Universal Great Britain - Speculation & Rumors

[tommyhawkins]

Quick question about all the stuff that was redacted, is that land they already own or is it the neighbouring parcels of land they don’t (as far as we know) own?

The entire list was redacted, they didn't show what they own or what any parcels are

 

[Altonsky]

Ah I get you. Yeah I was confused about what that whole list meant, so there is a slight possibility they could potentially own more than what we’re currently aware of.

 

[yepthatguy]

Ah I get you. Yeah I was confused about what that whole list meant, so there is a slight possibility they could potentially own more than what we’re currently aware of.

I read part of a document that said despite their best efforts, they couldn’t identify who owns some land surrounding theirs.

That stuck out to me as quite interesting.

I could be wrong of course.

 

[CoasterFan247]

Just to be clear, based on the documents they have provided, there is absolutely no way with the current proposed plans that they are building a park capable of accommodating 12m people. The documents set out an 70-80acre theme park (the size of Epic Universe right now. Another contradiction is that the park can accommodate 55K peak visitors, imagine that many people in EU today. This 12m number is currently more than UOR sees (Pre-EU)

I suspect they will initially go with the Europa Model for the Northern site, with more hotels and an indoor/outdoor Waterpark like Rulantica, as mentioned in documents. Europa sees 6m visitors
If they want 12m visitors they are going to want a second gate next door like UOR, they redacted all the land ownership in the documents....

It does seem astonishing that they claim it would end up the most visited theme park in ALL of Europe.

I know DLP is being rather sluggish with its additions but its popularity with families isn't going anywhere and it's so much easier for a holiday from Germany/Spain etc. I don't know how they could imagine the GB park ever competing at that level (given the geographic distance) unless they have plans to induce far higher domestic demand than DLP does in France.

Even the 9m figure for first year seems extraordinarily optimistic to me given it would necessitate a significant number of foreign visitors choosing to spend a day there when most international visitors have either the US parks or DLP/Europa to visit far closer. I could see if it they could drop down Universal Orlando as-is, but the initial plans with a handful of significant rides just doesn't look like enough of a draw to expect such huge numbers immediately. Presumably they have reason to expect it so I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. Perhaps they imagine their schedule of events will help them pull in 2-3x domestic demand vs Merlin's parks despite the inevitable ticket premium.

 

[Wicket The Cat]

It does seem astonishing that they claim it would end up the most visited theme park in ALL of Europe.

I know DLP is being rather sluggish with its additions but its popularity with families isn't going anywhere and it's so much easier for a holiday from Germany/Spain etc. I don't know how they could imagine the GB park ever competing at that level (given the geographic distance) unless they have plans to induce far higher domestic demand than DLP does in France.

Even the 9m figure for first year seems extraordinarily optimistic to me given it would necessitate a significant number of foreign visitors choosing to spend a day there when most international visitors have either the US parks or DLP/Europa to visit far closer. I could see if it they could drop down Universal Orlando as-is, but the initial plans with a handful of significant rides just doesn't look like enough of a draw to expect such huge numbers immediately. Presumably they have reason to expect it so I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. Perhaps they imagine their schedule of events will help them pull in 2-3x domestic demand vs Merlin's parks despite the inevitable ticket premium.

Would Lord of the Rings pull in bigger numbers?

 

[EllieB]

I think it's important to remember that it's not just the IP that draws people, it's the way it's handled. I don't remember a lot of people being all that excited about Isle of Berk when it was announced, but now people have seen it it's become a must-visit for Epic.

Dinosaurs will never not be popular, even if you've not really seen Jurassic anything. I think whatever IP goes in that mysterious back corner will be a major draw for the park.

 

[Alicia]

It does seem astonishing that they claim it would end up the most visited theme park in ALL of Europe.

I know DLP is being rather sluggish with its additions but its popularity with families isn't going anywhere and it's so much easier for a holiday from Germany/Spain etc. I don't know how they could imagine the GB park ever competing at that level (given the geographic distance) unless they have plans to induce far higher domestic demand than DLP does in France.

