Universal Great Britain

[yepthatguy]

You have to remember what central Florida was like before Disney and Universal arrived on the scene:

Thanks for posting the YouTube link.

That video is superb. I’d never heard of Alan Whicker, but his satirical and sarcastic one liners are hilarious in this.

It does have a very strange feel to it, especially when he’s interviewing the real estate guys, and the Disney staff members.

 

[rob@rar]

Still blows my mind that this is even on the table.

This! Been visiting Disney and Universal theme parks since 1996 and never imagined I’d be looking forward to having one just an hour’s drive from home. Have no interest in visiting parks like Thorpe or Alton Towers, they don’t appeal, but if Universal GB is as good as we hope and expect I’m going to be there all the time!

 

[JoeMcSqueezy]

Whilst I haven’t been going for that long, I’ve still been visiting Disney and Universal most of my life, so I definitely feel similarly as a UK Resident, even if it’s a good 3 Hours away from me, though already that makes it way more accessible than any of the other Disney or Universal Resorts

 

[Chessy]

This! Been visiting Disney and Universal theme parks since 1996 and never imagined I’d be looking forward to having one just an hour’s drive from home. Have no interest in visiting parks like Thorpe or Alton Towers, they don’t appeal, but if Universal GB is as good as we hope and expect I’m going to be there all the time!

Same year I first went. Animal Kingdom, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay didn’t exist back then. The classic Universal attractions were great though.

 

[Rhian]

Ask any kid in the UK in these types of towns, and they'd probably call it rubbish.

You have to remember what central Florida was like before Disney and Universal arrived on the scene:


It's not so much what the area is like but how much potential it has. Bedford ticks all the correct boxes.

Yeah, I was amused relating to the view of someone growing up in a smaller town and thinking wtf's so special about it that it'd be picked for something as grandiose as a major theme park.

For better or worse outside developers are used to looking past what the locals are used to.

@ProjectUniversal has posted the video from the recent council meeting on his channel.


So context for the rundown Rob gave.

A couple of things I found interesting:

• Universal and government went into formal negotiations a couple of weeks ago and have intentionally "entered a period of quiet in the public domain" (6:10)
• (Should be obvious) NDAs are involved so naturally information for the rest of us is minimal (7:52)
  • interesting to note he mentioned last couple of years meaning this has been in the works since late 2021 or early 2022?
• 8:02 —
  • 

It does sound like we'll have some good news to look forward to just in time for the holidays! I'd like to go back across the pond someday and planning something out for late in the decade within a year or two of the new park opening sounds like a nice idea.

I've never been to Alton Towers but if I go it sounds like I should probably do that before I go to the new park.

 

[xtpower]

Mohammad Yasin still having regular talks with Universal. I've seen absolutely nothing so far to indicate that things are not on track - it's all positive and par for the course.

 

[Lost Meerkat]

While awaiting news. Which I am very positive about. Here is a link to Bio Reconstruct on Twitter (x) who has posted a lot of update photos on Universals new park in Orlando. This is likely to give a flavour of what is coming

x.com

x.com

 

[Jart]

Rachel Reeves signals plan to spend more on big projects - BBC News

The UK will prioritise and increase investment in major projects in the Budget, Rachel Reeves says.

www.bbc.com

While it doesn't mention the Universal project directly, it certainly sounds like the Government are willing to invest in "big projects" to "draw in private investment".

 

[yepthatguy]

Rachel Reeves signals plan to spend more on big projects - BBC News

The UK will prioritise and increase investment in major projects in the Budget, Rachel Reeves says.

www.bbc.com

While it doesn't mention the Universal project directly, it certainly sounds like the Government are willing to invest in "big projects" to "draw in private investment".

Good find!

This is promising I think. It ties in with what Universal have described they want to build with landscaping open spaces and fitting into the surroundings.

And welcome to the forum!!

 

[Steeb]

While I am desperately waiting for news on this project, I have done more noodling with AI to get an idea on how a Lord of the Rings hub land could look. Aimed for a sit down restaurant on the left, tavern on the right, and a ride show building in the distance beyond the bridge.

Figured I would share, even though I am probably just winding myself up at this point

 

[Altonsky]

It’s the governments investment summit on Monday, the PM and the chancellor will be present as well as business leaders and investors from around the world. Maybe some Universal people will be present?

 

[bedfordmassive]

What chances of an announcement at the summit?

 

[Altonsky]

What chances of an announcement at the summit?

I can’t see that happening but only due to this.

Blow to No 10's investment summit as port giant pulls £1bn announcement over P&O row

Dubai-based company DP World decides to review its plans following criticism by members of Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet about its subsidiary P&O Ferries.

news.sky.com

This was supposed to be the centre piece big announcement. Universal would have blown this out of the water if it was due to be announced on Monday.

But maybe we’ll get an appearance and some quotes. Who knows!

 

[yepthatguy]

I think this is pretty interesting. The waterway that I mentioned a few posts back has popped up in local Bedford news again relating to the recently flooded A421 infrastructure that will need to be sorted if a universal resort is built.

This chap looks very happy. I can just imagine the pitch to the council and even possibly universal. “I’ll solve your flooding, just build my canal!”

Bedford and MK Waterways park could 'mitigate' flooding

A £300m waterway park scheme would put "water where it's wanted" during times of flood or draught.

www.bbc.co.uk

On a serious note though, the plan is to connect the Grand Union Canal to the River Ouse. Delivery stage has launched. Whatever that means.

Bedford and Milton Keynes waterway project celebrates launch event | Bedford Borough Council

Bedford Borough Council is delighted to announce a significant milestone for the long-awaited Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterway project. On Thursday, 11 July, a special event celebrated the official launch of the project’s delivery phase.

www.bedford.gov.uk

I’m still determined to arrive at the Universal GB park by canal boat. I can dream.

 

[bedfordmassive]

This could be the part of the investment conference where there will be some hints today:

 

[ProjectUniversal]

This could be the part of the investment conference where there will be some hints today:

View attachment 23792

I'll be watching but I suspect it will not be mentioned.

 

[Steeb]

My guess is "creative industries" will refer more to film, TV and music tbh

 

[Gerardo]

I guess it wasn't mentioned since nobody posted about it, but still have to ask just in case, any news there?

 

[Luke Hutchinson]

I guess it wasn't mentioned since nobody posted about it, but still have to ask just in case, any news there?

It was mentioned at the Environmental Meeting in September that was initial hope they’d be able to announce the investment on the 14th but the negotiations were still in their infancy

 

[bedfordmassive]

OK, next big date would be the budget 30/10/24