Universal United Kingdom Resort - Speculation & Rumors

[tommyhawkins]

This park is grander in a lot peoples' minds that what it will realistically deliver. I think it's 12 rides/attractions in total. If they open this park with a 20 year Potter clone, as a sizeable chunk of the parks attraction offerings, as well as the minion clones I would literally not bother going. I'm not being hyperbolic, it's just realistic that it'll have two coasters and a JW dark ride and that's it, I wouldn't even bother with an AP, it becomes a once every 3-5 years type intent to visit. I'm only one person but I share the sentiment of a lot of Brits who have been going to Orlando since Potter opened in 2010- why spend money on a boring expensive UK park that could go towards an Orlando trip. I think they have really Universalled themselves and letting the tail wag to dog on expectations rather than using some imagination.

What's going to be interesting is what happens with the Paramount/WB deal completes, and the Studios Tour becomes an asset they want to secure and expand with their upcoming new attraction and new TV sets. Unless Uni have a Marvel style iron clad contract they might be in an position where new owners don't want Potter that close. I can see them paying a break clause rather than let that happen, the tour makes really good money, along with the new massive Potter store about to open on Oxford St.

I know we like to think Universal always know what they're doing, but there's some truly moronic people making calls that become own-goals and always have been.

 

[DragonSlayer]

This park is grander in a lot peoples' minds that what it will realistically deliver. I think it's 12 rides/attractions in total. If they open this park with a 20 year Potter clone, as a sizeable chunk of the parks attraction offerings, as well as the minion clones I would literally not bother going. I'm not being hyperbolic, it's just realistic that it'll have two coasters and a JW dark ride and that's it, I wouldn't even bother with an AP, it becomes a once every 3-5 years type intent to visit. I'm only one person but I share the sentiment of a lot of Brits who have been going to Orlando since Potter opened in 2010- why spend money on a boring expensive UK park that could go towards an Orlando trip. I think they have really Universalled themselves and letting the tail wag to dog on expectations rather than using some imagination.

Yup. As much of a Universal fan as I consider myself, it’s worth being realistic here.

The more I think about this, the more convinced I am that this is purely designed to capture the spending of people who were never going to Orlando. I think that means it’ll be a pretty different product, and I also think it means it won’t change the habits of people who do go there.

The economic situation and the shift in visitation patterns to UOR over the last few years probably mean any initial worries about cloning attractions / cannibalising the Florida market are no longer applicable in the way they might have been when very early planning started for this.

 

[Mike S]

So if Potter is now on the docket here could Nintendo be as well? If I were them I’d include Zelda if they get far enough along to include it.

 

[Alicia]

I’m sure locals will go for the vibes. So I don’t think it’ll be hurting.

But it’s hugely disappointing they’re not being their Epic Universe style super creative selves. But instead being their play it safe Beijing and clones selves instead.

But at least they’re NOT doing Universal Kids level work here.

Caveat:

There have been A LOT of rumors, many of which do not get as much traction. Potter possibly coming makes headlines. Doesn’t mean it’s true. Lord of the Rings makes headlines. Doesn’t mean they ever got approval for the rights.

But there’s also rumors that Jurassic and Minions attractions will not be clones, and were instead new rides designed to fit into existing planned size structures. Meaning just the buildings would be clones.

Newer rumors say the park is doing what it can to stay on schedule and cloning rides feels like it fits that narrative, so it has the ring of truth.

But we honestly don’t know.

Either Universal has gotten better at keeping out leaks, or people don’t want to risk their jobs, and rightly so, so we get to have a little mystery a little longer.