Universal Studios considering UK theme park

[Bolkins 4,152]

On 12/21/2023 at 10:46 AM, Bowman said:

I only live down the road from Bedford and quite honestly I can't imagine there will be one here, Bedford isn't the most exciting place wtf 

No Bedford isn’t the most glamorous location, but it does make sense. It has great transport links into London, and it has an established history in film production (at the Cardington hangers). Who knows what the impact would be on the area, but if Universal pour billions into a park there in 15-20 years time Bedford will be a very different place. 

[holy scheisse 22,959]

On 12/20/2023 at 6:47 PM, LilMissThang said:

Interesting, would the weather be good for a theme park there? In the US we mostly just have them in the South in Florida, California, Texas. I feel like it would be like having a theme park near Seattle where I live, my British friend said the weathers about the same.

Tbh I used to live in Orlando and it was miserable To go to those parks for half the year bc it was TOO hot and humid.

[Karl 3,575]

4 hours ago, Future Lovers said:

Also yeah, the major UK theme parks do very well with the weather because parks there are designed with it in mind.

Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland, Chessington World's of Adventure, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and Paultons are all world class destinations and have laid a very solid ground work for how to build and manage parks in the region. I'd imagine if Universal did root down there, they'd consult with the teams who work with and operate those parks on the best things to do. 

I struggle to agree that Merlin parks are managed well, Alton towers this year has been a shambles. Using companies that run prison food for the food and drink for a start, terrible ride maintenance which leaves rides down all the time, leaving the theming to decay, awful 5 hour opening times etc. Paultons and Legoland are the only exceptions tbh.. I think universal would be unlike anything we have right now in the UK. Also aside from Legoland there is a lack of indoor rides and dark rides in the UK, we mostly focus on giant rollercoasters and thrill rides or kiddy areas like Peppa pig and stuff.

[Inactive 698]

12 hours ago, Future Lovers said:

You've never heard of Cedar Point? One of the most famous theme parks in history? 

They're absolutely one of the biggest. The difference here is you're comparing a stand alone park to individual parks within a wider resort. Of course the Disney and Universal parks will have a higher overall attendance because they're a part of large multi-park internationally marketed vacation destinations. 

Cedar Point is one park with an on site hotel. It is one of the oldest parks in the world still operating today and is widely considered to have the single greatest roller coaster collection in the world. They stand second only to a Six Flags park in California for overall roller coaster count, but the quality between the two is incomparable. 

Never heard of it but I don’t travel out of the West Coast/Florida much. I think all the theme parks in the North are smaller/get less attendance because of weather which was my point. I can’t imagine going to a theme park in the Seattle area unless it was indoors.. which was my point because I’ve been told the weather is very similar to the UK.

[Inactive 698]

9 hours ago, holy scheisse said:

Tbh I used to live in Orlando and it was miserable To go to those parks for half the year bc it was TOO hot and humid.

That’s true, I prefer going spring/fall. Less tourists and nice weather. I like the hot weather my only issue was the thunderstorms but they usually pass quick.