hogsmeade (merchandise/food/beverage), Quidditch coaster (dual tracked racing, motorbike style), Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures (Flight of Passage style but with different ride experiences, plus bonus of being indoors). Round that off with the to scale Hogwarts Castle in the distance. Sufficiently familiar, but different from other park experiences.

I hope having HP at the park wouldn’t mean excluding another IP like LOTR. Although to reach the kind of attendance statistics projected, I don’t see how it could.

I’d like the forbidden forest personally, it hasn’t yet been done and we like darker attractions here in the UK

 

[EllieB]

Here's a completely different idea; a dedicated Harry Potter hotel. Stay at Hogwarts! Be sorted at booking or check in (yes, you can request a house subject to availability from the sorting hat), sleep in your own "dorm room" styled bedroom, eat an enchanted breakfast in the "great hall", explore the corridors to discover "magical surprises around every corner", experience exclusive meet and greets with the Hogwarts professors and enjoy magical entertainment in four unique house-themed "common room" lounge spaces every day.

Plenty of encouragement to book multiple stays to experience the hotel from the point of view of each of the houses.

 

[tommyhawkins]

This feels very much like Disney thinking they wouldn't need to build Pirates of the Caribbean at WDW, only for people complaining the park didn't have it so much they had to put a rush to get it into the park ASAP.

If Potter comes here, and it's just the same basic FJ with Hogwarts Castle and Hippogriff kiddie coaster, with Hogsmeade, that they have at every single other Universal Resort, it most certainly won't eat too much into Orlando business, because what makes Orlando's Potter offerings so special is everything we have beyond that.

But like WDW's Pirates, it appeases those who expect Potter to be there, (while offering the core Potter theme park experience that sells merch and Butterbeer).

Would Disney build Pirates of the Caribbean if they wasn't the IP holder, who was earning £100,000,000+ profit every year, and needed financially compensating for that calculated loss of income.

And after they've done that, they would have to gamble their loyal target audience, who is accustomed to visiting POTC every year at the original park would be willing to go to both locations.

Speaking for myself if they do cannibalise anything major from Orlando I am probably going to rethink visits/APs and treat it like the other UK parks, one day every few years because why would I spend money that can go on a Florida trip where there's more to do, yeah some people can never afford Florida and love Potter but they're not the people going to Studio Tour religiously to get their Potter fixes

 

[xtpower]

Would Disney build Pirates of the Caribbean if they wasn't the IP holder, who was earning £100,000,000+ profit every year, and needed financially compensating for that calculated loss of income.

And after they've done that, they would have to gamble their loyal target audience, who is accustomed to visiting POTC every year at the original park would be willing to go to both locations.

Speaking for myself if they do cannibalise anything major from Orlando I am probably going to rethink visits/APs and treat it like the other UK parks, one day every few years because why would I spend money that can go on a Florida trip where there's more to do, yeah some people can never afford Florida and love Potter but they're not the people going to Studio Tour religiously to get their Potter fixes

The thing that has me scratching my head is a few days ago Mark Woodbury literally said they aren't going to cannibalise from the UK to UOR visitation. Well this would be the ideal route for cannibalisation.

So I've been mulling around the idea that perhaps this might be their first expansion, where they can wait and see on the TV Show and then go full steam ahead on creative around the show or continuing with the Movies if it flops.

As much as people are speculating on potential new Potter places it could be, I don't see how you put Potter in the Park without Hogwarts, it's so iconic the UK Park (if Potter happens) would require it. Of course they could pair the Castle with a brand new location from HP, but the amount of land that would take up would be substantial.