• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

[🌎 Universal GB] General Discussion

tech said:
You've kinda conceded that there's no reason for adults to visit alone, and complained about the no adults visiting alone policy, all in one sentence 😄
Click to expand...
I never claimed to be a Vulcan. ;) To continue that particular discussion would be off topic for this thread though.
But I think it's safe to say they won't be getting international cred-grabbers turning up in droves.
 
DiogoJ42 said:
I think it's safe to say they won't be getting international cred-grabbers turning up in droves.
Click to expand...

As a parent of two small humans, I'm glad about that fact personally.

On the flipside, we'd never travel to Florida to visit Peppa-sodding-Pig Theme Park, but the next time we're in Orlando on a Disney/Universal trip we'll probably head out and give it a try. If Gullivers could land themselves some sort of IP hook, they could potentially do quite well from visiting families.
 
tech said:
If Gullivers could land themselves some sort of IP hook, they could potentially do quite well from visiting families.
Click to expand...

Ironically their other park already beat Universal to the punch with a Wicked themed area :D

www.gulliversworldresort.co.uk

Land of Oz - Gulliver's World Warrington Resort | Warrington

Discover the enchanting Land of Oz at Gulliver's World in Warrington, a captivating new themed area featuring magical attractions for the whole family. It's time to join the yellow brick road...
www.gulliversworldresort.co.uk www.gulliversworldresort.co.uk
 
tech said:
On the flipside, we'd never travel to Florida to visit Peppa-sodding-Pig Theme Park, but the next time we're in Orlando on a Disney/Universal trip we'll probably head out and give it a try. If Gullivers could land themselves some sort of IP hook, they could potentially do quite well from visiting families.
Click to expand...

Yes, quite. At the end of the day, it's an attraction very near Bedford, like Woburn Safari Park. Not everyone who visits Universal will want to visit (or be eligible, unless they change the rules), but a certain proportion will. It can only benefit Gulliver's Land, in my opinion.
 
Someone mentioned about Universal paying minimum wage and I was curious if this is going to be the case as Disney and Universal are hitting around the 17-19$ per hour. Now I know that’s America but surely to entice people to work there it would potentially be the same sort of adding value for working for them?
 
Excalibur said:
Someone mentioned about Universal paying minimum wage and I was curious if this is going to be the case as Disney and Universal are hitting around the 17-19$ per hour. Now I know that’s America but surely to entice people to work there it would potentially be the same sort of adding value for working for them?
Click to expand...
$17 USD is about £12.50 GBP which isn't far off UK minimum wage anyway.

Also wages in the USA aren't always comparable due to the way their taxes, benefits and healthcare work.

Additionally there is a lot of competition for workers in the Orlando parks, Disney, Universal, Seaworld, Legoland and many other places are always hiring so they need to be attractive as an employer.
 
Excalibur said:
Someone mentioned about Universal paying minimum wage and I was curious if this is going to be the case as Disney and Universal are hitting around the 17-19$ per hour. Now I know that’s America but surely to entice people to work there it would potentially be the same sort of adding value for working for them?
Click to expand...
Generally, amusement attractions in this country pay minimum wage; there's an attraction near me which pays all its retail/f&b employees (regardless of age) the 21 year old minimum wage, and entitles them to unlimited free visits during their time off as a 'value add'
 
For the entry-level roles of course they will be minimum wage, so many people will want to work for Universal and the park will be heavily connected through public transport.

Compared to other UK theme parks I think Universal will have decent opportunities to progress as they will have a lot more specialised roles, to the point that I think the biggest issue for UK parks with the entrance of Universal may well be the brain drain. Universal is going to want teams on the attractions that know the industry, and have proven themselves to be great operators.

Even if the pay is the same as the regional parks, theme park staff will 100% be drawn to Universal just for the prestige. Hell, if the quality of life and purchasing power parity of living in Bedford is stronger than London, I can see people moving out of the London parks just for a better lifestyle alone.
 
The nearby Center Parcs pays minimum wage for entry level roles, Merlin pay the real Living Wage, so I would expect the same.

But, the claim is that it is all minimum wage which forgets about the park management, supply chain, etc.

BBC claim that some residents feel they've been "forgotten".

www.bbc.co.uk

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 www.bbc.co.uk
 
WanderingNortherner said:
The nearby Center Parcs pays minimum wage for entry level roles, Merlin pay the real Living Wage, so I would expect the same.

But, the claim is that it is all minimum wage which forgets about the park management, supply chain, etc.

BBC claim that some residents feel they've been "forgotten".

www.bbc.co.uk

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 www.bbc.co.uk
Click to expand...

He sat at my kitchen table and I told him I didn't want to move, I've lived here for 10 years. He said "If you're going to be difficult we can build the theme park entrance opposite your house," so I asked him to leave

Struggling to believe this was said.
 
Bowser said:
He sat at my kitchen table and I told him I didn't want to move, I've lived here for 10 years. He said "If you're going to be difficult we can build the theme park entrance opposite your house," so I asked him to leave

Struggling to believe this was said.
Click to expand...

I'd have called his bluff.

That's the one thing I don't support about this project - if they kick the residents out. Universal really should offer all the residents well over the odds - a few million, something like that. Enough that they can choose to live wherever they want.
 
I'm sure I've read in places that they have been offered +20% market value. It will be easy to work out as soon as the land registry is updated for the ones they have already purchased anyway.

It would be more entertaining if they did hold out and Universal just went and built a spite wall opposite them, or fully enclosed them
 
rob666 said:
Why?
They have probably all been offered more than the market value already.
Looks like a fishing exercise for more money from a multinational to me.
But I love reading about spite houses, be they american or chinese.
Click to expand...

In fairness a home is often about more than monetary value so it’s understandable that people will be upset at being forced to move regardless of additional profit.

Personally I’d be fine with them building the entrance opposite, as long as we can negotiate lifetime passes with fast track and perhaps a private tunnel from our driveway ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top