Universal Great Britain

[rob@rar]

I'm sure by coincidence, but 20 March is also the date for the next meeting of Bedford Council's "Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee". No idea what's on the agenda but this was the Committee that received the very informative update from the planning consultant, Sam Fox, in autumn last year on the current state of play back then.

 

[Disneyhead]

Even if everything is a go, I would not expect an official announcement from Universal before Epic opens.

 

[Ryuniversal]

Even if everything is a go, I would not expect an official announcement from Universal before Epic opens.

Soo the day after at midnight got cool

 

[yepthatguy]

I'm sure by coincidence, but 20 March is also the date for the next meeting of Bedford Council's "Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee". No idea what's on the agenda but this was the Committee that received the very informative update from the planning consultant, Sam Fox, in autumn last year on the current state of play back then.

I remember seeing that video, and thinking yes I see the deep level of covertness involved here. He mentioned the “period of quiet”. I’m calling that POQ.

I didn’t want to believe the idea, but since Universal’s important people said we’ll find out by the end of the year, and it’s now nearly March the following year with no news from them, that I’m thinking it may be the end of 2025.

Epic Universe is huge, Parkstop rumbled them on the GB park, surely their focus has to be on on Epic opening well in terms of customer satisfaction.

Just imagine if Epic had all sorts of unexpected issues, social media will go to town on them and the negative UK press will lap it up for views and ads.

Perhaps a possible GB park and Epic opening are completely not connected in most senses, but success for the brand in this new theme park in Orlando after 25 years must be well.. Paramount lol.

I definitely saw some post that early Epic days was clearing land slowly and delivering things, way before an announcement. Maybe we are just seeing that now and only hindsight will confirm it.

That’s all I have to say about that.

 

[rob@rar]

Progress on the planning application does not depend on Universal making a “big announcement”. Indeed, progress on actual groundworks does not depend on Universal making a “big announcement”. A lack of a formal announcement doesn’t mean the absence of the greenlight from Comcast. I think Universal’s PR strategy will mean we won’t get the formal confirmation that USGB is definitely happening for many months yet, well after Epic’s opening. But we will see other indicators that the project is on track.

 

[xtpower]

Progress on the planning application does not depend on Universal making a “big announcement”. Indeed, progress on actual groundworks does not depend on Universal making a “big announcement”. A lack of a formal announcement doesn’t mean the absence of the greenlight from Comcast. I think Universal’s PR strategy will mean we won’t get the formal confirmation that USGB is definitely happening for many months yet, well after Epic’s opening. But we will see other indicators that the project is on track.

We're seeing those indicators now with that big concrete slab being cleared and a load of heras fencing already been delivered. I fully expect there to be a 'construction village' setup long before Universal formally announce the project.

 

[yepthatguy]

We're seeing those indicators now with that big concrete slab being cleared and a load of heras fencing already been delivered. I fully expect there to be a 'construction village' setup long before Universal formally announce the project.

I think that’s us all agreed on what is happening here based on form from Universal.

I wouldn’t however discourage the time and effort everyone on here puts in to add that extra dimension of fanatic excitement on clues, especially the detail Rob provides.

I guess if I manage my expectation on this, I can enjoy the clues more.

 

[mainejeff]

Have not read through this entire thread to see what speculation has been on the IPs/Lands for this park.....what is everyone's guesses?

I feel like the most likely are:

Minions
Dark Universe
James Bond
Lord of the Rings
HTTYD

Is Potter allowed in Great Britain with the Warner Bros. attraction close by?

Regarding Bond.....I feel like the older movies are more iconic in terms of names, images, style and subject matter....I wonder how they would tackle the multiple Bond actors, genres and time periods? A Bond coaster has to be Thunderbolt or Moonraker. Would love to see a show using Bourne tech from USO.

Maybe they could finally go a proper Minions land?

Lord if the Rings would be a huge draw and allow UC to do some different stuff.

 

[Mike S]

Have not read through this entire thread to see what speculation has been on the IPs/Lands for this park.....what is everyone's guesses?

I feel like the most likely are:

Minions
Dark Universe
James Bond
Lord of the Rings
HTTYD

Is Potter allowed in Great Britain with the Warner Bros. attraction close by?

Regarding Bond.....I feel like the older movies are more iconic in terms of names, images, style and subject matter....I wonder how they would tackle the multiple Bond actors, genres and time periods? A Bond coaster has to be Thunderbolt or Moonraker. Would love to see a show using Bourne tech from USO.

Maybe they could finally go a proper Minions land?

Lord if the Rings would be a huge draw and allow UC to do some different stuff.

Wasn’t there a rumor that this park wouldn’t have any clones from Orlando?

 

[mainejeff]

Wasn’t there a rumor that this park wouldn’t have any clones from Orlando?

I don't know....was there? Does that mean they cannot have Dark Universe even if it has different attractions? Can they not use Minions? Etc, etc?

 

[Mike S]

I don't know....was there? Does that mean they cannot have Dark Universe even if it has different attractions? Can they not use Minions? Etc, etc?

If they “can’t” it’s self imposed. I think the reason was that they didn’t want to incentivize Brits to not come to UOR anymore because a lot of business comes from there. I’m not the insider on this but from what I understand it’s ride clones, not same IP use. Like Britain can have Beijings Jurassic World ride if they wanted to.

 

[Achtzehn]

No Doctor Who ?

 

[JT01]

No Doctor Who ?

Disney acquired the international distribution rights to Doctor Who, so cant see it happening.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

With the park not even announced yet, my feeling is:

LOTR, Wicked, Jurassic World, Minions, and Bond.

 

[JT01]

I'm so over minions land they all look naff so far compared to whats being done at Epic

 

[tommyhawkins]

Even if everything is a go, I would not expect an official announcement from Universal before Epic opens.

Still remains to be seen if the Government will update planning laws to streamline them or call in the project, either way the transparent process in this country means we'd get an announcement to seek planning permission rather than "We're building it" like we did at the OCCC back in 2019. But if there's still a timeline where they expect to finish it by 2030 everything will have to become public knowledge asap, they cant be all cloak and dagger like they are in Florida so May June, still might mess that up

 

[TheUniC6]

I'm so over minions land they all look naff so far compared to whats being done at Epic

Though with the no Orlando clones mandate, its possible the Minions get a fully fledged dark ride that can do the IP justice.

 

[saint.piss]

Disney acquired the international distribution rights to Doctor Who, so cant see it happening.

They don't own the theme park rights though so anything is possible. Do I think it's likely to happen? Probably not. But I'm a huge DW fan so I want to see it happen tbh

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Though with the no Orlando clones mandate, its possible the Minions get a fully fledged dark ride that can do the IP justice.

This would be my hope.

 

[yepthatguy]

I just wish the POQ would end.

Then it might be possible in terms of IP to look at:

the licensing deal dates,
the estimated park opening date,
what’s happening elsewhere with Universal’s existing plans for attractions and upgrades,
The ride creation companies relationship,
The likelihood of indeed, some clones if the public want it and the demand is there,

And break it down into what they’ll likely have.

When POQ turns to PON, it’s on!