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Universal GB - Archived Post Announcement Discussion

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Benjsh said:
The right and far right hate him and attack every post he makes. Nothing to do with this project but more an attack on him.
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To be fair, plenty of people on the left hate him too.

Although he is currently prime minister, the development is bigger than Starmer. Crucially, support for the project locally is impressive (especially by UK standards), and what is proposed fits the investment formats and regions that Labour has previously hinted at. I notice that Universal is wisely pitching this as a beneficial pleasure to UK citizens, but those train links mooted suggest they will want to take a big chunk of the enormous London tourist market, too.
 
Competition is a good thing and I hope that this will impact Merlin to make their parks better than what they are. Time will tell. I do think Thorpe Park will be affected more than Alton Towers due to the location of it being a lot closer to Bedford and easier to get to than Alton Towers.

All the international theme park go-ers flying into London Heathrow will want to go there as part of their trip, with it being 20 minutes away from the airport.
 
What’s interesting, as I live 21 miles away from the proposed park, in Northamptonshire, is that precisely zero people here seem to either have known about it, or give a anything other than zero ships about it now it’s in the public domain. Center Parcs Woburn (really quite close) got their planning application rejected by the local council initially and got overruled by the Secretary of State at the time. It’s good that Universal have done their research and spent a long time soliciting support from locals and the councils involved. But as an example of how much disruption one person can do, just look at the effect the Roper’s had on Alton Towers. There is a long, long, long way to go before diggers start building this park.
 
Johnny_5 said:
What’s interesting, as I live 21 miles away from the proposed park, in Northamptonshire, is that precisely zero people here seem to either have known about it, or give a anything other than zero ships about it now it’s in the public domain. Center Parcs Woburn (really quite close) got their planning application rejected by the local council initially and got overruled by the Secretary of State at the time. It’s good that Universal have done their research and spent a long time soliciting support from locals and the councils involved. But as an example of how much disruption one person can do, just look at the effect the Roper’s had on Alton Towers. There is a long, long, long way to go before diggers start building this park.
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By all accounts judging by what they’ve just said in that speech this is happening, if that means steamrolling over certain people so be it.

A few people shouldn’t get to dictate billions of pounds of additional spending.
 
Blackrock said:
By all accounts judging by what they’ve just said in that speech this is happening, if that means steamrolling over certain people so be it.

A few people shouldn’t get to dictate billions of pounds of additional spending.
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Lordy, where do I start with that one? I agree, they shouldn’t..: but they do. And they can. It’s our planning system. And it’s there to protect everyone. Even if I do like the idea of nipping to a universal park for the afternoon because I’m that close to it. If this was being built next to my house, you can be dead set 100% I’d have something to say about it and I’d want damn sure that I had the same access to being heard as a multibillion dollar company and some enthusiasts. Edit. Also, we get generally 40/45% turnout for elections in this country. Because people generally don’t engage until something directly affects them. Who gave a nuts about the European single market or freedom of movement until it inconvenienced them at airports when going on holiday? Now this is in the open - expect the challenges to come thick and fast. And I will be disappointed with any government that railroads a project “just because”. And I say this as an enthusiast and someone who wants the park to happen.
 
Johnny_5 said:
Lordy, where do I start with that one? I agree, they shouldn’t..: but they do. And they can. It’s our planning system. And it’s there to protect everyone. Even if I do like the idea of nipping to a universal park for the afternoon because I’m that close to it. If this was being built next to my house, you can be dead set 100% I’d have something to say about it and I want damn sure that I had the same access to being heard as a multibillion dollar company and a some enthusiasts.
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The locals have had a chance to have their say. Universal did a public consultation last year that got a 92% approval rate. This isn't a case of Universal coming in and forcing it through, they've worked with the local gov and allowed people who would be affected to have a say. There will also be new public consultations anyway.
 
Johnny_5 said:
Lordy, where do I start with that one? I agree, they shouldn’t..: but they do. And they can. It’s our planning system. And it’s there to protect everyone. Even if I do like the idea of nipping to a universal park for the afternoon because I’m that close to it. If this was being built next to my house, you can be dead set 100% I’d have something to say about it and I’d want damn sure that I had the same access to being heard as a multibillion dollar company and some enthusiasts.
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Obviously maybe linked into this is the Labour government have been fairly outspoken on wanting to relax planning laws to allow more things to get built and quicker.
 
4K concept art here.


From: https://x.com/ScottGustin/status/1909767153391223272


Having had a browse of the Inside Universal forums there seems to be a view that the lake to the right of the main street style entrance (not the large central lagoon) is a Jaws themed area with what looks like a show building for an indoor ride.

Could we maybe be getting the Shainghai Pirates system for an indoor Jaws ride? If so Universal may as well just place a charge on my house to enforce power of sale in case I default on the annual pass payments.
 
Most of the comments I've seen away from enthusiast channels is 'Where's Harry Potter? It's dead to me now'. I suppose so many people have that as their primary image of a Universal theme park it is going to be expected.

The worst thing about all this is how many more foreign visitors will have their first impression of the UK being the hovel that is Luton Airport.
 
pluk said:
Most of the comments I've seen away from enthusiast channels is 'Where's Harry Potter? It's dead to me now'. I suppose so many people have that as their primary image of a Universal theme park it is going to be expected.

The worst thing about all this is how many more foreign visitors will have their first impression of the UK being the hovel that is Luton Airport.
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I understand that Luton airport is getting expanded and refurbished.
 
Sorry if covered but the exec talking to Starmer confirmed there will be 4 themed lands.

Based on the concept that would seem to be:

Minions (far right)
Jurassic (top)

And two more. Lots of people seem to be suggesting BTTF which would be wonderful but seems unlikely to me.
 
Bowser said:
Sorry if covered but the exec talking to Starmer confirmed there will be 4 themed lands.

Based on the concept that would seem to be:

Minions (far right)
Jurassic (top)

And two more. Lots of people seem to be suggesting BTTF which would be wonderful but seems unlikely to me.
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The land with the spike coaster does look very BTTF to me,
 
Josh555 said:
The land with the spike coaster does look very BTTF to me,
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I have to agree, I just don't see what else it could be. The area top right is the biggest mystery, some have suggested LOTR while others think it may be a Dark Universe themed area.

Whatever it is yet think the area is deliberately vague and lacking some themeing elements that could give it away. No way is that large building at the back be unthemed.
 
Josh555 said:
The land with the spike coaster does look very BTTF to me,
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A launched Delorean coaster will have me sold on annual passes (if i wasn't already).

Although interestingly...

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hailed the "landmark investment" as "fantastic news" for the economy.

"This is not just about bringing great American creations to Britain, this is also about showcasing great British creations to the world," she told the BBC Breakfast.

"These are things like James Bond, Paddington Bear, these are things like Harry Potter. We've got so much to be proud of."
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Presumably she's not naming things for fun.

Somewhat aligns with this very optimistic suggestion on Twitter if you switch LOTR for Harry Potter:

1744201041139.png
 
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