Even the 9m figure for first year seems extraordinarily optimistic to me given it would necessitate a significant number of foreign visitors choosing to spend a day there when most international visitors have either the US parks or DLP/Europa to visit far closer. I could see if it they could drop down Universal Orlando as-is, but the initial plans with a handful of significant rides just doesn't look like enough of a draw to expect such huge numbers immediately. Presumably they have reason to expect it so I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. Perhaps they imagine their schedule of events will help them pull in 2-3x domestic demand vs Merlin's parks despite the inevitable ticket premium.

The documents claim around 30% of that first year attendance would be international visitors.

 

[MangoDance]

The numbers seem very high but honestly, the lack of competition here; I could see families doing multiple visits a year if it’s priced fairly. Add into that special events like HHN and what I presume is some sort of annual pass scheme, so it’s not like they need to get 8.5 unique visitors to get those daily numbers

 

[rob@rar]

If it’s a truly world class theme park park, built with all the advances in technology and design history that a park for the 2030s should offer, it seems to me there’s a market for that kind of experience which would meet their ambitions. DLP, which is 30+ years old and hasn’t been blessed with major expansions, shows there’s a huge demand when it’s done right. But if Universal cheap out on building this park and are slow to add additional experiences then their attendance targets might be well wide of the mark. I think it’s in their gift, should they choose to invest in something remarkable.

 

[tommyhawkins]

The documents claim around 30% of that first year attendance would be international visitors.

View attachment 27221

Would love to know what all those 15 days peak are, i can only account for about 10. I probably said this the other day, but I just don't know how they foresee fitting 55K people into a park that's going to be marginally bigger than present day Epic universe, its not adding up

	New Year’s Day
	Good Friday
	Easter Monday
	Early May bank holiday
	Spring bank holiday
	Summer bank holiday
	Christmas Eve Christmas Day
	Boxing Day New Years Eve

 

[EllieB]

Would love to know what all those 15 days peak are, i can only account for about 10. I probably said this the other day, but I just don't know how they foresee fitting 55K people into a park that's going to be marginally bigger than present day Epic universe, its not adding up

	New Year’s Day
	Good Friday
	Easter Monday
	Early May bank holiday
	Spring bank holiday
	Summer bank holiday
	Christmas Eve Christmas Day
	Boxing Day New Years Eve

At a guess, I'd say your peak days could be as you've listed, plus Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday (so it covers the whole weekend). Potentially some of the weekends before the other bank holiday Mondays too, as many people will use the bank holiday Monday as a chance to book a short break. Perhaps even more so than new year's day, which I suspect is less likely to be a busy day unless they have something particularly special going on.

Alternative peak days could be around Halloween and Bonfire Night, if the park has events in place in the regular opening hours.

I've worked in attractions in the past and although they were not theme parks so not quite the same, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Bonfire Night and bank holidays were generally our busiest days. Post-Christmas was usually fairly quiet.

 

[masekwm]

I read part of a document that said despite their best efforts, they couldn’t identify who owns some land surrounding theirs.

That stuck out to me as quite interesting.

I could be wrong of course.

Due to the size of the site there is likely small parcels of land that have never been registered, parts of the land have likely been sold and registered but these will've fallen down the wayside. There'll be other parcels were fences have been moved and they've been assumed by neighbouring properties.

Regarding the busiest days, I'd be surprised if these are bank holidays, Merlin is notoriously quiet on bank holidays. Here is May with 2 bank holidays & half term and some great weather at Alton Towers


Now let's look at August, with everyone taking summer holidays and school closed:

 

[EllieB]

Another angle for the busiest days; these are the dates a Merlin gold annual pass is not valid in 2025, and requires a price supplement to visit the attractions:

February 15, 16 (Saturday and Sunday of half term week)
April 20, 21 (Easter Sunday and Monday)
May 4, 5 (Sunday and Monday of first May bank holiday) and 25, 26 (Sunday and Monday of second May bank holiday)
August 24, 25 (Sunday and Monday of August bank holiday)
October 18 (first Saturday of October half term in some areas) and 25, 26 (Saturday and Sunday of most first October half term week) and 31 (Halloween)
November 7, 8, 9 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday of closest weekend to bonfire night)
December 20, 21 (Saturday and Sunday before Christmas) and 25, 26 (Christmas Day and Boxing Day)

That's 21 days, though really it's 20 because nothing is open on Christmas Day. These are the days that Merlin expects to be busiest if they let people visit whenever they want - the reason they generally are not the busiest days is because all the passholders (apart from the top level platinum passes) are blocked out those days.

