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AIBU?

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Universal Studios Great Britain

142 replies

Coasters4Life · 14/04/2024 20:48

AIBU to be ridiculously excited about the prospect of a Universal Studios opening in the UK?

I've only just heard about it am shocked to learn they have bought land here already, seems like a real possibility it will get the green light. It's only about 40 minutes from my house, I've never been to Florida but Universal has always been on my wish list, if this opens I'll be there every weekend 🤣

Anyone else here excited? I did a search and couldn't find any threads. If it happens, my girls and I will LOVE it!

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ImVanillaBaby · 14/04/2024 23:22

Fireworks every night? We have PETS Mr Universal!?

ImVanillaBaby · 14/04/2024 23:22

Employment opportunity....hmm ok, will that be more than minimum wage? A decent pay?

Because where will all the employees park? Train fares are not cheap these days

A car park to accommodate both employees AND guests will take a good chunk of that land they've bought

The PDF said no plans to make parking multi level

saraclara · 14/04/2024 23:11

I don't really fancy a fireworks show every night

Surely they'd not be allowed to do that with a residential area so near? I hope not.

Thameslink services are going to be packed. It's bad enough as it is. How on earth will the trains cope with a vast number of people coming up from London?

Denou · 14/04/2024 23:04

The vast majority of overseas visitors go to London and this will be an easy day trip for them. Lots already go to Harry Potter studios or whatever it’s called.

ImVanillaBaby · 14/04/2024 23:04

Puskaboots · 14/04/2024 22:51

This is so exciting!!

Question though, if they're still only deciding whether to go ahead why would they have already purchased the land?

Because they don't really care what the locals think they are just pretending to listen

Dbirk · 14/04/2024 23:00

@Alfreddoeblin There's no chance of it being in the North simply because of the lack of airports and the weather.

Alfreddoeblin · 14/04/2024 22:55

Hate to say it but something like that would be so good for the north in terms of jobs etc. Why site it in an area already overflowing with tourist attractions.

Trainstrike · 14/04/2024 22:53

Piggywaspushed · 14/04/2024 22:15

I can literally see the plot from my house. Road construction will be a nightmare ( they claim to be building a flyover but we were told that was too dangerous for warehouses), traffic noise, noise from the park itself, congestion, infrastructure not being good enough, increased traffuc in villages which are already rat runs. I can't see how it improves the area and am not convinced a flood of tourists will suddenly go to Bedford and liven it up.

I don't really fancy a fireworks show every night. And I am past theme park age myself so nothing in it for me....

Response is very mixed in my village.

What's theme park age??

Puskaboots · 14/04/2024 22:51

This is so exciting!!

Question though, if they're still only deciding whether to go ahead why would they have already purchased the land?

Original poster
Coasters4Life · 14/04/2024 22:50

Apologies, missed the image

Universal Studios Great Britain
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Original poster
Coasters4Life · 14/04/2024 22:49

FoodAnxiety · 14/04/2024 22:35

Same size as Thorpe Park!

Show quote history

Which is a lot bigger than the Orlando sites.

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ImVanillaBaby · 14/04/2024 22:43

I read the 16 page PDF earlier

Not convinced

FoodAnxiety · 14/04/2024 22:41

Re Harry Potter tours, the BBC article says

'Universal itself says "it is too early in the process to know the possibilities of featured attractions and experiences" in Bedfordshire.'

FoodAnxiety · 14/04/2024 22:39

Piggywaspushed · 14/04/2024 22:15

I can literally see the plot from my house. Road construction will be a nightmare ( they claim to be building a flyover but we were told that was too dangerous for warehouses), traffic noise, noise from the park itself, congestion, infrastructure not being good enough, increased traffuc in villages which are already rat runs. I can't see how it improves the area and am not convinced a flood of tourists will suddenly go to Bedford and liven it up.

I don't really fancy a fireworks show every night. And I am past theme park age myself so nothing in it for me....

Response is very mixed in my village.

I can totally understand that. We're 40 mins from Bedford.

I know about the jobs they have promised, but there will be so much disruption. The guy at the talk didn't address any of those worries either, which is worrying.

FoodAnxiety · 14/04/2024 22:37

ImVanillaBaby · 14/04/2024 22:24

There will be a few rides and a hotdog stand! 😂

Honestly, you can't expect Florida style 'park' on that plot!

That's exactly what they are planning. See

What do we know about Universal Studios' Bedfordshire plans? www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68797303

FoodAnxiety · 14/04/2024 22:35

HelloMiss · 14/04/2024 21:08

It's not huge. Not really

I'm a few mins walk from it. There was an event at a nearby college this week for locals.

It's on the site of the old brickworks

Same size as Thorpe Park!

FoodAnxiety · 14/04/2024 22:34

@Coasters4Life - here is the BBC graphic showing the size of the Stewartby site compared to other sites. It's the same size as Thorpe Park!

Universal Studios Great Britain
Original poster
Coasters4Life · 14/04/2024 22:28

ImVanillaBaby · 14/04/2024 22:24

There will be a few rides and a hotdog stand! 😂

Honestly, you can't expect Florida style 'park' on that plot!

Why not?

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ImVanillaBaby · 14/04/2024 22:24

There will be a few rides and a hotdog stand! 😂

Honestly, you can't expect Florida style 'park' on that plot!

MarvelousMentos · 14/04/2024 22:22

I hope there is a Nintendo World too, the one in Japan is amazing and I don't normally like theme parks overly much

ImVanillaBaby · 14/04/2024 22:18

I'm north of the proposed development and will be able to walk in to the park

Also thinking air b&b!

Mixed here too in my area.

Piggywaspushed · 14/04/2024 22:15

I can literally see the plot from my house. Road construction will be a nightmare ( they claim to be building a flyover but we were told that was too dangerous for warehouses), traffic noise, noise from the park itself, congestion, infrastructure not being good enough, increased traffuc in villages which are already rat runs. I can't see how it improves the area and am not convinced a flood of tourists will suddenly go to Bedford and liven it up.

I don't really fancy a fireworks show every night. And I am past theme park age myself so nothing in it for me....

Response is very mixed in my village.

SquashPenguin · 14/04/2024 22:13

Apparently there won’t be a HP area because of Warner Bros having the rights to HP in the UK.

Can’t imagine Universal in the shitty British weather to be honest, and I love a theme park.

HelloMiss · 14/04/2024 22:09

@piggy what's your concerns?

I personally think it's too small and local roads are not going to cope.

Piggywaspushed · 14/04/2024 22:07

HelloMiss · 14/04/2024 21:27

Yes all locals are on board

We have another presentation from them this Tuesday. They have thought of everything

All locals are emphatically not on board.