 

[EllieB]

I'm still working my way through the planning documents. I thought it was interesting that they mention that they considered and discounted the London Resort site at Ebbsfleet.

"During the site selection process, it was recognised that a different developer has previously given consideration to the development of a major theme park (known as the London Resort) in Swanscombe, Kent, and submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO) application in 2020. The application for a DCO for the London Resort was withdrawn in 2022 following Natural England’s intention to have the site designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Given the ecological interest and the designation of the site as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the London Resort site
was not considered as a viable alternative by UDX."

I mean, it's not surprising that they discounted it. But interesting that they thought they needed to explain why they hadn't been interested in the site themselves.

 

[Chessy]

I'm still working my way through the planning documents. I thought it was interesting that they mention that they considered and discounted the London Resort site at Ebbsfleet.

"During the site selection process, it was recognised that a different developer has previously given consideration to the development of a major theme park (known as the London Resort) in Swanscombe, Kent, and submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO) application in 2020. The application for a DCO for the London Resort was withdrawn in 2022 following Natural England’s intention to have the site designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Given the ecological interest and the designation of the site as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the London Resort site
was not considered as a viable alternative by UDX."

I mean, it's not surprising that they discounted it. But interesting that they thought they needed to explain why they hadn't been interested in the site themselves.

I’m surprised the people behind the London Resort even thought that site was a good idea. They could have potentially got further along if they chose a better location.

 

[masekwm]

I'm still working my way through the planning documents. I thought it was interesting that they mention that they considered and discounted the London Resort site at Ebbsfleet.

"During the site selection process, it was recognised that a different developer has previously given consideration to the development of a major theme park (known as the London Resort) in Swanscombe, Kent, and submitted a Development Consent Order (DCO) application in 2020. The application for a DCO for the London Resort was withdrawn in 2022 following Natural England’s intention to have the site designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Given the ecological interest and the designation of the site as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the London Resort site
was not considered as a viable alternative by UDX."

I mean, it's not surprising that they discounted it. But interesting that they thought they needed to explain why they hadn't been interested in the site themselves.

This happens in major developments even supermarkets, they will list a load of sites that could've been the site even if they were never in any discussions or the site was even for sale. Then list the reason it was struck out of consideration.

 

[Alicia]

Fun fact, the public documentation for the never-built London Resort included a former brickworks site near Bedford as a possible locale to build.

We've come full circle.


Info Source

 

[tommyhawkins]

Due to the size of the site there is likely small parcels of land that have never been registered, parts of the land have likely been sold and registered but these will've fallen down the wayside. There'll be other parcels were fences have been moved and they've been assumed by neighbouring properties.

Regarding the busiest days, I'd be surprised if these are bank holidays, Merlin is notoriously quiet on bank holidays. Here is May with 2 bank holidays & half term and some great weather at Alton Towers
View attachment 27224

I wouldn't be looking at anything Merlin does as the comparitor, it's all regional day trip parks. This resort is shooting for multi-day visits, in the hope that it forms part of UK residents annual summer holiday plans

In other news:
BBC News - Universal theme park neighbours say they have been 'forgotten' - BBC News

Universal theme park neighbours say they have been 'forgotten'

The future of the houses between the planned new attraction and its construction site is unclear.

www.bbc.co.uk

This is very interesting, plenty of quotes that probably never happened like the so-called "builder" threatening to "build the entrance on front of your house"
I am not sure why the people who talk to the press always act like they are being kept in the dark and have no clue what's going on, claim to know some things (CPOs) yet have no knowledge of what was proposed in the consultation last year.

 

[Alicia]

I mean, it's probably not great that the recently released documents refer to their houses as "Expansions" when describing contingency plans for whether or not they sell.